Roof Top Tents - A fad?

Ha. So now I need a RTT, bed rack AAAANNND a 30 foot carpeted ramp to go camping. I give up.

 

This, I just got back from a 4 day, 3 night off-road trip. I can say that RTT would not have survived, trees would have tore it from your vehicle. Hell, I would not even want to take my Truck on this. An instant backpack tend did me just fine.

 

Someone earlier was saying what is and isn't a fad based on a timeline... here's the definition of fad from teh google.

FAD: (noun)
"an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially one that is short-lived and without basis in the object's qualities; a craze."

I think that right there, "without basis in the object's qualities", is why I consider this in the fad category for a lot of mall-overland instagram bros. It has nothing to do with how long something has been around... fidget spinners, for example, were created 5-10 years ago for autistic kids. It's a fad because 1. a ton of people have one for inexplicable reasons and 2. not everyone who has one is autistic and thus realizes the benefits of using one. I think a lot of people buy things without taking into consideration whether they will use it... but that's because we are a consumer society. We see it, we like what we see, we like the perceived culture surrounding it, and we think the product will inject us into the culture.

 

There are some valid points here. But if you've been on Expo for a decade or more, you would have been exposed to way more images of rigs with RTT's. Then it might seem like nothing new. There were thousands of them back then, so it doesn't really seem like a fad to me now. If people's exposure is limited to the gram or TW, it might seem like a newer thing.

That being said, I thought it was a fad 10 years ago. Guess I was wrong.

 

RTTs are way too expensive in my opinion. You pay maybe $2000 but still sleep in a tent. You can't leave your gear setup inside because it has to close flat for traveling. So you have to move your crap in and out every time you move the vehicle. Often times the ventilation is not as good as a $150 ground tent. Most people do not enjoy climbing ladders, especially when going for a groggy 3am pee in the dark. If you are overlanding full time for a LONG period of time, I could see it. But most folks camp for only a weekend a few times per year. It doesn't make much sense for most people to carry one of these goliaths on their roof full time. Hurts MPG, reduces roof storage capacity, and becomes a target for tree damage. Imagine a tree limb destroying your new expensive roof top tent while your on your way to your trail. I think they are neat, and if they were way cheaper I would be into it, but the price point kills the whole thing for me. For most people, a tag along travel trailer makes more sense, or save your hard earned $$$ and just use a traditional tent. Just my opinion.

EDIT: I would love to have the type of Land Cruiser Troopy RTT that passes through directly into the cab (you actually cut the roof off and replace with roof top tent). Now that would be sweet. no more ladder needed. leave your crap wherever, when time to go shove into cab space. Effectively turns Land Cruiser into a mini RV.

 

That's not bad. New or used price?

 

LOVE your point about the faster drying time, it's very true. I've never had a significant amount of moisture in my RTT even when camping in the dead of winter (from sweat), though I definitely have pulled off the rain fly and let it dry in the bed while I packed away the rest.

For muddy shoes, I do one of three things:
1) Kick mud off, then sandwich the soles together and put it in the tent.
2) Hang my muddy underneath the RTT.
3) Grab a pair of flip flops and wear those into the tent.

 

mines 68. i lift.

and pee bottle.

 

I love ours, but we built a trailer for it to switch between vehicles. A lot cheaper than pop up campers or any other camper. They are very comfortable and quick to set up and break down. Downside really is the cost, only reason I really got ours was a holiday sale and they knocked 700 off. But they have actually been around longer than you think but it's just now becoming popular over here

 

if you need someone to tell you why you need a RTT, then you prob dont need one.

this thread is stupid

 

I usually just sleep in the cab or my $40 two man tent. I'll admit it: I'm cheap and I don't wheel hard. But my seats do recline really far so a short man (5' 6") like myself can pretty much lie down in the cab.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyL43JAxYZI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asYCj87b5vI

 

cant hurt mpg if you already get shit mpg

i get 13.5 with tent on the roof or tent in the bed or no tent at all. has made zero effect on my truck.

 

Sleepin in the bed always worked for me!

 

Why are you posting in it, then?

 

because im stupid

 

For those complaining about peeing in the middle of the night, I present you with


For those mentioning muddy shoes, I present you with


The annex really is a sweet feature, as long as you get one you can enter the tent from. Then you can get all clean and dry if it's shitty weather and crawl into a clean tent. Also serves as a changing room and porta potty for my 5 gallon bucket (not joking). As far as cost, there are tents out there that are just as good as name brand, just not name brand. I'm getting my tent in a few days which includes the annex and an anti condensation mat for $1,199 shipped to me.

 

Normally it's $1250 but I got them to extend a sale to me to save $50 and get the mat thrown in for free.

http://tuffstuff4x4.com/products/tu...ooftop-mounted-tent-free-annex-changing-room/

EDIT: And here are more reviews of it.

Tuff Stuff Ranger Overland Rooftop Tent with Annex Room

https://www.amazon.com/Tuff-Stuff-R...=1505284794&sr=8-1&keywords=tuff+stuff+ranger