Why do I want a roof top tent?

[NLXTACY]

Planting a tent in the dark, when rainy or misty, just plain sucks. Then realizing you didn't actually remove ALL of the rocks that are now poking into your spine no matter where you turn.

Waking up to a gnarly wind/rain storm while trying to both move all your stuff from inside the tent to inside the truck WHILE trying to hold down the tent from flying away, plain sucks.

Waking up to find you have parked your tent on the equivalent of the 101 to 405 Frwy of ants, spiders or random critters just sucks. Fire ant stings are freaking horrible.

Waking up to a raccoon inside your tent because A) your son had to pee RIGHT outside the front door then B) forgets to zip the door and then C) opens up a Twix because he's hungry and finally D) doesn't eat all of it but not before E) scaring the raccoon out and then stepping, in my good sleeping socks, in A.

All that said, I don't own a RTT. Yet. I have almost ten ground tents along with tarps and bags to match. I just hate the idea of all I've invested into my ground plan. After seeing what Phil is getting, I think that's all going to change. We shall see.

 

[djsixbillion]

The one thing that all the RTT manufacturers, save for the Maggiolina, need to address is the flapping fabric in windy conditions...which seems to be an issue on just about every Nevada, Utah and DV trip for me

And yeah I've tried ear plugs . But during a recent 50mph wind 'event' at Saline that kept me up most of the night I came up with a that will get tested for my Columbus over the next couple of weeks that might just reduce or eliminate fabric flap in bigger wind...no not that kinda wind

Ok...actually two things: The ****ty ladder most come with Just bought, for an upcoming trip, the 8.5' Xtend telescoping ladder to use to get up/down to the Columbus. Gotta say, just in the driveway, its mobetta in a big way!

But to the OP: Its sorta like the treehouse of your youth. Can't 'splain why but damn I sleep better atop the roof in my Columbus than I have in just about any ground tent. Plus it and bedding/sleeping bag take up no interior space of the rig...and if there's a ground tent as quick to deploy and put down than my Columbus...well I can't imagine

Have any pics of the Xtend ladder setup with your Columbus? Just curious how you plan to hang/attach it to the edge of the tent or gutter rail. I'm trying to figure out a better ladder solution as well, since I can not figure out for the life of me how you're supposed to fit the Autohome ladder inside the tent without damaging the roof.

As a side note, I went from ground tents to a soft-shell RTT mounted on a trailer (still miss that setup for all the cargo space it provided, but it did suck in the wind as some have already noted), to the current setup with the Columbus on top of the Cruiser. I love this combo for the ease of setup, plus I feel more comfortable venturing down narrow, unknown trails and being able to reverse course MUCH easier than with the trailer.

Spresso, if you don't mind, I'd like to hear your thoughts and reasoning for moving from the Kimberley trailer back to an RTT setup. I go back and forth in my mind on the relative merits of each, especially now that our son is getting bigger and maxing out the capacity of the Columbus.

 

[patrickfinley]

Does an un-level parking area affect people in an RTT? Seems that you'll need a very flat parking area which seems like it could be hard to find at times. How about overhead issues such as low hanging branches or trees?

Most camping places, even primitive ones have a flat area designed for a tent. However, that tenting area may not be a location where you can park your vehicle.

Do either of these issues ever seem to effect people with an RTT?

 

[djsixbillion]

Does an un-level parking area affect people in an RTT? Seems that you'll need a very flat parking area which seems like it could be hard to find at times. How about overhead issues such as low hanging branches or trees?

Most camping places, even primitive ones have a flat area designed for a tent. However, that tenting area may not be a location where you can park your vehicle.

Do either of these issues ever seem to effect people with an RTT?

We're generally not staying in developed campgrounds, and have never had much of an issue finding a level-ish spot out in the backcountry. Sometimes a rock under one of the wheels is necessary, but not a big deal.

Developed campgrounds are usually OK as well, but keep in mind if your tent is on top of your vehicle you'll be sleeping in the "parking" area of the camp site, so to speak. Have done that a few times and it works out fine too.

 

[Enigma]

One of the vendors here, can't recall who exactly, has a writeup on the pros and cons of RTT's and why one may or may not want/need one.
I'd search but I have to get back to work....

Found it. By Kurt from Cruiser Outfitters.

http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?70805-Is-a-rooftop-tent-(RTT)-for-me

 

[SPANNERSPINNER]

Having had Eezi Awn 4-person for almost 8 years, there is one very definite advantage that ground tents have over an RTT - cheap square footage. In an RTT, if the weather is inclement, there is little space to sit down and play a game of Settlers of Catan, or Pinch 'n Squeal (depending on who is with you, I suppose), and if you have kids, it's even more cramped. A combo of the two is really nice but spendy.

I'm really starting to like the easy-to-setup tents coming out of Oz, like the Turbo Tent, and the OzTent, and the real estate that can come with them. With one or multiple toddlers, easy, fast setup is like having fire handed down from the gods. That said, if Campteq gets a version of their sleeper out for the 60-series, I'm all over that. Mom and Dad up top, kids in the rear until they're old enough to sleep in a tent outside.

 

[rusty_tlc]

RE: bladder relief
Don't drink from the RED nalgene bottle.

This works for ground tents on rainy nights too.

Sent via the ether from my candy bar running ginger bread

 

[NLXTACY]

Use this and plug a hose into the end. Run the hose down the side of the ladder and then under the truck.

 

[No. 3]

Having set up tents out of my pack and from the back of the car & slept under the stars in the dirt I can say without equivocation that the roof tent is awesome. Climb up the back on the folding step, open two latches and the bed is ready. It's big enough in there to read, play Scrabble, photo edit or hang out the door and look at the stars.... A rock under a tire levels it, the mattress is deluxe, sure it can be loud in the wind but so can my backpacking tent and bivy sack. And unlike the bivy when the wind is howling it isn't blowing tent walls in my face.

Also, as was previously said, on long trips of a couple of weeks or more (less now that I am spoiled) setting up a tent night after night gets old. Sleeping in the truck may be easier but then there is stuff to move (the white cooler is on drawer slides now that we sleep upstairs which is way easier than taking it out and having to lock it when in bear country). When traveling for a while or surfing/ diving in the winter with heavy or multiple wetsuits there's even more carp to move.

So why do I have a roof tent? Because I have gotten lazy! I wouldn't go back. I know they aren't for everyone though, maybe they aren't for you but it's definitely for me. Viva middle age! Look, I even travel with a table now, take that 25-year-old me.
Jeff

 

[MANUCHAO]

^^^ you are lazy..... !!!!
At 25 with a rooftoptent n one of the best (rtt) at that....

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Found it. By Kurt from Cruiser Outfitters.

http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?70805-Is-a-rooftop-tent-(RTT)-for-me

Thanks for the link

My opinions are still about the same. Different trips call for different needs.

 

[No. 3]

I'm 45 now, I wish I were still 25. But I am sure my 25-year-old self would mock what I have become! If I hadn't been so inclined to tough it out then I might be in better physical shape today. Youth... what a waste on the young!

EDIT: Do I sound like an old fart or what? Sad...

 

[Enigma]

EDIT: Do I sound like an old fart or what? Sad...

No, you're fine.


But get off my lawn!

 

[80t0ylc]

I'm 45 now, I wish I were still 25. But I am sure my 25-year-old self would mock what I have become! If I hadn't been so inclined to tough it out then I might be in better physical shape today. Youth... what a waste on the young!

EDIT: Do I sound like an old fart or what? Sad...

I kinda feel your pain, I'll be 59 this year (last of the 50's). But look at like this: You need to be in reasonable shape to enjoy a RTT. So, I kinda use it as motivation to keep me in an exercise program. Your life style will improve all around being in better shape, trust me. Just don't overdo it on the exercise program. Start gradual.

Having had Eezi Awn 4-person for almost 8 years, there is one very definite advantage that ground tents have over an RTT - cheap square footage. In an RTT, if the weather is inclement, there is little space to sit down and play a game of Settlers of Catan, or Pinch 'n Squeal (depending on who is with you, I suppose), and if you have kids, it's even more cramped. A combo of the two is really nice but spendy.

I'm really starting to like the easy-to-setup tents coming out of Oz, like the Turbo Tent, and the OzTent, and the real estate that can come with them. With one or multiple toddlers, easy, fast setup is like having fire handed down from the gods. That said, if Campteq gets a version of their sleeper out for the 60-series, I'm all over that. Mom and Dad up top, kids in the rear until they're old enough to sleep in a tent outside.

As far as RTTs lacking the room ground tents have, - yeah, that's kinda obvious, but there are all kinds(and prices) of awnings, even enclosed available. But reasonably, IMHO if you have young children, you'd be better off in a ground tent for safety and convenience.

All that said, you need to try a RTT to decide if one would work for you. Other people's opinions are just that. It sounds like a "Catch 22" but keep your eyes open and if you get the chance to try it - do it - by all means. Even a weekend trip will give you the experience you need to decide.

 

[dogdaysindurham]

Older thread, but reading through this one brought this old one to mind. A pretty handy way to detach and reattach RTT / roof rack accessories. . This and a hydraulic lift help me wrench on my LC will be in my dream house's garage someday.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/camping-outdoor-gear/165172-installing-removing-rtt-roof-racks-made-ez.html

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Older thread, but reading through this one brought this old one to mind. A pretty handy way to detach and reattach RTT / roof rack accessories. . This and a hydraulic lift help me wrench on my LC will be in my dream house's garage someday.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/camping-outdoor-gear/165172-installing-removing-rtt-roof-racks-made-ez.html

That ^^^^was then for me and this is now

RTT are for guys that never seen a CampTeq;p

Note: I also order off the seniors menu

 

[NLXTACY]

Ok now you're just bragging!

That ^^^^was then for me and this is now

RTT are for guys that never seen a CampTeq;p

Note: I also order off the seniors menu

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Ok now you're just bragging!

Maybe a little...but in my defense I have been down this road. I also have a very capable off road trailer
https://forum.ih8mud.com/az-copper-state-cruisers/600276-off-road-trailer-base-camp-light-way.html

The CampTeq offers the least amount effort for sleeping(less then 1 minute) and gives an 80 full on/off road capabilities without compromise.

That what old guys want, least amount of effort and 100% satisfaction.

 

[NLXTACY]

That what old guys want, least amount of effort and 100% satisfaction.

Thailand!!!!

Wait, what?

 

[spressomon]

That ^^^^was then for me and this is now

RTT are for guys that never seen a CampTeq;p

Note: I also order off the seniors menu

Phil,
I saw the CampTeq in Moab last year but didn't inspect it closely...

What's the weight of it? How tensioned or not are the fabric walls when set-up (this question drives at how much wind flap it has >25mph wind)?

Like you I love how fast and easy my similar Columbus is to set-up/put down...a snap. The fabric walls are stable/quiet, with a spreader pole I fabbed, to about 25mph wind. But above that its mostly a sleepless night .

It seems tighter manufacturing tolerances for the fabric would go a long way...in addition to slight stretch in the fabric. Autohome also, for my Columbus, chose a very stiff & noisy fabric to begin with...it literally rattles when you touch it. This fabric would never make it in the hunting stalking world .