Rooftop Tents for 200-series

[ayaws]

I've been giving some serious thoughts to putting a RTT on my '13 or getting a small off-road camper.

Reasons I like the RTT (which is what I'm leaning toward
No Towing
No additional ground clearance concerns
Easier to store

Reasons I like the off-road camper:
More spacious
Leaves roof rack free for other stuff
Easier to access for the kiddos
I've looked at both pop-ups and a-frame types.

If you bought a RTT, what did you get and why?

I'm going to be doing a fair amount of backcountry camping around CO over the next few years with my family. I have me (6'3"), my wife (5'5"), my 2 year-old son, and my 4-month old daughter. Even the largest RTTs are going to be pretty tight for sleeping all 4 of us but I'd bet my son and I use it far more than all 4 of us. No pets other than a marine aquarium (non-portable.)

I'm keeping this pretty broad as I'd like to look at a bunch of options!

Thanks!
Adam

 

[WildYoats]

Certainly pros and cons to both. I bought an inexpensive RTT many years here on a group buy. Loved it because it was super easy to set up. Hated it because the ladder it came with stunk, and it was a bit of a chore getting in and out of it (especially if you take a few bathroom breaks during the night). Also, I did not like having that extra 120+ lbs on the roof when off-roading and, one has to consider folding it back up if you're going to travel around your camp for the day. A lot of my friends have them now, they are much improved over the years. One of the better made units are the Easi-Awn brand. My friend Paul, owner of EQUIPT, has a few in stock currently (shameless plug).

I also had a pop-up tent trailer I bought new many years ago. Certainly much cooler at the dealership or RV show. Once I had it out a few times in Moab, and had to fold it all up in inclement weather, I realized it was a pain in the arse. Also, forget trying to store much in it, that always was a chore cranking it open just to get to something when I wasn't camping. I ended up selling it because it was more of a pain then anything, we now have a small Class C motorhome for the non-trail trips, works out awesome. Now that I have a 200 series, we will ponder a small towable camper.

Best of luck.

 

[mpho]

Have a wide variety of tents; including an RTT. Love them all. Would never pull anything again. Just a pain in the ass. I know they make small, off road trailers but still you are pulling something. I like having options. I bought an ARB tent. Solid tent. It's great if you are planning on moving every day. If not, bring a ground tent. Nice to have options...

 

[NLScooby]

I've been thinking about one as well and just looked at a slightly used one the other day. I love the thought of owning one, but I didn't pull the trigger for a few reasons:
1. I'm the same height as you and I have a wife and 7 yo and 10 yo.....so this particular tent would have been too small and a new rack would be in order as I can't imagine putting all that weight on the roof rack!. So that's another grand on top of the price of the tent. I don't think the wife will be happy spending $3k on what is ultimately still a tent.
2. I don't like relying on another person to have to help load the tent on my roof
3. When I think back to the last 4 wheeling weekend, the campsite had a small flat area for tents, but the area for vehicles was sloped too severely to sleep on the roof (I know it's just one case)
We set up camp and then when four wheeling in the evening again (which wouldn't have worked with the RTT)
In the morning, then tents were all damp - so we left them set up to dry while we hit the trails again. We would have had to pack up a wet tent if we wanted to join them in that case

On the other hand, it looks like fun and a cool way to camp. I could picture just my son and I using it more often by ourselves than it being a family thing.... We have a 35ft triple slide 5th wheel for that!

 

[ayaws]

Thanks for the replies so far!

I have a nice selection of ground tents:
4-person 4-season (what I normally take along with the wife. No flapping and dry as a bone at elevation in evening storms.)
2-person 4-season
4-person 3-season
6-person 3-season

I have this feeling the answer is going to be 'both' or 'all.' Typically here in CO, we don't have much trouble with wet tents (for long) although your point about having to pack a wet RTT is a great one. I think for the labor day trip this year I'm going to rent an off-road pop-up. $550 for 4 days is pretty steep but it's probably worth it to convince my wife 'we can do this again!' Camping to her is a Holiday Inn.

 

[TJsTACOMA]

Are you using the factory roof rack or aftermarket

 

[ayaws]

Are you using the factory roof rack or aftermarket

Factory for now but if we go RTT, it'll definitely be aftermarket. 150#+ RTT plus my 205# is too heavy for the factory rack.