Roof Top Tents - A fad?

But....patches bro

 

Well I still like the idea of my RTT. For the most part I have the set up I want. Ive had it on the truck and didn't care for it so I put on a trailer and its a much better set up on the trailer. But for me its not as easy as it should be to set up and take down. Thats why im going back to a ground tent once I sell the RTT. Hopefully someone will but it.

 

To each their own.

2-3 times a week I see a 4runner with an RTT. Only thing I can think of is he can't park in any parking garage.

A couple years ago I camped in a KOA next to a family with an RTT on top of what looked like a top-of-the-line Range Rover. Nice indeed. But seemed overkill for KOA.

 

Pros:
* costs less than a camper shell
* holds up decent in weather
* take up minimal space if mounted right
* comfy foam mattress/bedding
* warm, dry, comfortable, easy
* rain doesn’t = mud

Cons:
* still a little flappy
* can’t stand up to put my pants on
* cost a little more than a wal-mart tent

It’s the next step up for someone tired of ground tenting, and not ready for a camper. The same goes for the price.

 

RTTs originated in Africa and Australia where people are overlanding for long periods of time. They became popular (or a fad) because they truly make for a better camping experience...quick to deploy, warmer than ground tent and way more comfortable. I wasn't sold on one until I got a great deal I couldn't pass up. I didn't like the idea of the rtt taking storage space on my rack, but I found putting sleeping gear in the tent actually saved tons of space. The amount of time I wasted blowing up and unrolling mattresses, stuffing sleeping bags and repacking every morning was considerable because I am always camping with my family. Now, I simply fold out or fold up the tent and its done. It freed up space in the vehicle and more importantly, made packing easier because I load up less stuff. I even started using the flat packing folders for clothes and leave most of my clothes in the rtt as well. Before heading out on the trail now, I just worry about my kitchen supplies and food. Tent is always on my truck and ready to go.

 

If all you’re doing is driving between camp sites then, we’ll ya of course. They shine for the overlanding stuff where setup efficiency and space is paramount.

 

I say to each their own. Also, I don't believe it's a fad. As RTTs have become very popular in the last few years, more companies are cranking them out...even Yakima makes one now! I think prices will slowly drop as more brands come on the market (maybe??).

As someone that camps out an average of 15-20 nights per year, a RTT doesn't make sense for me. I usually set up a base camp and move around in the vehicle...packing up every day is a big deterrent for me. Besides, I have some really nice gear that works great in all 4 seasons. If it ain't broke...

 

They are great for families with kids. Saves a lot of time over setting up a ground tent and allows you to set up in spots that would not be well suited to ground tents.

If I were doing it solo, I would prefer a platform in the bed with a bed cap / topper. No set up time, no wet tent to put away after it rains on you, stealth camping possible, etc.

 

Call me old fashion, but I just throw my sleeping bag in the bed and call it a night.....

 

With a bunch of 'yotes running all through our camp last weekend at night, I was glad to be 6 feet up!

 

Not even a sleeping pad? The beds got those massive ridges on it . I've slept in the bed with an ez-up over the top of me but I had a really nice 2" camping pad. That's how I came up when I started racing motorcycles. Then I moved to an enclosed trailer with that same pad, and then to a cot, and then to a cot with that camping pad on top. Then to a hotel , and back to tents again now that I just race for fun. I just got a cap and RTT though so I'm looking forward to showing off at the next JDay race!!! I'm pretty stoked and hope this is the final solution. When I was at Red River Gorge this summer at the TW meet I realized I wanted something more comfortable than my ground tent if I was going to start camping and wheeling a lot more, which is the plan! I was all paid up for the Sunday Campers RTT GB on here but PayPal blew up that deal so I bought the Smitty Overlander XL for like $850 on sale.

If it performs as I hope then I'll say it's not a fad.

 

I think they look really cool, but I don't even pay for campsites nevermind hotels, so no way to justify it

I have normal tents for when I want a tent, but if i'm by myself a lot of times i'll camp in the bed (i have a shell). Will be a better setup once I build the platform with drawers back there...

 

I think they look awesome and can provide a little more protection from wildlife. I would need to be a few years younger and a lot lighter to enjoy one!

 

Living in Nevada, and having this much public land, it’s really nice just to be able to boogy out to some hot springs, have a nice toasty bed after a soak, steak, and a few beers

 

I’m 200 pounds and this is how I do my business at night

 

This isn't Star Wars where having the higher ground gives you an absolute advantage (nerd alert!). These guys climb trees; a tent 5 or 6' off the ground is not much of a barrier.

I think the height advantage for RTTs lies more with the little creepy crawlies, ease of setup, etc...

This does remind me of several years ago - I was leading a commercial rock climbing trip in Tuolumne Meadows (Yosemite). We camped in one of the group sites - everyone in tents. Late one night a VERY large bear decided to investigate our campground (one guy didn't lock his bear box properly), and guess who was closest to that box - me. Goddamn that thing was big.

Luckily no one had food or any other smelly things in their tents (I beat that into their heads the day before) - although my tent could very easily have created something smelly...

 

invest in large mouth gatorade bottles

 

They can also help keep you warm(er) at night, too... (when full)

 

I think they're worth it alone just to keep from having to pitch a tent on wet/snowy/muddy/rocky ground.

Disadvantages I see are the added weight and pain of having to take it on/off before and after a trip, or having to take it off to go wheeling if you're hitting a tight trail.