Roof top tents, why?

Maybe do some research on the tons of threads that already exist.

Like others before me said, different strokes for different folks. You already seem dead set against them so why try to convince you unless i own stock in a rtt company..

 

No way, have you even used a rooftop tent? There is no way a ground tent is faster or easier. Unless it’s a tiny tent.

 

It's not faster and easier with a ground tent... Period.

Who's playing musical trucks? Drive up on a leveling block (or even a rock)... or use a high lift jack on the front or rear bumper... and you're level. You don't have those options with a ground tent.

 

It is if you use a swag. I’ll win that contest every day unless it’s a hard shell RTT.

 

I'm speaking from hands-on experience while out wheeling with buddies that have RTTs on their rigs. I have personally been on at least 12 different trips where there are 2 trucks with a RTT and myself with a 2-pole dome tent. My tent is always setup and torn down faster than theirs - no magic or voodoo - that's just the way it is.

The locations we have camped have proven to be tight quarters, sometimes just a spur road with just enough room for one truck to turn around. Then you have 2 rigs that need to coordinate their placement with eachother in order to position themselves accordingly to be able to open/setup their RTT. Me - I just find a semi-level spot, kick some rocks out of the way, put down a tarp and setup my tent.

I don't have anything against them (RTTs), or the people that use them. I just prefer my simple tent - it IS faster, less expensive, easier to maintain and more efficient in every way.

 

Try using a hammock here. And sleeping on sand sucks

 

This setup works for me, and no playing "musical trucks" to level it.
And I don't have to deal with digging trenches around my tent to keep the water out.

 

This is a good article. Luckily, they were objective with their conclusions and make some good points. I see alot of advantages in favor of a ground tent - just sayin'. And this is from a site renowned for perpetuating the "Overlanding / RTT" lifestyle and trend that is so prevalent today.

https://expeditionportal.com/head-to-head-roof-top-or-ground-tent/

 

Then you and your buddies don't know how to deploy a rooftop tent.

We camped for YEARS with a ground tent.

The very first time we camped with our RTT we had problems on the road getting to our spot, we did not make it to our spot till midnight, we deployed our RTT, in the dark, easier and in less time than we would have set up our tent... not to mention finding a good level spot in the dark would have been a pain in the ass in the dark.

There is absolutely no way a ground tent is faster. (if you're doing it right)

 

I can see the appeal of RTTs. But it goes against my grain that something that is compact, light, and inexpensive is somehow considered "improved" by making it huge, heavy, and cost an arm and a leg. I kind of have my ground game pretty well thought out, and carry a hammock and fly setup as well. Anyone who's "sleeping in the mud" is doing it wrong.

 

I don't think it's fair to say "me and my buddies don't know..." because I'm not setting up anything except my ground tent. So yes, I don't know shit about deploying a RTT, other than the fact my ground tent is easier/faster to setup. They have setup their own RTTs many times, and I doubt every single instance will be the same environment and deployment as every time before. Each location will have its own variables to account for.

I am simply telling you, from hands-on, real-time experience that it is faster and easier to setup my ground tent. No need to get defensive about it - different strokes and all that - but hey, if you really want to test your mettle and put your money where your mouth is - we can meet up and do a RTT vs Ground Tent setup/teardown shootout to see who the fastest tent in the west really is.

Also - take into account that you're factoring in your wife's opinion as well. I am solely working from my own opinion and experience, without the sway or influence of my girlfriend. I will say of all the mods available for our Tacomas, a RTT is the ONLY mod that my g/f has shown any interest in. She would love to have one and thinks they are just the coolest thing since sliced bread - I however don't agree with her. And that's okay - I like my truck and being a savage ground-dwelling tent heathen.

 

What’s a swag?

 

Heavy canvas tent that has a sleeping pad, sleeping bags etc all inside that you just roll out and put the poles in


There’s a ton of different size and shapes. Here’s a few examples

https://darche.com.au/product/?categoryId=16&includeSubcategories=1

 

Speed of deployment varies greatly for both ground and RTTs. There are RTTs that set up in 30 seconds with the push of a button and some that require 2-3 minutes. There are also ground tents that take 30 seconds (like swags and such) and there are ground tents that require 2 people and 15 minutes of fudging around with poles. Neither is better or worse in the grand scheme of things. One may be better for your camping/overlanding/off roading style. This might even sound crazy but there are people who use both, just depends on where they are going and how long they are staying.

 

Those are rad. How small do they get, rolled up?

 

It's hard for me to understand the benefits of an RTT. Most ground tents can be set up in a few minutes. The minute or two you might save deploying an RTT is lost by having to climb up and down a ladder every time you get in the tent. After a handful of times going up and down the ladder, that extra time/effort is a wash at best. And how about taking a leak in the middle of the night? An RTT uses like 10x the weight/space that a tent in a bag does. Just because it's on the roof doesn't mean it isn't there. They just wouldn't really work for the way I camp, so I've never even considered buying one. It's a trend as far as I can tell, but if that's what you're into then who cares. There aren't any rules on how to sleep in the woods.

 

Roof top tents are definitely more rugged, and save bed space for crap.

On the downside, I haven't figured out to hoof my rotties into a RTT.

 

Don't be so reasonable.

More fighting, more arguing! There can be only ONE!


One other factor to think about - drunken stumbling to take a piss in the middle of the night. Pretty sure I would have a few fractures and/or concussions by now if I had to climb down a ladder in the middle of the night. Hell, I've even tripped on my tent getting out. Shit can get hazardous.

 

it varies. The big one is the arb double, the smaller one is the crash pad rider (designed for motorcyclists)

 

Never considered the dog aspect. “Sorry i cannot come to work, hurt myself lifting a 65lb dog up a ladder”