The Airstreams are really awesome. Back when we had a 1-ton dodge we were cross-shopping an airstream with the hatch and an ATC toyhauler. Each of them have their pluses and minuses, the airstream being really luxurious while the ATC offerings are quite well built and very configurable. Those Opus trailers are something we hadn't seen until now. That might be something we'll consider in a few years.
Roof Top Tents-My pet peeve
- Thread starter DenverLX
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This. Not so sure what all the fuss is about. A RTT is one of our options. Do we always use it? No. However, here in Idaho/Montana/Wyoming...when in bear country...which we are in...I want my family off the ground. I'm also not sure what hating on RTTs has to do with our 200 Series. To each their own.
Forgive me in advance for reviving a dead thread. I am putting together a 200 series build (LX), and I'm about to pull the trigger on my third RTT. Aside from actual mountaineering, I doubt I will ever use a ground tent again. There are a few reasons for this, so let me lay out the counterargument here:
The downsides have been covered, but I will say that breaking down a tent isn't a big deal if it takes two minutes. Getting out to pee in the middle of the night isn't fun, but it's a few steps down a ladder. I'm still in my 30s, so maybe this will become more of an issue as I get older. You're getting out of the tent in a ground tent, too, though. And I've never really noticed extra noise when driving, but this is probably setup-dependent.
Anyway, this is just a different perspective. I know it can be easy to dismiss something when the social media crowd gets ahold of it, but RTTs have simplified our camping experience (and made it much more comfortable) to the point that we go more often and don't feel defeated after doing it. We need less gear, ironically, because an RTT is a self-contained sleeping apparatus. We're fans, and I have a whopping 60 instagram followers.
- It's faster. I don't believe anyone who says otherwise. I can set up a hardshell RTT in less than two minutes, and that includes a mattress that is ready to go and bedding that is laid out. No one is setting up their ground tent, getting their cot/air mattress set up and getting bedding laid out in that amount of time. I've regularly camped with friends who use ground tents, and I always end up helping them with most of their setup because I'm done so much sooner.
- It's more comfortable than most tent setups. A 3" memory foam mattress, combined with thicker canvas/nylon walls and a bit of space creates a more isolated feeling than most people have going on in their tents. I have never slept better in a ground tent than I have in an RTT. This is probably just a personal thing, but for me (and my wife), it's huge. The only ground tent setup that comes close is a full-on air mattress or cot system, and that adds so much gear to the equation that I'm out from the start.
- It's warmer. 30's feels like 40's. 40's feels like 50's. Every RTT I've ever slept in has felt warmer than a ground tent. I've never slept in a heavy duty canvas "elk hunt" type of ground tent, though.
The downsides have been covered, but I will say that breaking down a tent isn't a big deal if it takes two minutes. Getting out to pee in the middle of the night isn't fun, but it's a few steps down a ladder. I'm still in my 30s, so maybe this will become more of an issue as I get older. You're getting out of the tent in a ground tent, too, though. And I've never really noticed extra noise when driving, but this is probably setup-dependent.
Anyway, this is just a different perspective. I know it can be easy to dismiss something when the social media crowd gets ahold of it, but RTTs have simplified our camping experience (and made it much more comfortable) to the point that we go more often and don't feel defeated after doing it. We need less gear, ironically, because an RTT is a self-contained sleeping apparatus. We're fans, and I have a whopping 60 instagram followers.
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CharlieS
GOLD Star
I love my Alucab RTT, and generally agree with your assessment. I don't think it is better, but it is one of several good options. We also have a Gazelle ground tent, and it can be set up amazingly quickly, fits more people, has headroom to stand, and is a good option at times. I like it that we have great options.
Edit: we have several other quality ground tents that we haven't used since moving to the RTT + Gazelle.
Edit: we have several other quality ground tents that we haven't used since moving to the RTT + Gazelle.
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Buy a couple yellow Nalgene bottles - it’s a game changer. Your wife will likely need some time to perfect the technique so have some old towels handy while she potty trains.
Dump the Nalgene’s every morning and wash thoroughly. I usually put a little more soap and water in them then close it up and let them soak and then I dump the soap and water before turning in for the night.
Is time really a concern when camping? I mean does it matter if it take 2 mins or 20 mins to setup a tent? Are you in a rush when setting up camp?
I have a nice tent that takes maybe 5 mins to put up and secure. Another 10mins to inflate the air mattress
Frequently camping in sub-freezing temperatures out here in the PNW will definitely spark some creativity. Going out in the snow and cold in the middle of the night is no bueno.
Depends on if you’re camping or traveling.
I’d say that for people who are moving nightly, absolutely. When my wife and I travel over several days, being able to park and jump in bed without having to set anything up is really nice.
But if you’re camping then RTT’s suck IMO. I like being able to leave camp basically set up while we go explore. Which is why we went with an offroad camper instead of getting another RTT. Best of both worlds. We can pull over and go to bed when we want or we can set up a basecamp if we’ll be staying put for a few days.
CharlieS
GOLD Star
This is why we have a RTT, ground tents, and an offroad camper. Every camping trip has different parameters and there isn't one solution that is best at everything, IMO.
RET2
SILVER Star
All fun and games till one slips on a wet ladder the next am and your buddy laughs at you cause the dew didn't set anywhere else around camp.
RET2
SILVER Star
FlipPac or similar.
It's not so much the overall time. It's the overall ease. We do a lot of short weekend trips, and it's easy to feel like a weekend trip isn't worth it if it gets too involved. Sometimes we'll even pop out for one night. If you're setting up camp for a week, sure....no big deal.
And as ElJayBird mentioned, if you're setting up camp in a different spot every night, like doing the Alpine Loop or similar, convenience becomes more important.
I never understood any tipi tents are not as popular with the overloading crowd as they are with backcountry hunters.
Link for reference - 6 Person Tipi - Stove - Liner Bundle - https://seekoutside.com/6-person-tipi-stove-liner-bundle/
- They pack down small
- But have way more space than RTTs
- They're lightweight (11lbs w/stove vs 80lbs)
- You can get a stove for them
- You can stand up in them
- You can fit cots in them if you don't want to sleep on the ground
Link for reference - 6 Person Tipi - Stove - Liner Bundle - https://seekoutside.com/6-person-tipi-stove-liner-bundle/
I never understood any tipi tents are not as popular with the overloading crowd as they are with backcountry hunters.
All around, seems so much better, but YMMV.
- They pack down small
- But have way more space than RTTs
- They're lightweight (11lbs w/stove vs 80lbs)
- You can get a stove for them
- You can stand up in them
- You can fit cots in them if you don't want to sleep on the ground
Link for reference - 6 Person Tipi - Stove - Liner Bundle - https://seekoutside.com/6-person-tipi-stove-liner-bundle/
Agreed. I do like my OZ-Tent, the only drawback to it is its length when stowed, otherwise it's perfect and there isn't a single travel ground tent on the market of that style and speed to set up that even comes close to it's quality and durability short of maybe Springbar.
I'm not a fan of RTT's and I wouldn't get one myself, but I 100% disagree with this comment. Some people have medical/physical challenges that make certain types of camping a greater undertaking than any amount of "toughing up" can account for. Anything that gets my wife enthused about camping is worth the $$$ in my book. This is why we have a modified A-liner trailer.
I like a ground tent personally for compact storage, ease of setup and the fact you leave it behind at camp when you're out driving. But it's not always easy finding a level spot for it. I also enjoy sleeping in the truck on solo trips, but too crowded as a couple. The trailer is awesome for comfort, but it doesn't go everywhere and we have to pay to store it due to HOA rules. FWIW, my stepdad has owned pretty much every type of camper, RV, tent or whatever and has spent more time camping than most of us will in our lifetimes, and his current rig is a RTT. He likes it and pees in a jar at night
Every setup has it's compromises.
kcjaz
SILVER Star
His wife.
Fellow Colorado owner here and let me say that after a big furry critter 
decided to sniff and try to get into my ground tent one night I only do the RRT now 
decided to sniff and try to get into my ground tent one night I only do the RRT now 
