Why do I want a roof top tent?

[zags]

So roof top tents seem to be all the rage, but I just don't see any advantage to spending that kind of dough for one over a $200 tent that can be tossed in the back of my Cruiser one handed. I am guessing that set-up times are reasonably close between the two.

I can see an advantage maybe if I was in the Jungle, or possibly the Pacific NW where things are really wet to get the tent up off of the ground but that is about it.

The disadvantages seem to me to be that they are heavy and raise the truck's CG, also they must add drag to the vehicle at highway speeds, costing at least a MPG or two. It looks like they would suck to sleep in in any kind of wind, I could see my wife getting motion sick. Also, having to crawl down a ladder for a midnight nature call can not be fun.

I camp pretty much in AZ, NM, UT, CO, WY, and SoCal. at altitudes from <0 to 10,000 feet.

Are there advantages that I am missing?

 

[MANUCHAO]

To answer your last question, no, there aren't

I do my fair share if backpacking and winter camping and love my tents and shelters I use for that particular activity.
But, we also get to travel more than 30 straight days once or twice a year. (sniff, sniff)
This is the reason why we bough the RTT, having to set up a tent a few times is not biggie but when you are out there for 4 weeks, lots of the time in inclement weather--setting a tent-- gets old, fast...

Yes, having to climb down in the middle of the night sucks more that other times, but we dont mind....yet !!
Humans are creatures of habit.
As far as COG is concerned, that too, is true.
I have a columbus small RTT (our second one)and hardly even notice it is up there, when compared to the Eezzy-Awn we used to have.

I think a RTT is not for everyone...
Ours has paid itself for, over and over, in convenience alone..
I sure love mine and it makes the whole travel from place to place a lot more fun .......
But, I think Im the exception and Im sure others have their own reasons.
I guess it is all personal preference.....
My $0.02

BTW, you also loose the room for storage on top for those specific trips.....
Having the CAMTEQ would be the best solution for that.. it probably adresses the COG and storage on top...

 

[Trustey]

Glad I did a search, I had the exact same question. I have a 3 man tent that sleeps two and plenty of gear, e-z setup even in rain, reasonable set up in high winds with experience. I am also in the PNW but I am pretty confident the high tub will keep water out. It packs down to the smaller than a sleeping bag and 7lbs with extra guylines and stakes. Any wind strong enough take it out would most certainly bomb a RTT also. Also I can choose to drive away from my set up tent if I want to.

I just don't get it with the high cost RTT's other than very disputable "cool factor." I was hoping there was something I was missing... why do you guys bother with them?

 

[cartercd]

One of the few advantages is protection from animal attacks, most likely bears in your locations.

If you have a conventional tent you are a camper, if you have a RTT you are on an expedition.

 

[MANUCHAO]

why do you guys bother with them?

For the same reason I choose to drive and dump $$ into a 28 year old vehicle that gives me crappy mileage but put a grin on my face that goes from ear to ear and last for a whole week.........

 

[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....

 

[Trustey]

One of the few advantages is protection from animal attacks, most likely bears in your locations.

If you have a conventional tent you are a camper, if you have a RTT you are on an expedition.

I learned that concept Advertising 101 (actually a persuasive writing class). Is it heavier, unwieldy, awkward, and more expensive than something that works just fine? Yeah. But does having one somehow make you better than people without one? FK yeah!

(not knocking the fact that you have one, just the sales pitch line)

For the same reason I choose to drive and dump $$ into a 28 year old vehicle that gives me crappy mileage but put a grin on my face that goes from ear to ear and last for a whole week.........

As a lifetime motorcycle enthusiast and current Harley rider I FULLY understand this concept!!! Cheers MANUCHAO!


Oh yes and more thing, bears?

 

[zags]

One of the few advantages is protection from animal attacks, most likely bears in your locations.

Being on top of a vehicle would not even slow a mountain lion or bear down if it wanted get to you, although the odds any animal attacking people in a tent without food in it are just about nil.

 

[cartercd]

A RTT might give you enough time for your entire life to flash before your eyes before the bear kills you as opposed to just part of your life. Or maybe a few seconds to grab a gun or bear spray.

Falling off the ladder and breaking your leg is probably a more valid concern than animal attacks.

 

[Corey]

Why do I bother with owning one?
Not to be a cool dude, but for convenience.
Pull into a spot, drop the three latches, insert the crank, and it is setup in less than a minute.

And the bedding is all setup too on a nice comfortable 3" mattress.
Flannel sheets, winter weight down comforter, full size pillows, very comfy, just like home.
In fact I have the same sheets and comforter on my bed at home.

I have had my share of ground tents, two tent trailers, and now this.
I much prefer this, although the last tent trailer was pretty high class, but not back to basics like my roof top tent.

Plus I am getting old, and sleeping on this mattress is far more comfortable than sleeping on the ground and in a sleeping bag.

 

[woody]

The convenience and comfort is why I'm wanting one...the hardshell options offer that fast setup/fast takedown, all the bedding left ready, and a comfy mattress instead of a ground pad.

It is frequently easier to position a truck onto a flat spot than find one to pitch a tent on too


finally, mosquitos are afraid of heights...really....no, really...

 

[80t0ylc]

As some one who's owned and slept in both an RTT and ground tent, I'll take the RTT any day and for any condition over a ground tent. To be fair, my RTT sets up in less than a minute - ready to climb up and sleep in. (Most of that minute is spent raising my telescoping ladder.) Take down is a bit longer (due to taking care to tuck in tent fabric so it's not hanging out or getting pinched), but easily 5 minutes max.

As far as an RTT offering more protection from wildlife, there is truth to that, being that current designs are copies of what was developed in Africa. They found that being off the ground was a deterrent to large game attacks, but not a guarantee of safety. I personally like being off the ground away from crawling bugs and critters. But flying pests are more difficult to deal with. Keeping your screens in good condition is important to deal with them.

The worst part of a RTT, IMHO is those wee hour of the morning bladder dumps. It may be psychological, but just even thinking about having to climb down a ladder seems to make you think you need to pee more.

The only advantage to a ground tent IMHO has been mentioned about being able to drive away from the set up tent. I usually tow my Mini with my rig that has the RTT, so for me, that's not a problem.

 

[spressomon]

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 s***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

 

[MANUCHAO]

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...

Spressomon, care to share that idea you eliminate the flap on this particular tent...Although, I havent experienced wind strong, I have seen 4 season tents flatten or blown away in Saline Valley...but Im sure that's mainly to user error...

 

[jcardona1]

I know why I would want a RTT, but I also know why I don't want a RTT. Cost. I'm not going to spend 1/3 of my rig's value on a tent. Period, end of story.

As cool as they are, they're just not practical for our style of camping/wheeling. I like to have the tent set up separately from the truck since we usually set up camp and go wheeling for a few hours. Or sometime you need to make a run into town. Or sometimes the wife wants to stay behind and take a nap while the guys go out and do their thing. A RTT would make all those things a hassle. So I'll stick to my cheapy floor tent

 

[POTATO LAUNCHER]

The RTT is expensive but well worth it IMHO just for comfort and ease of setup. Being up off the ground and level makes for a good nights sleep. Added benefit is that you can see out of it when you hear sounds in the night be it other people or critters, my experiences in ground tents are your at the same level as whatever is outside your tent. Camped for years like that but now if I hear something in the night i can peek out from above. As far as ladder trips in the night,it takes some getting used to but I wouldn't base that as a deal breaker.
Pic is from Medano Pass on the way to the FJ Summit last summer. Notice how all the tents are tilted except one.
I chose to mount mine on my camp trailer so it is not tied down to the vehicle I am wheeling.

 

[Enigma]

The maggys are a damn nice unit, spendy, but damn nice. Is there an awning/entrance cover of some kind available for them? It would suck I think climbing into bed when it's pouring down rain all exposed like that.
That is one of the nice things about the Chinese ARB clone I have, the entrance awning.
The hard-shell style appears to have a much lower profile and a more aerodynamic flare to it than the big brick of the clam-shell style when all folded up.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I own a RTT, an off road trailer, and now Im going with the ultimate.
I will be picking it up May 1

 

[Corey]

The maggys are a damn nice unit, spendy, but damn nice. Is there an awning/entrance cover of some kind available for them? It would suck I think climbing into bed when it's pouring down rain all exposed like that.
That is one of the nice things about the Chinese ARB clone I have, the entrance awning.
The hard-shell style appears to have a much lower profile and a more aerodynamic flare to it than the big brick of the clam-shell style when all folded up.

Hi Jeff, yes there is.
This is the main Autohome site, not the US ones.
http://www.autohome.it/en/prodotti/...na-airlander/descrizione-maggiolina-airlander

They list a few more items there, and under the tent I have choose the Accessories button.

This hooks to the track on top and serves as both a dressing room/crapper room, and an awning.

I have this one below, but I have not ever used it yet.

Here is the US site.
http://autohomeus.com/index.php

 

[moosecruiser]

As an owner of a maggiolina extreme rtt I can honestly say trips that could have sucked did not because of a good night sleep !i slept in tents and bevy sacks and just on the roots of a tree or in the back of my cruiser for years .the RTT is cool but it is comfortable .
Mike,moose