RTT ups and downs

Can you share some details on this setup? I have an RTT and I've used it a couple times, but the hassles are starting to be apparent. Biggest thing for me is I have nowhere to set up a lift/hoist. If I did, it would be a no brainer. I have a cheapo hammock to try it out, at least when I'm solo/just the dog, and I really liked it. But was looking at doing a stand/setup like you have too. Not to rehash all the pros/cons of RTTs, again.

 

I use the Eno Nomad Hammock Stand with their Nomad Hammock shelter system
https://eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/collections/hammock-chair-stands/products/nomad-hammock-stand

https://eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/products/nomad-shelter-system

If I am going to be in an area where there are trees, I will leave the system at home and use a traditional set up, I bought the shelter system mainly for beach camping/places trees were scarce.

I currently have my eye on the below Kammock system for a quick set up off the side of the vehicle for those roaming fishing trips where I just need to set up for a quick overnight before moving on to a new spot and dispersed forest service area trips. I like how the system is smaller and needs a smaller foot print. It also allows you to use the tarp and bug net, a lot of stands don't allow that.

https://kammok.com/products/outpost-portable-hammock-stand

 

Yeah, that picture one side is tied off to the truck. Then I only need to scrape up one tree. I'm also looking at these, but then I can't get into the tailgate as easy (use it as a table for cooking, etc). Off the hitch.

https://adventurehammocksystems.com/collections/hammock-mounts

And seen this too

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hammock-addiction.373462/page-9#post-10698257

But I like with yours that it's disconnected from the truck (or, can be, at least).


Thanks! Appreciate it. Will have to consider some stuff for next year

 

I am actually pretty surprised that hammock camping isn't more popular in the overland community. Once you figure out not to lay in it like a banana, they are pretty consistently comfortable. I decided out the outset that RTT's aren't for me. I have 3 nice ground tents as well as a hammock system. The great thing about the hammock options, is once you overcome a situation where there may not be trees readably available, they are super easy to set up and break down. The stands are kinda spendy for what they are. The guy at REI said that they are all the same and you can find cheaper options on Amazon. Hell, if you had two rigs with roof tie points, you'd never need trees.

 

Same, but it came my way pretty cheap, so I figured I'll give it a whack. I like being in it, using it, setting up is fine (PS people who make a big deal about level ground are shenanigans, I don't hunt to be perfectly level, so I'm fine with that), the space is awesome, they're pretty weather tight, and being off the ground is great!

But living with it broken down and in the bed is where I'm iffy. It's harder to move my bike around, let alone 2. Can't have anything under a tonneau, I'd have to get a roll up with specific bed bars to have a tonneau. Kayak would have to come down to open it up (J bars on a roof rack).

The biggest for me is taking it on/off when it's not in use. Winters are easy, it's off for months, but the casual "throw it on for the weekend" I can't do - garage isn't big enough to fit the truck in, let alone with a hoist to pull the tent off. My wife doesn't like boondocking camping, me and doggo fit in the cab, so seems like a headache.

PS Here's my cab setup - my only headache now is figuring out where to stash a fridge, otherwise, I really like this setup for me and dog. No chance for 2 people though.





(Yes, I have had times where I've woken up in dumping rain, rolled over, and driven away, that's awesome).

No bueno on the ground, I don't care how bougie it makes me sound

I HAVE looked at these, too.

https://kamprite.com/tent-cots/

And this guy has one set up as a pseudo RTT/bed tent, too

Yeah, the stand would be so I can run away and leave the sleeping setup without having to break it down. I've looked at some, I think if I keep it up, two independent posts are the way to go. I've seen some collapsible ones, bunch of options.

I like the hammock. I did it with just a sleeping bag, dog kipped up in the truck, so I'd need to get that setup better (underquilt, etc), but it's an option.

 

I just ordered a Kamp-Rite Double Cot Tent. Seems it will give you off the ground tent accommodations for a short-bed Tacoma. See the video to get an idea how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZTaOJYwEyA

A much cheaper, and hopefully easier to setup, than a traditional roof top tent.

 

How do you deal with the seat sensors being unplugged and then I think the airbags being deactivated?

 

I stole this picture off of google:



One of these blinks, one stays steady, and I can't remember which. It's basically the warning of "We looked for the seatbelt clip, and I can't find it, error" and "I looked for the SOS, and I can't find it, blinky error".

When you start the truck, it does NOT beep for 2 minutes/whatever, the only errors/warnings I get are the lights.

What this means is that the passenger side will not pop, because the sensors aren't there to tell it to. The driver side will pop always, 100%, there are no sensors. There is an assumption that, no matter what, there is someone driving a vehicle in a collision, so the airbags should go off for the driver. Less parts, less cost, the driver's side always goes. I have to put the seat back in to pass inspection since, rightfully so, it won't pass with those errors.

I just live with the lights on my dash. Not a big deal, they go away when the seat gets plugged back in. IF there was a chime, especially the seatbelt chime that goes for what, 2-3 minutes every time you start the truck? I would be looking for a workaround. But as it is, I just get lights, no chimes, and my airbag will pop if that is ever needed

 

I'm going into my fourth year with the truck and it's third camp configuration.

First set up was a mattress in a cap. Seemed like it would have quick set up somewhat secure and quiet. It was good besides you had 0 in bed storage space with camp set up. The cap was impossible to seal always got water inside and it was full of dust constantly.
But it was cozy felt secure and was quiet.

After having the cap broke into and all the downsides I found with it I sold it off added a prinsu, treeline awning and went to a ground tent.
This offered up far more bed space to store during the day way cleaner in the tent much dryer, set up was substantially longer and being on the ground I had to leave numerous awesome sites due to it being far to rockyfor a ground tent. The other pro is you can leave site without packing it all up but I rarely do that. We mainly get to a spot with good river access and are there for 2 days generally.


This year I have entered full broverlander set up. Hybrid cvt offers additional mounting spots for the kayak opens up all the camp spots I wasn't willing to deal with last summer is honestly stupid comfy for only a 3" pad. The height offers slightly more security when in bear country. Odds are you'll hear them and have more warning than potentially just being mowed over in a ground tent. The tent pillows and blankets are always with the truck if I want to randomly stop for a night I can, this happened a few times last year and I had no gear on hand to enjoy it.

This is outside the rtt deal but what I feel will make the biggest difference for us this year no more flippin ice. There is nothing worse than being 4 days into a 7 day trip and you have to pack up drive an hour to the nearest spot with ice stock back up replace soggy food and drive back out to lose your spot.

See which pros come to light and which cons have me cursing the thing by the end of the summer.

 

My 06 Taco with our camping setup for those who want to have an RTT over top of the cab. It works, super solid and as long as it's ontop of a rack, it can hold a ton. Me, my wife and two kids playing cards in the tent often would be around 650lbs + tent (100 lbs) + rack (120 lbs), held with no issues. Kids slept under the topper, parents in the RTT, dog in the cab. Deployment of the RTT is a bit of a pain here even for me at 6'1. Had a custom slide out drawers in the back under a soft mat for the double bed in the back. All the gear you could ever want plus cargo on the top rack.

 

I have a tent that goes in the bed of my truck. Used it for one trip and have not used it since. It's nice, but I'm a fisherman and I don't want to take down my tent every time I want to drive off and fish somewhere. Since then, I've added of road and camping accessories to my truck bed and won't use the tent again.

As for the RTT, I have not owned one nor have I used one. My take on them is if you are on a cross country trip or taking long trips in the back country somewhere, they would be nice and easy to set up. Aside from that, the weight, the cost, and having to climb down a ladder in the middle of the night does not appeal to me. At the age of 54, I've returned to a good old tent on the ground with a nice thick inflatable bed.

 

After spending a week in the tent it's time to expand on this with some first impressions.
So far I'm going to say it's a drastic improvement in pretty much every department.
Set up is faster tear down is faster, I no longer care what the ground is like I'm setting up on. Example first night of the trip it rained all day before we got out. Bit of mud on the ladder everything else was clean.
Quieter than a ground tent, don't get me wrong it still flood but 3 nights in absurd winds almost lost the awning on night 2. The heavier material just dealt with it better than the ground tents I have used.
Comfort, I was skeptical about that little memory foam mattress being enough but after that trip I have no complaints about the mattress.
The cons so far
It's always on the truck and makes using the bed a pain, not a huge thing for me as the truck is pretty much only a weekend rig but a few times I would of been nice for it to of not been on there.
The ladder is a bit cumbersome and you need to pay attention or it could really hurt if missed.

Overall I'm happy with it especially given what I paid for it.

 

Pulled up to a spot one night only to find squishy cow pies all over where I am stepping in the dark. Not an issue though and got a good night’s rest. Get to the next stop the following night and everything’s on a side slope with rocks and tall dry grass and occasional cholla (cactus) spines. No issues there either and got another good night’s rest. Wife was very happy about the accommodations so it’s the RTT for the win, especially for touring type of camping where you aren’t pitching a base camp in one place and don’t have the time to find a good spot to pitch a tent in the dark each night.

 

I used an RTT on longer tours in AUS.
Most recently, a Ground tent has been the go-to for me... works perfectly 95% of time.

I do not miss the RTT. They are heavy & cumbersome. Expensive to buy and carry around. A bit of a pain to take off and store. I definitely do not want it on full-time.

The tent is super light, takes up no room to store, it is roomy inside, and is solidly weather proof. It keeps the taco mobile when set-up.
Setup and tear down is quick.

I have several tents. I use an old fashioned basic tent most of the time. -Simple is good.

Tent Downsides: Rocky & uneven terrain are difficult as mentioned... great otherwise.

I do have a cot and a tent-type set up to cover the rear of the bed and cap opening (keeping the tailgate and rear hatch open). It is weather and bug proof - no pics of this as I've only used once so far! - with great results).

This works very well - but set up takes time if there are many items to re-arrange in the bed to make room for sleeping.

I carry a hammock, but trees are not always available out here...