Roof top tents, why?

That thing looks tiny

 

That's what she said.

 

everytime

 

Here's my breakdown between the two based on several active years (~50-60 nights) of using a RTT and an entire childhood/backpacking experience of various tent camping schemes:

RTT Pros:
off the ground
keeps dirt, etc from getting all over the tent fabric
does not need a separate space from vehicle
ability to store sleeping items outside of cargo space
comfier mattress than inflatable (somewhat subjective)
ability to camp on rocky / brush covered ground (lot of that in UT)
great for "waypoint" camping
ability to level tent using firewood, etc
on-snow camping

RTT Cons:
off the ground (for doggos)
can be a pain to dry out if encountering rain / snow vs ground tent(#apartmentlife)
potential aerodynamic issues depending on setup
weight / center of gravity (Moab tech can get a little spicy)
sucks ass for "base camping" / beer runs, etc. (can be prevented by only setting up once established for the night.)
expensive

Ground Tent Pros:
close to ground (doggos and midnight leaks)
cheaper
potentially more headroom (model dependent)
ability to be separate from vehicle
great for base camping
edit:lighter / no CG issues

Ground Tent Cons:
wet/muddy/dirty tent gets packed back in stuff sack (or have to keep footprint separate)
must find relatively unobstructed ground or get a root in your back
cannot level if camping on a hill.
takes up storage area space
easier to track dirt, etc inside
comfort level of mattress (again, somewhat subjective)

 

I don't buy in to the whole RTTs make you top heavy. I have mine mounted above the roof line and don't run sway bar... I bomb down curvy roads etc just like I always have. I felt absolutely ZERO difference when I mounted my tent.

Now Smittybuilt is only around 115 pounds... CVT, Tepui, and hard shell are probably heavier and may make the truck more top heavy... I have not had any issue.

 

Yeah, that feature of the hard shell models really appeal to me. The bigger foot print while "stowed" and the price do not.

 

At the end of the day, physics is physics. I agree that mine doesn't create an issue either, but to say it isn't as tippy as my truck without it would be defying the rules of reality.

 

Hammock camping is def an acquired skill learned the hard way. Pretyy great if you master it, but miserable until you do (or give up like I did.)

 

I only need a 2 person.

 

With the weight/amount of gear I run in my side boxes, right on top of each of the rear wheels... 115 pounds evenly distributed isn't enough weight to make a difference... that is noticable.

 

Just wanna say that your sig quote is far too relatable. My truck:

 

Lmao! And it is a 100% true story.

Next time my wife(@Taco-Rado Girl ) is on here... she can tell you.

 

I'm a single guy and I have told myself my truck is "done" no less than 4 times already. Lie of the century.

 

It’s the manbun of the truck world

 

I don't even try and lie to myself (or her) any more. My truck will (absolutely literally) never be done.

She's just as much in to camping as I am though, so most of it makes it more fun/convinient for her too. I'm lucky I have a wife that "gets it."



Now... I'm still in the process of convincing her on my next (additional) project. I want to build a Truck for the Everyman Challange at the Hammers. THAT is going to take some convincing (and additional sources of income) lol

 

My 85 lb lab used to get in and out of my RTT on his own no problem with the portable pet stairs.

 

I'm thankful to have a buddy currently building a truck for that class. I just help on some of the fab and let him pay the bills . Trying to weasel my way into a co-driver/pit crew slot.

 

My point was a ground tent doesn't require any intervention and a roof tent does. Yes you can provide a solution, but it requires a solution in the first place.

I can luckily just lift my 70 pound wirehair into the tent myself.