@@WaitWhat99 if i had a RTT like that i would almost certainly agree. Unfortunately my RTT is one of the fold open ones with the black bag to close up. Just too much of a nuisance to set up and as the car is my daily driver if it gets wet i find it hard to get time to dry it out. If i am away with the family it is worth the trouble as i have the annex for it.
I have used swag, stretcher bed, RV3 tent and RTT. No clear winner as they all are good in some areas. Once I set up RTT, I could do long trips where it's everyday set up and pack up. Yes, it's top heavy, so need to be careful picking a good line in technical driving. Otherwise, it will end up in disaster. Also, I set up solar panel on top of RTT. It's not easy to switch to swag or tent so easily now.
Swag on a stretcher is my winner. My swag travels inside my car. I don’t want it on the roof covered in dust/bugs/rain when I arrive at camp. I can get two swags on my back seat. Everything else goes in the back.
Tent, hands down. Modern ones are blackout, no light in the morning and no shadows from inside lights. The fly sheet hooks onto the inner and you can walk about with even a three man version to place it where you want. They are designed to withstand extreme weather (North pole expeditions and the like), even cheaper ones are relatively wind resistant and waterproof. They do get cold, but that’s great in summer and a decent sleeping bag fixes it in winter. I rest my case.
Here in the states swags are almost unheard of, but I’m very interested in them. Currently I use a tent (size depends on who’s coming in the family), I also like to use a hammock, which is always with me just in case! And third option is just sleep in the back of the 4Runner, well it’s an option when solo. I like the idea of a RTT, but don’t like the prices, and the amount of real estate they take up. I am going to buy a swag and a cot, simply because I love the idea of the versatility it has. Great video!
Very well thought out, the only thing I would add is a category of "versatility". If you have a rooftop you need your car. If you have a swag you can take it in another vehicle with you i.e you and a mate. If you have a tent you can go hiking or do anything you want really and not even need a vehicle. Just went on a week's trip in a 1959 series landrover SWB and due to space we must take a tent, old school! Still had a blast
Man, I’ve been struggling with this question for years! The RV series tents are a game changer in my view. Set up in seconds and unlike a swag, you can stand up in em. They are also made of canvas, so the privacy issue is not a concern. I’d love a hard shell RTT but they are too damn expensive for me, especially for the 6 times a year I’m gonna use it.
Yeah I love my Oztent RV3. Safe, private, with the ability to expand its awning. Probably the only downside is it is long at 2 metres to store on the vehicle.
Good point mate. My nephew has set up his family tent site very well using the Oztent equipment. He bought most of the components in special though as the prices can be a bit high.
@@2157AF I've always wondered why they don't have a compact version, which can fold in two along the 2m lengths. Surely achievable? The pack would be square rather than long, but it would be so easy to transport in the back pickup of my Defender rather than along the rack.
Compare apples for apples. You’ve picked a high quality roof top tent and swag then a cheap ground tent. Results may have differed if you included a quality ground tent that was easy to setup and made of quality canvas like an Oztent.
Double swag with tent fan suitable in all weather conditions. With a gazebo over the top for added insulation and a shaded spot outside the swag works for me.
I know it’s only comparative for the video but you have the cheapest tent, a very expensive swag & a very expensive rtt. If you buy a mid range tent that’s designed well, not something from anaconda, it changes a lot of your complaints. A good 4 season tent will far out perform a swag in temperature, wind and be pretty close in terms of setup/pack down time & put away time. We use a good 3 season which easily handles down to around -5°, & including pads & bags and from turning off the car can be set up or packed down in less than 10 minutes and all stores in a 45l bag. Got a rainy, windy evening? Sitting in a tent is far more enjoyable than lying down in a swag for hours waiting for bed time.
I think I said pretty much a similar thing in my post. A high quality, small canvas tent equals great comfort, fast and easy pitch and pack times and lasts forever.
Agreed. We use a good quality MSR 3 person mountain grade tent. Last you well over 10-15 years. We have been in VERY strong winds in this when everything else is blown away. 100% waterproof and takes up no room. Can also take it hiking. When the weathers bad, nowhere is more comfortable that sitting out bad weather. For shade, pull out the awning on your 4X4
Great review. I go either OZtent Rv4 or swag. Love both ❤ Was thinking of getting rid of swag as crawling out was a pain as I'm no longer 20. Added a stretcher to swag arrangement. Easy to get in & out but it also boosted comfort 100% Why didn't I do this year's earlier ?! 🤔😁
Blackwolf Turbo tent, quick to put up, tough, our first lasted 11 years with regular use. If I'm solo I use a free standing hiking tent. I tried a swag not for me. I've seen two people fall climbing out of roof top tents, no thanks. Tents are light weight, roomy, and if you pick the right one tough and able to withstand a storm, done it. Good video Ronnie, but solo v couple v family are all different.
I just sleep in the back of my Troopy Ronny. Best ever. Its a 4 x 4 caravan! Best money ive spent on her was Elockers hands down. Keep up the great content.
I am a subscriber and love most of your videos Ronnie. This is not meant to be a huge knock on this one, but not all ground tents are created equal - the choice of tent in the video made it seem biased against tents IMO.
I went with a stretcher and swag combo. Yeah, it's a bit bulky, and takes up a bunch of space on top of my load lid, but still manageable and lightweight enough. Plus if I go out alone or just to tackle some tracks in a day drive I can make everything lighter super quickly.
Oztent RV-3 for the wife and I, and a stretcher tent for solo trips. Tend more towards base-camping plus I don't like all that weight and increased height semi-permanently on my roof. Eventually might have a decent RTT on a smaller trailer.
I think OzTents should be a 4th category because they overcome some of the drawbacks of a cheaper tent in terms of set up time. They could survive a cyclone and you can stand fully upright in them plus the inbuilt awning make them a great basecamp. Down side is the weight and transporting them.
I moved from a swag to a RS1. It really is the best compromise between a tent and a swag. Other than being painfully long and awkward when packed away it’s brilliant.
Have had 2 oztents (upgraded over the years for more space) over the past 9 years. nothing beats them as far as tents go: dark inside, not noisy in windy conditions, very waterproof, quick to packup and set up. If you don't have a roof rack they're not an option.
Great topic, some very funny moments! Good to see the humour back! If you can afford the space, a bed in the back of the wagon works well. Some cheap attached fly screens for airflow, or shades for privacy. Hardly any pack-up time required. I did camp out of a tent for ten years and you pretty much summed up all the goods and bads. The tent had a lower to middle of the range price tag and did last for ten years, so not too bad an investment.
One thing people always elude to when it comes to roof top tents. Yes the super expensive ones set up in like 30 seconds, but the rest of your camp doesn’t, once you take out the awning, table, chairs, cooking appliances, gas bottle and so on. It’s not longer a 30 second setup! I’m happy to take an extra 2-5 minutes and set up my Oztent rv5 and have a full home base setup, which outperforms any RTT in every way.
Love my soft Kings roofie. I work music festivals and its been through some crazy weather, in Tasmania. Never leaked a drop, always warm :-) For its budget price I was amazed at how well it handeled all conditions.
If you used a decent tent (OZtent RV series for example) it would make up for many of the stated issues - canvas walls, quick setup, stand-up to get changed, etc.
I've got a soft cover RTT. It's 550 Euro Ferretti Tent. Not bad any issues with it on my 6 week trip. It's 3.10 meters long, so a toilet can be placed inside if needed. It's takes about 5 minutes or less to setup and 15 to fold back up. I keep 2 mattresses, pillows and blankets in there even when packed up. Only issue is indeed the fuel use. My LC200 V6 Petrol does anything between 16 to 1:11 depending on the circumstances. It also has Maxxis MT772 on, so that also add fuel use. However, I've saved a lot of money using the tent instead of hotels l, therefore, my investment was quickly earned back. Nothing negative to report i think aside of fuel use.
Another metric you could have considered is the suitability of each option for “older” campers, whatever we define that to be, 50+, 60+ etc? I’m in those brackets!!
Tents are not always worst for ease of use. We got a couple of pop-up style tents and they are great. Light weight, easy to use nd bigger than a swag when set up. The one style you didn't really look at is the style of tent that attaches to the side of a vehicle under the roll out awning. We use them on the 4x4 and on our camping trailer. Easy to set up, quite stable, comfortable and lots of room. Much easier to set up than conventional free standing tents but the disadvantage is you have to pack them up when the vehicle moves (which is why we attach 2 to our trailer. And as for pegging tents, nope, you don't have to peg down the pop-up style. We just load the inside with gear and if it is VERY windy, we only use one guy line at each end.
I am in the US and I have a rooftop tent. I had an accident in February in which I fell from my ladder. I had to have two surgeries for a shattered wrist and a condition called compartment syndrome. I have reached out to several people in the TH-cam space trying to tell this story to try to help someone else not to repeat it. No one is interested. We still use our rtt but I, as well as my wife and boys are way more careful. I have used everything but a swag and they all have pros and cons. Cheers
It usually rains the last evening of camping. I hated packing wet and sandy tents and tarps only to have to set them back up when I got home after a long drive. The RTT eliminates this hassle which makes that worth it to me. Also nice to free up the space taken up by bedding by having it live in the RTT. Takes 30 seconds to close it up and go if we decide to use my truck to get wood. The base camp aspect of that isn't an issue. Pee jug in any tent is a game changer and avoids the safety issue of peeing at night or getting wet/cold.
We bought a Coleman Instant Swagger; it's a tent but sets up like a swag. It folds up to be larger than a tent but smaller than a swag. Super easy set-up, decent quality, good price, perfect if you only go camping a couple times a year. Fits well in the tub of a dual cab but would probably be crap to put in a car or a wagon.
Hey Rony big fan and learn a lot from you. I figured out that having a gazebo tent along with stretcher is the best setup. I just back up the gazebo with the tent uninstalled and wrap it in the same tarp mat. Yes I throw two stretcher and it's sleeping bed yes my base camp and I can move around.
I have used a metal camp stretcher for 40 years on outback trips. Absolute best. Quick, can set up on rocks, chuck a tarp over in rain, no creepy crawlies, see the stars, piddle over the side ! No contest !
Great points overall. One thing to keep in mind with a RTT is the Weight. That will also impact the carrying capacity and how a vehicle can be altered on its setup. I myself found a Swag to be the way to go for me! Easy to set up and pack up vs a tent and definitely keeps you warm. I have already stayed the night at 10,000 FT and work up with temperatures down to 40°F. To say the least I was comfortable in the Swag. A good investment in my opinion!
I agree the swag is freedom for a lesser cost where as rtt isn't as much freedom and too bulky and heavy. I have a fordable trolley strapped on my double swag with 2 sleeping bags and 70cm mattress. I can literally take it anywhere I want and camp off grid.
I agree with this mostly . However the tent covered was the basic run of the mill fibreglass pole setup. I have had the same tent for over ten years , it has better canvas than my swag and blocks out the sun more. Plus it's only a four pole design with an over size bag so easy to put away. I think the tent category was a little harshly done here. Just like RTT there are so many different ones. Plus you didn't even talk about kids which is a major factor I think in this conversation
First of all good video, as always. Appreciate the effort you´re putting into them. I mostly agree with you but about tents I have to say two things: 1.MOVABILITY OF A TENT: Most high quality tents have clips at each corner to connect the outer tarp to the tent poles so if you want to move its only one or two nails to remove from the apsis and then you can move your tent in one piece. And I have to add that I´ve slept hundreds of nights in tents and I NEVER had to move it from where I put it. Just take a few moments to choose the best spot. 2. BAD WEATHER CAMPING: I don´t know your exact weather conditions in australia but I´ve camped a lot in bad weather (rain, snow) so let me tell you this. In the cold it doesn´t matter where you are, even the inside of your car is cold (matter of fact its even colder than a tent or swag), what´s going to save you from FREEZING TO DEATH is your sleeping bag. So if you´re going out in the winter PLEASE choose the right sleeping bag and don´t go cheap on it. Now to the bad weather: Tent is superior because it has an apsis (or two) where you can put your shoes and backpack (or wet/dirty clothes). You can also cook in it if the weather is too bad to go outside. And if its stupidly hot you can leave away the outer tarp and have supreme ventilation. But yeah, if I was going to Oz I´d probably also choose a RTT or a pop up roof conversion over a tent. I guess it really depends on what you are doing, how long you are staying in one place and how far you are going away from your car.. Just some thoughts I wanted to ad
That’s why I got the Gazelle t3x tent. It’s a tent that pops out in less than 90 seconds and personally have had it in 60 mph wind in the Mojave and it did flawlessly. All the benefits of a swag, all the benefits of a tent. No poles at all, I love it so much
Great points but for me, I found the best tent is a stretcher tent. When I rode from Perth to Hobart a few years ago for a charity event, I bought a single stretcher tent as it fit better on the back of my bike than a swag. The only extra I used was an inflatable mattress for a little extra comfort. I used it for 15 days in all weather conditions & it was perfect. I still use it when camping with my 4x4.
We have all 3 and use them based on the trip plan. Now the family has grown up we definitely don’t use the tent very often (if at all), but the option is still there.
Base camping- instant pop up tent. Is setup pegged down in 15 min max. 5min to set up inside, including picnic blanket as carpet inside the tent (6man tent), self inflatable mattress, cot, sleeping blanket, side table, clothing layout, blanket or downer over sleeping blanket (yes sub zero temps), vic high country. Coleman dark series. Tent Base camping kills everything else. Can stand up and get changed, is like having a small room just in the bush…..love it! Also have outside area under cover for table, cooking devices etc.
I've got a single swag with stretcher when I'm on my own, a double when there's two of us. I couldn't justify the cost of an RTT for the amount of time I'd use it. However I do have a backpacking tent for when I go away for the weekend on the T7. It's all situational.
I’ve got a Dune compact RTT - 40kgs. My 60 series Landcruiser diesel, went from 10L/100kms to 11L/100kms if anyone was put off by it there are light options. It is a fold out but it’s a big upgrade from the swag for $1200
Did a eleven week african trip sleeping in a roof top tent. Convience good, but you quickly get tired of having to crawl in and out of bed. No space to get dressed and the midnight call of nature. Came back and sold it and got a ground tent. Never looked back. Plenty of space, porta potty in the tent, space to shelter from bad weather. I believe that despite it’s size and weight, the Oztent would be the best solution. Will never go back to crawling around in a tent.
It's early days for me as I transition from hiking to touring camping in a recently acquired 75 Series troopie. I have a top notch 2 man tent but nah not getting on the ground any more. For now the best option for me is to sleep on platform inside the cargo area on my hiking sleeping system. I'm single in my 70s and can't really see getting a non paying passenger but if I did I think I'd look at a custom made tent that would extend straight out from rear doors. Roof top and pop ups wouldn't work for me. Although when hiking I always carried a 1.5 empty milk bottle for nocturnia issues. They have about the widest mouth if you get my drift.
im a big fan of the swag, my common kit out bush is a king single swag, a gazebo and chair, covers most of my needs and packs down into the tray of the ute with tons of room to spare.
Some great points on all 3. Personally Im not a fan of RTT's because of their cost & weight especially on vehicles with a low Roof Load Rating like mine. When I head away with the family I currently have a 2 room, 10p tent. Yes it is a pain to set up and pack down but there is always more than one person if that is being used. I do have a smaller 5p tent like the one you used for most of this video. It is a Kmart tent and I've had it about 8 years although it gets used very rarely since I've had my Pajero. The 10p tent I've had probably 7 years and it was $200 from BCF. Personally for me though the best option is setting up your vehicle for sleeping. I have a custom built drawer system that matches with the back seats and forms a double bed. Getting changed in there would be similar to doing so in a double swag but Im fine to jump out and get changed on the other wide of the car so I can't be seen if with others or just between the doors for some privacy if solo. It is easy to get in and out of, you are off the ground, insulated from wind, noise, weather and can lock the doors if you are worried. It has been pretty decent in summer too plus if need be you can run the air con or heater before bed to get a better temp. Yes you need to throw some things back in if you want a day trip but then you also have food, drinks, cooking utensils etc everywhere you go so you are fine if things turn bad. Also very easy to move if you need to. Just jump in and drive if you need to. I don't find unlevel ground to be too difficult either. My tents are good for that mid night dunny run either as I can keep my camp toilet either in there or under the vestibule for privacy as well. Swags in my opinion are quick and easy but costly and very bulky. I have done a video a while back discussing size, set up times and practicality of Swag V Tent.
I think a RTT on a trailer is a great option (balance of ease of use and ease of multi day stays in once place). One safety downside of the RTT is that if you get it wrong getting out in the middle of the night you can do yourself a serious injury - don't drink and RTT.
That's what we did - we have it set up on our off-road trailer and it's a lot closer to the ground than having it on the vehicle, makes it easier to reach the flypoles etc. The upside as well is that we can immobilize the trailer and take off for a few hours in the car without having to pack everything up.
A decent hiking tent outperforms a swag in many ways, easy to dry/wash , weight, got vestibules on sides for more space, more breathable, more headspace, freestanding
Cool video. Was fun to watch, even when we made our choice already. We are more in colder regions, rainy, windy and used to have a pick up with living cabin and roof conversion. But the noise (wind) with the tent walls, always the condensate, then it starts to mold, when you are not perfectly dry it up...... We changed to a troopy with a hard top conversion. We can live in it, due to a small very nice looking alcove we are able to sleep and the second person is able to sit, read what ever. Our troopy is still not ready, we are building it up right now but know this conversion very good. I know you are not a friend of this because it could be top heavy but for our purpose this will be perfect. See you mate.... regards from Germany
Great vid Ronny and crew. I’m all about weight for fuel and keeping home base when day tripping. No matter what the pillow, sleeping bag etc you need them and as far as safety off ground, unless you’re up north ain’t much going to hurt you when you’re packing brutal toys as well. No matter what, it comes down to what you can afford and what experiences you enjoy the most. I love my tent, 7 pegs, 15mins all up with bedding in and ready to crash. If you’re constantly moving then I’d go a rooftopper.
Thanks Ronny, enjoy your TH-cam posts. My preference is a single swag on a camp stretcher. A number of stretchers are now available in a slightly bigger size to accomodate the swag. Cheers Andrew
For solo travel where ultimate comfort isn’t a factor the swag is king. Fast set up and tear down, easy to move, can make a base and get out in the vehicle during the day.
I think solo vs couple vs family changes this up a fair bit. Short of a trailer, 2 RV-5's is the best for a family. Super easy to setup, very robust, lots of shaded area.
fun vid wish we had. troopy in the U.S. 1st would be a wagon/suv fold down the back seat air mat and sleeping bag 2nd would be a platform on the top for good weather 3rd a ranger / tacoma with a smaller cab and 6.5 tub with a camper top 4th a pop up canopy and call it a night
We use a different system, a camping tent (not cheap, nor lightweight), but I believe that everything depends on the type of experience for each traveler. For us, who spend at least 2 days in the same place, it's worth spending an extra 10 minutes setting up the tent and enjoying the comfort (space for eating and living, mosquito net, good ventilation, less noise on windy days, shade). I think comparing a $50 tent with a $2000 Roof Top Tent is simply absurd; if you raise the tent budget, the situation changes drastically.
I grew up in the era of station wagons and panel vans. Curtains and a mattress in the back. It's just a pity the concept was never seriously implemented into the 4 wheel drive era. The boxy design generally provided the most interior and roof space as well as ease of entry and exit. Everything has been over complicated since then. I can remember seeing at least a few old Australian station wagons that were put on a repurposed Toyota Hilux 4x4 chassis. That's my idea of what a perfect solution would be. Just a bed on wheels and close the doors and go.
we used to call it car camping , yes a station wagon with Manuel crank windows ,if it gets to cold roll them up , to hot down and up all nite and not worry about a dead battery in the morning here in the U.S. I like. a wagon or. a pu /ute 6.5' box /tub cab ht camper shell /canopy or topper air mat sleeping bag and im ready lil kit that I would need and off
@@youtubecarspottersguide1 US here. I don't have a tent, RTT, nor swag (though I will get one next year). I sleep in the back of my SUV with just a blanket, pad, and pillow. I like to camp with the least amount of stuff.
Great video but i was missing 1 option a hammock i did this twice and had a lot of fun you are of the ground so no unwanted roks putholes or water under/in your tent, it does take some time to set up just right and getting dressed 😏 there is not a lot of room but it sleeps perfect. But i think for me a rooftop tent will be a winner so i am going to try that out.
I used to have an RTT, which I loved, but it had to come off after trips as it made my vehicle too tall to park off the street. I have tried swags, but I just can't get used to them. I currently have two tent options, one is part of my ute, it turns the tray into my tent (fills the gap between hard cover and tub) which has many of the benefits of RTT's and being black canvas is very private. I use this for short overnight stays. For base camping I have a Coleman blackout tent, which addresses two of the shortcomings of tents, shadows and early sun. It is also reasonably thick so doesn't do too badly in the wind.
Nine of the options that I am considering are on here (other than default tent): 1) Awning: cheaper than rrt, less weight, doesn’t disallow the purpose of the rack such as water vessels, extremely useful outside of just sleeping, super fast setup when walls aren’t needed, massive (don’t feel cramped), and get to have the benefits of breeze when it’s not sideways rain. Useful when not camping in general like the beach, tailgating etc. 2) Tarp (out back of bed): basically cheaper version of awning with pita setup and no integrated walls. 3) Hot tent/tipi: tipi’s are faster to setup than multi pole tents and the obvious winter benefits of a stove; lighter tent same but no standing room but better for away from vehicle backpacking. For comparing to price of a rrt, size would be enormous if you wanted. I’m curious why these are rarely mentioned. Wondering if I’m missing some obvious downsides.
-15C in a softshell RTT in Canada is the coldest ive done. Had a diesel heater and a -15C rated sleeping bag, was no problem staying warm with just 1 layer on. Although I would disagree about the ground keeping you warm below about 10C. A foam mattress (like in a rtt) is what you need to be insulated from the cold ground.
I have a dirty ol kings double had it since kings first came on the scene after Tigerz11 and it hasn’t missed a beat still has original poles and still going strong. Swag for me hands down
We mainly base camp. I have a Coleman darkroom pop up 4 man tent with a stretcher and self inflating foam mattress. Really comfortable and plenty of room to have stuff in with me. Basically impossible to see what's inside even with a light on and is basically dark even in daylight if sealed up. Packs up to a reasonable size and is easy to put up and pack away. If I went away more often and wanted to spend the money I would likely have a Pod style off-road trailer with a rooftop tent on it. I saw a lifted Hilux yesterday with a rooftop tent on it and it looked like a second storey extension it was so far off the ground. No thanks.
We have a camper trailer but still have a 6 man Coleman pop up. We base camp so RTT's are not for us. Swags to us are bulky, uncomfortable and constricting. We can stand in the Coleman and as it's a darkroom all the light issues are non existent. In winter it's warm as body heat warms it up. If it rains its nylon and not a sogging mess like a swag.
@@mikehogan9265 Yeah I'm pretty happy with mine. The only complaint I have is that it's too dark during the days so you basically need lights to see much. Small niggle but the benefits of getting a bit of a sleep in make it worthwhile. I used to have a Black Wolf Turbo tent which was awesome and great quality but it was pretty big and heavy.
I currently have a single and a double swag. I have had the single for years and it isn’t a freestanding swag so that’s when I went for the double. Getting changed in the double isn’t as hard as what was made out here. I can definitely see myself going for a rtt or caravan for more luxury in the future.
Hey Ronny, thanks for the reply. I'm no expert, but a quick google search should present most with the answers they're looking for. This is what I found just searching "4x4 roof ratings Australia" ...For a large majority of 4WD's, 100kg is the roof loading limit, with very few at 150 and 200kg. This is the total amount of weight you can put on the roof, and includes the weight of your roof racks themselves Here are a few roof load ratings: Y62 Patrol = 100kg, Everest = 100kg (unless it's a Titanium as stated above), Amarok = 100kg, Discovery 5 = 80kg, and HiLux = 75kg. Remember, the rack counts as part of the load too and these can be anywhere in the vicinity of 30kg - 60kg. Personally I love the idea of a RTT, but if something failed I'm not sure I'd be covered, I'm an 80 series lad and weigh 98kg, combined with the tent and my lovely wife, we'd exceed the roof limit. Just saying. All the best with the channel.
My preference is the swag. I use a double swag when my wife is with me, and a single swag when I’m alone or with mates. I have the Darche sone swags. I put them under an awning so I have shelter without having to get in to bed. I minimise the fuel issue by strapping it below the roofline on the ute tub. Most tents I’ve found fiddly to set up (though the OzTent RV tents are awesome) and annoying having to pack separate mattresses and sleeping bag. I have never tried a roof top tent, though I avoided them as I’ve had a number of knee injuries and don’t want it semi-permanently on my ute. No option is perfect, they all have their pros and cons. In the end it depends on personal preference, what is a hassle to me might be fine to someone else. Great video, very useful - especially for anyone new to camping options.
thanks for the info. Ronny, always great to hear your side of things. I'm doing a lap around Oz march 24, I have a good quality swag [16once canvas ] except it needs poles each end. I would like to get a RTT quality is expensive and packing up base camp is an issue. thought about a camper trailer but cost to buy, insure and rego doesn't seem visible. I'll swag it for now,cheers Colm
geez you really have a downer on tents Ronnie, having done a lot of touring on motorcycles the tent was always the go to, a cheap dome tent can be erected in seconds, plenty of room for all your gear and room to change or even invite a friend over for the night. I could not bear to be in a swag due to the claustrophobia. roof top was ok but the climbing up and down the ladder was a pain. nowadays the caravan is the perfect solution, set up is opening the door. Toilet shower cooker and cold beer in the fridge.
I learned all my sleeping arrangements while over landing on a motorcycle. Space is optimal, comfort is important, shelter is very important. These days you can get great compact tents which set up in minutes and pack away quick.
A 4Th Option. a lightweight hybrid camper. 1.2-ton Max, Loaded. Full Offroad. OK $80,000 investment... Can be left behind on base camp trips. Can be expanded with a 270 awning with or without walls. Can be dragged to any point within Australia. Can come with an Aircon or a heater. Can have a hot water system and shower. Will not add too much to the fuel economy. Not the 3.5 Ton portable home.
I just use a hiking tent and pack I got from Anaconda. I normally set it up underneath my awning, but I have a hammock and hootchie in there aswell in case I wanna do that. I'm not really tied to the vehicle at all. I can carry a whole camping setup on my back or quickly throw it in the ute or a mates car. I just have a box in my ute for all the extra campsite goodies that arent essential.
Tried all options. Really loved having a RTT, but the weight up high on a vehicle regularly used off-road had a very detrimental impact on stability. Three near roll overs was enough. RTT still loved but on a trailer a lot closer to the ground. Single swag under the side awning, off the ground on a cot wins for me as the best practical all round option. If I use a tent, it's an RV2 OzTent.
I think I've only slept in a tent on a handful of occasions, never again xD. Have been rocking a $200-300 swag most of the time, can't really fault it, just need to prep correctly (waterproofing). Recently acquired a roof top with 12v self set-up electric motors for cost price to go along with my S2A landy I'm restoring, to say I'm keen is an understatement. 30 sec set-up at a click of a button, it's awesome! Good sh*t Ronny, keep it up.
Hey Ronny. I don’t know whether it’s a west coast vs east coast thing but over here in the east we have used uniquely Australian canvas touring tents. The best one was the Freedom Family Tourer but they have unfortunately gone out of business. I still use mine and it’s a canvas, single spring-loaded pole that is quick to set up and copes with high wind, rain, cold and heat. If you’re in Victoria anytime soon I’d be happy to show you. I have a swag too but it mostly lives in my garage thanks to my Australian made canvas touring tent.
I ditched the dome tent and ended up getting a coleman 6 person instant tent. Sets up quicker than a swag and relatively compact to store in the back of the car. It accommodates really 4 people comfortably.
We are setting up a 12v 3/4 RAM. Our first shot will a Roof top platform + Swag, and then go from there. Fuel mileage/ aerodynamics/ speed. Under 50mph isn’t going to make a real world impact. So fill up close to the trail
For me a swag for the win! I’ve got a 23zero Outbreak 1550 which is a free standing large swag. I was thinking i could mount it on the roof of my box trailer. This would be the equivalent of a RTT. So my free standing swag would take some of the wins of the RTT seen in the vid.
I have an air pole swag that takes 90seconds to set up Great for overnighting on your own An optional stretcher gets you off the ground Have a quality 3 room tent that takes 20min to set up great for base camp fishing trips Have a heavy duty canvas tent you can stand up in perfect for me and the wife RTT gobble too much valuable roof rack space, not an option for me If you get rid of the swag mattress and replace with a self inflating one the swag rolls up a lot smaller
I have found that a stretcher tent suits me the best. Only issue is that cold air can come up through the stretcher so I use a yoga mat for insulation.
I did a solo cycling trek across 3 Australian states and a territory. I used a dome/igloo tent. Didn't have to move it in high wind, one night a gale blew as I was camping on a cliff top. The roof of the tent was blown so flat that it was touching my nose as I lay in my sleeping bag. The wind abated and the dome tent just popped back up and into shape. No need to shift according to the direction of the wind or because of its strength. Did have to rebatten down the pegs and change my pants in the morning 😂 (scared the tent would act like a sail and blow me off the cliff top and into the ocean).
@officialRonnyDahl_ 20 years ago I rode a bicycle raising funds & awareness for YOTS (Youth Off The Street). Basically I rode solo, Canberra to Melbourne via the SA outback. I did it in summer, rimming the edge of the Strzelecki desert and crossing the 90 mile desert. The storm and cliff top I spoke of were on The Great Ocean Road and the dome tent was a cheapie which I got from Big W or Kmart, I forget which.
Out of the 3 I prefer tent, but I camp in the kimberley and most of the time I don't even need to set up the tent, rather just unroll it and put my sleeping bag ontop. That being said my favourite option is hammock and tarp, used to extend the little crane on the back of my ute and hang the hammock off of that, and then the tarp slung over the top creating a kind of A frame tent on the back of my ute lol, only problem was that if any of your mates where up before you in the morning then they could start swinging the crane around or raising it to a near vertical position to dump you out of the hammock.
I run a swag, no roof rack on the ute so no wind drag (on the tray) simple but awesome AOS tracker dome version too, don’t need to use poles if I don’t want to as it can be used as a more traditional flat style swag too.
Tent with a stretcher for us for now, then a caravan. Swag and RTT are out because of arthritis, knees and hips don't like ladders or getting up and down to the ground.
re Day Heat: In South Africa I have seen tarps that are made with a chrome coating making them huge mirrors. Full timers use them over their camp space to create a fairly cool shade even on the "stupid hot" days. I never understood why they didn't catch on more (I can't buy one here in Canada) or make swag or other gear out of the same stuff.
Interesting. I think your perspective is coloured by your experience, but overall, pretty reasonable overview. I come from an outdoor ed background so I am very used to tents. Some of your arguments are good, some depend upon the tent you choose and the conditions you use it. I've never been a fan of swags (maybe my aversion to weight and bulk!) but I've used them in the deserts and they perform well. Seeing many use them in rainy and snowy conditions puts me right off them. They get dusty, dirty, muddy and damp. To keep out of the rain you have to use up most of your awning area. Not my favourite option by any means. Some of them are like small, heavy, bulky tents with all of those poles... If my tent gets muddy, I can wrap it up with the dirty side protected then dry it out easily at the next camp. No mess, no wet, damp canvas for days (incidentally, I know cotton canvas is quite durable but its waterproof properties are grossly exaggerated by the fans...). When working at one of the higher end adventure retailers we put a bivvy bag (like a lightweight swag) with a self-inflating mat (this was at a time where the average person had never heard of a self-inflating mat) and a lightweight down bag together then showed how it could be rolled up and out in little more time than a swag (may five minutes to let the mat inflate- time for a glass of wine) at less than a quarter of the bulk and weight of a swag (okay, at more than three times the price!). Interesting trial. I've settled on the RTT (after decades of using pretty much every option). Less compromise, most effective (at a cost). We have ours on a lift off canopy and remove the canopy anytime we are staying more than a couple of nights, so we have no problem going for a drive or running to the shops (when near a town). In honesty, though, we have gone this way mainly because we tow a large(ish) boat, so this allows us to have a set up camp and still take the boat to the ramp... I still agree about getting up to pee being a little more difficult though😁. One point about RTTs- those without a "fly" covering at least the top part of the windows and openings can be awful in hot rainy conditions. You can zip the windows down for ventilation without getting soaked inside.... Overall, horses for courses, but I do believe a little bias occurs with all types of users... Good presentation, thanks...
Can’t say I agree with a RTT being more fuel efficient than a swag, even though a swag is bulky a RRT weight alone + being on your roof longer will highly likely chew more fuel
my 1st choice is a troppy pop top 2nd wagon fold down the back seat air mat and sleeping bag im good RTT for summer beach camping dont see lot of the swag in the States
@@MrTreegeek1978exactly, first thing which came to mind watching this is very reason I will never get a roof top tent... Constant weight and problem with fuel economy. On top of that... Good bye getting into many carparks . So practically on driving when not camping , and fuel economy, and no more roof top space, ie no ability to use roof racks for any other purpose.
I have a swag. Can’t dress, can’t pee in a bottle, can’t store stuff. Cramps! Looking for an instant up tent with standing room. Rooftop is too much of a pain to climb up and down in the night. Good for tigers and serial killers though. 😊 Great review.
G'day Ronnie. Always love your posts and they are pretty factual. I think you're missing an important option in this comparison; the one pole canvas tent. I have about 5 tents and can sleep in the Landcruiser, but my favourite is my 9 foot x 9 foot one pole canvas tent. The canvas is heavier than a swag. I use a double swag mattress on one side and can stand up and get changed, hang clothes up and store gear on the other. It takes about as much time to set up as a swag and just a little longer to pack up. I only need 4 pegs to put it up but can put in more for bad conditions. It is great in the rain and wind. I have a storage system for the back of my Landcruiser which means I can put the tent up first (if I want) and pack it away last (if I want). It's more like a bigger swag that is easier to put up that you can stand up in. My son has a clam shell RTT and it is pretty good too. Horses for courses. Cheers.
They aren't cheep tents. The small one cost me about $1000. The bigger one (for 6) cost $1500. That was 20 years ago. They're only good for about 30 to 40 years.
I have the Motop RTT as pictured and absolutely love it so if I'm going on a day trip I take my $20 Kmart tent and set it up to stash some gear and and save my place 👍
I think given all the criteria you’ve covered, it makes the most sense for me to get a roof top tent for my motorcycle
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Me too
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Maybe a hammock is a good idea it does not take a lot of space besides a sleeping bag and maybe a thin inflatable matras
Swag on a stretcher placed under your car awning is the awesome. Always dry, can sit up to get out, keep your boots under the stretcher.
Thats my number 2 choice 👍 but unfortunately bad back and the time it takes to set up, I still choose my Bush Company RTT. Stupid back lol
@@WaitWhat99 if i had a RTT like that i would almost certainly agree. Unfortunately my RTT is one of the fold open ones with the black bag to close up. Just too much of a nuisance to set up and as the car is my daily driver if it gets wet i find it hard to get time to dry it out. If i am away with the family it is worth the trouble as i have the annex for it.
Swag all the way.
I have used swag, stretcher bed, RV3 tent and RTT. No clear winner as they all are good in some areas. Once I set up RTT, I could do long trips where it's everyday set up and pack up. Yes, it's top heavy, so need to be careful picking a good line in technical driving. Otherwise, it will end up in disaster.
Also, I set up solar panel on top of RTT. It's not easy to switch to swag or tent so easily now.
Totally agree. Hate to use the phrase but a stretcher is a game changer.
I couldn’t decide between the tent, swag and roof top tent, so I went and bought a 40 foot yacht instead. Magic
Swag on a stretcher is my winner. My swag travels inside my car. I don’t want it on the roof covered in dust/bugs/rain when I arrive at camp. I can get two swags on my back seat. Everything else goes in the back.
Tent, hands down. Modern ones are blackout, no light in the morning and no shadows from inside lights. The fly sheet hooks onto the inner and you can walk about with even a three man version to place it where you want. They are designed to withstand extreme weather (North pole expeditions and the like), even cheaper ones are relatively wind resistant and waterproof. They do get cold, but that’s great in summer and a decent sleeping bag fixes it in winter. I rest my case.
Here in the states swags are almost unheard of, but I’m very interested in them. Currently I use a tent (size depends on who’s coming in the family), I also like to use a hammock, which is always with me just in case! And third option is just sleep in the back of the 4Runner, well it’s an option when solo. I like the idea of a RTT, but don’t like the prices, and the amount of real estate they take up. I am going to buy a swag and a cot, simply because I love the idea of the versatility it has. Great video!
I am currently in Iceland. Using a crashpad swag and a stretcher. Quite happy so far.
Very well thought out, the only thing I would add is a category of "versatility". If you have a rooftop you need your car. If you have a swag you can take it in another vehicle with you i.e you and a mate. If you have a tent you can go hiking or do anything you want really and not even need a vehicle. Just went on a week's trip in a 1959 series landrover SWB and due to space we must take a tent, old school! Still had a blast
Man, I’ve been struggling with this question for years! The RV series tents are a game changer in my view. Set up in seconds and unlike a swag, you can stand up in em. They are also made of canvas, so the privacy issue is not a concern.
I’d love a hard shell RTT but they are too damn expensive for me, especially for the 6 times a year I’m gonna use it.
Yeah I love my Oztent RV3. Safe, private, with the ability to expand its awning. Probably the only downside is it is long at 2 metres to store on the vehicle.
@@2157AF yep, it’s gotta go on the roof rack :)
Good point mate. My nephew has set up his family tent site very well using the Oztent equipment. He bought most of the components in special though as the prices can be a bit high.
@@paultkalec7022 yes, the Oz Tent stuff is great quality and a little expensive but it’s still a lot cheaper than a decent RTT.
@@2157AF I've always wondered why they don't have a compact version, which can fold in two along the 2m lengths. Surely achievable? The pack would be square rather than long, but it would be so easy to transport in the back pickup of my Defender rather than along the rack.
Compare apples for apples. You’ve picked a high quality roof top tent and swag then a cheap ground tent. Results may have differed if you included a quality ground tent that was easy to setup and made of quality canvas like an Oztent.
Double swag with tent fan suitable in all weather conditions. With a gazebo over the top for added insulation and a shaded spot outside the swag works for me.
I know it’s only comparative for the video but you have the cheapest tent, a very expensive swag & a very expensive rtt. If you buy a mid range tent that’s designed well, not something from anaconda, it changes a lot of your complaints. A good 4 season tent will far out perform a swag in temperature, wind and be pretty close in terms of setup/pack down time & put away time. We use a good 3 season which easily handles down to around -5°, & including pads & bags and from turning off the car can be set up or packed down in less than 10 minutes and all stores in a 45l bag.
Got a rainy, windy evening? Sitting in a tent is far more enjoyable than lying down in a swag for hours waiting for bed time.
I think I said pretty much a similar thing in my post. A high quality, small canvas tent equals great comfort, fast and easy pitch and pack times and lasts forever.
Agreed. We use a good quality MSR 3 person mountain grade tent. Last you well over 10-15 years. We have been in VERY strong winds in this when everything else is blown away. 100% waterproof and takes up no room. Can also take it hiking. When the weathers bad, nowhere is more comfortable that sitting out bad weather. For shade, pull out the awning on your 4X4
Great review.
I go either OZtent Rv4 or swag.
Love both ❤
Was thinking of getting rid of swag as crawling out was a pain as I'm no longer 20.
Added a stretcher to swag arrangement.
Easy to get in & out but it also boosted comfort 100%
Why didn't I do this year's earlier ?! 🤔😁
Blackwolf Turbo tent, quick to put up, tough, our first lasted 11 years with regular use. If I'm solo I use a free standing hiking tent. I tried a swag not for me. I've seen two people fall climbing out of roof top tents, no thanks. Tents are light weight, roomy, and if you pick the right one tough and able to withstand a storm, done it.
Good video Ronnie, but solo v couple v family are all different.
I just sleep in the back of my Troopy Ronny. Best ever. Its a 4 x 4 caravan! Best money ive spent on her was Elockers hands down. Keep up the great content.
I am a subscriber and love most of your videos Ronnie. This is not meant to be a huge knock on this one, but not all ground tents are created equal - the choice of tent in the video made it seem biased against tents IMO.
I went with a stretcher and swag combo. Yeah, it's a bit bulky, and takes up a bunch of space on top of my load lid, but still manageable and lightweight enough. Plus if I go out alone or just to tackle some tracks in a day drive I can make everything lighter super quickly.
Oztent RV-3 for the wife and I, and a stretcher tent for solo trips. Tend more towards base-camping plus I don't like all that weight and increased height semi-permanently on my roof. Eventually might have a decent RTT on a smaller trailer.
Fuel consumption is only affected by the swag if you have a wagon. If you have a Ute they fit in the tub or tray and then it’s not affected at all
I think OzTents should be a 4th category because they overcome some of the drawbacks of a cheaper tent in terms of set up time. They could survive a cyclone and you can stand fully upright in them plus the inbuilt awning make them a great basecamp. Down side is the weight and transporting them.
I moved from a swag to a RS1. It really is the best compromise between a tent and a swag. Other than being painfully long and awkward when packed away it’s brilliant.
I wish i could stand up in an oztent! They're just a bit too short. But I'd still consider one.
I wish i could stand up in an oztent! They're just a bit too short. But I'd still consider one.
@@stevenlippis5488 they are about 190cm high at the tallest part. Are you a giant?
Have had 2 oztents (upgraded over the years for more space) over the past 9 years. nothing beats them as far as tents go: dark inside, not noisy in windy conditions, very waterproof, quick to packup and set up. If you don't have a roof rack they're not an option.
Great topic, some very funny moments! Good to see the humour back! If you can afford the space, a bed in the back of the wagon works well. Some cheap attached fly screens for airflow, or shades for privacy. Hardly any pack-up time required. I did camp out of a tent for ten years and you pretty much summed up all the goods and bads. The tent had a lower to middle of the range price tag and did last for ten years, so not too bad an investment.
One thing people always elude to when it comes to roof top tents. Yes the super expensive ones set up in like 30 seconds, but the rest of your camp doesn’t, once you take out the awning, table, chairs, cooking appliances, gas bottle and so on. It’s not longer a 30 second setup! I’m happy to take an extra 2-5 minutes and set up my Oztent rv5 and have a full home base setup, which outperforms any RTT in every way.
Love my soft Kings roofie. I work music festivals and its been through some crazy weather, in Tasmania. Never leaked a drop, always warm :-) For its budget price I was amazed at how well it handeled all conditions.
If you used a decent tent (OZtent RV series for example) it would make up for many of the stated issues - canvas walls, quick setup, stand-up to get changed, etc.
I've got a soft cover RTT. It's 550 Euro Ferretti Tent. Not bad any issues with it on my 6 week trip. It's 3.10 meters long, so a toilet can be placed inside if needed. It's takes about 5 minutes or less to setup and 15 to fold back up. I keep 2 mattresses, pillows and blankets in there even when packed up. Only issue is indeed the fuel use. My LC200 V6 Petrol does anything between 16 to 1:11 depending on the circumstances. It also has Maxxis MT772 on, so that also add fuel use. However, I've saved a lot of money using the tent instead of hotels l, therefore, my investment was quickly earned back. Nothing negative to report i think aside of fuel use.
Another metric you could have considered is the suitability of each option for “older” campers, whatever we define that to be, 50+, 60+ etc? I’m in those brackets!!
Tents are not always worst for ease of use. We got a couple of pop-up style tents and they are great. Light weight, easy to use nd bigger than a swag when set up. The one style you didn't really look at is the style of tent that attaches to the side of a vehicle under the roll out awning. We use them on the 4x4 and on our camping trailer. Easy to set up, quite stable, comfortable and lots of room. Much easier to set up than conventional free standing tents but the disadvantage is you have to pack them up when the vehicle moves (which is why we attach 2 to our trailer. And as for pegging tents, nope, you don't have to peg down the pop-up style. We just load the inside with gear and if it is VERY windy, we only use one guy line at each end.
I love my swag, under the awning it's just perfect for what I need for sleeping when I am by myself.
I am in the US and I have a rooftop tent. I had an accident in February in which I fell from my ladder. I had to have two surgeries for a shattered wrist and a condition called compartment syndrome. I have reached out to several people in the TH-cam space trying to tell this story to try to help someone else not to repeat it. No one is interested. We still use our rtt but I, as well as my wife and boys are way more careful. I have used everything but a swag and they all have pros and cons. Cheers
It usually rains the last evening of camping. I hated packing wet and sandy tents and tarps only to have to set them back up when I got home after a long drive. The RTT eliminates this hassle which makes that worth it to me. Also nice to free up the space taken up by bedding by having it live in the RTT. Takes 30 seconds to close it up and go if we decide to use my truck to get wood. The base camp aspect of that isn't an issue. Pee jug in any tent is a game changer and avoids the safety issue of peeing at night or getting wet/cold.
We bought a Coleman Instant Swagger; it's a tent but sets up like a swag. It folds up to be larger than a tent but smaller than a swag. Super easy set-up, decent quality, good price, perfect if you only go camping a couple times a year. Fits well in the tub of a dual cab but would probably be crap to put in a car or a wagon.
Hey Rony big fan and learn a lot from you. I figured out that having a gazebo tent along with stretcher is the best setup. I just back up the gazebo with the tent uninstalled and wrap it in the same tarp mat. Yes I throw two stretcher and it's sleeping bed yes my base camp and I can move around.
I have used a metal camp stretcher for 40 years on outback trips. Absolute best. Quick, can set up on rocks, chuck a tarp over in rain, no creepy crawlies, see the stars, piddle over the side ! No contest !
Great points overall. One thing to keep in mind with a RTT is the Weight. That will also impact the carrying capacity and how a vehicle can be altered on its setup.
I myself found a Swag to be the way to go for me! Easy to set up and pack up vs a tent and definitely keeps you warm. I have already stayed the night at 10,000 FT and work up with temperatures down to 40°F. To say the least I was comfortable in the Swag. A good investment in my opinion!
I agree the swag is freedom for a lesser cost where as rtt isn't as much freedom and too bulky and heavy. I have a fordable trolley strapped on my double swag with 2 sleeping bags and 70cm mattress. I can literally take it anywhere I want and camp off grid.
I agree with this mostly . However the tent covered was the basic run of the mill fibreglass pole setup. I have had the same tent for over ten years , it has better canvas than my swag and blocks out the sun more. Plus it's only a four pole design with an over size bag so easy to put away. I think the tent category was a little harshly done here. Just like RTT there are so many different ones. Plus you didn't even talk about kids which is a major factor I think in this conversation
First of all good video, as always. Appreciate the effort you´re putting into them.
I mostly agree with you but about tents I have to say two things:
1.MOVABILITY OF A TENT:
Most high quality tents have clips at each corner to connect the outer tarp to the tent poles so if you want to move its only one or two nails to remove from the apsis and then you can move your tent in one piece. And I have to add that I´ve slept hundreds of nights in tents and I NEVER had to move it from where I put it. Just take a few moments to choose the best spot.
2. BAD WEATHER CAMPING:
I don´t know your exact weather conditions in australia but I´ve camped a lot in bad weather (rain, snow) so let me tell you this. In the cold it doesn´t matter where you are, even the inside of your car is cold (matter of fact its even colder than a tent or swag), what´s going to save you from FREEZING TO DEATH is your sleeping bag. So if you´re going out in the winter PLEASE choose the right sleeping bag and don´t go cheap on it. Now to the bad weather: Tent is superior because it has an apsis (or two) where you can put your shoes and backpack (or wet/dirty clothes). You can also cook in it if the weather is too bad to go outside.
And if its stupidly hot you can leave away the outer tarp and have supreme ventilation.
But yeah, if I was going to Oz I´d probably also choose a RTT or a pop up roof conversion over a tent.
I guess it really depends on what you are doing, how long you are staying in one place and how far you are going away from your car..
Just some thoughts I wanted to ad
That’s why I got the Gazelle t3x tent. It’s a tent that pops out in less than 90 seconds and personally have had it in 60 mph wind in the Mojave and it did flawlessly. All the benefits of a swag, all the benefits of a tent. No poles at all, I love it so much
Great points but for me, I found the best tent is a stretcher tent. When I rode from Perth to Hobart a few years ago for a charity event, I bought a single stretcher tent as it fit better on the back of my bike than a swag. The only extra I used was an inflatable mattress for a little extra comfort. I used it for 15 days in all weather conditions & it was perfect. I still use it when camping with my 4x4.
We have all 3 and use them based on the trip plan. Now the family has grown up we definitely don’t use the tent very often (if at all), but the option is still there.
Base camping- instant pop up tent. Is setup pegged down in 15 min max. 5min to set up inside, including picnic blanket as carpet inside the tent (6man tent), self inflatable mattress, cot, sleeping blanket, side table, clothing layout, blanket or downer over sleeping blanket (yes sub zero temps), vic high country. Coleman dark series. Tent Base camping kills everything else. Can stand up and get changed, is like having a small room just in the bush…..love it!
Also have outside area under cover for table, cooking devices etc.
I use a Gazelle tent. Probably the quickest setup of any tent. And I can fully stand up inside of it. Came changer for ground tents!
My thoughts exactly, had he reviewed one of those the tent would have done better in this no doubt.
Another vote for the Gazelle. We use cots inside of it. Sets up in minutes.
I've got a single swag with stretcher when I'm on my own, a double when there's two of us. I couldn't justify the cost of an RTT for the amount of time I'd use it. However I do have a backpacking tent for when I go away for the weekend on the T7. It's all situational.
I’ve got a Dune compact RTT - 40kgs. My 60 series Landcruiser diesel, went from 10L/100kms to 11L/100kms if anyone was put off by it there are light options. It is a fold out but it’s a big upgrade from the swag for $1200
Did a eleven week african trip sleeping in a roof top tent. Convience good, but you quickly get tired of having to crawl in and out of bed. No space to get dressed and the midnight call of nature. Came back and sold it and got a ground tent. Never looked back. Plenty of space, porta potty in the tent, space to shelter from bad weather. I believe that despite it’s size and weight, the Oztent would be the best solution. Will never go back to crawling around in a tent.
For a month now you’ve been my favorite channel. Never disappointed. Tent shadows 😂
It's early days for me as I transition from hiking to touring camping in a recently acquired 75 Series troopie. I have a top notch 2 man tent but nah not getting on the ground any more.
For now the best option for me is to sleep on platform inside the cargo area on my hiking sleeping system.
I'm single in my 70s and can't really see getting a non paying passenger but if I did I think I'd look at a custom made tent that would extend straight out from rear doors.
Roof top and pop ups wouldn't work for me. Although when hiking I always carried a 1.5 empty milk bottle for nocturnia issues. They have about the widest mouth if you get my drift.
im a big fan of the swag, my common kit out bush is a king single swag, a gazebo and chair, covers most of my needs and packs down into the tray of the ute with tons of room to spare.
"Heat from the ground "! That sounds funny. At our place we only care that "you don't get cold from the ground " :)
Some great points on all 3. Personally Im not a fan of RTT's because of their cost & weight especially on vehicles with a low Roof Load Rating like mine. When I head away with the family I currently have a 2 room, 10p tent. Yes it is a pain to set up and pack down but there is always more than one person if that is being used. I do have a smaller 5p tent like the one you used for most of this video. It is a Kmart tent and I've had it about 8 years although it gets used very rarely since I've had my Pajero. The 10p tent I've had probably 7 years and it was $200 from BCF. Personally for me though the best option is setting up your vehicle for sleeping. I have a custom built drawer system that matches with the back seats and forms a double bed. Getting changed in there would be similar to doing so in a double swag but Im fine to jump out and get changed on the other wide of the car so I can't be seen if with others or just between the doors for some privacy if solo. It is easy to get in and out of, you are off the ground, insulated from wind, noise, weather and can lock the doors if you are worried. It has been pretty decent in summer too plus if need be you can run the air con or heater before bed to get a better temp. Yes you need to throw some things back in if you want a day trip but then you also have food, drinks, cooking utensils etc everywhere you go so you are fine if things turn bad. Also very easy to move if you need to. Just jump in and drive if you need to. I don't find unlevel ground to be too difficult either. My tents are good for that mid night dunny run either as I can keep my camp toilet either in there or under the vestibule for privacy as well. Swags in my opinion are quick and easy but costly and very bulky. I have done a video a while back discussing size, set up times and practicality of Swag V Tent.
I think a RTT on a trailer is a great option (balance of ease of use and ease of multi day stays in once place). One safety downside of the RTT is that if you get it wrong getting out in the middle of the night you can do yourself a serious injury - don't drink and RTT.
That's what we did - we have it set up on our off-road trailer and it's a lot closer to the ground than having it on the vehicle, makes it easier to reach the flypoles etc. The upside as well is that we can immobilize the trailer and take off for a few hours in the car without having to pack everything up.
Trailer mount works for me, floor is only 90 cm off the ground.
A decent hiking tent outperforms a swag in many ways, easy to dry/wash , weight, got vestibules on sides for more space, more breathable, more headspace, freestanding
Cool video. Was fun to watch, even when we made our choice already. We are more in colder regions, rainy, windy and used to have a pick up with living cabin and roof conversion. But the noise (wind) with the tent walls, always the condensate, then it starts to mold, when you are not perfectly dry it up...... We changed to a troopy with a hard top conversion. We can live in it, due to a small very nice looking alcove we are able to sleep and the second person is able to sit, read what ever. Our troopy is still not ready, we are building it up right now but know this conversion very good. I know you are not a friend of this because it could be top heavy but for our purpose this will be perfect. See you mate.... regards from Germany
Great vid Ronny and crew. I’m all about weight for fuel and keeping home base when day tripping. No matter what the pillow, sleeping bag etc you need them and as far as safety off ground, unless you’re up north ain’t much going to hurt you when you’re packing brutal toys as well. No matter what, it comes down to what you can afford and what experiences you enjoy the most. I love my tent, 7 pegs, 15mins all up with bedding in and ready to crash. If you’re constantly moving then I’d go a rooftopper.
Thanks Ronny, enjoy your TH-cam posts. My preference is a single swag on a camp stretcher. A number of stretchers are now available in a slightly bigger size to accomodate the swag. Cheers Andrew
For solo travel where ultimate comfort isn’t a factor the swag is king. Fast set up and tear down, easy to move, can make a base and get out in the vehicle during the day.
I think solo vs couple vs family changes this up a fair bit. Short of a trailer, 2 RV-5's is the best for a family. Super easy to setup, very robust, lots of shaded area.
I agree!
Absolutely, When You Bring The Troops, More Space Rules Them All - TENT
I love my canvas touring tent I think it’s the best of both worlds
fun vid wish we had. troopy in the U.S. 1st would be a wagon/suv fold down the back seat air mat and sleeping bag 2nd would be a platform on the top for good weather 3rd a ranger / tacoma with a smaller cab and 6.5 tub with a camper top 4th a pop up canopy and call it a night
We use a different system, a camping tent (not cheap, nor lightweight), but I believe that everything depends on the type of experience for each traveler. For us, who spend at least 2 days in the same place, it's worth spending an extra 10 minutes setting up the tent and enjoying the comfort (space for eating and living, mosquito net, good ventilation, less noise on windy days, shade).
I think comparing a $50 tent with a $2000 Roof Top Tent is simply absurd; if you raise the tent budget, the situation changes drastically.
I grew up in the era of station wagons and panel vans. Curtains and a mattress in the back. It's just a pity the concept was never seriously implemented into the 4 wheel drive era. The boxy design generally provided the most interior and roof space as well as ease of entry and exit. Everything has been over complicated since then. I can remember seeing at least a few old Australian station wagons that were put on a repurposed Toyota Hilux 4x4 chassis. That's my idea of what a perfect solution would be. Just a bed on wheels and close the doors and go.
we used to call it car camping , yes a station wagon with Manuel crank windows ,if it gets to cold roll them up , to hot down and up all nite and not worry about a dead battery in the morning here in the U.S. I like. a wagon or. a pu /ute 6.5' box /tub cab ht camper shell /canopy or topper air mat sleeping bag and im ready lil kit that I would need and off
@@youtubecarspottersguide1 US here. I don't have a tent, RTT, nor swag (though I will get one next year). I sleep in the back of my SUV with just a blanket, pad, and pillow. I like to camp with the least amount of stuff.
Great video but i was missing 1 option a hammock i did this twice and had a lot of fun you are of the ground so no unwanted roks putholes or water under/in your tent, it does take some time to set up just right and getting dressed 😏 there is not a lot of room but it sleeps perfect. But i think for me a rooftop tent will be a winner so i am going to try that out.
I used to have an RTT, which I loved, but it had to come off after trips as it made my vehicle too tall to park off the street. I have tried swags, but I just can't get used to them.
I currently have two tent options, one is part of my ute, it turns the tray into my tent (fills the gap between hard cover and tub) which has many of the benefits of RTT's and being black canvas is very private. I use this for short overnight stays.
For base camping I have a Coleman blackout tent, which addresses two of the shortcomings of tents, shadows and early sun. It is also reasonably thick so doesn't do too badly in the wind.
I run both RTT & Swag as I have kicked the misso out of the RTT because she has started snoring bad lol…
Nine of the options that I am considering are on here (other than default tent):
1) Awning: cheaper than rrt, less weight, doesn’t disallow the purpose of the rack such as water vessels, extremely useful outside of just sleeping, super fast setup when walls aren’t needed, massive (don’t feel cramped), and get to have the benefits of breeze when it’s not sideways rain. Useful when not camping in general like the beach, tailgating etc.
2) Tarp (out back of bed): basically cheaper version of awning with pita setup and no integrated walls.
3) Hot tent/tipi: tipi’s are faster to setup than multi pole tents and the obvious winter benefits of a stove; lighter tent same but no standing room but better for away from vehicle backpacking. For comparing to price of a rrt, size would be enormous if you wanted.
I’m curious why these are rarely mentioned. Wondering if I’m missing some obvious downsides.
-15C in a softshell RTT in Canada is the coldest ive done. Had a diesel heater and a -15C rated sleeping bag, was no problem staying warm with just 1 layer on. Although I would disagree about the ground keeping you warm below about 10C. A foam mattress (like in a rtt) is what you need to be insulated from the cold ground.
I have a dirty ol kings double had it since kings first came on the scene after Tigerz11 and it hasn’t missed a beat still has original poles and still going strong. Swag for me hands down
We mainly base camp.
I have a Coleman darkroom pop up 4 man tent with a stretcher and self inflating foam mattress. Really comfortable and plenty of room to have stuff in with me.
Basically impossible to see what's inside even with a light on and is basically dark even in daylight if sealed up. Packs up to a reasonable size and is easy to put up and pack away.
If I went away more often and wanted to spend the money I would likely have a Pod style off-road trailer with a rooftop tent on it.
I saw a lifted Hilux yesterday with a rooftop tent on it and it looked like a second storey extension it was so far off the ground.
No thanks.
We have a camper trailer but still have a 6 man Coleman pop up. We base camp so RTT's are not for us. Swags to us are bulky, uncomfortable and constricting. We can stand in the Coleman and as it's a darkroom all the light issues are non existent. In winter it's warm as body heat warms it up. If it rains its nylon and not a sogging mess like a swag.
@@mikehogan9265 Yeah I'm pretty happy with mine.
The only complaint I have is that it's too dark during the days so you basically need lights to see much.
Small niggle but the benefits of getting a bit of a sleep in make it worthwhile.
I used to have a Black Wolf Turbo tent which was awesome and great quality but it was pretty big and heavy.
I currently have a single and a double swag. I have had the single for years and it isn’t a freestanding swag so that’s when I went for the double. Getting changed in the double isn’t as hard as what was made out here. I can definitely see myself going for a rtt or caravan for more luxury in the future.
When considering a RTT be sure to check the roof support it sits on is rated for the weight.
Hey Ronny, thanks for the reply.
I'm no expert, but a quick google search should present most with the answers they're looking for.
This is what I found just searching "4x4 roof ratings Australia"
...For a large majority of 4WD's, 100kg is the roof loading limit, with very few at 150 and 200kg. This is the total amount of weight you can put on the roof, and includes the weight of your roof racks themselves
Here are a few roof load ratings: Y62 Patrol = 100kg, Everest = 100kg (unless it's a Titanium as stated above), Amarok = 100kg, Discovery 5 = 80kg, and HiLux = 75kg. Remember, the rack counts as part of the load too and these can be anywhere in the vicinity of 30kg - 60kg.
Personally I love the idea of a RTT, but if something failed I'm not sure I'd be covered, I'm an 80 series lad and weigh 98kg, combined with the tent and my lovely wife, we'd exceed the roof limit.
Just saying.
All the best with the channel.
My preference is the swag. I use a double swag when my wife is with me, and a single swag when I’m alone or with mates. I have the Darche sone swags. I put them under an awning so I have shelter without having to get in to bed. I minimise the fuel issue by strapping it below the roofline on the ute tub. Most tents I’ve found fiddly to set up (though the OzTent RV tents are awesome) and annoying having to pack separate mattresses and sleeping bag. I have never tried a roof top tent, though I avoided them as I’ve had a number of knee injuries and don’t want it semi-permanently on my ute. No option is perfect, they all have their pros and cons. In the end it depends on personal preference, what is a hassle to me might be fine to someone else. Great video, very useful - especially for anyone new to camping options.
thanks for the info. Ronny, always great to hear your side of things. I'm doing a lap around Oz march 24, I have a good quality swag [16once canvas ] except it needs poles each end. I would like to get a RTT quality is expensive and packing up base camp is an issue. thought about a camper trailer but cost to buy, insure and rego doesn't seem visible. I'll swag it for now,cheers Colm
geez you really have a downer on tents Ronnie, having done a lot of touring on motorcycles the tent was always the go to, a cheap dome tent can be erected in seconds, plenty of room for all your gear and room to change or even invite a friend over for the night. I could not bear to be in a swag due to the claustrophobia. roof top was ok but the climbing up and down the ladder was a pain. nowadays the caravan is the perfect solution, set up is opening the door. Toilet shower cooker and cold beer in the fridge.
I learned all my sleeping arrangements while over landing on a motorcycle. Space is optimal, comfort is important, shelter is very important. These days you can get great compact tents which set up in minutes and pack away quick.
A 4Th Option. a lightweight hybrid camper. 1.2-ton Max, Loaded. Full Offroad. OK $80,000 investment...
Can be left behind on base camp trips.
Can be expanded with a 270 awning with or without walls.
Can be dragged to any point within Australia.
Can come with an Aircon or a heater.
Can have a hot water system and shower.
Will not add too much to the fuel economy.
Not the 3.5 Ton portable home.
I just use a hiking tent and pack I got from Anaconda. I normally set it up underneath my awning, but I have a hammock and hootchie in there aswell in case I wanna do that.
I'm not really tied to the vehicle at all. I can carry a whole camping setup on my back or quickly throw it in the ute or a mates car. I just have a box in my ute for all the extra campsite goodies that arent essential.
A Canadian wall tent with a wood stove inside can stay warm all night in -30 but a swag for atv camping cheers mate
Tried all options. Really loved having a RTT, but the weight up high on a vehicle regularly used off-road had a very detrimental impact on stability. Three near roll overs was enough. RTT still loved but on a trailer a lot closer to the ground. Single swag under the side awning, off the ground on a cot wins for me as the best practical all round option.
If I use a tent, it's an RV2 OzTent.
dude! you put so much work into this video! It was so good! keep up the good work. we all apricate the info and entertainment! cheers from Canada
I think I've only slept in a tent on a handful of occasions, never again xD.
Have been rocking a $200-300 swag most of the time, can't really fault it, just need to prep correctly (waterproofing).
Recently acquired a roof top with 12v self set-up electric motors for cost price to go along with my S2A landy I'm restoring, to say I'm keen is an understatement. 30 sec set-up at a click of a button, it's awesome!
Good sh*t Ronny, keep it up.
My RTT costed $400 from Kings, it's great, found the mattress to be comfortable aswell
Hey Ronny. I don’t know whether it’s a west coast vs east coast thing but over here in the east we have used uniquely Australian canvas touring tents. The best one was the Freedom Family Tourer but they have unfortunately gone out of business. I still use mine and it’s a canvas, single spring-loaded pole that is quick to set up and copes with high wind, rain, cold and heat. If you’re in Victoria anytime soon I’d be happy to show you. I have a swag too but it mostly lives in my garage thanks to my Australian made canvas touring tent.
I ditched the dome tent and ended up getting a coleman 6 person instant tent. Sets up quicker than a swag and relatively compact to store in the back of the car. It accommodates really 4 people comfortably.
The newer quick setup tents are a game changer.
We are setting up a 12v 3/4 RAM. Our first shot will a Roof top platform + Swag, and then go from there.
Fuel mileage/ aerodynamics/ speed. Under 50mph isn’t going to make a real world impact. So fill up close to the trail
For me a swag for the win! I’ve got a 23zero Outbreak 1550 which is a free standing large swag. I was thinking i could mount it on the roof of my box trailer. This would be the equivalent of a RTT. So my free standing swag would take some of the wins of the RTT seen in the vid.
I live in Norway. RTT in winter ALL the way. Diesel heater or heating blanket for the win.
Awning tent!!. .mate.. these things are beyond epic. but would be a pain in space limited situations.
I have an air pole swag that takes 90seconds to set up
Great for overnighting on your own
An optional stretcher gets you off the ground
Have a quality 3 room tent that takes 20min to set up great for base camp fishing trips
Have a heavy duty canvas tent you can stand up in perfect for me and the wife
RTT gobble too much valuable roof rack space, not an option for me
If you get rid of the swag mattress and replace with a self inflating one the swag rolls up a lot smaller
I have found that a stretcher tent suits me the best. Only issue is that cold air can come up through the stretcher so I use a yoga mat for insulation.
I did a solo cycling trek across 3 Australian states and a territory. I used a dome/igloo tent. Didn't have to move it in high wind, one night a gale blew as I was camping on a cliff top. The roof of the tent was blown so flat that it was touching my nose as I lay in my sleeping bag. The wind abated and the dome tent just popped back up and into shape. No need to shift according to the direction of the wind or because of its strength. Did have to rebatten down the pegs and change my pants in the morning 😂
(scared the tent would act like a sail and blow me off the cliff top and into the ocean).
@officialRonnyDahl_ 20 years ago I rode a bicycle raising funds & awareness for YOTS (Youth Off The Street). Basically I rode solo, Canberra to Melbourne via the SA outback. I did it in summer, rimming the edge of the Strzelecki desert and crossing the 90 mile desert. The storm and cliff top I spoke of were on The Great Ocean Road and the dome tent was a cheapie which I got from Big W or Kmart, I forget which.
Out of the 3 I prefer tent, but I camp in the kimberley and most of the time I don't even need to set up the tent, rather just unroll it and put my sleeping bag ontop. That being said my favourite option is hammock and tarp, used to extend the little crane on the back of my ute and hang the hammock off of that, and then the tarp slung over the top creating a kind of A frame tent on the back of my ute lol, only problem was that if any of your mates where up before you in the morning then they could start swinging the crane around or raising it to a near vertical position to dump you out of the hammock.
I run a swag, no roof rack on the ute so no wind drag (on the tray) simple but awesome AOS tracker dome version too, don’t need to use poles if I don’t want to as it can be used as a more traditional flat style swag too.
Tent with a stretcher for us for now, then a caravan. Swag and RTT are out because of arthritis, knees and hips don't like ladders or getting up and down to the ground.
re Day Heat: In South Africa I have seen tarps that are made with a chrome coating making them huge mirrors. Full timers use them over their camp space to create a fairly cool shade even on the "stupid hot" days. I never understood why they didn't catch on more (I can't buy one here in Canada) or make swag or other gear out of the same stuff.
Interesting. I think your perspective is coloured by your experience, but overall, pretty reasonable overview. I come from an outdoor ed background so I am very used to tents. Some of your arguments are good, some depend upon the tent you choose and the conditions you use it. I've never been a fan of swags (maybe my aversion to weight and bulk!) but I've used them in the deserts and they perform well. Seeing many use them in rainy and snowy conditions puts me right off them. They get dusty, dirty, muddy and damp. To keep out of the rain you have to use up most of your awning area. Not my favourite option by any means. Some of them are like small, heavy, bulky tents with all of those poles... If my tent gets muddy, I can wrap it up with the dirty side protected then dry it out easily at the next camp. No mess, no wet, damp canvas for days (incidentally, I know cotton canvas is quite durable but its waterproof properties are grossly exaggerated by the fans...).
When working at one of the higher end adventure retailers we put a bivvy bag (like a lightweight swag) with a self-inflating mat (this was at a time where the average person had never heard of a self-inflating mat) and a lightweight down bag together then showed how it could be rolled up and out in little more time than a swag (may five minutes to let the mat inflate- time for a glass of wine) at less than a quarter of the bulk and weight of a swag (okay, at more than three times the price!). Interesting trial.
I've settled on the RTT (after decades of using pretty much every option). Less compromise, most effective (at a cost). We have ours on a lift off canopy and remove the canopy anytime we are staying more than a couple of nights, so we have no problem going for a drive or running to the shops (when near a town). In honesty, though, we have gone this way mainly because we tow a large(ish) boat, so this allows us to have a set up camp and still take the boat to the ramp... I still agree about getting up to pee being a little more difficult though😁.
One point about RTTs- those without a "fly" covering at least the top part of the windows and openings can be awful in hot rainy conditions. You can zip the windows down for ventilation without getting soaked inside....
Overall, horses for courses, but I do believe a little bias occurs with all types of users... Good presentation, thanks...
Quick set up stand up canvas tents win for me
Can’t say I agree with a RTT being more fuel efficient than a swag, even though a swag is bulky a RRT weight alone + being on your roof longer will highly likely chew more fuel
my 1st choice is a troppy pop top 2nd wagon fold down the back seat air mat and sleeping bag im good RTT for summer beach camping dont see lot of the swag in the States
Especially if you leave the RTT on all the time. Swag won’t use extra fuel when you’re not camping!
@@MrTreegeek1978exactly, first thing which came to mind watching this is very reason I will never get a roof top tent... Constant weight and problem with fuel economy. On top of that... Good bye getting into many carparks . So practically on driving when not camping , and fuel economy, and no more roof top space, ie no ability to use roof racks for any other purpose.
I have a swag. Can’t dress, can’t pee in a bottle, can’t store stuff. Cramps! Looking for an instant up tent with standing room. Rooftop is too much of a pain to climb up and down in the night. Good for tigers and serial killers though. 😊
Great review.
G'day Ronnie. Always love your posts and they are pretty factual. I think you're missing an important option in this comparison; the one pole canvas tent. I have about 5 tents and can sleep in the Landcruiser, but my favourite is my 9 foot x 9 foot one pole canvas tent. The canvas is heavier than a swag. I use a double swag mattress on one side and can stand up and get changed, hang clothes up and store gear on the other. It takes about as much time to set up as a swag and just a little longer to pack up. I only need 4 pegs to put it up but can put in more for bad conditions. It is great in the rain and wind. I have a storage system for the back of my Landcruiser which means I can put the tent up first (if I want) and pack it away last (if I want). It's more like a bigger swag that is easier to put up that you can stand up in. My son has a clam shell RTT and it is pretty good too. Horses for courses. Cheers.
They aren't cheep tents. The small one cost me about $1000. The bigger one (for 6) cost $1500. That was 20 years ago. They're only good for about 30 to 40 years.
I think Getting changed and dressed deserves it own episode
I have the Motop RTT as pictured and absolutely love it so if I'm going on a day trip I take my $20 Kmart tent and set it up to stash some gear and and save my place 👍