What is the deal with fixed top camping rigs?

I can see OP's point... there are probably tons of posers out there that will never really USE their gear, or may use it once or twice a year. Oh well, he's entitled to that opinion, but appears to have conceded that "because fuck you, that's why!" is a good enough justification.

I'm a paramotor pilot, started flying last year. Didn't really want to haul my shit around in a Chevy Volt (fuggin great commuter car if you can plug in at home and work within electric range), so I started looking at trucks.. first used, and holy jeebus, used Tacomas hold their value something fierce! I had a 1995 Tacoma way back, and loved it, so it brought me back. Bought my '17 SR5 in August, and it's a great hauler for my paramotor. I don't even have to break the motor down to lay it in the bed for a trip to a local field or LZ to fly.

Well, in paramotoring, we do fly-in events, there are anywhere from half a dozen to a dozen a year, all in various locations. So naturally, I'd love to go to some. Lots are in big open places, and lots of people camp in them... so I started looking at my options. At first, the simple Napier truck bed tent looked cool... but man, I'd have to unload everything I bring with me just to set up to sleep! Ground tents briefly crossed my mind, but left quickly. I considered rooftop tents, and looked at various types and brands...

Then I started looking at campers. When I got the truck, I absolutely wanted the towing package... so I ended up finding a great deal on an a-frame popup camper, and bought it in November. I towed it from Texas to Florida in early January for a fly-in. The truck handled it like a champ. I had great living space and didn't need to pay for a stupid hotel... although it was too cold to fill the water tank in the camper and use the shower in it...

All the while, I still checked out what people are doing in "overlanding", and I like some of what I see. The Habitat and Go Fast Campers look good to me. I want to be able to dwell INSIDE. But, I also really want to be able to take all that shit off of the truck easily, since it's my DD, and I don't care to limit its usefulness...

Since I don't yet have any serious intention of doing hardcore "overlanding", but kinda do want something more self-contained, I'm considering selling the trailer camper and buying an actual truck camper. That way, it's self-contained, has enough amenities that I can do weekend fly-ins easily, and can take it off the truck when I'm not using it. The Palomino SS500 looks like a winner. I may pull the trigger on that in a couple months. We'll see.

Maybe later on down the line, I'll try to build out a more lightweight setup and try some "overlanding". Maybe incorporate my paramotor flying into it. Laugh at everyone on the ground, while I get to see all the awesome scenery from the air!

And whatever I do, whatever I get and whatever I do with my truck... "fuck you, that's why!"

 

Uggghhhh paramotoring!?!?

Real men do it in a torn -10b!!!






No nono. REAL MEN just jump to their deaths... so fuck your fancy safety equipment! [/pompous]

 

I don’t like sleeping on the ground because I’m old and scared of things that go bump in the night. Mostly old, LOL.

 

I dunno where you guys are finding popup campers for cheaper than RTTs but that sure isn't my neck of the woods, unless you get one that's almost as old as I am.

My primary use case for the RTT will be to have a place for our dogs (annex) on wheeling trips where we typically camp out some trail that towing would be next to impossible on. My wife also hates sleeping on the ground, even with an inflatable mat. I'm over 6' so bed is out. It's worth it to me for her to be comfortable to get her to go more often.

Yeah, some element of the RTT is "I think that's cool", but if that isn't an element of any purchase you're doing life wrong. I'm sure that played a part in spending $350 on a ground tent. Definitely should remove anything to do with price of a RTT from your complaint after dropping that bomb lol

 

I, too, have never understood this. I like to drive to the middle of nowhere. And then hike further to the middle of nowhere. I don’t go outside to have all the amenities afforded by camping right next to my truck! That’s just me. My truck gets me to where I want to get further on foot. I think most people are just afraid of sleeping on the ground. Out west in tHe desert I don’t even use a tent. Cowboy camp allllll day.

 

I personally don't get it, but too each his own. I use my truck as well a truck to haul shit; Mulch, loam, lumber, skis ans whatever else. I also really never understood why folks with truck get cabs or put this silly racks over the beds, why not get a 4R or any SUV? Overall, too each his own - their vehicle, their life.

 

Haha I wonder how many dudes on here got roof top tents because the wife wanted to be comfy

 

Hey man, if it gets her to go on off-road trips with me, whatevs. Some of us actually like having the wives around

 

Which RTT do you use? I’m in the market for one.

 

That' funny I've often thought of my tacoma in the same light as my old bus .

 

If Smittybilt’s are still on sale, they are bulkier than others but less than half the cost of some and a good value for the money as your first RTT.

 

I don’t see the problem with RTTs. My wife and I used to camp and hike a lot with “regular tents” and it dropped off over the years. Especially here in the PNW we got tired of setting up in the rain. With my hip issues it was always difficult scrunching up, crawling and changing inside the tent and made me almost dread it. I have a taco on order and am also looking forward to an RTT so we can enjoy camping again. Changing standing up with an enclosed awning will be a lot easier.

The only negative for me is that I love camping with my large dog. How am I going to get her into an RTT? Plus I’d like my truck to be a regular truck on a daily basis when I’m not traveling and be able to load my mtb off the tailgate on a weekly basis without having rtt space and mpg penalties and am trying to figure that out.

 

I got sucked into the rtt craze. Bought one and sold it. I prefer the tent.

 

If you have a garage with a peaked roof, get an inexpensive HF electric hoist to lift the RTT up off the truck and store it in the attic (from someone else’s post here but I can’t find it):

 

I guess I've been sucked in, too. We are going from ground tent to an AT Habitat. Just put in the order last week. Can't wait! I think being able to stand in the truck bed, somewhere dry, private will be nice before hopping into bed. The wife and I are not hardcore campers by any means. But not having to load the ATV and SxS up every night and hauling into town to a hotel has been awesome for trips to the dunes. Thought about the RTT and Vestibule but liked the AT Habitat just a lil more.

And I can't exactly pull a big enough Toy Hauler for all the toys with my Tacoma

 

At the time we were running a Mombasa overland plus. About the same as a CVT Shasta iirc... i do like CVT's products and the Khaki color cooler in summer.

Most important, on a trip in the black hills my friend's tent bows were crushed by a bad storm. CVT made it right, and quickly. Customer service goes a long way with me.

We are running a AT Habitat now.

Welcome to the club, it's a different world with the habitat.

Make sure you pay close attention to how to fold the tent during collapse to prevent any damage.

 

Wtf does it matter how someone wants to camp. RTT are just another form of camping. I still hike with a hammock, or tent if I'm in the desert. Hell, I've slept in a hammock on trail with my rtt on the truck. I keep two pack hammocks and a ground tent in my truck even with the RTT. I love my RTT and I love my Hammock.(Not so much the ground tent, only when absolutely necessary. ) It's just another AWESOME way to camp.

 

Cool, the thought crossed my mind, but I haven't looked into it.

 

Good to know about CVT - it's a brand I'm considering.

 

https://youtu.be/UDrlyJbesdw

They are great tents