Seriously, what is this whole thing about Roof top tents..??

[Patineto]

First of all I'm a motorcycle guy and unless I'm in the Yukon (three times, I learn how to sleep on top of my GS, the permafrost just kills you) I always sleep in the floor..

Well I did use this tents on many motorcycle rallies for my business (i used to be a "Kitchen" on a base camp in the himalayas and my boss give it to me because she was really tired) and I carried with a trailer because it was big but somehow light (55pounds with the aluminum impregnated outer shell, 16 poles about 5 meters long 1/2' OD made of easton 7005, but hey is 5 meters in diameter and can sleep 16, many more in a emergency, high winds, 5' high snow, no problem.

Second, Tents and light weight structures are one of my big passions and I work on a off with some of the best tent designers (in the US at least) and at least in mountaineering/backpacking we were always looking for the lightest/smallest most efficient structure, wind deflection, snow, heavy crazy rain, ventilation plays are massive factor for example.

Yes I know RTT has become the statement of "I camp/I'm a man" but why do you want to carry such a massive thing on top of your truck all the time..?

More drag, more noise, indoor parking lot restrictions, low tree branches, rocks, no plywood on the roof, no topless dancing at Burning man, no bicycles/kayaks, etc.

Plus get it up there, fix even the smallest things/sending it back to warranty, mold, moisture, longevity, UV rays, tired zippers, how do you even Pi, what a pain..

Another example, one of my graduation thesis, (I was 22 at the time) 46 square meters of ground coverage, no assembling able to be drop from C-130 and come down like a parachute (work on compression provided by bi-metal springs and tension from the fabric)

Sorry for the horrible pictures.

The "Columns" Build out of two counteracting springs, still very foldable, but making the prototype with a conventional sawing machines was a absolute pain in the butt...

Sincerely I just don't get it..

Ps: when I was young (25 & 28) I did two 2 week "Survival camps" (as hard core as you can get, the other guys were "Super Nice", helicopter rope drops, etc) In the Darien gap in Panama and sure we sleep on hammocks with repellent applied to the ropes for spiders, frogs and snakes, because they seriously will kill you, let me tell you rubber boots above your knees are not fun at all..

 

[CaptClose]

All valid points... but I raise you this: Rooftop tents just look cool!

Different strokes/Different folks...

 

[Patineto]

This is the new tread on Tent design, silly light, but more than that, silly pocket size small (The tents, you never know about the trees ergo the length of the straps, rock climbers usually use their climbing ropes anyway) sadly you need trees for them (actually some people used them for "Urban camping" using telephone post, features on buildings) actually the sad part is that the straps/ropes/webbing takes the bark of the trees, no joke for long term damage..

Hey Three trucks equal Three trees..

 

[Patineto]

This still need a car to be carried, but you can make a whole city out of them..

The structure is actually pretty weak and heavy, reason why they need all the ropes, the tubes are attached to a central "Hub" at the top instead of forming a real arch.

But they can also be much taller than a conventional hexagonal tent..

 

[Patineto]

All valid points... but I raise you this: Rooftop tents just look cool!

Different strokes/Different folks...

Sure they look cool..

If you are into World War One, reenactments...

 

[CaptClose]

Sure they look cool..

If you are into World War One, reenactments...

LOL! Come on man, you're reaching a little bit with the WWI tent. But I get it, rooftop tents aren't sexy, they're rugged, like a 10-week beard on an Australian Outback expedition. I will concede that your tent city concept is just as cool, and possibly more practical.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Like you say, eople are worried about creepy crawlies, slithering snakes and large clawed animals getting them in their ground tent.
They have no appeal for me either.

Pretty cool you spent time in the Darien gap. Latest Outside magazine has a story about migrants coming through there in desperate attempts to get into the US. That area has no appeal to me either.

 

[Patineto]

LOL! Come on man, you're reaching a little bit with the WWI tent. But I get it, rooftop tents aren't sexy, they're rugged, like a 10-week beard on an Australian Outback expedition. I will concede that your tent city concept is just as cool, and possibly more practical.

Sorry sarcastic/acid latin humor...


I have been watching this Englishman on his "Truppy" (I love that land cruiser) on youtube and the dude is very smart and critic of the pragmatic aspects of everything related to long term "Walkabouts".

Ps: If you were a "Sherpa" (When you don't need to carry your crap up the mountain) you will understand the semiotic aspects of "Ruggedness" (and Colognes) require to many commitments in terms of logistics..

Okay stop geeking out..

 

[93yotasr5]

Love my roof top tent!!! Just like my guns, you won't ever take it or them away from me!!!

 

[Corey]

I guess if you have to ask, you will never get it.

Like 93yotasr5 mentioned above, many of us would never give up ours.
Mine is so comfortable to sleep in, and having all the bedding in place and zero setup except for cranking it up and pulling the ladder out makes me one very happy camper.

 

[Patineto]

I guess if you have to ask, you will never get it.

Like 93yotasr5 mentioned above, many of us would never give up ours.
Mine is so comfortable to sleep in, and having all the bedding in place and zero setup except for cranking it up and pulling the ladder out makes me one very happy camper.

That is the reason why I'm asking..

It most have some really strong features that make it very desirable..

Personally I plan to make one too, but will be ultralight and very strong, I will be carried inside the car on a little sleeve, ensemble it on the floor and then lift it up (seven-eight pounds at the most) then it will be attach with key ways so it will not move at all, thermarest, blankets, no big deal roll into the car, even a Inflatable Serta mattress, sure why not (Highly recomend, total game changer)



I can just not give my rack space, this truck is a "Utility" truck for me, not just a camping truck and I need to carry all kinds of stuff and some of them do not fit inside, plywood for example.

I'm making the tent and the extended platform for the Kiddos, since they love to sleep "Upstairs" (I still don't know how to bring the dogs up there)

I show more later, for now I'm focusing on building the rack from 80/20 Erector Set, extrusion aluminum.

 

[Patineto]

Love my roof top tent!!! Just like my guns, you won't ever take it or them away from me!!!

Good for you, I respect a person with conviction..

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Not all RRT are created equal I have non of the pit falls or restrictions you listed in your original post. With that said I still motorcycle camp and like you before my RTT I slept on the ground or anywhere if needed. Now days I drive until I drop and in less than 15 seconds Im ready for bed. So far this year because of the ease I have almost 40 nites in my RTT without I would not of seen as many. For me it changed my life for camp and travel I just wish I had it 40 years ago. YMMV

 

[93yotasr5]

Good for you, I respect a person with conviction..

Thank you sir.

That aside, I keep 3-4 sleeping bags flattened out in my RTT. That way the only thing I need for bedding is pillows. The RTT keeps my fiancé and I up off the ground which has saved my ass a few times in the hard wet rain. I am running a full length rack and I still am able to throw my gear boxes up top and that way I don't lose room in the cab. With a full length rack you can have your cake and eat it too.

 

[Patineto]

Not all RRT are created equal I have non of the pit falls or restrictions you listed in your original post. With that said I still motorcycle camp and like you before my RTT I slept on the ground or anywhere if needed. Now days I drive until I drop and in less than 15 seconds Im ready for bed. So far this year because of the ease I have almost 40 nites in my RTT without I would not of seen as many. For me it changed my life for camp and travel I just wish I had it 40 years ago. YMMV

Oh you see that is a total different story, much less wind drag, much moisture intake, no mold build up on the walls do to humidity and condensation..

This is how I camp on my bike..

Two up to BC for two weeks, we have all we need, well no food but we have money, I'm just glad I don't need to hunt for bugs and take water from big leaves..

Then "heavy duty transport truck.

Very surprised after almost 16 years of doing stupid stuff around san francisco, I never got a ticket and if I got stop was to ask where they can get a rack like that..

So, So many really hard miles and she never fail me..

 

[Patineto]

Thank you sir.

That aside, I keep 3-4 sleeping bags flattened out in my RTT. That way the only thing I need for bedding is pillows. The RTT keeps my fiancé and I up off the ground which has saved my ass a few times in the hard wet rain. I am running a full length rack and I still am able to throw my gear boxes up top and that way I don't lose room in the cab. With a full length rack you can have your cake and eat it too.

For sure I have a lot to learn..

I visit the outdoor retail show in SLC two weeks ago, and they have so many freaking tents is not even funny, ten companies at least, most of them with very similar structures and this massive trucks/SUV posing like "Overland" but with perfect paint, tons of lights, massive shiny bumpers but no mud under the wheel well, Yeah sure Overlanding at Starbucks maybe....

Maybe in a few years like with everything else, competition will help/forced to improve the design so the brand can have some market separation and status..

For sure the core RTT idea is brilliant (Besides the extra noise created by the vortex of the wind on a structure so high up) perfect alaska winter vehicle (I can only go to alaska in the summer on my motorcycle for obvious reasons..

 

[Hiace4wd]

We used a Maggiolina RTT (it is one with a hard cover) and it was fantastic. We bought it second hand (in good condition) and then we used it for over 1 year!
And I do mean one long roadtrip which took a bit more than 1 year. In which we slept most nights in the Maggiolina RTT.
So the quality is very good. Also sleeping in the cold is no issue.

The only drawback to me is carrying extra weight. Complaining about extra noise is not really an issue with an old 40 series Landcruiser
But if I were to take any of this "hammock tents" or other easy flopup tents, I'm sure it would not sleep as good.

The maggiolina is ready in about 30 seconds I guess. Folding it down takes a bit longer.
The hard cover makes it nice, as rain and wind are less of an issue.
The folding tents which have no hard cover, are also nice, but have more drawbacks like a regular tent. For example folding it in after heavy rain.


But to be honest, now we have a family and a 4x4 van so we can sleep inside. Not really necessary, but it feels more secure if you're bushcamping.

If I were travelling alone and had a closed 4x4 like Landcruiser and 4Runner, I would do things differently. I would minimize all the stuff that I would bring. I wouldn't put anything on the roof, no stuff at all. Just a cargo floor on the inside, on which you can sleep. Perhaps a jerrycan and spare wheel on the back but that's it. Just keep it very simple and lightweight.

 

[Patineto]

We used a Maggiolina RTT (it is one with a hard cover) and it was fantastic. We bought it second hand (in good condition) and then we used it for over 1 year!
And I do mean one long roadtrip which took a bit more than 1 year. In which we slept most nights in the Maggiolina RTT.
So the quality is very good. Also sleeping in the cold is no issue.

The only drawback to me is carrying extra weight. Complaining about extra noise is not really an issue with an old 40 series Landcruiser
But if I were to take any of this "hammock tents" or other easy flopup tents, I'm sure it would not sleep as good.

The maggiolina is ready in about 30 seconds I guess. Folding it down takes a bit longer.
The hard cover makes it nice, as rain and wind are less of an issue.
The folding tents which have no hard cover, are also nice, but have more drawbacks like a regular tent. For example folding it in after heavy rain.


But to be honest, now we have a family and a 4x4 van so we can sleep inside. Not really necessary, but it feels more secure if you're bushcamping.

If I were travelling alone and had a closed 4x4 like Landcruiser and 4Runner, I would do things differently. I would minimize all the stuff that I would bring. I wouldn't put anything on the roof, no stuff at all. Just a cargo floor on the inside, on which you can sleep. Perhaps a jerrycan and spare wheel on the back but that's it. Just keep it very simple and lightweight.

!00% agreement, I like the way you think..

I'm pretty sure do to the cost of the mold and fabrications of the fiberglass shell (the one I have seeing (Rotomolding of Polyethylene will be really cheap but it does not really hold paint to well and the mold will need to be massive, think white water Kayaks, yeah that strong)

Mostly companies decide to "Cheap out" and go with the cambas top, in my experience (We have a "Rain room" and we test everything we (they now) build, even the competitors/interesting equipment) no fabric is absolutely waterproof, specially seams and zippers, Well unless is made like the Ortlieb bicycle panniers, Seam seal (high frequency welding) and a zipper is so sophisticated it will hold air (we did testing and the bag stay inflated for more than two weeks)

Then again the cover will cost you as much as a whole tent..

waterproof bike bags | ORTLIEB waterproof bike bags

Another thing to remember is that "Goretex" Boots are wonderful, unless to have the water on the inside already (ask me how I know) so you can have the most waterproof tent cover ever but if the tent is already wet, well you get the idea..

Ideally I tent needs to be out of the bag the whole time is not in use (come on nobody can do that) same as feather sleeping bags need to be hanging if not they lose their "Loft"

About packing sincerely I will have a really hard time filling up a land cruisers (after 30 years of high altitude/difficult terrain Backpacking and Bikepacking, is just a million things I can live without (now with kiddos is far more complicated, but come on you don't need to bring the whole house.

Then again if you want ultralight titanium silverware I have a friend that makes hollow out eating tools (two tiny hydro form shells, TIG welded in the middle, Totally insane but you know what he sells more than a few and for the three basic utensils he changes $999 (he will paid for shipping) just incredible how stupid/OCD people can be, My bare hands still lighter and sadly i need to carry them everywhere I go)

 

[Jay-]

no matter what tent you have, someone will track poop inside.

 

[Patineto]

no matter what tent you have, someone will track poop inside.

Perfection, and that will be ME..


This is about Farts, but it work exactly the same way..

"El que primero lo huele, debajo lo tiene"

Something like..

"The ones that smell it first, it has it undernet"