What is the deal with fixed top camping rigs?

The kayaks ? Not issue at all. And I travel through these all the time

 

I know I'll never get into serious off-roading, so a generally unmodified 4x4 SR5 is what I got, and that's generally the way I want it to stay. I have a camper trailer mostly because I can unhitch it and BAM! I'm back to a stock truck!

I think eventually I may want to get something like the AT Habitat or GoFast Camper so I can be more self-contained (not have to tow a big ass camper) and lightweight. I may build up a set up in the bed with a chest fridge/freezer, water storage, battery box, propane stove and maybe a small furnace. Hell, I may even look at small portable AC units since I have a generator I can bring with me. Most of my usage will be camping at fly-in events, not overlanding. But key thing is, I want to be able to easily remove all that shit so I'm not hauling it around all over every day!

More power to the people that don't mind having all that stuff on/in their trucks... I just want my truck to stay versatile, and not get limited to one role.

 

I looked at the Ridgeline and do like it, perfer how it looks over the 3rd Gen Tacoma, much more subdued over the machismo Taco. Probably would work for me for about 98% of the things I do, as I explore the back country mostly by motorcycle, and use the truck to haul it to the trail head. But it misses a couple things, no 6' bed, mpg isn't all the at great if it got over 30 mpg highway I might forgive the no 6' bed...that and for the AWD model isn't that cheap. You can buy a 4WD base model Tacoma, Nissan, GM for about $25K if you look a bit...where the Hondas are I can't find any cheaper than $32K. Even if it achieved 30mpg hwy, that still is a $7K difference, which buys an awful lot of fuel.

Have considered getting a Subaru of some sort, but the more I look at them...they don't get as good fuel economy as I want. Not that much better than a Tacoma, well at least to make it worth it.

I am probably in the minority here, but I wish Toyota would offer a truck below the Tacoma, something like that A-Bat concept. Uni-Body hybrid truck that got over 30 mpg hwy, as I would mostly use it for running back and forth to work during the week, and hauling the dirt bike on the weekends, with occasional camping trip during the year.

http://www.toyota-global.com/showroom/toyota_design/concept_cars/gallery_a_bat.html

 

Shut the front door! hilarious!

 

You must be fun at parties.

 

He sounds a lot more fun than you. At least he can present a valid argument for and against and have an intelligent discussion. You on the other hand went on a one way foul mouthed tirade...

 

Foul mouthed? Does the word "shit" offend your delicate sensibilities? I asked a question. Why do people buy $5000 RTTs when they offer almost nothing more than a regular tent. I present the facts as I see them - which were generally agreed with even by RTT owners. After a few more answers we got 'round to "because people just kinda like them" and that was fine so we posted cool pics of camping stuff... talked about mattresses and carried on some more.. And then about two weeks later... you and Mr Closed Mind came in, read page one, got butthurt and replied to a 17 page thread with answers that could have been cut and pasted from pages 1 & 2.

Read more, post less.

 

I bought a RTT on deep discount from a group buy here. My 6 year old kid absolutely loves it, camping is like being in a tree fort he says. I open it up for him on the weekends at the house too. It brings a fun factor to the camp trip, and did not cost anything close to 5k. We're planning a camping trip that will take us across multiple destinations so ease of setup and take down is a key enabler to making a multi-destination trip minimal work and maximum fun. So, no, I didn't buy it for posting pictures on instagram, I bought it for the fun factor, portability, comfort, and to be a bit of a kid again. It's not something I plan on keeping on the truck year round, but in the warmer months it sure makes the decision to camp easy. Just throw a full cooler and the camping supply bin in the back and drive to wherever you want, tent and bedding are all already packed. I consider it a nice option between ground tent camping and a trailer camper. And with low bars on the bed it doesn't act as an air brake at all.

I've heard the same type of arguments about owning a pool, or owning a boat. Anything recreational and relatively costly can easily replace "RTT" and you'd have some of the same debating points.

 

LOL - I have a boat, a race car, a pile of motorcycles and a closet full of things that go bang which on paper are completely ridiculous expeditures. I fully support unjustifiable purchases. That is really all anyone needs to say to shut me up - "Because I like it". No exhaustive laundry list of "whys" required

 

You RTT boys make me jelly. I wish I had one!

 

Look at this butt hurt roof camper, makes an account just to defend his camper set up.

 

Excellent first post. You hit almost all the troll topics in one paragraph! Ridgeline, poseurs, insecurity, pointless mods, ...

You could have really sealed it if you snuck snarky reliability quips and a Sweers name drop in there.

Who's fake noob are you?

 

I just bought that same tent from a fellow member. I wish I had the time to use it, but life seems to get in the way. But, like you said, "It'll be there just in case..."

 

FUCK YEAH!!!

 

I use both. I always carry a small ground tent in my rig just in case. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. Both are equally fun, no doubt. But when doing some true over landing for at least a week, with a different camp spot nightly, and an early start the next day, and a late night roll in at your camp site... most of the time the hard shell RTT is the way to go. I’m not particularly fond of the clamshell tents, they are way too much work and kill your mpg, But the hard shell gas strut type are so easy... just pop and boom!!walk away and make a fire and crack a beer and are much better with MPG, but also come with a higher price tag. If you’re not truly overlanding, which most people aren’t then the RTT is not necessary. Sleeping on the ground is just as much fun!! And considerably less expensive. After all it’s suppose to be fun and cheap. Just get out there, that’s all that really matters because Monday comes way too soon.

 

The rear bumper almost got torn off. Sure you can do it, but would you really want to do this on a regular basis in a vehicle like that? Those Ko2's sure helped a lot.

 

I am gonna buy me a pop up camper!

 

Like dis?

Apparently this one comes with its' own opener...

 

That's how I roll.