What is the deal with fixed top camping rigs?

Yes

Just as people buy 4x4 vehicles, mod them up, and never "use them"... so what is the difference?

 

Are you sure you read my post? I was pro RTT. I was saying how I like that they don't plug up the roads like travel trailers do. I've actually looked into getting a RTT. That's why I click on RTT threads.

 

I misunderstood too, it read your post as saying you are glad your HOA keeps trucks with RTT’s off your street!

I write stuff people misunderstand all the time too, that happens when you’re a teacher!

 

I can't imagine trying to negotiate a ladder at zero-dark-thirty to take a pee.



And I can't imagine having to break camp to see some country.




SB

 

Sure I’ll bite too,

It depends entirely what you’re after. What they’re good at is allowing for quick setup and take down and pretty reasonable comfort. In mine, for example, I have a memory foam topper in addition to the standard mattress pad and it is pretty damn nice to sleep in. I leave the bed made and I can be in the tent and in bed only a couple minutes after finding camp if I want to. It also allows really any place you can fit a single vehicle to be a suitable site. Most of what’s in my truck is dialed to allowing for the most efficient setup and take down as possible. Maximizes trail/travel time and less fumbling is low light or night time situations. They are horrible value for the money, I’ll admit, for the average person. But they are great if you plan to camp or travel a lot, and plan to change camp often in a journey, or want to maximize space in your camp. Plenty of ways to skin a cat, not every way is right for everyone.

 

Where were these? Some beautiful country to RTT in!

 

Well... I think we solved the part where the fixed tent on the roof thing makes no logical or financial sense vs a regular backpacking tent but some people like them and liking it is good enough. It's not my money.

If you want to bring the $5k roof rig, and some extra tent/hammock options just in case ... cool ... I skip the middleman and only bring a tent. It works everywhere and meets my needs. YMMV. You will get no hate from me unless you complain that you don't have enough room left in the truck what with all the tents and such

 

Central Idaho and southern Utah.

SB

 

Thank you!!!
Finally someone finally ranted my pent up feelings and frustration

 

Nice, I didn’t recognize the Idaho area, spent time last summer in the Boise NF. Such beautiful country. Utah is gorgeous too, been there a lot with family. Nice shoes (SHOTS!! stupid auto spelling piece of iPhone!), I like your Idaho one most. Nice rig, too!

 

You know they can climb, right? Being 7' off the ground is like being at table height for a grizz. They don't even need the ladder. Being on the roof is like being on the ground except you fall down before they kill you. FWIW, Bears hate fire. And boat air horns. And exhaust fumes. And 220g .30-06 hollow points. In case you are, ya know, trying to be evasive

 

Lmao

 

OMG

 

Sorry about that, I really didn’t think what I put on my truck would have bothered anyone else. I mean, it wasn’t as if I had put that giant photoshopped rainbow unicorn sticker or something like that on it...

 

Remember the news story about the Utah family that were sleeping in their tent and a black bear dragged their son away from it? What an terrible thing to happen to anyone. Black bears are everywhere, and especially large in even southern California. And people do stupid stuff like have food in their tent instead of stowing it away safely- so yes, neither RTTs or ground tents can help with that if they put bait in the tent with them. Some common sense is needed when people go out in the wild.

 

Don’t know but I’m digging that front bumper

 

Who is going to know you are outdoorsy if you don't drive around with a tent on top? In all seriousness, I like the idea of sleeping up high and off the ground but I wind up doing that in an ENO hammock and I have the accouterment to do so even with no trees around... and I only truck-camp for mountain bike related situations.
All this being said, if RTT's were 400-600$ I'd get one but I doubt I'd leave it mounted permanently like many do.

 

Nor can I.



SB