Roof Top Tents - A fad?

You bet it was but man it took me 36 seconds to set it up and about 3 minuets to tear down and stow.

 

Uh the funnel comes in the clutch for the wife. But it’s not easy teetering on the edge.

 

Here’s my progression and logic,
1st: on the ground, wife said enough of sharing space with bugs and snakes! No more ground tent.
2nd: off the ground but have to unload to go to bed. No more snakes!
3rd: RTT, sets up in one minute, everything stays in the bed.

 

The hole is smack in the middle of North Dakota. Shouldn’t be hard to find me. Just look for all the guys staring at my wife’s raptor then looking at me and my Taco thinking to themselves” must be her retarded brother or something”

 

Step out the door aim to the left and fire.

 

Eh...getting out of the tent is still ideal even for a guy. The stream isn't full force throughout the whole duration if you know what I mean...I've had to clean the tent after trying that once, wont do it again unless absolutely necessary.

 

A long time ago, my Westfalia was seen as a fad too. But now, they’re classics. As for RTT’s, its not like everyone’s doing it, right? So whatever gave people the idea to call it a fad?

 

Fads aren't universal, they simply include people doing it because it's the "in" thing along with those doing it for well thought out reasons. "Fad" has a negative conotation but doesn't negate the thought process of those who went to the trouble of matching a product to their needs.

 

I need to show this to my wife!

 

I am going this route for RTT. This isnt mine but this is what I just ordered. Kamp-Rite Double Tb343 $260.

 

Exactly. Same with things like roof mounted LED light bars, those bright orange traction aids, high end fuel/water containers, etc...

They are obviously useful to a lot of people, and many get them after weighing the cost-benefits of other (often less expensive) alternatives, but you also see a LOT of bros with perfectly pristine gear mounted on their rigs with armor-all'ed tires and chromed skid plates.

 

I think they are a cool idea. But honestly I camp by myself or one other person most of the time. I have my Silverado set up with a camper top, a bed deck, with storage draw underneath and a full size air mattress fits perfect on top, effectively giving me 0 set up. when I'm ready to sleep I just climb in the back and lay down.

 

Do you do any overlanding? What's your longest trip? I think the RTT has a place when one is traveling for multiple days and needs that space for food/gear when traveling with a second person. I'm strictly assuming here.

 

As stated this is my Silverado long bed that I'm talking about not my Tacoma, I am setting my Tacoma up to replace it and do want to buy an rtt. For not tho my Silverado is what I use for long trips, and camping.
I have a 1' deep 4' wide by 6' long draw under my bed deck, for gear and supply. That leaves 2' in the back to carry a 160qt cooler, for food, with still enough room for my bow target next to it. Plus the back seat of my truck. This is my hunting truck, but the wife and I have gone out for a week at a time before.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not calling the rtt's a fad. I think they are great, they are just to expensive for me right now.

pics as soon as I can get them to work.

 

Yup. I used to think RTT's were funny and a fad. I mean they are but they are also very useful.
I bought one for the same reasons as you. Mostly because of the nuisance of installing and putting away the tent in crappy weather. I usually pack the tent dirty only to go home. Hose it all down and let it dry. Then I have to roll it all up and pack it. I really dislike that.
Ever camp in the snow, on the ground? If you're backpacking suck it up. If I'm driving a truck to my camping spot you better bet I'm going to choose being off the ground vs sleeping on a heat sink and rolling up my wet tent in the morning.
Keep all the bedding inside. Pop up and pop down. Way easier and faster.
I'm picking my hard shell next week. Fresh from China off the ship. Well see if it's as convenient as I think it is.

 

I missed that bit. Thanks for clarifying. I'd topper my DCLB if I thought it would haul me, plus gear, plus my girlfriend for weeks at a time.

 

heres the set up

 

Personal preference. I can see the merits of an RTT. Doesn't make sense for me. I have little kids and going up and down the ladder, especially in the middle of the night, would be...a nightmare. Plus, all that weight up top, no thanks. I do have a pretty quality ground tent, though. Canvas Springbar tent. Sets up in a few minutes. Can leave it at the campsite and drive the truck. Can set it up easier in secluded spots where the truck won't fit. Much lighter and compact. Both for cargo space and storage.

Although for solo or +1 camping, set up @flenniken7 posted is great.

 

I had a roofnest sparrow, for all my research i couldnt find a lighter or lower profile hardshell rtt. Spent $2500 on it. I hated it, after three trips and 1200 miles i sold it and lost money, good ridance. Last trip was fj summit where we found a secluded camping spot and took that peice of misery off and used it as a ground tent for the week. Back to ground tents, truck beds and arbnb’s for me. I couldnt imagine how much i would hate a clamshell tent.