Non roof top tent rigs. Let's see em.

This is my fav....

 

I know the RTT crowd seems to love them, but I think they overlook or don't care about some of the significant downsides. For me, if I can't stand up it's no longer an option and a cot keeps me off the ground and the ground is perfect for my big dog. I also want to be able to cook in my tent. Being able to set up camp but also leave to go explore is pretty important too. If I was traveling and needed a place to sleep each night a RTT would make more sense.

I love my canvas tent and I'm not into the IG bro-landing look.

 

Question on RTT's: what happens when the wind blows? I mean really BLOWS, like 50-60 mph, and you have to sleep on the top of your truck. Had some of that earlier this week in SE Utah, was really happy I could crawl under the Snugtop. What do you do, seriously?

 

Your truck is awesome….you have any more pics of your bed cap and the setup inside?

My ARE cap is coming next month, it will be almost identical to yours and I’m looking for ideas for the interior setup!

 

Might just be me, but it sucks. I sold my RTT for this reason. I spend a lot of time in SW deserts and the wind was a no-go. Back to a canopy buildout for me.

 

When the truck was pretty new.

 

its the bare bones xl from Adventure hammock systems

 

OP I know you're not looking for a RTT, but as a few others have stated I also wasn't interested at first, but they are a game changer if you camp a lot!

My wife and I love to camp, and after one night in a RTT we both decided we'd never sleep on the ground again. Sold our ground tents and have never looked back. I don't exclusively use my RTT, as I have an ENO JungleLink hammock tent as well for places that I can't drive to.

I had my first RTT on my Wrangler, but when I sold the Jeep I sold the RTT to a buddy with a 2020 TRDOR while I looked for a Tacoma. When I picked up my TRDOR I bought my CBI Overland Bars a month later, then got the new RTT a month after that. Every "overland bro" has one, but for people who actually use them, they are well worth the investment.

Either way, a night camping is a great night no matter what you sleep in.

 

It really depends where you want to camp. Where I was this weekend we had walk in primitive sites, an RTT would have been a no-go. Unless you want to camp with the RVs anyway.

 

I've posted my setup (still working on it) so no real camp site pics yet in a couple other similar inspiration threads. (sorry if y'all have seen em' recently)
We sleep in the 6' bed of the truck with a topper extension tent with 4' thick memory foam custom cut to fit the bed plus additional 2' piece for the pup to sleep on the tailgate.
We refurbished a 1981 M101 Canadian military trailer to haul the goods plus a large cargo box on the Prinsu rack for additional storage. We keep the bed made and ready to get into before we leave the driveway.
Matt gecko LED lights with dimmer in the bed for function and comfort. I HATE the look of RTT's when not in use, looking foolish in the city and like a BRO even if you're not. I also will never sleep in a ground tent again, truck bed makes most sense.

 

I like your cap and decked combo. Are you running stock suspension?

 

I am! only modification to the suspension, if you even wanna call it that... is the new bump stops from SumoSprings.

 

Wife and I call it the RTT/ hammock tent mod.

The tent makes the truck sway a bit, but nothing crazy. One time we got caught in a nasty monsoon with 50-60 mph winds. Our boys were hanging in their hammock tents. They were swinging, not swaying, and my wife and I were giggling like school girls. We ended up with all 4 of us in the RTT for the next 4 hours.

Ideal? No. Doable? Yup.

 

The four of us in Death Valley and not a RTT in sight. When I am traveling solo the cot/tent is great and I can put it under the awning if the need arises. The other travelers sleep in their SUV's.

 

My Tepui is a 4 season tent and is quite robust. You close/secure all of the openings, stake down the corner ropes, tighten the fly straps, and insert a good pair of ear plugs.

 

Rightline gear tent, bedrug, and xl bed roll. First night out should be this weekend.

 

This is my current tent for solo camping. 23Zero dual 900 swag. While small its plenty wide for me and has a 60mm memory foam mattress. Best part is its super quick to set up/take down because it just rolls up with the mattress inside. You can even roll it up with the bedding inside which is nice when the camp spot moves each night.
It's a nice heavy canvas that should last years longer than a nylon tent. Down side is it is not light at over 30lbs.

 

Softopper, a tent pole, and a tarp.


3” Memory foam mattress topper is very comfortable. 5’10 and I can sleep at an angle no problem.


When not camping, I keep the carpeted panels I made installed for extra hidden storage below. It feels pretty secure when the tailgate is locked.