Roof top tents yay or nay?

Nice I was wondering if there was metallic stand. That's actually pretty well done with the tarp. Impressive. It does okay in sand?

 

Those poles look really heavy.

 

I really like how the tarp is set up.

 

it does settle a bit, but then it's even more secure because the ends are held in place pretty well.

They're just 1 3/8 fence top rails with some canopy fittings. Certainly way lighter than a RTT.

 

I think the question about should I get an RTT is too broad of a question which creates conflict because everyone has different circumstances.

Some people have never camped before and they see it as a "gateway to camping for their family". My family will all be sleeping in a big ass tent, on the ground. Doesn't mean I'm gonna openly troll someone about it.

Some people like to show up to camp at 11:00 AM, set up a whole village, and then roam around in their vehicles.
Some people show up to camp at 1:00 am while it's pissing rain. They don't want to set up a hammock / ground tent in the pissing rain because because they're leaving that morning.
There are alternatives to this. Sleep in your truck or sleep in a camper. Tons of alternatives. It depends on the person.

Some people like to boondock so an RTT is not right for them, it does not offer the stealth a camper does.
Some people like to spend thousands on their tents because they can, some people spend under a grand and they have the rest of their savings in order so who's to judge?

Some people don't want an RTT because they want to use their bed...
Some people don't care because they don't use their bed.

Some people don't want it because MPG.
Some people don't care about MPG.

Some people like to drive their truck down a trail to camp some can say thats excessive. Why not hike in?
Some people "overland" as a career. So what? It's cringe as hell but whatever. IDC.

Everyone has a different style of camping or a different goal each option might be better or worse.

List goes on.

For anyone actually interested in knowing whether its right for them, tell us what you plan on doing with your tent/ truck. Why do you want it?
And then it can be decided whether its the right choice.

 

Would you STOP being so damned reasonable in your opinions? Sheesh!

 

RTT owners in a nutshell: You are literally bolting a $1500-$2000, 100+lb. folding treehouse to the top of your truck because you're afraid to sleep on the ground and can't be bothered to make your bed in the morning.

 

Judgmental much?

 

So it would be a lot cooler if it was actually a piece of a stage for a stripper

 

Nope. Just observations based on years upon years of observing those I've camped with

 

You're making some sweeping generalizations there.

 

Possibly. But I'm also old enough to understand that stereotypes aren't typically based on myths. There is a lot of truth to the claim that RTT'ers are afraid to sleep on the ground. And Not having to make your bed is literally one of the most common selling points of the RTT.

 

I must be one of the rare few that aren't afraid to sleep on the ground and owns an RTT.

 

If true, then you're right. Good on ya.

 

You're assuming that anyone who uses a RTT is doing it for the same reasons, and lumping everyone into one bucket. As for the "making your bed" thing, did your Mom punish you as a kid for not doing it? Yes, the convenience of folding up your sleeping bags and pillows IN the tent is great. Why do you view that as a negative thing?

 

Yeah I mean when I didn't have one I thought the exact same thing. Which is true for 95% of the people haha. There are a few though that have turned to "The darkside".
Actually, when I first got it I was thinking, great my dad is gonna troll me since he's climbed/hiked around the world for the younger half of his life.
To the contrary he was quite impressed by the convenience of setting up camp wherever and being able to move on the next day. I guess its luxury in a sense that I don't have to pitch and pack a tent. I agree! But I live once so fuck it, I'll take the convenience.

Ultimately I would love to set a platform in my bed since I already own a shell. I'm torn on giving up that space. It is the ultimate set up for shitty weather and "quickness" in camping anywhere.

 

Dont assume my gender.
Bad joke.

 

Taking a break from designing a website... Going to answer this with my thoughts & experiences.

I've always thought that the RTT was a waste of money in a lot of ways. For a fraction of the price you can sleep more people in a ground tent in sleeping bags and on pads. Lets assume the average RTT costs anywhere between $1500 & $3000. The average of that is $2250. If you went camping once a month for a year that's $187.50 per campout that year. My wife and I got a 4 person tent with REI's outlet for $175, My personal two man tent was $300. We'll use the $300 price. If I go camping 12 times a year, in the $300 tent I'm essentially spending $25 per campout with the ground tent. Prices of tents vary, just depends on what you're willing to spend. So ground tents are already 86% cheaper. Another thing we ran into with my buddy who runs the RTT is that the state parks (In Texas at least) charge you as an RV and will not let you use any other campsite type. I guess to them if you're sleeping in the vehicle, it's technically an RV. So that's another $10 per night just for the campsite upgrade.

Mounting, MPG, weight distribution and dynamics. If you don't have a rack... guess what. You're building or buying a rack/bed bars. More money. Your roof rack will add about 100-200lbs depending on your setup. That plus drag is going to decrease your MPG and overall cost per trip goes up more at the pumps. Let's assume you put the rack over the bed on top of bars. You're limiting access to your bed and storage, you're adding more weight to the rear which might cause the rear end to sag and you'd have to upgrade suspension. (More money). It also affects the way the truck will climb in 4x4 situations. Your off camber situations will probably be about the same, but you might occasionally have to take a different line when on crazy trails to keep the truck more level. Branches will snag on RTTs and could damage the tent.

As some have said before, you have to pack down to go anywhere. What I suggested to my buddy was, put the RTT on his off road trailer and he can just disconnect and go. That's what he ended up doing. He's thanked me plenty for the idea.

Parking garages are a no go if you leave it on all the time (if your lifted). Storage of the RTT when off is something to consider, they are pretty big. You might want to build a hoist or something, they aren't really fun or easy to do by yourself.

A ground tent. Weighs 6-10lbs, packs down to about 24x8in and you're good to go.

When I was partnering with the Forest Services in Colorado clearing trails, we hiked in where trucks and even horses couldn't go. We had to hike in our food, shelter, and tools. We went up there to clear the trails so that the horses could go up in search and rescue situations. There are some situations where a RTT simply won't make it.

I have a 70lb dog. I'm not going to break my fuckin legs falling off a ladder trying to carry that dog up and down, in and out of that thing. Small children as well. If they're not like 5 and can't climb up on their own that's also another hassle.

I see them as a luxury, and a fad thing currently. I think there are plenty of better things to spend the money on, and the cons grossly outweigh the pros in my opinion. But it's your money and life do what you want. I just think for the price that's a lot of gear for my wife and I to do more hiking trips.

I sound like an old man, but to me, camping is on the ground and in a tent.

 

Should have got it from surplus for $50. You could get 6 and have enough for a party with $300