Roof Top Tent vs Camper Trailer

[jhanley]

For those with experience, which is better, roof-top-tent or camper trailer? I'm forever planning a cross country trip - light wheeling, 18 cities, 1 month, 7k miles. It's getting close, and I'm ready to buy gear. Budget, approx. 5k.

I have the following questions:

• Which is more fuel efficient
• Is a trailer too cumbersome with regards to parking, 4-wheeling, etc...
• Is one more user friendly than the other i.e. setup / breakdown, comfort, versatility

Also, any pics of your setup would be helpful, for reference.

 

[RS6tofj80]

I'm thinking along the same lines and my thoughts based on borrowing a RTT is that there's a ton to be gained by being able to leave the trailer to explore or wheel ..... the RTT does also come with a steep penalty aero-wise.... not that we don't drive bricks to start., but a trainler is mostly in the vaccum of the brick...

I also am not sure I wont to do the whole rear bumper things again but DO like having extra fuel and spares.. so those would need to be transfered to a rack if leaving the rig... ( i jsut ordered a Gobi yesterday finally)

mine thoughts are 80% theoretical..... so would also love realtime input.

 

[Bloomer]

I have limited experience but will weigh in on my thoughts and direction I went.

I have a small trailer (M416) with a RTT. Trailer is light weight and provides great storage and the ability to leave at base camp. Not big on having a lot of weight up top that would result from mounting a RTT on the vehicle and really like the extra storage the trailer affords for things that would otherwise be inside the Land Cruiser. So far, I've only pulled it a few times. Don't recall the mileage but remember thinking the trailer had minimal impact on fuel mileage.

 

[NMrockeater]

Another vote for a trailer. All the same reasons as above. Here is a pic before I converted to a LC

 

[Wilsil]

You still can go wheeling when you have your campertrailer set up.
You can't when you have your roof top tent set up. You have to pack up even if you want to go to the shops.

 

[jhanley]

I might be freaked out leaving a trailer, unmanned, for long periods of time.

 

[erikvogel]

Is it just you? I am a fan of the fast and light approach, and keeping things as simple and light as possible. When I do a camping trip where it is just me, I use a cot tent and set it up under my awning. Simple, easy, and ready to go in minutes. Add a neo-air mattress and it is nearly as comfortable as my bed at home. I can put the entire thing on my rack in a waterproof bag, or in the back if I have room.

Now if I am traveling with the family I use a Springbar tent. Granted, not as fast and light as the cot-tent, but works great for a family of 4. No way a RTT would work with the young kids. I store it in a Dry Bag on the roof for travel. Flat enough that it does not impact the MPG.

With a good roof-rack you can fit a ton of gear on the roof. I have found that as long as you keep gear as far back as possible, and less than 10" tall, the MPG impact is minimal. In fact, I always marvel that I don't get any wind noise either. You can get a few of those aluminum boxes that you can lock to the rack to hold gear if you need the space. You can also put propane tanks, jerry cans, etc. up there if you need to. I have a RoadShower mounted all summer that works really well. I could not fit it with a RTT on the roof.

Trailers are awesome, but to me it is another piece of gear to manage, maintain and store, and I haven't towed one yet that I would feel comfortable traveling 85 MPH on a windy freeway with. RTTs are equally awesome, but you give up a lot of roof space and need to fold it up to move your vehicle. Plus you still probably want an awning and toilet tent if you don't have facilities available.

So my $.02 - I prefer to travel long distance with everything inside my truck. It allows me to go anywhere, and not have to worry about parking in tight spaces, garages, etc. If I can't safely keep everything in the truck, then I use my roof rack keeping the load as low as possible. If I still don't have enough space I would tow a trailer. RTTs are great for 2 people, but you give up a lot of roof space and pay a MPG price.

Probably more of an answer than you were looking for - but I tour a lot around Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana and have a system that works great for me.

 

[Bloomer]

I might be freaked out leaving a trailer, unmanned, for long periods of time.

Sure, I understand that. They make various locks for trailers and I have a top on my trailer that locks, as well. No guarantees someone wouldn't cut the locks and be gone with it all, but there's always the possibility someone would bust out your rear glass and help themselves to the gear in the back of your land cruiser (I've had that happen with another vehicle). With the trailer, I can store a lot of gear and it's out of site. Just something to consider.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

@ jhanley - How many will be traveling? This would have the biggest impact on what I would take.

As for trailer has anyone even heard of a trailer being stolen when traveling?

 

[Bloomer]

I love sarcasm

 

[costalcat]

I'm new to the LC but not new to camping, overlanding etc... I have a VW Syncro and pull a travel trailer behind it. Here is a pic of it. Since this picture I have flipped the Axle for more clearance on the trailer, I did this right befor Overland Expo East and used it off road during that trip to great success. To others points and for comparison my buddy has a VW Syncro Doka and the cage on the back supports a RTT. Everytime we left camp we had a 15 min wait while he packed up the tent. On the other hand I tossed some stuff in the trailer. Locked the hitch and wheels together and was making coffee in the van. In a bigger sense it is the same reason a 5th wheel is better than a full RV. When you get to the RV site you have a truck to run around in ... I have only had the trailer for two years but I cant imagine going anywhere without it now. If you do decide to go with trailer be sure to add an off road hitch like this
https://locknroll.com/
It will allow the trailer to move appropriately off road. The harder the terrain the more important this is.

Finally if you are getting a trailer consider it's weight loaded and unloaded. One thing that is great about mine is that, even loaded I can unhitch and push it around most campsites. I have a routine with my girls in which the first thing they get to do is help me roll the trailer in to the site..

Here is an example from last fall when we were out on the Outer Banks hopping around for a couple of days

 

[jhanley]

@ jhanley - How many will be traveling? This would have the biggest impact on what I would take.

As for trailer has anyone even heard of a trailer being stolen when traveling?

4 people traveling.

Interesting point w/ regards to keeping everything in the truck, and loading extra on a roof rack. I never considered this option.

 

[hankinid]

For those with experience, which is better, roof-top-tent or camper trailer? I'm forever planning a cross country trip - light wheeling, 18 cities, 1 month, 7k miles. It's getting close, and I'm ready to buy gear. Budget, approx. 5k.

I have the following questions:

• Which is more fuel efficient
• Is a trailer too cumbersome with regards to parking, 4-wheeling, etc...
• Is one more user friendly than the other i.e. setup / breakdown, comfort, versatility

Also, any pics of your setup would be helpful, for reference.

I've camped, once, with a roof top tent...major pita. To me, it's more of a Euro-Australian thing, or maybe wanna be thing.

I think I can see where they'd be useful...maybe camping in an area with lots of creepy-crawlers around, maybe. and I camp with 2 dogs with us in the tent...dogs are extremely intelligent, but not sure I could train both to use the stairs on an rtt.

"Cumbersome" is in the eye of the driver... can back a horse trailer with 3 horses inside wherever she wants it with no issues, and that's in a Ram Cummins truck...no problemo. Probably to unhook the trailer before any "4-wheeling, etc." stuff.

A trailer will be more comfortable than a rtt.

Given your choices, I'd go with the trailer.

Steve

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

4 people traveling.

Interesting point w/ regards to keeping everything in the truck, and loading extra on a roof rack. I never considered this option.

4 people, assuming 2 adults and 2 kids = tent over any trailer or RTT

Given your budget unless you will be in remote areas I would use hotels with free breakfast

The reality based on your first post -

Average 5+ hours of driving per day not counting bathrooms, eating, and sight seeing.

Then everything fits in the hundy. Map your nightly hotel/motel in advance and your trip will be a lot easier on everyone.

 

[jhanley]

4 people, assuming 2 adults and 2 kids = tent over any trailer or RTT

Given your budget unless you will be in remote areas I would use hotels with free breakfast

The reality based on your first post -

Average 5+ hours of driving per day not counting bathrooms, eating, and sight seeing.

Then everything fits in the hundy. Map your nightly hotel/motel in advance and your trip will be a lot easier on everyone.

I understand your point, but, defeats the purpose.

Doing 5 days in Socal (hotel), and 4 days in Boulder (friend's house). Otherwise, outdoors....

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I understand your point, but, defeats the purpose.

Doing 5 days in Socal (hotel), and 4 days in Boulder (friend's house). Otherwise, outdoors....

I understand my opinion was based on our 4300 miles trip for 28 days with one child and no hotel.

 

[jhanley]

I understand my opinion was based on our 4300 miles trip for 28 days with one child and no hotel.

So you've done this? Starting and end points?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Arizona to Canada

Just returned from doing 1000 miles in 4 days solo and that was more driving than I would of liked. Also my camp set up time is under 1 min and close up is around 2 mins.

 

[tommy222220]

RTT. 5mins to setup/pack down. Bed is already made too.

Easier to get to more remote camp sites, as trailer can limit track options.

 

[jhanley]

Arizona to Canada

Just returned from doing 1000 miles in 4 days solo and that was more driving than I would of liked. Also my camp set up time is under 1 min and close up is around 2 mins.

One minute set up? Got any pics?