Roof top tents yay or nay?

I have been looking at roof top tents comparing camp king and alucab rtt but what is the community’s thought on them? They are pricey and I was wondering if going rtt is a good route If you have a rtt what’s your input doesn’t have to just be those two rtt all input is welcomed. In general do you regret it or enjoy it?

 

It is and then you'll sell it next season.

 

I’ve seen that some sell them. That’s why I’m curious if it’s worth the investment. I’m just a normal dude wanting to explore. I’m not interested in Instagram fame.

 

I won’t buy another RTT. I’d get something like the alu-cab canopy camper or the at habitat.

Most RTT covers are a PITA and take more time than setting up a ground tent. If I can’t deploy and pack up in a few seconds, I’m not interested. Makes a huge difference in a swarm of mosquitoes or a downpour

 

I have had mine for about 3 years it’s a Tepui, I ordered it on a whim one night on a few beers. Initially I loved it, it’s very convienient, very comfortable, and it’s really nice being off the ground. Just a different way of tenting. Have I enjoyed it? Absolutely. Would I ever buy another? Hard to say, it’s a big inconvenience to have to pack up if you have to go to go somewhere and get something, up the road for food, to a trailhead, whatever. You can’t drive around with it setup, obviously. In a way it makes setting up super easy, in other ways if kind of takes away from simplicity of tenting. You can buy a real nice cap and set up a good sleeping platform with storage drawers and be just as far or farther ahead. I even seen one setup on here with actuators on the cap that raised it and it had tent material between the cap and bed to give you extra headroom. Again kind of getting away from the simplicity of it.

 

truth.

ive had 2 different ones now. a soft shell CVT and a hardshell. i preferred the hardshell over the soft for everything but spending time in (i wouldnt want to have to sit out the rain in it since they are typically smaller height). but the benefits of setup/storing bed items/closing/cleaning is all a benefit to the hardshell.

sold both. realized it was a waste of money sitting on my roof and i can do the same with 1/4 of the $ in a ground tent.

ive also had them over the bed on a rack and over the cab. the bed makes for easier access but you cant use the truck like a truck (i have dirtbikes). roof was annoying to climb all over the sliders. glad to be done with both

 

Topper ez lift

My brother is considering that route on his truck

 

Thanks ! There is a quicksand DCLB on here I seen somewhere with that setup and it looks pretty awesome.

 

A good question to ask yourself is, if not a RTT then what are you going to use? An immediate follow up question is whats your budget?

 

It’s pretty slick. Saw them at expo east, company is based in Minnesota. I think it works pretty well for people that don’t need a truckload of gear

 

Love mine...

Initially thought that having the truck "out of commission" would be an issue, but we plan/pack accordingly, and don't normally camp for longer than a few days anyway.

 

most of my camping i just sleep in hammocks, i do think rtt are pretty cool but ide rather save the money and just set up a tent on the ground or buy a shell and have a sleeping platform in the bed

 

The problem with this setup is that you lose your bed storage. If you're carrying gear you have to unload it to sleep and load it back up to leave.

 

Found the build thread for the Quicksand one, it’s actually a SB

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/denver2890s-weekend-warrior-build.404050/

 

Tepui owner here. Go with atleast a 3 person unless you like being snuggled up close with a companion. I bought mine when rei has their member 20% off sale. It’s about the best deal you can get. Would I buy one again?? Probably, buuuuut if I had the cheddar I would like a hard top shell that pops up with access into the bed. I can set my tent up in like 10 min and that’s not bad. Off the ground, mattress pad. It’s the little things

The smittybilt is a cheap alternative if you are curious. Friend has one and yeah it’s got some quality differences but it looks decent

 

Easily my favorite threads.

 

I just hope go fast camper doesn’t pull a pelfrey. They are a year out right now. I’m sure it will get worse with more insta “influencers” getting theirs. I can assemble my 3p ground tent faster than a RTT and it fits behind the backseat of my double cab.

 

If we kept searching and posting in the old threads there would only be like 4 !!

1. RTT
2. How big of tires can I fit??
3. Should I get AT or MT?
4. Short bed vs Long bed??

 

Huge waste of money. Helps paranoid people cross-over to outdoor culture and activities, by providing them what they think is a convenient solution and a “safe space”. Those that find out they actually enjoy the outdoors sell their moldy RTT within a year or two and end up with something more practical and useful. Those that don’t like the outdoors sell their moldy RTT and go back to chillin’ at Starbucks.

Common thread: they both sell them. Skip that step.

There is no advantage to an overpriced, heavy, cumbersome tent attached to your truck.

 

they look freaking cool but seem inconvenient for many reasons.

1. pricey 1k+
2. heavy (need 2 people to detach it if you dont want it on the roof forever)
3. not quick setup (again sometimes 2 people needed for faster setup)
4. storage (after you take it off where do you put it?)


compare to:
150 to 300 dollar tent you can setup in a few minutes in throw in the bed under the tonneau cover to keep dry.