Roof Top Tent. Should I or Shouldn't I...

[Capt. B]

is there any overhang on the sides or back? Mind posting pics closed (specifically looking down the bed side and over the tailgate)?

I originally oriented the ladder on the side but decided that if I oriented the ladder off the back not only would I have better access to the bed, more of the flooring of the tent would be on the rack. With the ladder oriented on the side, you have no issues with the tent sticking out on the side but it's longer over the bed so although no limit on accessing the bed, you have to reach under it.

With the ladder oriented to the back, it does stick out about the same width as my 35s on the side but it is much shorter and allows no reaching to get to the bed.

FYI, my homeade rail/rack system saved me $700 over buying and it's much more sturdier than anything you'll buy online.

I'll get some pictures later today and post.

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[TopOff]

I know it's not what you asked about, but have you considered a small rugged teardrop camper with a RTT on top?

Some manufactures that I like are:

Bean Trailers (Utah)
Escapod (Utah)
Colorado Teardrops (has cool bunk bed option for kids)
Hiker Trailers
InTech RV
Escapade
Taxa Outdoors

I’ll look into that. I figured it would be much more expensive. But I’ll look. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[DougM55]

Why not both? Get a nice hard shell RTT for you and your wife; then a large ground tent for the kids. You could use the RTT alone for one-on-one trips with the kids while having plenty of room for the whole family with a cheap ground tent. The ground tent may make it easier for everyone to use while changing clothes depending on the height of the RTT.

 

[Br4hm4]

I am looking for at the Go FSR High Country 55. Seems like a very nice product with quick set up.

 

[Capt. B]

Here's some pics with it stowed.
This is with the ladder off the back. If you have the ladder oriented on the side, you'll get no hangover on the side but a longer hang off the back.

 

[SavageCoffeeTea]

@Capt. B great use of unistrut!

 

[LostWoods]

IMO for more than three, a RTT is a bit rough. Sizing labels are similar to a ground tent so a 4-person is assuming people sleeping head to toe in mummy bags. My experience on the east coast (mostly in PA, NY, and northeast from there) is that by the time I leveled the truck, flopped out the tent, and got all the poles in for the window flaps, I was no faster than my ground tent. We also found several spots where there was nice camping where the truck wouldn't fit, wasn't allowed, or where we needed to flop it off the opposite side to have room.

I'd suggest renting and seeing if you like it before committing to buying.

 

[Capt. B]

@Capt. B great use of unistrut!

Thanks. Based on what I see online ordering rail and rack systems, I saved myself around $700 on my homemade solution and it doesn't look hinkey.

 

[Capt. B]

IMO for more than three, a RTT is a bit rough. Sizing labels are similar to a ground tent so a 4-person is assuming people sleeping head to toe in mummy bags. My experience on the east coast (mostly in PA, NY, and northeast from there) is that by the time I leveled the truck, flopped out the tent, and got all the poles in for the window flaps, I was no faster than my ground tent. We also found several spots where there was nice camping where the truck wouldn't fit, wasn't allowed, or where we needed to flop it off the opposite side to have room.

I'd suggest renting and seeing if you like it before committing to buying.

The Smittybuilt Overlander XL can hold 3 normal (180 lb) adults or 2 heaver folks without an issue. With any RTT you need to make sure your rack is rated to not only the weight of the test (I think this one is about 160lbs static) but also the weight of the people that will be in it.

 

[Capt. B]

Ah and on the straps, they're not required, the Smittybuilt has a pretty solid retention system, but my anal retention causes me to not trust so it's cheap and easy to throw on straps whether it is needed or not.

 

[SavageCoffeeTea]

Thanks. Based on what I see online ordering rail and rack systems, I saved myself around $700 on my homemade solution and it doesn't look hinkey.

wonder if you could use like a 3/8 spring nut in the RTT tent track and bolt through the unistrut.

 

[LostWoods]

The Smittybuilt Overlander XL can hold 3 normal (180 lb) adults or 2 heaver folks without an issue. With any RTT you need to make sure your rack is rated to not only the weight of the test (I think this one is about 160lbs static) but also the weight of the people that will be in it.

It's not the weight on these trucks as much as space. We had a 3-person Tepui (56" wide) and it was cozy for two. The one you linked is the common "4-person" size tent and, as you said, 3 people is more typical (maybe 4 with 2 small kids). The footprint is technically a king size but with poles and keeping an air gap so you don't get wet from touching fabric, it's much less usable.

OP could pull it off if they sleep head to toe with the adults over the truck and kids on the other side or if they're all short, sleeping perpendicular to the door... just seems like more trouble than it's worth to me when a large ground tent and blow-up mattresses would be significantly more comfortable.

 

[Capt. B]

wonder if you could use like a 3/8 spring nut in the RTT tent track and bolt through the unistrut.

That is what I used on the rail. The tent came with the rack set up. Works well.

 

[Capt. B]

It's not the weight on these trucks as much as space. We had a 3-person Tepui (56" wide) and it was cozy for two. The one you linked is the common "4-person" size tent and, as you said, 3 people is more typical (maybe 4 with 2 small kids). The footprint is technically a king size but with poles and keeping an air gap so you don't get wet from touching fabric, it's much less usable.

OP could pull it off if they sleep head to toe with the adults over the truck and kids on the other side or if they're all short, sleeping perpendicular to the door... just seems like more trouble than it's worth to me when a large ground tent and blow-up mattresses would be significantly more comfortable.

I would say the Smittybuilt is about a king size bed size with the foam mattress.

 

[LostWoods]

I would say the Smittybuilt is about a king size bed size with the foam mattress.

Technically a king meaning king width but much longer. The problem being you can't sleep against the sides because the fabric isn't waterproof. It will prevent water from running into the tent but it will still be slightly damp feeling to the touch on the inside. Take that 3 inches on each side and you're now looking at being between a king and queen.

The length allows for the head to foot sleeping pattern without being kicked in the face but it starts to get crowded and/or weird with anything but mummy bags.

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