So for those with Overlander rigs, questions..

[ChrisNLA]

The Gazelle tent is one of the best tents ever made. I still keep my T4 because it's so spacious.

I went the trailer route with a RTT and store it in the garage but I'm not sure that a RTT offers many more conveniences over the Gazelle, aside from being outfitted with a mattress by default and not needing to carry my bedding in a tote.

That's about the extent of my interest in an RTT. With my Gazelle I carry a big ass roll up memory foam sleeping pad and another big box with a blanket, sleeping bag, etc. My previous RTT was a cheap soft one that folds in half. I'd buy a wedge next, then most of the sleeping gear can just live inside of it on a trip.

Now, on my race trip the Gazelle (mine is only a T3) was nice because I had room to stand inside, sit on edge of cot and do things, etc. Was able to store all my gear inside for ease of access at night. If I go back next February I may get a slightly larger tent. Maybe a T4 or something else easy to set up.

Maybe a heater too because it was 15* some nights and that was brutal for Gulf coast guy like me.

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[MaximusTX]

First, thanks guys for taking the time to share your views and experience. I think I need to further break this down for my own processing.

I just took a look at the latest generation Decked system and the single drawer makes a LOT of sense for me. Right now I have an over the cab tent that I use quite frequently for quick overnight or weekend trips and it works fine though durability of the example I got is HIGHLY suspect. The biggest issue is that the wheel wells on the bed make it impractical for my wife and I to lay down a couple of sleeping bags side by side. Now, if I had the Decked system in place this would give me a bigger flat area which would actually increase the usable space back there. And the weight of the system, which I was sweating before, seems to be a non-issue since the system is under 200lbs which is not a big deal for my needs. So it looks like this is a go upgrade to my rig right away.

This would also solve a day trip problem I have when we take the Gladiator out to the desert to shoot for the day (a common family outing) I end up with a bunch of guns that I need to locked inside the cab when we stop for lunch or an early dinner. With the drawer I can clean out the cab of all the "stuff" I normally carry in the back seat now and have no issues taking 4 adults and the dog out and about, with all the gear safely tucked away in the back.

I think then the question becomes do I do a RTT on a tall rack, one of the short half height ones or do one of the metal cab enclosures... I think in all cases I would want something that relatively easily comes off the vehicle for day to day use and for that I think I'd like to set up some sort of pulley system that would allow me to take the whole thing off and drive out from under it. So a little more research on that subject is needed.

My desire to live off the grid for weeks is pretty much non existent, mostly because wife will take a day or two on the glorious outdoors but then she requires a real bed and a shower to continue the journey. So I don't need all the stuff folks require for extended stays. Foam pads, sleeping bags, a stove and a cooler provide everything wife, dog and I need to survive 2-3 days out and about before a night at a hotel to refresh and re-supply is required to keep wife happy.

The tonneau tent setup looks really interesting for now as an upgrade from the cheesy tent I'm using now, and I'm liking the idea of setting up a trailer for future longer stays out in the desert so further consideration on the front seems prudent. But durability could be a problem since I live in a place with full blast sunshine 360 days a year. Again need some ore research.

I think I see a roadmap developing ahead of me....

Here is my setup but take it with a grain of salt as I am still getting in the overlanding and have only gone a few times. I have the Gen 2 deck system with a RTT. I can say that the mattress in my RTT was extremely comfortable and I using have issues sleeping since I have a quadruple neck fusion and a SI Joint Fusion it can make sleeping pretty rough sometimes but I had no issues. We are started with the least amount of stuff and figured we would figure out what we actually needed on each trip. The latest addition was Starlink so I can work remote and don't need to use PTO to go on trips now.

 

[ericw.]

That's about the extent of my interest in an RTT. With my Gazelle I carry a big ass roll up memory foam sleeping pad and another big box with a blanket, sleeping bag, etc. My previous RTT was a cheap soft one that folds in half. I'd buy a wedge next, then most of the sleeping gear can just live inside of it on a trip.

Now, on my race trip the Gazelle (mine is only a T3) was nice because I had room to stand inside, sit on edge of cot and do things, etc. Was able to store all my gear inside for ease of access at night. If I go back next February I may get a slightly larger tent. Maybe a T4 or something else easy to set up.

Maybe a heater too because it was 15* some nights and that was brutal for Gulf coast guy like me.

A lot of the wedge style RTT can't hold much bedding so make sure you do your homework.

I have the Tuff Stuff Alpha and it holds 3 comforters and 4 normal sized pillows.. however if I did it again, I'd get the metal top instead of plastic.

The T4 is an excellent size but it's LONG when collapsed in the carry bag, so make sure it fits in your vehicle. lol I "had" to buy a roof rack to fit it on my wrangler since the back seats can't be laid down with the kid's car seat.

I haven't checked but it might even be longer than the JT bed, and would probably have to fit slightly at an angle.

 

[ChrisNLA]

A lot of the wedge style RTT can't hold much bedding so make sure you do your homework.

I have the Tuff Stuff Alpha and it holds 3 comforters and 4 normal sized pillows.. however if I did it again, I'd get the metal top instead of plastic.

The T4 is an excellent size but it's LONG when collapsed in the carry bag, so make sure it fits in your vehicle. lol I "had" to buy a roof rack to fit it on my wrangler since the back seats can't be laid down with the kid's car seat.

I haven't checked but it might even be longer than the JT bed, and would probably have to fit slightly at an angle.

I have stuck with the T3 just because it's short enough to lay down one side of the bed in the Gladiator, or across the back seat. I bought it when I had a 2 door and it had to fit across the back of it too.

Which is why I guess I'm still not upgrading to the T4

 

[ericw.]

I have stuck with the T3 just because it's short enough to lay down one side of the bed in the Gladiator, or across the back seat. I bought it when I had a 2 door and it had to fit across the back of it too.

Which is why I guess I'm still not upgrading to the T4

lol yeah that's the biggest downfall of the T4. Otherwise, excellent. I fit a queen size air bed inside and still have room for a 2' x 4' table, bags by the foot, and space to stand up.

For heating, definitely diesel heaters are the way to go now. I think all of them are good, just find one that has the features you want and in the price range you like.

 

[Free2roam]

Plenty of other choices. Not an easy on and off. Mine lives year round on the truck. Lightweight camper, build the inside how you want.

 

[DiehardTory]

Air Lift Bags in the rear with 5-10 psi.. VooDoo Modular Max Racks.

 

[JohnWick]

I have a KB Voodoo load bar setup with 1.5" risers.

All I have to do is pull 8 bolts and me and one other person can lift the tent and load bars off, leaving the rails and uprights in place. Tent gets leaned against my garage wall.

Doesn't weigh a lot. Definitely under 200 pounds for the tent and load bars combined. Stays out of the slipstream and sits low so it affects handling much less.

 

[Halvard]

Running a Decked solution and a light weight roof top tent on custom brackets that keeps it below the roof line. No kids, no rear seats, so ARB fridge and duffle bags with clothes goes inside the cab.
Works great. Pictures from our 4 weeks and 7 000 mile roadtrip last year.

 

[Blade1668]

I put electric brakes and the redarc brake controller... Been working amazing! The hydraulic surge brakes would have been a nightmare for offroad or regular driving

Was a PTA with a HMMWV even.

I can see a few good points for the "DECKED" drawers, it wasn't a high point for me. Definitely a good idea for some and a less visible security drawer for things that go bang. On RTT I had mine on for quite awhile, lost some MPG's and couldn't get into parking garages, hits in drive thru at many places ect. Off to it's main location on my 4 wheeler trailer (rack I built for it, initial on larger utility trailer. ) Toss up to go camping it with RTT, SCAMP T.T., hammock, tent cot, or ground tent. The latter are not as friendly to getting old. RTT on a trailer and camping gear is a good choice for some, but leaves gear out for sticky fingers. Not problem in some areas, but a concern. I have 3 RIDGID cases and HF copies of Pelican cases for camp and cooking. Stack up and a usable counter, seat, seal out water and dust good.
Many of us over do it really, less is more fun or at least more $$$ in the pocket for travel.

 

[WambliSka]

Great input guys, love seeing other folks rigs and I'm taking notes. Thanks!!!

 

[RubiNewbCB]

I enjoy all kinds of camping, RTT, Ground, TT... my JTRD and been through several transitions. I use a RTT for solo trips or trips with my Bros and they get the ground tents.. I use the TT for my wife and daughter so they have amenities. Currently im building out a small Overland trailer so the softshell RTT doesn't have to live on the JTRD. Im looking to add a DECKed drawer to the trailer, hot water heater. The fridge and camp stove may remain in the canopy, or move to the trailer. Still tossing around ideas and setups.

 

[WambliSka]

The idea of a dedicated trailer seems very appealing. My experience with the small bed tent I use now is very positive but sleeping on a slope is tough and finding a level spot for the Jeep can be challenging. A trailer would be easy to level for sure. I know it would limit the trails I can take but you have to give somewhere I guess.

 

[ericw.]

We built this one out of a narrow toyota service body, chopped frame, and axle. Came from a 90's toyota pickup that was used by the fire department.

Welded jack mounts on all 4 corners so I could level it and remove the majority of the suspension movement while we sleep.

Most recently I installed 200Ah (2x100Ah) LifeP04 batteries and 200W of solar on the top of the tent.

It's the exact same width as my Jeep.

 

[NotSo Bright White]

It is pretty easy to find level ground using the gauge in the instrument cluster. I have even aired down one or more tires to get close to level.
Here is my set up to haul a beach recliner, fire wood, and whiskey…not in that order!

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