Why do I want a roof top tent?

[IdahoDoug]

Some of you guys with the COG issue need to check out my $500 roof top tent project from last year. Works so well, it makes me smile when I see it out there in the garage nicely folded up against the wall waiting for the next trip.

The roof top tent setups are a godsend. I cannot believe how well I sleep up there and probably some of you would understand the difference. I slept well in tents for 40 years, but man o man. Go up the ladder, crawl onto that mattress, lay there on your side just admiring the view for a few seconds and grinning and you'll get it! It's like a treehouse you can park anywhere. And nothing makes a trip better than waking up completely refreshed, instead of that "holy crap, it's morning already and I've barely slept" feeling. We've even tossed it on for sporting events. Nothing like getting tired of watching an event but you don't want to make everyone go home. So you pop the RTT, grab a paperback and try to make it through 10 pages before the summer breezes and chirping birds put you to sleep.

Great way to enjoy the outdoors - check out a RTT.

DougM

 

[natvet]

Just another option. if you dont have a trailer and dont like the ground
http://www.tentsile.com/
or even a little more far fetched.....http://www.luminair.co.uk/tt/index.html .. kinda funny

 

[concretejungle]

That's pretty interesting!

 

[1973Guppie]

RTT's are cool for sure. However for me I have a tent trailer for family longer outings where we are camping for a week. Having a sink, fridge and space is key with a family. I just don't see it working in a RTT. For me I just purchased some nice thermarest mattresses. Their latest neoair is a great mattress, you don't hit the ground even when sleeping sideways, which is awesome, very comfortable.

http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/trek-and-travel/neoair-all-season/product

for me, decided to stick with the ground tent and some mattresses, especially for places where the trailer is harder to take and we are only staying for a night or 2.

Noah

 

[1973Guppie]

Just another option. if you dont have a trailer and dont like the ground
http://www.tentsile.com/
or even a little more far fetched.....http://www.luminair.co.uk/tt/index.html .. kinda funny

holy cow! $1350 for a tent!!!

 

[romey]

RTT's are cool for sure. However for me I have a tent trailer for family longer outings where we are camping for a week. Having a sink, fridge and space is key with a family. I just don't see it working in a RTT. For me I just purchased some nice thermarest mattresses. Their latest neoair is a great mattress, you don't hit the ground even when sleeping sideways, which is awesome, very comfortable.

http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/trek-and-travel/neoair-all-season/product

for me, decided to stick with the ground tent and some mattresses, especially for places where the trailer is harder to take and we are only staying for a night or 2.

Noah

great points. but there are lots out there that can bring sinks/fridges in their regular suv with roof rack and or rtt on top. just boils down to the kind of gear you have and the amount of stuff you need vs want. but yeah, to each his own. some guys bring cots and blow up matresses and complete patio furniture. some guys like it simple and minimalist and RTT's provide for that. but i totally get the luxury from bringin one of these...

http://www.livinlite.com/10.0-overview.php

or

http://www.safaricondo.com/alto1713/indexeng.php

anyway, been gettin efficient at setting up ours. easily under 10 min. agreed with all the pros and cons but we're fine with ours.

 

[Tackleberry]

Mount it on the exped trailer, and no more level ground needed and done kicking rocks out, only to find the one you missed right under your back...jmho.

 

[pray4surf]

I see many of you aren't driving pickups so you are limited to rooftop mounting solely. But others may find my solution interesting.

I have a 98 Tacoma 4x4 extended cab and the medium-sized CampingLab (out-of-business) soft clamshell style RTT.

Originally, I had a simple bed rack built that carried the RTT approx 12"-13" above the bed rails. Worked wonderfully at keeping the RTT out of the airstream during travel and helped keep the COG respectable. But, the additional changing room / annex couldn't adapt to the reduced ceiling height. So I sold that rack to another local off-roader (who used it for a year, then got himself a FlipPac).

So... I'm stuck with an RTT and no way to make use of it. But I dreamed and schemed and doodled...

Basically, two tubes transversing the bed rotate. Attached to each rotating tube are two tube struts - as the tube rotates, these struts move with the tube and attach to the bottom of the RTT base, but also pivot at the attachment location.

When assembled, as the rotating tube spins, the RTT is raised / lowered - maximum amount of tube rotation is approximately one 1/4 turn.

Due to the weight of the RTT, and the custom frame for the RTT to attach to, I employed gas charged struts to provide add'l 'muscle' to lift the RTT into position and provide resistance so that when it is lowered it doesn't slam into the rack/truck.

In transport mode:

The base of the RTT and frame rest on the 1" x .120 rotating tubes with rubber pads preventing metal-to-metal contact and nylon straps are used (4) to secure the RTT to the bedrack.

In sleeping/use mode:

When raised (total approx lift ~ 13") the RTT frame rests on the back hoop of the bedrack. Further aft movement is restrained using a couple of 'stops' at the back hoop.

And using a simple block and tackle arrangement, at the end of the trip, I can hoist the entire RTT and frame off the bed rack and store against the rafters

Cheesy video
http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/prayrocks/media/IMG_0261_zpsa8e1db30.mp4.html

After shooting this video, I've made some improvements to securing the RTT when in transport

I accomplished all 3 goals I set out to do... Out of the wind/lower CG when not in use, Up high enough for the annex, and can be operated without any other assistance.

"Roughing it" at a socal beach this summer

 

[ih88hi10]

What a great idea, pray4surf.
Maybe you're up to the challenge to engineer some kind of hard shell replacement for the covers. Something that just unbuckles and lifts off. No zippers, no stuffing, no wrinkles, no tears, you can even slide it on its side without damaging it.

what do you think?

 

[romey]

just thought i'd post this here after checking out another site (from our seasoned world travelers on mud)

http://www.landcruisingadventure.com/roof-top-tent/

 

[Corey]

That was a great read, thanks for posting.
No matter where I go with mine, if there are people around, they always ask what is is it, and can they climb the ladder to see inside.
Always have your bed made

 

[concretejungle]

Like I said before in this thread I believe.... I love mine when i'm sleeping in it. I HATE it when i'm driving fast down the interstate. That's about the best i can summarize it.

A more aerodynamic model like the magiollina might be different.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Like I said before in this thread I believe.... I love mine when i'm sleeping in it. I HATE it when i'm driving fast down the interstate. That's about the best i can summarize it.

A more aerodynamic model like the magiollina might be different.

I have had the same driving experience in the past. Also no RTT provides protection from damage while wheeling.

Too bad pop tops are too expensive to produce you dont even know they are there when driving.

 

[MANUCHAO]

I love my RTT and do not know its there unless I look up.
It also has a few gouges from doing low branch trails, but I like the used look...

 

[80t0ylc]

just thought i'd post this here after checking out another site (from our seasoned world travelers on mud)

http://www.landcruisingadventure.com/roof-top-tent/

That was a great read, thanks for posting.
No matter where I go with mine, if there are people around, they always ask what is is it, and can they climb the ladder to see inside.
Always have your bed made

I agree, Corey. And I know what you mean. The concept is still new enough to be a novelty in a lot of places. My sleeping bag always looks made
Thanks for posting, romey! That site reminds me of why I think so highly of my RTT. No, they will not work for everyone, but for us that can appreciate the design - they're great!

 

[1973Guppie]

I take back all my previous comments, I am a total hypocrite. I bought an RTT and so far so good. The annex room IMO is a waste of money. The benefit is a quick setup and super comfortable sleeping platform. It has worked out well with the prego wife, 5 year old, and my busy school schedule. I can camp within minutes at local socal camp spots, easy peasy lemon squeezy.

 

[Southeast Overland]

We don't sell many annexes. I like how fast a RTT sets up without one. One big plus of an RTT is how they make setting up camp easier - so I keep two sleeping bags and two blankets in the RTT when its stowed. That's a few less things I have to pack when I'm ready to go wheeling.

 

[Corey]

I agree, Corey. And I know what you mean. The concept is still new enough to be a novelty in a lot of places. My sleeping bag always looks made
Thanks for posting, romey! That site reminds me of why I think so highly of my RTT. No, they will not work for everyone, but for us that can appreciate the design - they're great!

I got some brochures a few years back from AutoHome (I cannot remember if I already posted that or not in this thread) that I keep in the rig to pass out when camping, or getting fuel at the gas station.
Have had some ask me there too, and also at stop lights
What cracks me up though is when someone asks how many skis I can ahul in my sportsbox.

 

[Denverblake]

RTT Pricing

Ok, I admit I can be a cheap a** rat b@st@rd at times. But I can see plenty of reasons why RTT's make a lot of sense. But where I am at a complete loss is the pricing. I was looking at the least expensive Maggiolina Airland unit in the smallest size and the unit is $2500+?? The markups are probably around 50%, but where in the bill of materials/labor is ~$1300 at? These are two fiberglass shells, some canvas/nylon, a alloy ladder (probably the most expensive part) and some padding & framing. And if you want to go one size larger it is an additional $400 clams and add on another $400 clams for shipping.

Am I completely off base here on the true dollar value?

Blake

 

[1973Guppie]

you are not searching hard enough. There are options out there if you are crafty for sub 1k. I got my rtt, with annex and ladder extension from tentsonarack for near that pricing.