Why Rooftop Tent?

[TJWilly]

RTT heads and shoulders above traditional tent. Late nights on the trail overland... sometimes I would just flip it over and go to sleep. forget setting up window awnings or anex or anything like that. Just unzip and flip... sleep. However.... I also am a believer in hammock camping. it is easy to tie off to the jeep and anywhere else on the side of the trail and sleep like a baby. Fast setup as well with carabineers and straps all setup.. I have a Hennessy Jungle Zip with hex rain fly just in case. RTT is best for family. Maybe the hammock best for just me taking into account cost and comfort.

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[fuelcell1]

i understand the off the ground argument, however, I like to drive around and do some exploring during the day. I can't imagine having to pack up each morning, so for me, it doesn't make sense. just my $0.02

 

[Jcsii]

I have camped in an ARB awning room and their small RTT. Both options In my opinion work best for traveling site to site.
I have found there tends to be more breeze up high in the tent Than on the ground.
It is currently mounted low to the Truck bed, solved the midnight potty break issue and is about twice as fast to stow.
If camping in one place for a while I take my teardrop.
I found my tent on CL for $600, not sure I would pay much more than that for one.

 

[it_trailblzr]

I totally respect both options, and benefits/drawbacks.
However, I prefer my solution the best:

 

[htremper]

I LOVE my RTT

Pros
1) weather is almost never a factor
2) 90 seconds to set up
3) minion loves the treehouse factor
4) can still use the truck bed for whatever
5) the annex for an extra tent / storage

Cons
1) cost
2) weight (keep it in most of the summer but you know it’s there)
3) mpg

Still love it and would stick with them

 

[Beowulf]

For me it is all about speed. I have a hard shell Autohome Columbus Variant. Sub 30 second set up and being lazy 120 second stow time.

I rarely ever stay in the same place for more than one night. Always traveling to another location. Another Trail to run. Another trail to hike, bike, or climb.

Yes, the bed is great. Some of the best nights sleeps I've ever had being outside. But, for me it is 100% about setup/teardown time.

Yes, it has been worth the time and money to get it mounted properly.

I plan on upping the bar by going with GoFast, Super Pacific, CampKing, or Alu-Cab Canopy Camper on a JT build.

 

[it_trailblzr]

I LOVE my RTT

Pros
1) weather is almost never a factor
2) 90 seconds to set up
3) minion loves the treehouse factor
4) can still use the truck bed for whatever
5) the annex for an extra tent / storage

Cons
1) cost
2) weight (keep it in most of the summer but you know it’s there)
3) mpg

Still love it and would stick with them

Ok, so if it involves surf fishing, I acquiesce.
And damm, how many poles did you have in the water?

 

[Kevin_D]

I totally respect both options, and benefits/drawbacks.
However, I prefer my solution the best:

Here's my solution...

It takes a slightly bigger base camp space, but then the JT is fully unencumbered, and off we go!

Kevin

 

[Blade1668]

Advantages of RTT many have been said. Being I was "window" shopping for one a few days back. During my lurking and looking for and at them, I decided my choice one is a hard shell one. From there I went price shopping for one cost here in USA $2500 and up mainly way up from that. More digging I got in contact with company that actually makes many of them...... For one "sales demo" I can buy it for $550 and about $150 for import duties and tax ect. Now if I buy 10 plus I can get what my Logo and different colors, and cost drop of $50 per unit up to 50 after that the cost drops dramatically and can be as low as $350.00 each. To find out more details I had to set up a account and start the order process the standard order is 20- 50 units in their system.... Make sure your PayPal or Google account don't have them set for automatic payment. I almost had a order for 25. Processed and charged. Just by trying to find out S&H, duties and tax. I've had a few follow up email from and back with them. Down the road I might make the order. My thoughts on RTT I'm getting tired of sleeping in mud, rain and getting older #3 faster set up and tear down. #4 less bug problems. But for now I'll be using Tent Cot or hammock and last choice one of my ground tents after having years and yes I mean years of sleeping on the ground I like a mattress that a RTT has.

 

[guarnibl]

For hardshell tents ( roofnest falcon ) —

More insulation so I can get away with cheaper more comfortable sleeping bags.

No setup and takedown

clean

away from wildlife and insects

can make it way more comfortable ( pillows, memory foam etc )

can mount shower to it.

Ill never use a ground tent ever again.

also no mpg loss and no wind noise! It’s expensive at $3300 but IMO I didn’t trust going with a knock off.

slept in it this past weekend and it was below 20 degrees. I did use a buddy heater to pre heat the tent but was comfortable. I’m going to buy a diesel heater for next time.

 

[htremper]

Ok, so if it involves surf fishing, I acquiesce.
And damm, how many poles did you have in the water?

Well in that pic actually one maybe?

Where that is (Delaware) you HAVE to fish to be out there so I engage friends who know what they are doing

 

[it_trailblzr]

Well in that pic actually one maybe?

Where that is (Delaware) you HAVE to fish to be out there so I engage friends who know what they are doing

wise beyond your years

 

[MNWillys]

I'm with you on this one too. I camp only a dozen or so nights a year, and having a full-time tent on my vehicle does not sound appealing. Climbing up and down a ladder won't work for me either after a while. I see falling off it at some point. lol

I also got a cot and some foam last year and it really improves sleeping on/over rocky or lumpy ground. I also like a tall tent I can actually stand in while getting dressed. I'm getting too old to shimmy into my clothes while in a regular tent. I want to get one of those Gazelles too. Will cut tent set-up by a several minutes.

I can't agree more. No one here has mentioned anything about heavy wind, rains or cold weather conditions. I have several tents for a multitude of conditions. Two person to 8 person, and one with a wood stove. Cots and comfortable sleeping mats definitely improve sleeping. The one thing that stands out the most for me is the headroom. My largest tent is 9 feet or so in the middle and has four foot side walls, much like an outfitter tent, but goes up in under 20 minutes. I like being able to stand up inside a tent, I'm not a Boy scout anymore and prefer a few modern conveniences.
Happy Adventuring!

 

[dreston]

A trailer-mounted tent is a nice option if you want to leave the camp and explore the trails.

 

[Sublime]

Just this past weekend I was really considering the RTT. My main question is the cleaning of the tent after it was in the rain and you have to putaway wet. How hard is it to take down so it can be hung to dry? What is the process to clean the exterior from sap, bird crap etc.?

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