What is the deal with fixed top camping rigs?

I will definitely get a RTT, no mater what peoples think or say!!

 

Lastly, and most importantly, my RTT has turned my taco into a substitute for my lost love, except a lot more rugged, dependable and versatile than that one was...

my 1979 VW Westy camper!

 

Rooftop tent on this/were in business

 

Im sure it’s because they make them think they look cool & outdoorsy!

 

Actually, it makes my truck look terrible, especially since mine’s on top of the cab. But I’m not trying to put lipstick on a pig. Now my Westfalia - that was cool, but it could never go where I can today.

 

people in Oregon, or the PNW in general, are outdoorsy. it's in the water.

 

Counter point:

 

I have not been able to drive a bike since 95. My left foot does not have the strength to shift gears. But do miss camping like that.

 

Curious, have you camped in the rain (rainy night and still raining in the morning when it's time to go)--and if so does your sleeping bag and mattress end up soggy or do they stay dry. (It seems like if you fold up a wet RTT with all that inside it would get wet by evening).

I'll say that is one thing I don't like about tent camping-- packing up in the rain in the morning.

 

I use a cabelas tent cot, sets up in less than 5 minutes and I use my truck to block the wind. I've also used it for work as well, slept in it for 3 weeks at a time this past summer.

 

That bike would look sooooo much cooler with an RTT mounted on top of it.

 

Yes it start3d raining during the night woke us up pulled camp everything was wet. Turned the rest of the week

 

Yep, pretty much replaced my '73 Westy that I had for 8 years. The VW was certainly cool, but those things were death traps. The VW can't even dream to go where the Tacoma can, though I have Wildernest instead of a RTT, kinda best of both worlds, can standup in the truck bed, don't have to unload everything to use the bed of the camper, setups in 2 minutes, bit more aero than a RTT too. No loss in mpg. Nice thing about the 'Nest is, it is kinda stealth, most people don't even know it is camper.

Used to tent camp for years, never did like sleeping on the ground, never had any luck with ground pads or air mattresses, no matter how careful I am they always get holes in them. Started using cots instead, need a bigger tent for those which are huge pain in the dick to setup and take down. The 'Nest takes all the things I want/need for camping and puts it in a small compact package.

The bad, it does suck in the wind, but so do ground tents. When I used ground tent it and the weather was miserable, would just sleep in the truck bed under a topper, same with the 'Nest, I'll close it up and sleep in the bed of the truck.

While I do like it, am considering having Tradesman building me one of these with a poptop...something that is a little better in foul weather. Not sure why...but I tend to camping when the weather is shit.



Looked at those AT Habitats, don't think they are going to be any better in the wind than what I have already.

 

Ask and ye shall receive!

 

The more of your shit I read, the more I like you. I either sleep in the bed of the truck, the ground in a tent on an air mattress or a hammock under a tarp. If its raining or snowing like hell hell I pop chocks and check into a Motel 6.

Sure camping is fun but I don't need to broadcast that I sleep outdoors once in awhile. I throw my shit in the bed, throw a tarp over it and head for the hills on a Friday, back by Sunday night.

 

Dang- put some arm and foot holes in that thing and he can drive in bed!

 

Here it comes ...you guys will like the fact that I am planning to write my RTT off as a business expense, too.

 

i switched to hammock and never looked back.
I need one tree or another vehicle and I'm set which I can always find as I don't go alone and can always find a tree.

One end to bed rack other to the tree or other truck.
Comfortable, off the ground, super easy to set up and take down.

Also dont need to worry about it getting mildewy. Should be aired out as well but I can do that easy at home and still drive around. I dont need to carry it all the time and if its really dirty can always throw it in the wash machine.

Although my hammock is not on the cheap side its still cheaper than an RTT and much easier. My entire sleeping system minus sleeping bag packs into a 10L dry stuff sack with room to spare. I don't need to drive around with it constanty or fight to take it off. Set up is easy and packable. My biggest vice with a RTT is driving around with it all the time and the fact of how much space it takes up to store.

There are plus sides to the RTT but the cons to me are greater.

 

Well, now that is legitimately cool!

Though I fear that I would tip that over in my sleep . Outriggers or stabilizers?

Now it just needs a big name-brand RTT logo to let the world know that you're serious

 

I love doing that, they've been making HTT’s for years (hammock top tents)