Roof top tent

[Spook50]

The wife and me have been talking about going camping this summer, as long as I can get caught up with my work on the 62 (such an awesome feeling when she's pushing me to get crackin on getting the truck up to speed. I love this woman). One thing we're looking into is rooftop tents. I've been eyeballing the ARB Simpson III with the annex/entry addon, but just tonight I noticed that CVT Cascadia makes what looks to be a very good one as well. The Mt. Rainier tent is what caught my attention. Pricing is damn near the same between the two, and I've heard great stuff about ARBs tent. I'm curious to hear from anyone who uses CVT Cascadia's stuff and what they think of it. With cost being the same, and both tents being plenty large enough for the family, it just falls to which ever tent is the most durable and longest lasting.

Link to the CVT Cascadia tent for those who are curious http://www.cascadiatents.com/index.php?m=94&s=594&c=&id=117

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Spook, If I'm not mistaken the CVT and ARB are built in the same factory. I read somewhere that the Shasta was the old Simpson II. I think it was Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters that was talking about this maybe on the Expedition Portal Forum. Do a search CVT Cascadia vs ARB Simpson. Give Kurt or another ARB dealer a call or email to get the particulars. GL

 

[slowandsteady BJ]

Ive got the Simpson III on my Sixty and love it. No problems with it at all.

That said, a buddy had a camping labs tent that looked really good as well. Thicker mattress as well.

Its not exactly an easy decision to make as there are so many brands. One thing for sure is that you'll love having an RTT. Its like sleeping in a tree fort at night and brings out the kid in anyone!! Except perhaps an accountant.... or a lawyer.

 

[FJ Jake]

?

I don't want to seem like I am being negative, but why in the world would you want to have a tent on top of the truck? I am an avid outdoors man and have camped all my life. Is there a special benefit I am missing out on by putting the tent on top of my truck? Rattlesnake protection is the only thing I can think of

I think if I were to get any tent combo it would be this Costco - Lifetime® Camping Tent Trailer

 

[The Phoenician]

you get a better view

 

[Kanatii]

Depending on where you are in the world, there are all sorts of things that you wouldn't want to sleep on the ground with. Also, in areas where it is hotter, you will probably be cooler up in the air where you might have a chance at some airflow.

 

[chill will]

Up top you're off the ground and stay warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer. Don't have to tow a trailer, even though that one from Costco looks sweet. Sets up faster than a regular tent. I have one from camping labs and love it wish I got it a long time ago

 

[FJ Jake]

Ok, that makes sense. Airflow, temp and security. Up here in Minnesota I don't think I could give up my wall tent with the wood stove. Hunting season gets a bit too cold. Though I have to say it is not very portable and is not a "weekend" type tent for sure.

 

[tat2matt]

Love my ARB but it's the little one. Get's a lot of Subaru use during camping season seeing the Suby gets 25 pmg.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Dude that's pretty cool....
I wanted to do the same and put the RTT on top of my wife's vehicle.. but I think our tent is too big for it..

how does it handle on the hwy...
I cant imagine it being any different other than the wind noise ?

 

[tat2matt]

well actually the wind noise is not really an issue. The above picture was taken this summer in the middle of area 51 on the way to Yosemite. We actually ran out of gas and were stuck there for a few minutes. This picture explains why we ran out of gas.

 

[snowboardonsnow]

I got to see the cascade tents at a trade show a few weeks back and I was very impressed with there quality. I won't hesitate to buy one next year when the rig is ready for it. It was a definite surprise as I have been researching a few from time to time.

My opinion, get to see them both in person, then decide.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I don't want to seem like I am being negative, but why in the world would you want to have a tent on top of the truck? I am an avid outdoors man and have camped all my life. Is there a special benefit I am missing out on by putting the tent on top of my truck? Rattlesnake protection is the only thing I can think of...

A perfectly acceptable question... and my answer is here:
Is a Roof Top Tent for me? The RTT Conundrum
(there is actually a slightly newer & updated one that appeared in a recent edition of Tacoma Magazine however it requires a download)

I wrote this article not to convince people to buy a tent from me, quite the opposite really... to have people convince themselves whether or not a RTT will work for them.

In short to answer your question, why the RTT. No searching for flat ground, cleaner, quicker, no unpacking, leave it loaded with sleeping bag, pillow, etc. I'm fortunate enough to spend 50+ nights a year in my RTT's out on the trail with customers... for me the investment has been beyond sound for others I can see a quality ground tent being a far superior option, hence why I tried to write the article with even weighting to pro's and con's. Hope it helps clear up your question.

 

[popeyehj60]

i dont know wether u get the hannabil brand tents in america but in australia is one of the more superiour brands. makes the arb stuff look like s***.

i just spent a month living out of my truck touring. it was ideal in my case as i stayed in a different spot each night and i was going 4wding as well so haveing a trailer would of been a big disadvantage.

it was taking me 10 mins and a beer to open the tent ready to sleep in and about the same to pack it up. another advantage is when its open it gives shelter over a side of the truck depending on mounting. mine open over the back.

 

[Yspen]

I love my Hannibal Impi tent - takes one minute to erect and I leave all the bedding in there

 

[MANUCHAO]

Never seen a Hannibal Impi tent... looks like a Autohome series tent...

 

[lcwizard]

I don't want to seem like I am being negative, but why in the world would you want to have a tent on top of the truck? I am an avid outdoors man and have camped all my life. Is there a special benefit I am missing out on by putting the tent on top of my truck? Rattlesnake protection is the only thing I can think of

One word...........ZOMBIES....

Oh , and you might need some of these also

hornady zombie killer ammo. - YouTube

 

[CruisinTiger]

How is the water proofing on the tents...for those of you who have done the expeditions or camp in two different spots in the same weekend....if you get a heavy dew or you get rain during the night, are you able to close it back up in the morning wet, drive to your next camp, open it up, and your bedding and the inside still be dry?

 

[MANUCHAO]

CruisingT.

Pretty much.. so...
I have set it up and put it away under the rain several days at a time and my stuff has always stayed dry..
You def want to air dry it before putting it away if you can.. but mine repels water pretty good.. and have never had an issue with condensation..

 

[Spook50]

CruisingT.

Pretty much.. so...
I have set it up and put it away under the rain several days at a time and my stuff has always stayed dry..
You def want to air dry it before putting it away if you can.. but mine repels water pretty good.. and have never had an issue with condensation..

Now that's good to hear. I hadn't thought of the situation CruisinTiger presented, but that is a very realistic thing to expect in the PNW. Obviously letting the whole thing air dry before storing is a wise move, but knowing I can break it down with some moisture on it, and set it up later in the trip with the inside stuff still dry is a good thing.

I'm very heavily leaning towards the Cascadia tent with a DiamondRax side-opening rack once we're ready to drop the coin. I'm sure I'd be happy either way whether I went with ARB or Cascadia, but I like the appearance of the Cascadia just a bit more than the ARB. Plus the Cascadia annex looks to be just a bit more roomy. Great for letting the kid(s) play under some cover if the weather turns during a camping trip.