Man, i really disliked this tent. It's squeeky, too small to store even a blanket in and my rain tarp poles put up a fight to lock every time. Fsr tried to make it right but in the end, highly disappointed
That's what I'm saying. There's just no reason it needs to cost more than $800, and that's if you really go a bit ham in your DIY ventures because you want to.
I bought a $100 2 man tent to take on my ADV bike, didn't expect much compared to my expensive 1 man tramping tent but it's brilliant, erects in 2 minutes, is standalone, and seems to be good quality, you don't need to spend much.
I heard an excellent rebuttal to the RTT craze: rather than sleeping up top and doing storage inside the car, the solution for 90% of people is storage up top, sleeping inside. Replace the RTT with two big cargo boxes / storage racks and toss an air mattress or foam pad inside the car. It’s cheaper, and the sleeping experience is typically vastly superior. Quick setup time, cozier, more weatherproof (a RTT is still miserable in a storm), and the rooftop storage is still useful during the other 90% of time you’re not camping. I think RTT’s became a status symbol / a way to signal “look at me I’m outdoorsy”
That’s what I do in my 4Runner. I use a kayak rack and Thule storage container on the top. I also have a back rack or an extra storage container that I can throw on the hitch if needed. Biggest benefit is that I can turn the heat or AC on when I’m sleeping in the 4Runner cab and I don’t need to tear down the tent if I wanna explore around in my 4runner
Not saying it’s makes it completely worth it, but your comparison saying that they do make fast-to-set-up ground tents isn’t quite fair, because-from what I understand-those don’t have all of the nicer, heavier features that a rooftop tent has built in.
@@andrillaf Fair point. I think he was simply saying that speed of setup as a feature isn't unique. Rooftop tents are wildly overpriced, but they do bank on "we are both fast AND luxurious" as a selling point, which is true enough. They are just monumentally overpriced and overweight for the benefit they provides.
My wife and I spent five months in the Aussie outback 30 years ago and chose to do it with a rooftop tent, mainly for two reasons: 1) getting off the ground away from insects, snakes and crocs, 2) getting better ventilation - our tent had sides that rolled down to become fly screens. Even with the sides halfway down - on one or more sides - we still had privacy seen from the ground. These are very specific requirements for that environment, but it worked beautifully. It is also much quicker to set up and pack down, and the latter can be important in an emergency, as when we were once caught out by a forest fire.
Great idea for crocs if they are near places you go, I would imagine. Be very careful of snakes under your car though. I knew a geologist who died many years ago in the Snowy Mountains once from a bite. You would think being near a road that help and antivenin would not have been far away his death may be considered a freak accident (there were people all around, quickly applied compression bandage, as a geologist he knew all about snakes as did the people he was with etc) but snakes being under things and biting people standing next to them is not unusual at all. People forget that snakes spend plenty of time hiding, not just sunning themselves (especially when it is too hot for them to do that for long). Having said that, I have stretcher tent that I will use for a single night camping next to my car which I really like but I kind of peer under it while protecting my face whenever I get out of it... I love the speed and comfort of the thing too much because I get a great night sleep (but I don't trust it if a lot of rain is predicted -- those stupid things often have a design flaw that inevitably leads to pooling water on the top).
1. Speed and Ease of setup/tear down 2. Mattress, sheets, blankets, pillows can remain in the tent when collapsed on most models, meaning less to pack and unpack 3. Because it's mounted on the vehicle, it doesn't take up space inside the car I think they are ideal for people who are traveling long distances and want to be able to drive, then go right to sleep without the setup/teardown or need to reserve a true camp site. They aren't ideal for people going on true camping trips, but better for those going on hunting, fishing, road tripping, or overlanding excursions who need a quick and easy place to spend the night. I think they are overrated for most people but fill an important niche for those who fit this description. That said, for the several thousand dollars most of these setups cost, I'd rather just sleep inside my SUV.
Can't argue with first two points, but regarding no. 3 - if space is important you can gain a lot using roof rack for a fraction of cost. Other drawbacks of roof tents are susceptibility to wind and risen center of mass - it sucks off road, on traverses.
Completely agree with this comment. Im going out dispersed camping at least once a month and having a storage system and roof top tent make things so much easier to get ready for a trip. Easier means I can enjoy the trip that much more because you aren't stressing out about packing. I'll also add that usually we are staying at a different campsite each day so shortening that tear down and setup time again makes things easier. I'd say the major con is the fuel consumption and the weight up high. So offroading with a higher center of gravity makes things a bit harder but IMO its worth the positives the RTT comes with.
@TheRealBigBash cant say ive ever tried one but from what ive seen, it can't be leveled and sits on the ground. It'll get more dirty when trying to pack up since usually you aren't using tarps with swags and they aren't the most spacious. Again, I agree with the first comment and how they fit a need some folks have. Not for everyone. It's the "cool" new thing so people are all wanting to spend on it haha. Fad will die out in 5 years.
I had a bit of buyers regret after picking up this exact RTT, but after spending 10 days car camping and changing sites every day, we found it was a way more comfortable way to camp. Kept us nice and dry, it was very easy to pack up with all the gear left inside, and opened us up to camping in spots where pitching a tent on level ground was not possible. It is far superior to any ground setup when it comes to rain because you're never sitting in soggy grass/mud, and the hard top deflects most of the rain. 2 people sleeping up top, one inside the truck for 10 days in a row and we loved it.
My argument for a RTT. - Got mine used for $1,200 for a 2 week family vacation out west. Ended up using it for 3 years straight - Saved $$ vs getting a room every night in the first week alone. - Quick setup and break down. Much more durable than pop up tent - Doesn't take room in the car. The MATRESS stays in it! - Off the ground was nice in countless ways - BEST OF ALL - We could drive all night and "camp" in a walmart or home depot parking lot in minutes, without looking for a campground. CONS - Lost 3 MPG - Couldn't park in some garages - Can't run to the store quick with the tent up Best road trip accessory we've ever gotten. We still take trad tents locally when camping.
@@Shrouded_reaperunironically an Outback with a mattress is a better off-road vehicle than a lifted pickup with oversized tires 95% of the time. Unless you’re planning on going mudding the Outback wins almost every time.
I had one for a while and sold it. My biggest complaint was once setup my truck was stuck in place unless I packed it all back up. No exploring during the day.
I think most people use them as road trip style. Where you generally only stay in a place a single night. Set up time, space saving, features due to weight not being a problem. Lots of reason people choose rooftop that he's just dismissed, fallen in the it's not for me, therefore its not for anyone. Just did nc500 and was very jealous of everyone with roof top tents even more so with diesel heaters installed. My tents nice, but it's not light or fast to set up. Then having to deal with a wet and large tent in the car everyday.
@@Stonepotwaffles depends what places you stay. If it's a more organised caravan style park yes. But most basic campsites you don't. And certainly not on the trip I just got back from.
He also missed that people will mount them on trailers get a cheap harbor freight trailer and mount that on top and carry kayaks or something else underneath. Almost any vehicle can tow one of those.
I'm a Norwegian and I love my roof top tent. Here this by law is defined as sleeping in the car, and you can do that everywhere you can park a car, even in the middle of the city (that are safe 99% in Norwegian cities). Therefor it is not hit by any camping ban anywhere (sleeping in the car is never camping). But more often you can use a turnout or a rest stop (always safe) and just stop, pop up the tent, and sleep the hours you need, and then just get going. Simple and easy. It is also very hard to find level ground near roads in Norway. So this may be not a great thing for the US, but there exists other countries and many of those this is absolutely a great thing.
RTTs tend to be on a rack or some system that allows air to flow underneath (or do some not?) which I have always assumed would make them much colder than being on the ground? I guess the answer is, as always, better sleeping mats and stacking them if required... but you are kind of working against what you have... do you sleep in that system all year round? In my tent I sometimes use a stretcher for comfort but only in warmer months, if it is snowing outside or that kind of cold I have my mat on the ground
I know one guy who has a MASSIVE truck on oversized wheels, and keeps his rooftop tent on all the time. And it's hard to have a conversation with him were he doesn't find some way to complain about the price of gas.
@@colinjohnston9824 a) but if you drive a Prius or similar, you get twice the gas mileage of a car you owned 20 years ago, so gas actually costs the same. And if you drive a gas guzzling monstrosity, YOU are the reason you have to pay so much for gas. That's before we even discuss the global oil market, how it actually works, and why the US paid so little for gas for so long. And then we can start wondering why the US pumps so much oil, and gets literally the WORST price for it on the global market.... But if you think your gas bill is double even if your car gets twice the mileage.... you probably aren't ready for the complexity of the global oil market system. Stick to the basic math for now and circile back if you every figure out what my first sentence means.
@@colinjohnston9824 Oh, and I think you probably meant 23 or more years ago. By 2003, gas was the most expensive it's EVER been adjusted for inflation. That was the first couple years of the Iraq war. Most of OPEC was going insane trying to rake in as much revenue as possible amid an oil shortage due to the war. But again, do the simple math first, then work on the harder stuff.
@@james.telfer I lived in Europe for 7 years. Gas is about $7 a gallon in most of Europe. Maybe you are confused because they sell it by the liter - which is about 1/4 of a gallon.
I sleep inside my 4runner. Built a platform and drawers, fits a full sized mattress. I'm 6'6'' so I sleep with my head at the tailgate and usually sleep at a diagonal. I have a packasport roof box. I've camped in there about 300 nights in the last 4 years. I'm in the PNW where it rains a lot. sometimes without break. Without a garage to dry out a RTT, I can't imagine the kind of mildew that I'd have to deal with. They seem great for dry climates, with little wind, but not for me. However, I do think they look really cool and I just love tent design, so I keep getting sucked into considering them. But, at the end of the day, I love my set up exactly as it is... Just wish there was a little bit more room. Cheers y'all
Excellent point re: moisture. It's an issue that not many people mention. I can't understate the hassle of needing a 2nd person to help load/unload/store a RTT and that's when weather is good and the tent is dry. Now imagine the need to air out a RTT and you've just doubled your work. The more elaborate the setup, the more work, mpg, and time it's going to cost. RTT is great if you have a dedicated overlanding rig and a garage and you don't have to disassemble for each trip. But for a daily driver, it's not my choice.
Off the ground is the main benefit of a RTT. So I took my RTT and mounted it on a $450 Lowes trailer. Off the ground and I don't have to break camp to go exploring, and no hit to the mpg. Stores in the back corner of the garage. I keep my camp cook box, chairs, water jugs, fire pit, and EZup awning stored on the trailer. Just hookup and go.
Your solution is the ultimate in low profile trailer... much lower profile than even a tear drop. Kind of a modern popup camper, but more basic and at that points a whole lot less expensive.
I'm old guy. I've throwed down on the dirt, mud, running water. Curled up in my old Corolla, just slumped out in the drivers seat of whatever car I'm in. Basically, car camped every way you can. Seems there are pros and cons to the rooftop tent. My impression is the main attraction is just getting the look. I do have an old Tundra with a stand-up high shell. Two cots always ready to go. With a fold down table. We don't use it that much but it's always ready to go and it's better than any tent. The shell knocked a couple MPG off for sure. Probably not worth buying a truck for, but that Tundra was our primary vehicle in the 2000's.
I’ve put a lot thought into this subject. My conclusions are. There is no one best solution. All camping set ups have their pros and cons. Whether it’s price, weight, hassle, safety, fuel efficiency etc.. One person’s gripes are another one’s non issue. That being said, you gotta be going camping every weekend to justify putting a semi permanent tent on your roof.
Even if you are going every weekend, the trade offs of a roof top tent are just NOT worth it. What do you really get out of them? Whatever their benefit is, you could probably find a way to get the same thing out of a traditional tent for a fraction of the cost and weight. This video is a perfect outline why they don’t make sense for basically 99-100% of use cases. The trade offs are just not worth it.
@@King_Cole In my experience using both my rooftop tent and traditional tent, I find I use the rooftop tent 65% of the time in developed campgrounds, and most the time on BLM or FS properties. It has even allowed me to camp in dispursed places where there was no suitable ground for a traditional tent, but I could use rocks to level out the car. I tend to roadtrip which means I move campsites most days, and having the quick setup and breakdown is a huge advantage to me. It also provides some comforts that require more setup time to gain in a traditional setup. Most trips, I still throw my traditional tent in the car in case there is some place I want to camp that my car can't go. I don't use the RTT every time, and I am aware it is a luxury item, but it is one less thing I need to worry about when I decide to go for a quick overnight escape from the city or a 2 week roadtrip through multiple states.
True. I think the "problem" might be that most people use it when they don't really need to. The height advantage against animals is basically nonexistent, they definitely can climb on top of a vehicle, unless you mount it on a van or some other big vehicle, but then you could just camp inside it instead. It's main advantage over evey other camping system is quick set up on any terrain, relatively comfortable and low drag/weight compared with trailers or campers. So it's perfect for just resting in long travels. Find a place, spend the night, pack up and keep going. For spending more than a day in a single place, tents if you want something affordable and/or lightweight, pop up campers if you want to carry more stuff or plan to stay longer and you can't afford a solid camper, and a solid camper as the best shelter (it's literally a small house on wheels), but it's big and heavy so the main drawback is money (for the camper, a big towing vehicle, gas, and a big garage).
I pull a modified motorcycle trailer behind a prius. My gazelle t4 is carried on top of the trailer and is extremely easy set up. I still get 48mpg and have my vehicle for exploring. If I was to use my 4x4 I couldn't afford to do the 30,000 miles a year of tent camping that I do. If I'm in a place where I can't set up even a 2p tent I bring along I can sleep in the back if the car, and my dog sleeps on the drivers seat. I've done this many many times at truck stops from North Carolina to Idaho. Works for me.
I think the main point is that there are no significant features that make it stand out from the alternatives but it costs 3-4 times the price of even high end alternatives. At that price point you really should be expecting to see some clear advantages. You could buy a cargo trailer, attach a plywood board and set up a regular tent on it and you would get all the benefits, at a fraction of the cost and skip the worst of the downsides.
i always liked RTTs but because i had no money i just threw a mattress in my Stationwagen and even tho de E46 is not a big stationwagon i had a enough space for a week and could sleep comfortable and if i needed more space i could just use a roofbox. and if i ever buy a new car then with a parking heater or how ever it is called because then the coldest nights can still be kinda cozy and warm
Hi Steven, We use an RTT frequently, as in Germany, it is the only way to legally spend a night outdoors. You are not allowed to wild-camp, even not to bivouac in most states, outside of official camping sites, that is. RTTs are in the grey zone, so overnight stays are not illegal. My better half prefers them to a tent, so ours is in frequent use. It extends our outdoor portfolio, saves a lot of accommodation costs, but everyone as they please.
except, even though you can't wild camp in Germany, homeless people can sleep on the side of the road in town wherever they want and the Saxon police won't stop it because "that's not illegal" 🙄 I kid you not.
I see them as a great option for people wanting to go deep country camping along a 4x4 only vehicle trek. Or beach camping where you can’t get an RV to very easily. Being up high would also help prevent beach sand from getting into the rooftop tent
I spent 30 dollars to turn my truck bed into an awesome tent. Better than any rooftop tent. PVC pipe, good quality tarp, some plastic clamps, and a big roll of bug netting. Our air pads are a perfect fit too
Purchased a RTT back in 2007. The company out of bend Oregon was running a veterans day special free shipping. The model was huge 72" wide and the usually 84" or 88" when folded out. Us it had a zip on room with a bucket floor. Large entry doors and large vertical windows on each side. Plus a giant D shaped zip panel to allow access into a vehicle if it had a sliding side door. Living in florida people had never seen such a tent. It drew crowds at every camp ground. Plus with the zip room, van gutted of seats & tent we could accommodate if needed easily four adults and four children. Several times we had to move from a camp site to another due to only having 1 day of rental in-between site being reserved. In many cases we're only had to pull up the ground stakes on the zip room push in into van and drive to next site...tent would remain unfolded. The down side was the weather fly was not sealed for torrential rain. After one florida storm the zip room had 18" of water! our private wading pool. The design of this larger tent with no frame support underneath the roof over the covered entrance allowed this area of the roof to sag & pool water during a prolonged heavy rain, which then seeped thru fly and tent roof allowing water to collect in the bucket floor of the zip room. We coated the fly with white elastomeric paint which made it water proof but the sagging continued when a prolonged rain occurred. We spent a good 12 hours trapped in the tent on several camp outs in florida. Our solution was a few pieces of PVC assembled into a T used as a support from inside which created a high spot on the roof of covered entrance/zip room keeping the large area from pooling water during a heavy prolonged rain. As for potty time we had a small camp potty for females & a gallon jug for males to use no need leaving the tent at night. We rigged a small fan in tent to provide air exchange. Other than having to climb the ladder & Hoist oneself up into tent it was a wonderful camping experience. Panoramic views that no other camper had unless they were sleeping on top of an R.V. eventually a bum knee on the wife became to risky for her to climb down the ladder. Going up wasn't much an issue. So we haven't used our tent in 10-15 years. I doubt we could give it away. It's in perfect shape...people today especially in the east just don't tent camp much...its R.V. with A/C or motels.😢😢
LMAO which is 90% of people who have these and have probably used it less than 5 times total. You’ve really got to do some crazy mental gymnastics to justify one of these. There are MUCH better traditional options WITHOUT the trade offs of a roof top tent.
@@King_Cole yep that's me but i've done 10-12 nights this season. ~80lbs and 3-4" thick, 1k and is rated to last 10 years with maintenance (which i admit isn't without free time at beginning and end of season) definitely costs more but really not bad over time (like what, $20 a night? lmao and i haven't even mentioned how much ive saved from hotel costs) if you have upgradeitis and only do it for the looks, then yeah that's on you
Most of those rigs also have traction mats, pick, shovel, axe and a high-lift jack that the owner doesn't know how to use. And it has never been driven off pavement.
@@lawrencelin272 I feel like you need to rewatch this video. Like what are you getting out of a roof top tent that you can't get from a traditional one? A traditional tent is honestly better in a lot of aspects too; Weight, convince, cost, etc.. everything he mentioned in the vid. Like, I get some of the appeal but if you look deeper and compare the two, the traditional tent wins hands down.
@@King_Cole nope i dont, i've tried all types of camping even as survival ops with half tents trust me i tried to resist rtt and gave myself billion reasons not to, but you can't beat the convenience and efficiency I started with a heavy ass hardshell and it was miserable driving with it, going with a slim light one was a game changer for me and given the option i wont go back to lumpy damp ground it's not for everyone and it might not be for you but doesnt mean you should gatekeep
I think it's different for everyone. I used a Gazelle T3 for a while and loved it. I decided to purchase a RTT early this spring. I typically camp by myself. It works great for me. I never stay in one spot for more than 1 night. I can keep my sleeping bag, 2 pillows, and a banket in the tent while its shut. Oddly enough my mpg actually went up by .5 miles.
@XJapanGonnaGiveItToYa-cd4xj You mist the point. It's the roof load limit, not the roof racks. Also, you increase intrinsic instability of the vehicle.
There is an obsession with putting these tents on small cars such as Suzuki Jimnys, which have a roof load limit of just 66lb. Many people don't understand the consequences of overloading their vehicles.
I do both - I love sleeping on the ground in a $100 tent. It's simple, easy and nostalgic. I also have a dialed rig for more extreme winter use or times when i'm on the road for jobs multiple days/dispersed camping. I think the RTT is a nice tool in a quiver but for most people - the cost will outweigh the benefit.
I have Gazelle tent and later bought Gazelle screen room. I have over 80 nights in tent. Set up is about 5 minutes. It pops open. Sturdy, does great even during Sierra storms. Screen room easily fits over picnic table. Necessary when besieged by mosquitoes or yellow jackets. In a pinch could work as a tent. Just a great, easy and reliable set-up for quick or long trip. Not affiliated w company--but wanted offer quick set up alternative to rooftop.
I love my hardshell RTT. Bedding is always inside and ready to go. 1 min set up, 5 min breakdown. Views, breeze and 360 windows make it awesome on warm nights or for stargazing. Never leaks in rain and a pee bottle means no ladder at night.
Rain is the big one for me. I have no place to dry a rooftop tent without either removing it or putting the vehicle out of commission while letting it dry.
@Penny-mk7fv With the hard shell ones open the tent up on the roof, find a strait road and blow dry it. Works a treat. Most of them are designed for high wind speed so you should be fine. Mileage will vary from tent to tent.
@@dereinzigwahreRichi I feel like this depends on you, your vehicle, and your tent. On my truck, despite being a fairly strong individual, there's no way in hell I can take mine on or off alone. My tent weighs about 180lbs and is 7ft up. But if you had something like one of the Inspired Overland tents at 80lbs, and didn't mount it so high, it would be pretty simple to take it on and off.
My Alu-Cab 3R stays on all the time. As it is of a clamshell design, I can open it up in virtually any space my 4Runner fits. Opening and closing it is really quick. I have dried it out while shopping, eating lunch, at trailheads, etc. Ones that fold out can't do this in only one parking space.
Thanks for this video. I have had no clue about the appeal of rooftop tents. Now I understand what they are and why people use them. But as a small woman who travels solo, I couldn't maneuver this thing even if I wanted to. One more thing--when I'm car camping, I actually *like* setting up my tent and putting my stuff in it. While that may be a chore for others who have small children, etc., it's something I enjoy.
I had one for a few years, most expensive mistake I’ve ever made. You nailed most the points, the up high is nice for a view but animals aren’t a worry in the uk and bathroom breaks at night are a pain, also having to change position of the car is a pain having to put it up and down. I lost 10mpg on fuel with mine. The other big issue in the uk is with it being high up you can’t get shelter from the wind which is 90% of the days. When people ask me the only real pro’s I had were not having to find flat ground or rocks and it’s comfier. I can see why people buy them though, a very cool looking bit of kit and the idea is great, looks great in social media life. Personal got rid of mine and just summit camp on the top of the mountains now 👍🏻
smittybilt overlander $900 will never look back. ive used this to travel from cali to north carolina. I have a regular tent in the rig too but 9/10 times i using the roof tent. up in 2 mins and packed in 5. its about versatility and getting back on the road fast. The time saved knowing i can just park and set up in the dark vs finding a flat smooth surface for the regular tent is a game changer. RTT isnt for everyone but its perfect for me.
My rooftop cost $700, takes 5 minutes to set up with the annex. I put it on my trailer so I can still drive around when it's set up. Its perfect for road trips. Its not about being up high, its fast set up and take down
I store some of my equipment on my roof rack and inside, and sleep on the mattress inside my rig, 4runner. If I feel more adventurous, I just put the mattress single adult on my roof rack and a single tent. It takes me 10 minutes to do so. I put my tent together on the ground, then just lift it up when set up and done. Tent poles hold my tent very well, no issues when lifting it off the ground.
Truck with a canopy. We built a plywood platform over the wheel wells and we have a queen-sized bed in the back and there's tons of storage under the sleeping platform. Still have a tent JIC. Similar pros and cons of a rooftop tent, but the truck canopy is much more useful when not being used camping. Back when we bought the canopy it was only $1000. And you don't need a ladder to get in and out--that's the biggest con for me. ER is probably far away if I miss the bottom step in the middle of the night when I have to get up to pee and end up breaking something.
I put the $800 roof top tent on my Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. I still get about 36/42MPG for hwy/city driving and the crossover can go most places a other RTT users would go.
I camp with a lot of people with rooftop tents they are literally 10 times more expensive than my gazelle t4 and army cot. People say they don't want to sleep on the ground well guess what cots in a tent you can stand in goes up faster and easier and is way cheaper than a rooftop tent that you have to either leave on your vehicle or take off in store. All kinds of people are selling they're used ones for two $3,000 My cot cost me a hundred bucks and my tent cost me $250 and it's way more comfortable and it's faster and easier to set up and easier to pack in and I don't have 300 lb of dead weight on the roof of my vehicle when I'm off-roading
I have to admit that even if an RTT cost the same as a normal tent I would still take the normal tent, for the reasons you mention -- the types of tents I choose are actually less effort than an RTT (I always have to go to the toilet during the night while camping, so the trips up and down the ladder would seriously outweigh the effort of lifting a tent out of the car and hitting a few pegs in with a rock). I've seen people go through the hell of closing an RTT that won't close too, and the owners getting anxious about how they'll be able to leave the campsite! I like your last point too. So many people don't realise that their extremely capable vehicle is actually much less capable when loaded up, and I'm assuming within acceptable limits, they are more likely to tip with weight on the roof, the extra height hits more branches, the extra weight makes them more likely to get bogged (but if that is all part of the fun then ok, load away), and that it is still worth cutting down on the nonsense in order to have a better time. I'm not even saying that as an off-roader, I much prefer carrying things on my back so I am biased towards being minimalist even when camping next to my car (I'm not saying I use exactly the same gear, I don't necessarily want to wear out my lightest and most expensive tent and other things too quickly), but people do seem to struggle making informed decisions where the marketing can sometimes be absolutely relentless.
yeah, good RTTs are more like 100 lbs and $1500 ..you're a cheapskate, just admit it. Cheapskates like you always feel the need to justify why they're cheapskates. So you like a 25 dollar cot and some people like to be up off the ground in a roof tent for $2000. You must be Roman Catholic.
I have a GoFastCamper and while it's hilariously expensive for what it does, it does address a lot of the complaints you faced, albeit for a pickup truck instead of a 4runner. I tested my gas mileage before and after, and the difference was very negligible since i already had a roof rack with a wind guide on the front. There's a passthrough between the sleeping area & the truck bed, so I don't have a ladder. Setup and takedown take about 60 seconds combined since I'm by myself and I pack fairly light. Everyone in the comments seems to be extremely opinionated as to what's good and bad, this is the setup I have and I love it. I've camped and backpacked with many kinds of gear and they all have their merits.
The weight is NOT a non-factor for rooftop tents. Most roof racks are only rated for a few hundred pounds (usually around 200lbs). You have to be very careful you don't exceed that or you could damage your vehicle. Not to mention the extra damage if you get in a crash from an improperly secured one, and your insurance is likely to use that as an argument against paying out the policy (especially if the tent is over the weight rating...). Explore Southwest did basically this exact same video a few years ago, I recommend checking that one out too.
1: everything you need stays in the vehicle so you never need to climb the ladder unless you want to go to bed. (when you set the tent up you throw in a few items you might need for the night but nothing more) 2: the setup comparison is flawed since its not just the setup time of the tent, its also the setup time of the entire bed, then the setup time can start to make a big difference 3: usually you can park wherever on a campsite (guess its a freedom inhibiting thingy thats unique to the 'free' country of the USA?) so if you travel by car anyways, a rooftop tent can save space if you have a small lot. yes theyre super expensive and yes theyre not made for families and yes it turns your vehicle in an unmovable chunk of metal (with hopefully some amenities) ty for the video!
We have had a RTT for 6 years. We either backpack, or take the RTT. Ours sets up in 2 minutes and all our bedding is inside. When camping in rainy areas, on a road trip, with kids, there’s no beating having camp completely set by one person in a couple minutes while my wife gets the kids ready to climb up in and stay dry. Winter camping, warm and dry. Fast, dry and less room inside the car is taken. It’s a win for some situations.
I sleep a lot better being way up off the ground in my Roofnest, both for the comfort it offers as well as the safety factors. And I love how quickly it sets up and takes down...and it hasn't affected in the least my mileage in my V-6 Toyota 4Runner.
They are brilliant as long as: - It's a hard shell - you have a fast pitch day shelter to 'claim' the camp site and provide day time shelter - don't treat it like a normal tent: don't store anything in it, it's just your bedding and that stays in it when you close it. Think of the RTT as just a sleeping pod. - most camping areas are flat enough to be able to level the car just by parking strategically, don't expect to park where you want then try and level it but the best way is to have a car that can self-level with air suspension (most older full size Land Rovers with an Easy Lift/X-Lifter) - They're at their best when you have the windows open but bug mesh closed. No condensation, lovely views, and no-one peering in at you! - Don't overthink the mpg. Leave it on all year and camp more! More roof tent workflow discussion on my channel if you don't mind me mentioning it here!
Good content, Thanks! I've tent camped for entirely too many years and continue to occasionally. Thought about a roof top tent, but just couldn't get behind the fact that I had to take everything down and pack up to go anywhere. Then you are always open to someone taking your spot and having to find something else when you return. Really sucks when it's later in the dark and I'm tired.... Ended up with a small teardrop camper last year and really love it. It's really nice to be able to stay inside when crappy and get some work done if I have to. I can keep most everything I need in the teardrop and park it in the garage to be ready to take off the next time I'm ready. Still tent camp if I feel like it, but not nearly as much. Seems I only use the tent now when I want to bikepack for a few days. Good stuff, thanks again!
I can sort of understand the appeal of that style of camping. You do not have to worry about finding a spot (though you do need to find a spot to park your vehicle that is kind of level), you are raised up from the animal life (though a bear will have no problems reaching you), and that is really about it. Down sides are it is heavy, decreases fuel mileage (weight and wind resistance in particular), they can be a pain in the rear to set up on the taller vehicles, you have to climb a ladder over and over again, they are limited in size, and they are very expensive some of them.
I'm in Borneo, they keep away crocodiles and snakes, scorpions, venomous centipedes and such, but also stray dogs, which my wife gets terrified of at times. Also, if you've ever seen a stray dog pee on your tent, as I have, you'll love a roofie!
I'll say this. The rooftop tent on my gladiator has been life changing. Not only does it make trips cheaper and easier but we are staying more secluded. We stayed at big bend ranch with no one else for miles. And padre island seashore the same.
We bought a rooftop tent because we are paddlers and the trail heads to the lakes never had places for tents, so we always left home on Saturday morning. That always put us on the water late, then we had to drive out once we were back to the truck, usually 4 or 5 days later. This way we can leave late Friday, the roof top tent is easy to set up in the dark and we can get off the water late not having to worry about having to drive home or get to a hotel or campground. We do sleep way better in the roof top tent than we ever did in a tent. Just so you don't get it twisted we are avid campers and have spent weeks in tents over our 20+ years of backcountry camping. We don't overland so we can not speak to that and we don't have children so I imagine that makes things easier. thanks for the video !
Likewise, I race MTB, and the start of these events does not have camping, and the car is full of MTB bikes and equipment. I think these come in their own when you are not there to camp but do something else. You are off the ground which means you are not taking up space when a couple hundred racers are looking at setting up their race pits. In the right circumstances, they do make sense. Also I sleep better..
This only makes sense if the kayaks are on a trailer or something... I guess a similar alternative could be a camper trailer with the kayaks on the roof of the car but perhaps your method allows more storage in the trailer?
It all depends on your use case. For me, I got a used one at a great price. I do a lot of camping and ATV riding from a staged camp spot. So once I set it up, it’s up for 3-5 days. I have an Annex and a camp toilet set up so it’s a very comfortable setup. I haven’t run into many issues leveling the vehicle and it’s really nice having a mattress off the ground but still feeling like you’re camping outdoors. The setup and cleanup is faster than everyone else I travel with who use campers, enclosed trailers and tents. In my opinion- short of the cost. There are only two real drawbacks. It will effect your gas mileage. I lose 2mpg in a 1500 pickup. And if you have to take it down in the rain, you’ll have to set it back up when you get home and it can take awhile to dry out.
I hired a Jimny with a roof tent to go around Iceland with my wife. We absolutely loved it, so got one for my Hilux here in Borneo. Unlike the Jimny's ultra-quick pop-up hard-shell design, I got a larger, more complicated flip-over thing - which I came to hate! Too much hassle, especially when alone, as it really needed 2 people to put it away. I bit the bullet and bought a hard-shell pop-up type, and we love it like the Jimny again. Never going back to normal tents. For hiking I use a hammock.
As someone who owns a Smittybilt XL Gen 1 (king mattress) with annex, I will say that it is all about CONTEXT. If you camp somewhere where your vehicle will be stationary for 2 or 3 nights, then they give you MUCH more comfort than a ground tent. If you want to move your vehicle more often than that, or leave your campsite at any point, then do a traditional tent. Heck, you could do a LARGE, high end wall tent for the price of a rooftop and maintain your mobility at the cost of a little setup/tear down time.
A cot tent like a camp-rite is a great alternative to both a tent and a roof top tent. Off the ground, stays there during day trips and super light and fast set up.
I laugh at all the tough guys with a roof top tent that are afraid of bugs and spiders. If you’re on a safari in Africa, and there’s hyenas, that may chew leg off then yeah they might make some sense. But in North America, it’s just a flex. Right up there with having a snorkel on your truck.
The camp-rite looks like marginally more effort to setup than my stretcher tent but looks like a better design than mine... mine has a flat sloping top that allows water pool in the lower part (towards my feet) which would run off if the fly could be make taut enough but any sort of pool will overcome the hydrostatic head and come though... I'm making a note now to look more closely a that camp-rite one which seems to have a better roof design. The stretcher is so comfortable, except when conditions are really cold, then free airflow sucking heat away underneath needs to be compensated for somehow
I have been offroad camping since 1988 and always used a ground tent. The last 3 years or so I got fed up with finding a great place to camp but nowhere suitable to pitch a tent. Last summer I finally bought a rooftop tent I wish I had done it years. I can now rock up to any nice spot and camp there. On rocks, on a slope, its all eas. I take a small spirit level and adjust tyre pressures to level my vehicle. Never had more comfortable and convenient camping in my life. I camp out in the bush, not at campsites so it's hard to find smooth, level ground. I have a Darche 1400 wide tent which id comfortable for our family of 3. They have wider versions which sleep more people. I have a storage box fitted behind it for all our chairs and ground mats with a solar panel on top. It actually leaves me more space inside the vehicle.
We have a truck bed tent, which is kind of a happy medium. Inexpensive. Sets up in about 5 minutes. Gets us off the ground. With a homemade platform in the truck bed, we’re able to use a memory foam mattress and still have storage for gear. No change in gas mileage from normal truck use. The hard part is that for campgrounds we never can get a consistent answer as to whether or not it can be considered OK for the sites without power or water (aka rustic), since we don’t need the power or water but some places don’t like vehicles in their rustic locations and they don’t seem to like camping in their parking locations…so we sometimes end up having to pay the higher rate for power/water sites. For boon-docking, though, it’s hard to beat.
This discussion could be applied to any consumer good. If you buy something because you see someone else with it and you don't have a use case for it its a waste. Our current use case was a truck that could tow 2 mustangs to shows and also go offroad, that's a pretty large RTT, and where we go we usually have just barely enough space for the truck, so being above our footprint opens more cool over night spots. If we did more flat wide open spots, traditional tent all day.
I installed a RTT on top of an expedition trailer I built. It’s perfect. All the convenience of a travel trailer only it can be pulled by a car. With it behind my Subaru I still average 22 mpg…4mpg better than a 4-runner. Memory foam mattress, not blow up mattress, sets up in
Just got a RTT this summer and we LOVE it. Used it for a long road trip; setup/takedown was quick. Spouse also used it to attend horse shows with daughter, super easy and cheap to attend. Honestly, mileage hardly changes (because we don’t drive very fast where we live). Height is a non issue. Our RTT includes a winter layer making it very warm. Seems like OP just doesn’t like RTT and that’s ok. Not every solution works for everyone.
We have a hub tent, we have a Northface 6p ground tent, a wagon top 8p & a goFSR king size RTT that is on the bed of our ram 2500. Lots of situations where one tent just isn’t the best …. That said we use the RTT the most. Drive somewhere, pop it up & sleep. & our tent is below the roofline so we don’t have any issues with gas mileage
We have (for us) the best solution which is an off-road trailer with the RTT on top of it. We can quickly disconnect the trailer to do exploring or run trails and camp is still setup. Being able to setup and tear down super fast is a major convenience (especially in less than ideal conditions). We certainly prefer to be off the ground to help avoid animals, creep crawler insects, potential flooding in the rain, and not needing to deal with cots or air mattresses. All that said, we still own ground tent equipment for those times when we want to go somewhere that the trailer isn't capable of going.
You cant beat a good off road trailer works well for me on longer trips takes about 10 minutes to set up and a swag for shorter trips. I've been using a cavalier off road camp trailer for years Aussie made queen sized mattress, kitchen, water tanks, Quality canvas, lots of storage, boat rack and it uses the same fuel towing it as a rooftop tent does. Camp is always setup and takes under a minute to hook it up and every thing is ready to go for camp trips.
I agree with so many points you have. heres my take, I had a RTT, sold it for a ground tent from FSR(hub V2) and I absolutely hated it. sold it after 6 months and bought another RTT. I too have a wife and kid, so I had to go with a folding tent that's bed imprint is larger then a king bed, so we are all comfortable. a draw back is definitely the space with having any roof storage now. we have had to reorganize and prioritize our trunk to make everything fit perfectly. We also own a Landrover so its auto leveling air suspension makes parking for the night easy.
I tried ground tent and switched to RTT. After having a thunderstorm come thru in my ground tent, it was an utter mess inside and out. Had to pack it away filthy dirty, go home and set it up and then wash inside and out. Not so with the RTT. Also it depends on where you plan on camping. On a trip to CO and UT we were dispersed camping. Many times the ground was bare rock. Not comfy for ground tent, can't put stakes in the ground and although you can use rocks in their place, what if you can't find enough or any at all. Never had any issues leveling the truck. Just carry 3-4 short pieces of 2x6 and place/stack as needed. If I get to camp in the dark and just want to get to bed ASAP, it'll be much easier/faster in the RTT. Not saying anyone is dumb for using a ground tent at all. Everyone has a different use case and circumstances. It's nice to have options. Use what works for you.
With a $3000 price tag, I thing I would put a plywood base on the trailer, and just set up a regular tent. The trailer could still act as home base, but you would be $2000 richer.
I bought my RTT because my camping typically consists of 1-2 nighters that are done with 0 planning. I keep it on my truck at all times, on top of my camper shell. I can be on the road at ajy point within 15 minutes, typically we're beach camping and show up after dark so being able to just pop it up for the kids in a couple minutes is worth the money. Ill sleep in a mattess in my camper shell which even just setting up my mattress and sleeping bag takes as much time as setting up the RTT.
In Australia these are used quite often as we do a lot of touring across our country and especially for the people that don't necessarily expect to stay in one spot for more than a night while traveling huge distances or tow a caravan, these are absolutely perfect. Another thing that would be perfect for a review is the swag, especially as its kinda the poor mans roof top tent over here as you can just roll out and you're good to go
I'm an Aussie too. I drive hundreds of miles to go camping in WA. If you really believe that a RTT is ideal for our giant country, i sure hope you have deep pockets and a 200 litre fuel tank. Did you actually notice his fuel consumption comparison? ⛽😋😊
@@Hillbilly973 Considering all the giant caravans being towed around Australia, a RTT is a non-issue. Half the vehicles have giant muddies on them, as well. I barely notice a fuel difference on mine. Just get a slimline one with a defuser, not a giant box like the cheap ones are made.
Off road camp trailer is the way to go nothing to flash mine uses the same fuel as a roof top tent and I don't have to drive around with it on my roof every day like a wanker. I don't have to worry about weight on the roof when 4wding.
I have a 4 person Overland extended and have it mounted on a rack on a small enclosed cargo trailer...... its sweet for hunting basecamps...... weekend camps and the enclosed trailer gives me an added set of bunks and all the equipment storage.....we have the add a room/annex on the ladder side and a small awning on the other side.......... I have used it in the dead of winter in new england in frigid weather for winter hunts and ice fishing alot...... guess its a preference of adventure , I ve had campers , tents and motorhomes even toughed it out in bed rolls, each has given me lessons and great backwoods experiences...
My partner is not into tent camping so the RTT is a compromise that works for the both of us. We just have a 2nd hand one that we paid $300 Australian dollars for....so less than that in US$. The bedding is ready to go, we can use camp-sites not suitable for tents and he has a pulley system set up on our carport to take the tent off and store it when not in use quite easily. Works for us. If at a spot for a few night's we set up a gazebo as a living space. Means no clearing a tent floor.
I’ve had my rooftop tent since May 2023, and I absolutely love it! Don’t have to worry about carrying a tent around or worrying about having to find a spot to pitch it either. Also, on nice days I like to find a scenic spot and pop my RTT up and just relax for a bit or even nap. That’s one thing I never did with a regular tent. I definitely get why they’re not for everyone, but I found a crazy deal on mine and haven’t regretted buying it since.
@@John-d7p A few outings and all new? Brother… I’ve had it a year and a half almost, taken it on multiple big road trips, to 10 national parks, along with camping in it probably another 20ish times in the state I live in. I also pop it up just to relax on a weekly basis. Yeahhh, I don’t know that I’m getting tired of this one anytime soon. I love it even more than when I got it. I will add too, mine’s a bit easier to set up and break down than even the one in this video.
In Australia, camp sites are littered with them...tents seem too hard for most mum and dad campers so we see more $100k caravans and $3k rooftop tents.
All valid points. My knees were the deciding factor in getting my RTT. I have a very hard time getting up of the ground anymore and it's painful. I factored in needing to start camping on a cot which adds weight and gear to my Bronco. I do carry a two man tent as a backup in case I can't level my Bronco or i need it for any other reason. I do love my BDV DUO with the 6 inch air mattress though
As a roof top tent owner for over 7 years, what I can say about them is they have a specific purpose. Many people who have them, don't use them for the specific purpose they're built for and would likely be fine in a ground tent or hammock, but they want to look cool. The specific purpose is speed, space and reliability when being remote for several days. On trips like that, you are setting up and tearing down camp every morning and night, so being able to save time means you don't need as much prep time to setup or get going, which can be really beneficial when you arrive late to camp and need to sleep. Space is also a big one, for many we carry fridges and food and chairs and supplies for several days away from civilization, so by getting our tent out of the vehicle, we free up space. And if the tent can use cross bars, we gain back space again. Sure, we lose MPG, but that was already a losing game for us because of bigger tires, lifts and payloads, so in the grand scheme, the rooftop tent doesn't matter much. And finally, reliability. We are often in hard weather conditions, bad rain, snow, wind, and we don’t necessarily have a choice to pack up and go home sometimes, so we have to tough it out, and especially these hard shells like the one you tested (and I’ve owned for 3 years) hold up to the worst of the weather you can throw at it while keeping you warm and dry. And they can take a beating from branches and trees on the trail. (obviously hike in campers have to deal with this too, but from the same perspective, the ones who spend big are the ones who want something that can weather the elements better than the others.) The honest truth is that if you aren’t using your setup for point to point travel like this more than 50% of the time you use it, yeah, you could definitely save a bunch of money and use a ground or hammock tent. But if this is what you do, the comfort, speed, and reliability gained is unparalleled. BTW, this is not just to justify my purchase, I totally want to get a nice light ground tent soon to start doing some hike in camping too, and a rooftop tent can’t get that job done at all.
These are some good points and I appreciate you sharing this perspective. As I read through your comment I couldn’t help but think about backpacking and how we often encounter the same situations. We are moving everyday, experiencing extreme weather often in very high elevations, and we can’t pack up and go home if things turn south. Yet we use very lightweight ground tents and trust our safety to them. Maybe it’s this perspective that makes me biased against RTT. Thanks for commenting and watching
I agree and I have a similar experience with my own roof top tent that I use on long trips. One of the additionnal benefit I see to it is the choice of locations where you can sleep at. We are often near nature reserves or national parks where pitching a tent would be illegal whereas the rooftop tent is legally grey, especially if it stays fully over the car like on compact models. It also makes camping near big cities possible, albeit not too comfortable depending on the spots you find. I bought my roof top tent more as a cheap alternative to renting a van than as an alternative to a cosy tent, it's not really the same use.
Good points, but it all comes down to what your camping preferences are. I typically just put an air mattress in the back of my SUV, which is quick and easy. Caveat to that is having to unpack the entire back, fold the seats down, air up the mattress, roll out the sleeping bag or blankets, etc. If you have a RTT and a galley setup in the back of the vehicle, it only takes 5 minutes to set up camp. No worries about weather, level camp spot, debris, and no need to unpack the entire car to do it.
I got one for a recent road trip for a few reasons. First, I'd be driving about 7 hours on avg a day for 12 days, so the setup/packup time was huge. Second, Yellowstone was my goal and with grizzly bears in the area, a RTT over my ground tent was for extra safety. Lastly, I'm a little too tall to sleep in the back of my Bronco which was my first idea for the trip. For the trip it worked very well aside from a couple of nights of heavy condensation inside. Getting up and down after getting settled in was a little annoying, but I really liked it overall. I've been considering doing a lot more shorter weekend trips, I feel like it's given a lot more flexibility for adventure. I'm not getting rid of my ground tent anytime soon either.
I spent $6,000 on a fiberglass snugtop. It has carpet, double thick roof, hinged side and front windows, paint color matched, usb ports, lighting, roof rack. Always ready for sleeping. no set up or breakdown needed. 400 pounds.
@@oni-one574 It serves as a lockable space for my tools while i work, or shopping. it still allows regular usage as a truck. whereas a tent topper does not.
The ultimate is towing a trailer with a RTT on it, which I do. I use one after 25yrs of camping because it sets up & packs up fast. The bedding is already setup in mine, so no need to carry a blowup mattress, blankets and pillows which is a huge plus. RTT’s are very well insulated and keep you warmer in cold weather camping. When it’s a hot night, and you open the RTT windows it’s cooler & you capture a breeze that might not exist at ground level because they’re higher up. Can be setup on ground unsuitable for a ground tent. Generally speaking, safer from things that are on ground level such a wild pigs or a wild bull that might be roaming an area where you’re camping. Setting up pole tents tents is a PITA.
I live near the beach, so they're really great to take to the beach.. even in a crowded parking lot, being up high you get a great view and nice breeze, easy break from the sun, all without actually "setting up camp". Also a nice break from the sun, or for those of us with kids, a great place for kids to nap. I have normal tents as well, truly love RTTs though.. going up and down ladder is main down side, but really not all that bad.
Another "con" that you didn't cover: Assuming that you had to leave the campsite for an emergency (for example, a medical emergency, a flood, etc), you can't drive the vehicle without taking the tent down, and those minutes could mean life or death. Great insight -- thanks for posting!
As long as there are no low trees you CAN drive away. Maybe get rid of the ladder, but in an emergency even that wouldn't be a problem. At least driving for some miles to a safer place.
For yrs,I have set up my 2 person tent in the back of my open bed pickup truck. For yrs ,I had a truck with an 8' bed. Could shut tailgate. Now, I have a truck with a 6' bed .Still works, but have to leave tail gate down [no big deal].
That's a great way of summarizing the video and the comments. Everybody is so opinionated. What works for me works for me. I don't need to justify it to anybody else unless you are helping me pay for it, which nobody is, so why do they care?
Exactly for the reasons you list, I end up using the extra budget to buy a really fancy bell tent that cost 1000$ and a roof top box, with everything still much cheaper than the rtt and much better camping experience, happy about it
I got a good deal on a RTT in 2022 and I have loved it. I’m in the military and I was PCSing (changing duty station) across the country from Florida to Washington State and I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on hotels on the drive so I figured I could use the money I would’ve spent on hotels and actually see the country. This allowed me to do some crazy off road trails in Colorado and spend the night in places I would probably never get to again. One thing that I believe was left out of the video is the comfort of an RTT, not necessarily the size but the bedding. It is way more comfortable than most blow up air sleeping pads. While in Washington I visited Mount Rainier and Olympic national forest with the RTT and it was very nice (as long as I had a rated sleeping bag with me). And now I’m in Southern California and when I go camping it’s nice not to track so much dirt and dust in. Ultimately I bought the RTT to save some money for a trip but I ended up loving every trip I’ve had with it even after it fulfilled its original purpose.
I will say, someone like Roaming Reckless actually has good use for her RTT. She lives in her truck full time, which allows the first level to be used practically instead of space for sleep.
Just like any trend, most of those tents will remain brand new untill they fall apart on the roof. In the Albuquerque area, "frownie" face grills, rooftop tent, 22 inch fake beedlock wheels with "mud tires" on 4 inch spacers, blocks to lift an axle, rusty bumper jack on the front bumper, empty fuel cans, empty water cans, plastic traction boards, Punnisher skulls, Glock stickers, Pep Boys stick on "chrome", $5,000.00 bumpers, "tattered" American flag sticker on the hood MUST be on your 4x4 or you aren't cool.
Don't get me started on the soft toppers. In over 100 degree weather, taking the doors and roof off is a stupid idea. It only looks cool to the other soft toppers.
My thing was always having comfortable shelter with my vehicle at all times. It feels much more like home than my regular 1-2 man tent I use for backpacking, and I get much better sleep in it overall than ground tents with a real mattress in there rather than a narrow air mattress. It took about 1mpg off my tacoma, which I'm fine with
@@MovieMakingMan why because where I grew up in the mountains, you always took your gun you don’t know what or who you were going to run into you may feel comfortable without a gun that’s fine, but I was raised with it. ✌️😎
I purchased my first RTT a little over a year ago and totally agree with most of your cons. At the same time, it has brought me a ton of joy and I have slept so much better in this than all my other years of camping. Especially with a partner and/or a pet space wise (coming from mostly having lightweight weight-weenie tents). My biggest con, as you mentioned, is the vehicle no longer being mobile once set up. If there's an emergency or any desire to want to leave at any pace - you're gonna have to wait. But for now I genuinely love it for trips I want to glamp with and keep doing traditional lightweight backpacking and bikepacking set up other times. In general, even with having one, I cannot for the life of me understand why or where the price points on some of these things come from (I got a cheaper one off Kickstarter).
It may surprise you! The first time I had my wife join me in my rooftop tent I was shocked to hear her report “that was the best night sleep I’ve ever had camping” I thought she meant the comfort of the mattress, but she revealed the real secret: she always felt unsafe on the ground. Up on top of the Jeep she finally felt safe at night. I shared this with other women and I was SHOCKED when they all reported similar feelings!!!
just keep a 1" sheet of plywood in the back of your 4runner. When you park, put the plywood on the roof, setup up your walmart tent and put it on the roof. You've now got the same roof-top tent experience for ~$150. You'll make that money back in gas savings in a single summer of use
We are planning to attach one to our roof but also pull a trailer with a motorcycle for a long east-west trip next year. the addition of the trailer will reduce the loss of cargo space as well as give us another mode of transportation when at camp. Something that wouldn't be possible with a regular camper that would probably be a lot heavier.
Mate, for camping on the beach, rocky rivers, muddy ground, get the breeze in hot conditions and the view from up there, i love it. Its the best option for touring or one nighters
Eh....there is another solution: you can always rent one for your trip, specially if you don't do camping very often. For 2 or 3 trips/year...renting a RTT might be a good solution. Here in Romania you can rent one for 20$/day so for a 10 days trip 200$ is a decent price. I'll try one out next year, because i hate setting up and packing up the ground tent and the fact that it's never smooth and leveled underneath and the sleep quality is shit. I'll still use that tent for motorcycle trips, but when i go on a trip with the car...i feel like a RTT is a far better solution.
Let's not gatekeep people from going outdoor though. Whatever gets people outside and doesn't hurt others or the environment is what I'm all for. Admittedly, the RTT market is insanely overpriced, that 'overland tax' these days.
This is an equipment review channel, its whole purpose is to judge the value proposition of camping equipment. This isn't gatekeeping anyone, they can choose RTT or traditional tent, which is the comparison made here. If overpriced equipment gets people outdoors better than traditional equipment, I guess that's fine but it's fairly irrational. Your criticism just feels unfounded. It's like saying a negative movie review is somehow gatekeeping people from enjoying the movies - it makes no sense.
Oh, let's absolutely gatekeep. I'm all for the moronic city-dwellers staying inside the city limits and not polluting the countryside with their stupidity.
Excellent review with good points. One benefit of a rooftop tent is that you can use it when you are camping over rocks or very hard ground that make it difficult to stake a ground tent. Personally, I'll stick with my ground tent.
I live in Denver, and this is a real issue. People driving around with all this weight in a huge block on top of their already lifted vehicle, carrying an object that is unused 99% of the time.
What’s the issue? What if they head off every weekend or twice a month camping. Why do you care? Are you all losing your minds in America. Half the campers in Australia have a rooftop tent. It’s certainly popular with a lot of trekkers. They go off for a day trek and return to their tent for the night. We don’t have ridiculous RV parks in Australia. We go bush and we travel daily to cross vast deserts. Roof top tents are ideal You all don’t have a problem with hideous RV monstrosities that need 2 acres each just to camp up and cost an offensive amount but omg roof top tents are your problem.
@@effkay3691 the idea is it’s super wasteful to lose 3 or more mpg for 99% of your driving on an already super inefficient vehicle, so you can drive around with your occasional bed on the roof. Besides looking like a poser douchebag, these people are actively making their vehicles even more harmful to the environment for nearly no benefit. It’s selfish, pointless, and embarrassing. I’m not against SUVs, I drove a big V8 myself, but I certainly don’t take steps to make it even more of a gas guzzler. Please post your self-centered reply below
In Australia/New Zealand we have something called a "swag" which is like a foldable and portable tent with a built in mattress. They are usually sold alongside a stretcher that you can attach to get you a couple of feet off the ground. Has the pros of being portable, super quick to set up, and being raised off the ground- while still being mobile enough to set up anywhere and keep you away from snakes/spiders/other things that might be crawling about. I just drive up to a campsite with it in the back and either hike a few minutes with it or pop it up next to the car.
Putting the rooftop tent on a trailer solves all the problems. Frees up your car/truck. Added storage. Saves your camp spot. Easy setup. Gets you off the ground.
Or in Australia, a trayback ute would actually act the same. Pretty good idea. Camper trailer setups already exist but cost way way more than a roof topper.
My partner and I have had a rooftop tent for a couple of years now and we have never regretted it! We payed about $1000 AUD (~$700USD) on sale. Fits both of us and the dog (He is pretty big), I won't say comfortably, but for someone who can't sleep well on normal camping mats its pretty good! Ours is a soft top one so we can keep blankets and pillows in while driving. It definitely gives us an extra sense of security being up there. I think its great for low-key road trips or staying at friends places, when you don't need the perfect camping set up. It definitely does have its downside but we absolutely use it more than our traditional tents.
Flat sleeping surface, elevated off the ground, easier to level, better views and sense of security, looks AWESOME. Love my bed-rack-top-tent and cant get enough overlanding adventures with it. Saying this "craze needs to stop" isn't the same as "RTT is not for me, here's why". The 2nd is more understandable and respectable.
Buy the Anker 300DC right now for only $169.99: ankerfast.club/ocxvic
*Roof Top Tent shown in this video:*
FSR Odyssey V2: geni.us/8lJKuY
Man, i really disliked this tent. It's squeeky, too small to store even a blanket in and my rain tarp poles put up a fight to lock every time. Fsr tried to make it right but in the end, highly disappointed
$3000+ for a rooftop tent? Makes those $700+ dyneema trekking pole tents seem downright affordable.😂
Gold Bruce, Gold!
That's what I'm saying. There's just no reason it needs to cost more than $800, and that's if you really go a bit ham in your DIY ventures because you want to.
I bought a $100 2 man tent to take on my ADV bike, didn't expect much compared to my expensive 1 man tramping tent but it's brilliant, erects in 2 minutes, is standalone, and seems to be good quality, you don't need to spend much.
Will FHA support me in my purchase?
Roof top tents are like climbing Everest. Those Dyneema tents are like K2 haha
I heard an excellent rebuttal to the RTT craze: rather than sleeping up top and doing storage inside the car, the solution for 90% of people is storage up top, sleeping inside.
Replace the RTT with two big cargo boxes / storage racks and toss an air mattress or foam pad inside the car. It’s cheaper, and the sleeping experience is typically vastly superior. Quick setup time, cozier, more weatherproof (a RTT is still miserable in a storm), and the rooftop storage is still useful during the other 90% of time you’re not camping.
I think RTT’s became a status symbol / a way to signal “look at me I’m outdoorsy”
Yup
Exactly my setup! Always wondered why people did it the other way around
Kinda like buying a truck or SUV making it all outdoorsy and live in a city. What I like is the people that buy a vehicle with a snorkel......come on!
💯🔥
YEP ! 😂
Honestly, I'd sooner throw an airup mattress in the back of a 4runner or truck with a camper shell than get a rooftop tent for my jeep.
That’s what I do in my 4Runner. I use a kayak rack and Thule storage container on the top. I also have a back rack or an extra storage container that I can throw on the hitch if needed.
Biggest benefit is that I can turn the heat or AC on when I’m sleeping in the 4Runner cab and I don’t need to tear down the tent if I wanna explore around in my 4runner
I once slept in the bed of a closed Chevy Avalanche and it was pretty nice lol
@@BelfastBodger
what's a rooftop tent? This video here we are watching is a rooftop tent correct?
Not saying it’s makes it completely worth it, but your comparison saying that they do make fast-to-set-up ground tents isn’t quite fair, because-from what I understand-those don’t have all of the nicer, heavier features that a rooftop tent has built in.
@@andrillaf Fair point. I think he was simply saying that speed of setup as a feature isn't unique. Rooftop tents are wildly overpriced, but they do bank on "we are both fast AND luxurious" as a selling point, which is true enough. They are just monumentally overpriced and overweight for the benefit they provides.
My wife and I spent five months in the Aussie outback 30 years ago and chose to do it with a rooftop tent, mainly for two reasons: 1) getting off the ground away from insects, snakes and crocs, 2) getting better ventilation - our tent had sides that rolled down to become fly screens. Even with the sides halfway down - on one or more sides - we still had privacy seen from the ground. These are very specific requirements for that environment, but it worked beautifully. It is also much quicker to set up and pack down, and the latter can be important in an emergency, as when we were once caught out by a forest fire.
Yes i was thinking to get away from bugs and critters would en a big plus
solid reasoning, and i'd be nervous about critters in Australia too
Great idea for crocs if they are near places you go, I would imagine. Be very careful of snakes under your car though. I knew a geologist who died many years ago in the Snowy Mountains once from a bite. You would think being near a road that help and antivenin would not have been far away his death may be considered a freak accident (there were people all around, quickly applied compression bandage, as a geologist he knew all about snakes as did the people he was with etc) but snakes being under things and biting people standing next to them is not unusual at all. People forget that snakes spend plenty of time hiding, not just sunning themselves (especially when it is too hot for them to do that for long). Having said that, I have stretcher tent that I will use for a single night camping next to my car which I really like but I kind of peer under it while protecting my face whenever I get out of it... I love the speed and comfort of the thing too much because I get a great night sleep (but I don't trust it if a lot of rain is predicted -- those stupid things often have a design flaw that inevitably leads to pooling water on the top).
1. Speed and Ease of setup/tear down
2. Mattress, sheets, blankets, pillows can remain in the tent when collapsed on most models, meaning less to pack and unpack
3. Because it's mounted on the vehicle, it doesn't take up space inside the car
I think they are ideal for people who are traveling long distances and want to be able to drive, then go right to sleep without the setup/teardown or need to reserve a true camp site. They aren't ideal for people going on true camping trips, but better for those going on hunting, fishing, road tripping, or overlanding excursions who need a quick and easy place to spend the night.
I think they are overrated for most people but fill an important niche for those who fit this description. That said, for the several thousand dollars most of these setups cost, I'd rather just sleep inside my SUV.
This is the best answer. As a backpacker they aren’t that useful but as a road tripper I can see them working great!
Can't argue with first two points, but regarding no. 3 - if space is important you can gain a lot using roof rack for a fraction of cost. Other drawbacks of roof tents are susceptibility to wind and risen center of mass - it sucks off road, on traverses.
Completely agree with this comment. Im going out dispersed camping at least once a month and having a storage system and roof top tent make things so much easier to get ready for a trip. Easier means I can enjoy the trip that much more because you aren't stressing out about packing.
I'll also add that usually we are staying at a different campsite each day so shortening that tear down and setup time again makes things easier.
I'd say the major con is the fuel consumption and the weight up high. So offroading with a higher center of gravity makes things a bit harder but IMO its worth the positives the RTT comes with.
You ever heard of swags? They fill the first two requirements and are used in Australia a lot by those who hunt and fish.
@TheRealBigBash cant say ive ever tried one but from what ive seen, it can't be leveled and sits on the ground. It'll get more dirty when trying to pack up since usually you aren't using tarps with swags and they aren't the most spacious. Again, I agree with the first comment and how they fit a need some folks have. Not for everyone. It's the "cool" new thing so people are all wanting to spend on it haha. Fad will die out in 5 years.
I had a bit of buyers regret after picking up this exact RTT, but after spending 10 days car camping and changing sites every day, we found it was a way more comfortable way to camp. Kept us nice and dry, it was very easy to pack up with all the gear left inside, and opened us up to camping in spots where pitching a tent on level ground was not possible. It is far superior to any ground setup when it comes to rain because you're never sitting in soggy grass/mud, and the hard top deflects most of the rain. 2 people sleeping up top, one inside the truck for 10 days in a row and we loved it.
My argument for a RTT.
- Got mine used for $1,200 for a 2 week family vacation out west. Ended up using it for 3 years straight
- Saved $$ vs getting a room every night in the first week alone.
- Quick setup and break down. Much more durable than pop up tent
- Doesn't take room in the car. The MATRESS stays in it!
- Off the ground was nice in countless ways
- BEST OF ALL - We could drive all night and "camp" in a walmart or home depot parking lot in minutes, without looking for a campground.
CONS
- Lost 3 MPG
- Couldn't park in some garages
- Can't run to the store quick with the tent up
Best road trip accessory we've ever gotten. We still take trad tents locally when camping.
I do not look at this tents as rich man tent, but as poor mens RV
Poor mans RV is throw a mattress in the back of a station wagon LOL.
@@Shrouded_reaperunironically an Outback with a mattress is a better off-road vehicle than a lifted pickup with oversized tires 95% of the time. Unless you’re planning on going mudding the Outback wins almost every time.
I had one for a while and sold it. My biggest complaint was once setup my truck was stuck in place unless I packed it all back up. No exploring during the day.
I think most people use them as road trip style. Where you generally only stay in a place a single night. Set up time, space saving, features due to weight not being a problem. Lots of reason people choose rooftop that he's just dismissed, fallen in the it's not for me, therefore its not for anyone.
Just did nc500 and was very jealous of everyone with roof top tents even more so with diesel heaters installed. My tents nice, but it's not light or fast to set up. Then having to deal with a wet and large tent in the car everyday.
They need a stand like the campers or something
@@Stonepotwaffles depends what places you stay. If it's a more organised caravan style park yes. But most basic campsites you don't. And certainly not on the trip I just got back from.
He also missed that people will mount them on trailers get a cheap harbor freight trailer and mount that on top and carry kayaks or something else underneath. Almost any vehicle can tow one of those.
@@thisoldrelic I’ll just sleep in the back of the vehicle
I'm a Norwegian and I love my roof top tent. Here this by law is defined as sleeping in the car, and you can do that everywhere you can park a car, even in the middle of the city (that are safe 99% in Norwegian cities). Therefor it is not hit by any camping ban anywhere (sleeping in the car is never camping). But more often you can use a turnout or a rest stop (always safe) and just stop, pop up the tent, and sleep the hours you need, and then just get going. Simple and easy. It is also very hard to find level ground near roads in Norway. So this may be not a great thing for the US, but there exists other countries and many of those this is absolutely a great thing.
well that's a good reason. if it gives you permission to pop it anywhere i'd consider buying one but the US will never allow that
RTTs tend to be on a rack or some system that allows air to flow underneath (or do some not?) which I have always assumed would make them much colder than being on the ground? I guess the answer is, as always, better sleeping mats and stacking them if required... but you are kind of working against what you have... do you sleep in that system all year round? In my tent I sometimes use a stretcher for comfort but only in warmer months, if it is snowing outside or that kind of cold I have my mat on the ground
I know one guy who has a MASSIVE truck on oversized wheels, and keeps his rooftop tent on all the time.
And it's hard to have a conversation with him were he doesn't find some way to complain about the price of gas.
Easy, tell him how much fuel costs in Europe, it's almost as cheap as (clean) water in the US.
Doesn't matter if you drive a prius or a smart car, gas is over double what it was 20 years ago, and wages are nowhere near double.
@@colinjohnston9824 a) but if you drive a Prius or similar, you get twice the gas mileage of a car you owned 20 years ago, so gas actually costs the same.
And if you drive a gas guzzling monstrosity, YOU are the reason you have to pay so much for gas.
That's before we even discuss the global oil market, how it actually works, and why the US paid so little for gas for so long.
And then we can start wondering why the US pumps so much oil, and gets literally the WORST price for it on the global market....
But if you think your gas bill is double even if your car gets twice the mileage.... you probably aren't ready for the complexity of the global oil market system.
Stick to the basic math for now and circile back if you every figure out what my first sentence means.
@@colinjohnston9824 Oh, and I think you probably meant 23 or more years ago. By 2003, gas was the most expensive it's EVER been adjusted for inflation. That was the first couple years of the Iraq war. Most of OPEC was going insane trying to rake in as much revenue as possible amid an oil shortage due to the war.
But again, do the simple math first, then work on the harder stuff.
@@james.telfer I lived in Europe for 7 years. Gas is about $7 a gallon in most of Europe.
Maybe you are confused because they sell it by the liter - which is about 1/4 of a gallon.
I sleep inside my 4runner. Built a platform and drawers, fits a full sized mattress. I'm 6'6'' so I sleep with my head at the tailgate and usually sleep at a diagonal. I have a packasport roof box. I've camped in there about 300 nights in the last 4 years. I'm in the PNW where it rains a lot. sometimes without break. Without a garage to dry out a RTT, I can't imagine the kind of mildew that I'd have to deal with. They seem great for dry climates, with little wind, but not for me. However, I do think they look really cool and I just love tent design, so I keep getting sucked into considering them. But, at the end of the day, I love my set up exactly as it is... Just wish there was a little bit more room. Cheers y'all
Excellent point re: moisture. It's an issue that not many people mention. I can't understate the hassle of needing a 2nd person to help load/unload/store a RTT and that's when weather is good and the tent is dry. Now imagine the need to air out a RTT and you've just doubled your work. The more elaborate the setup, the more work, mpg, and time it's going to cost. RTT is great if you have a dedicated overlanding rig and a garage and you don't have to disassemble for each trip. But for a daily driver, it's not my choice.
Off the ground is the main benefit of a RTT. So I took my RTT and mounted it on a $450 Lowes trailer. Off the ground and I don't have to break camp to go exploring, and no hit to the mpg. Stores in the back corner of the garage. I keep my camp cook box, chairs, water jugs, fire pit, and EZup awning stored on the trailer. Just hookup and go.
Yes I agree, the best way to pack is don't unpack ,always good to go.
A very good idea!
Your solution is the ultimate in low profile trailer... much lower profile than even a tear drop. Kind of a modern popup camper, but more basic and at that points a whole lot less expensive.
So basically a pop up trailer camper. I agree that they're neat.
This is the best option.
I'm old guy. I've throwed down on the dirt, mud, running water. Curled up in my old Corolla, just slumped out in the drivers seat of whatever car I'm in. Basically, car camped every way you can. Seems there are pros and cons to the rooftop tent. My impression is the main attraction is just getting the look.
I do have an old Tundra with a stand-up high shell. Two cots always ready to go. With a fold down table. We don't use it that much but it's always ready to go and it's better than any tent. The shell knocked a couple MPG off for sure. Probably not worth buying a truck for, but that Tundra was our primary vehicle in the 2000's.
I’ve put a lot thought into this subject. My conclusions are. There is no one best solution. All camping set ups have their pros and cons. Whether it’s price, weight, hassle, safety, fuel efficiency etc.. One person’s gripes are another one’s non issue. That being said, you gotta be going camping every weekend to justify putting a semi permanent tent on your roof.
Even if you are going every weekend, the trade offs of a roof top tent are just NOT worth it. What do you really get out of them? Whatever their benefit is, you could probably find a way to get the same thing out of a traditional tent for a fraction of the cost and weight. This video is a perfect outline why they don’t make sense for basically 99-100% of use cases. The trade offs are just not worth it.
@@King_Cole In my experience using both my rooftop tent and traditional tent, I find I use the rooftop tent 65% of the time in developed campgrounds, and most the time on BLM or FS properties. It has even allowed me to camp in dispursed places where there was no suitable ground for a traditional tent, but I could use rocks to level out the car. I tend to roadtrip which means I move campsites most days, and having the quick setup and breakdown is a huge advantage to me. It also provides some comforts that require more setup time to gain in a traditional setup. Most trips, I still throw my traditional tent in the car in case there is some place I want to camp that my car can't go. I don't use the RTT every time, and I am aware it is a luxury item, but it is one less thing I need to worry about when I decide to go for a quick overnight escape from the city or a 2 week roadtrip through multiple states.
True. I think the "problem" might be that most people use it when they don't really need to.
The height advantage against animals is basically nonexistent, they definitely can climb on top of a vehicle, unless you mount it on a van or some other big vehicle, but then you could just camp inside it instead.
It's main advantage over evey other camping system is quick set up on any terrain, relatively comfortable and low drag/weight compared with trailers or campers. So it's perfect for just resting in long travels. Find a place, spend the night, pack up and keep going.
For spending more than a day in a single place, tents if you want something affordable and/or lightweight, pop up campers if you want to carry more stuff or plan to stay longer and you can't afford a solid camper, and a solid camper as the best shelter (it's literally a small house on wheels), but it's big and heavy so the main drawback is money (for the camper, a big towing vehicle, gas, and a big garage).
I pull a modified motorcycle trailer behind a prius. My gazelle t4 is carried on top of the trailer and is extremely easy set up. I still get 48mpg and have my vehicle for exploring. If I was to use my 4x4 I couldn't afford to do the 30,000 miles a year of tent camping that I do. If I'm in a place where I can't set up even a 2p tent I bring along I can sleep in the back if the car, and my dog sleeps on the drivers seat. I've done this many many times at truck stops from North Carolina to Idaho. Works for me.
I think the main point is that there are no significant features that make it stand out from the alternatives but it costs 3-4 times the price of even high end alternatives.
At that price point you really should be expecting to see some clear advantages.
You could buy a cargo trailer, attach a plywood board and set up a regular tent on it and you would get all the benefits, at a fraction of the cost and skip the worst of the downsides.
i always liked RTTs but because i had no money i just threw a mattress in my Stationwagen and even tho de E46 is not a big stationwagon i had a enough space for a week and could sleep comfortable and if i needed more space i could just use a roofbox.
and if i ever buy a new car then with a parking heater or how ever it is called because then the coldest nights can still be kinda cozy and warm
Hi Steven,
We use an RTT frequently, as in Germany, it is the only way to legally spend a night outdoors. You are not allowed to wild-camp, even not to bivouac in most states, outside of official camping sites, that is.
RTTs are in the grey zone, so overnight stays are not illegal.
My better half prefers them to a tent, so ours is in frequent use. It extends our outdoor portfolio, saves a lot of accommodation costs, but everyone as they please.
Did germany crack down on camping to deal with an itinerant homeless population?
@@DahVoozelNo, it's been like that for ages. Same in Austria and many other coutries in Europe.
@@DahVoozel Someone has not looked at a map recently. 🙄
That is absurd and overbearing. I'm grateful we don't have those restrictions here.
except, even though you can't wild camp in Germany, homeless people can sleep on the side of the road in town wherever they want and the Saxon police won't stop it because "that's not illegal" 🙄 I kid you not.
I see them as a great option for people wanting to go deep country camping along a 4x4 only vehicle trek. Or beach camping where you can’t get an RV to very easily. Being up high would also help prevent beach sand from getting into the rooftop tent
I spent 30 dollars to turn my truck bed into an awesome tent. Better than any rooftop tent. PVC pipe, good quality tarp, some plastic clamps, and a big roll of bug netting. Our air pads are a perfect fit too
Purchased a RTT back in 2007. The company out of bend Oregon was running a veterans day special free shipping. The model was huge 72" wide and the usually 84" or 88" when folded out. Us it had a zip on room with a bucket floor. Large entry doors and large vertical windows on each side. Plus a giant D shaped zip panel to allow access into a vehicle if it had a sliding side door. Living in florida people had never seen such a tent. It drew crowds at every camp ground. Plus with the zip room, van gutted of seats & tent we could accommodate if needed easily four adults and four children. Several times we had to move from a camp site to another due to only having 1 day of rental in-between site being reserved. In many cases we're only had to pull up the ground stakes on the zip room push in into van and drive to next site...tent would remain unfolded.
The down side was the weather fly was not sealed for torrential rain. After one florida storm the zip room had 18" of water! our private wading pool. The design of this larger tent with no frame support underneath the roof over the covered entrance allowed this area of the roof to sag & pool water during a prolonged heavy rain, which then seeped thru fly and tent roof allowing water to collect in the bucket floor of the zip room. We coated the fly with white elastomeric paint which made it water proof but the sagging continued when a prolonged rain occurred. We spent a good 12 hours trapped in the tent on several camp outs in florida. Our solution was a few pieces of PVC assembled into a T used as a support from inside which created a high spot on the roof of covered entrance/zip room keeping the large area from pooling water during a heavy prolonged rain. As for potty time we had a small camp potty for females & a gallon jug for males to use no need leaving the tent at night. We rigged a small fan in tent to provide air exchange. Other than having to climb the ladder & Hoist oneself up into tent it was a wonderful camping experience. Panoramic views that no other camper had unless they were sleeping on top of an R.V. eventually a bum knee on the wife became to risky for her to climb down the ladder. Going up wasn't much an issue. So we haven't used our tent in 10-15 years. I doubt we could give it away. It's in perfect shape...people today especially in the east just don't tent camp much...its R.V. with A/C or motels.😢😢
I just enjoy seeing the people who drive around town with them on their rig 365 days a year.
LMAO which is 90% of people who have these and have probably used it less than 5 times total. You’ve really got to do some crazy mental gymnastics to justify one of these. There are MUCH better traditional options WITHOUT the trade offs of a roof top tent.
@@King_Cole yep that's me but i've done 10-12 nights this season. ~80lbs and 3-4" thick, 1k and is rated to last 10 years with maintenance (which i admit isn't without free time at beginning and end of season)
definitely costs more but really not bad over time (like what, $20 a night? lmao and i haven't even mentioned how much ive saved from hotel costs)
if you have upgradeitis and only do it for the looks, then yeah that's on you
Most of those rigs also have traction mats, pick, shovel, axe and a high-lift jack that the owner doesn't know how to use. And it has never been driven off pavement.
@@lawrencelin272 I feel like you need to rewatch this video. Like what are you getting out of a roof top tent that you can't get from a traditional one? A traditional tent is honestly better in a lot of aspects too; Weight, convince, cost, etc.. everything he mentioned in the vid.
Like, I get some of the appeal but if you look deeper and compare the two, the traditional tent wins hands down.
@@King_Cole nope i dont, i've tried all types of camping even as survival ops with half tents
trust me i tried to resist rtt and gave myself billion reasons not to, but you can't beat the convenience and efficiency
I started with a heavy ass hardshell and it was miserable driving with it, going with a slim light one was a game changer for me and given the option i wont go back to lumpy damp ground
it's not for everyone and it might not be for you but doesnt mean you should gatekeep
I think it's different for everyone. I used a Gazelle T3 for a while and loved it. I decided to purchase a RTT early this spring. I typically camp by myself. It works great for me. I never stay in one spot for more than 1 night. I can keep my sleeping bag, 2 pillows, and a banket in the tent while its shut. Oddly enough my mpg actually went up by .5 miles.
Well, then there's the elephant in the room: 4Runner's roof load capacity is 120 lbs. The stated weight of tent alone is 134 lbs.
You gotta upgrade to Yakima, etc. There's another 500 bucks lol
@XJapanGonnaGiveItToYa-cd4xj You mist the point. It's the roof load limit, not the roof racks. Also, you increase intrinsic instability of the vehicle.
There is an obsession with putting these tents on small cars such as Suzuki Jimnys, which have a roof load limit of just 66lb. Many people don't understand the consequences of overloading their vehicles.
Yikes@@thebubaloomonkey
My Jeep Cherokee holds 150 pound. I weigh somewhat more than that.
I do both - I love sleeping on the ground in a $100 tent. It's simple, easy and nostalgic. I also have a dialed rig for more extreme winter use or times when i'm on the road for jobs multiple days/dispersed camping. I think the RTT is a nice tool in a quiver but for most people - the cost will outweigh the benefit.
I have Gazelle tent and later bought Gazelle screen room. I have over 80 nights in tent. Set up is about 5 minutes. It pops open. Sturdy, does great even during Sierra storms.
Screen room easily fits over picnic table. Necessary when besieged by mosquitoes or yellow jackets. In a pinch could work as a tent.
Just a great, easy and reliable set-up for quick or long trip.
Not affiliated w company--but wanted offer quick set up alternative to rooftop.
I need to get a gazelle. It can hold up to some serious wind
I love my hardshell RTT. Bedding is always inside and ready to go. 1 min set up, 5 min breakdown. Views, breeze and 360 windows make it awesome on warm nights or for stargazing. Never leaks in rain and a pee bottle means no ladder at night.
Rain is the big one for me. I have no place to dry a rooftop tent without either removing it or putting the vehicle out of commission while letting it dry.
But let’s be honest removal takes like 10 minutes
But can you do this alone without some kind of crane or something?
@Penny-mk7fv With the hard shell ones open the tent up on the roof, find a strait road and blow dry it. Works a treat. Most of them are designed for high wind speed so you should be fine. Mileage will vary from tent to tent.
@@dereinzigwahreRichi I feel like this depends on you, your vehicle, and your tent. On my truck, despite being a fairly strong individual, there's no way in hell I can take mine on or off alone. My tent weighs about 180lbs and is 7ft up. But if you had something like one of the Inspired Overland tents at 80lbs, and didn't mount it so high, it would be pretty simple to take it on and off.
My Alu-Cab 3R stays on all the time. As it is of a clamshell design, I can open it up in virtually any space my 4Runner fits. Opening and closing it is really quick. I have dried it out while shopping, eating lunch, at trailheads, etc. Ones that fold out can't do this in only one parking space.
Thanks for this video. I have had no clue about the appeal of rooftop tents. Now I understand what they are and why people use them. But as a small woman who travels solo, I couldn't maneuver this thing even if I wanted to. One more thing--when I'm car camping, I actually *like* setting up my tent and putting my stuff in it. While that may be a chore for others who have small children, etc., it's something I enjoy.
I had one for a few years, most expensive mistake I’ve ever made. You nailed most the points, the up high is nice for a view but animals aren’t a worry in the uk and bathroom breaks at night are a pain, also having to change position of the car is a pain having to put it up and down. I lost 10mpg on fuel with mine. The other big issue in the uk is with it being high up you can’t get shelter from the wind which is 90% of the days. When people ask me the only real pro’s I had were not having to find flat ground or rocks and it’s comfier. I can see why people buy them though, a very cool looking bit of kit and the idea is great, looks great in social media life. Personal got rid of mine and just summit camp on the top of the mountains now 👍🏻
smittybilt overlander $900 will never look back. ive used this to travel from cali to north carolina. I have a regular tent in the rig too but 9/10 times i using the roof tent. up in 2 mins and packed in 5. its about versatility and getting back on the road fast. The time saved knowing i can just park and set up in the dark vs finding a flat smooth surface for the regular tent is a game changer. RTT isnt for everyone but its perfect for me.
My rooftop cost $700, takes 5 minutes to set up with the annex. I put it on my trailer so I can still drive around when it's set up. Its perfect for road trips. Its not about being up high, its fast set up and take down
Sounds like a caravan
@@motherlove8366 a lot cheaper and lighter though
I store some of my equipment on my roof rack and inside, and sleep on the mattress inside my rig, 4runner. If I feel more adventurous, I just put the mattress single adult on my roof rack and a single tent. It takes me 10 minutes to do so. I put my tent together on the ground, then just lift it up when set up and done. Tent poles hold my tent very well, no issues when lifting it off the ground.
Truck with a canopy. We built a plywood platform over the wheel wells and we have a queen-sized bed in the back and there's tons of storage under the sleeping platform. Still have a tent JIC. Similar pros and cons of a rooftop tent, but the truck canopy is much more useful when not being used camping. Back when we bought the canopy it was only $1000. And you don't need a ladder to get in and out--that's the biggest con for me. ER is probably far away if I miss the bottom step in the middle of the night when I have to get up to pee and end up breaking something.
I put the $800 roof top tent on my Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. I still get about 36/42MPG for hwy/city driving and the crossover can go most places a other RTT users would go.
I camp with a lot of people with rooftop tents they are literally 10 times more expensive than my gazelle t4 and army cot. People say they don't want to sleep on the ground well guess what cots in a tent you can stand in goes up faster and easier and is way cheaper than a rooftop tent that you have to either leave on your vehicle or take off in store. All kinds of people are selling they're used ones for two $3,000 My cot cost me a hundred bucks and my tent cost me $250 and it's way more comfortable and it's faster and easier to set up and easier to pack in and I don't have 300 lb of dead weight on the roof of my vehicle when I'm off-roading
Great points. I'll just take the traditional ones, for the reasons you mentioned.
I have to admit that even if an RTT cost the same as a normal tent I would still take the normal tent, for the reasons you mention -- the types of tents I choose are actually less effort than an RTT (I always have to go to the toilet during the night while camping, so the trips up and down the ladder would seriously outweigh the effort of lifting a tent out of the car and hitting a few pegs in with a rock). I've seen people go through the hell of closing an RTT that won't close too, and the owners getting anxious about how they'll be able to leave the campsite! I like your last point too. So many people don't realise that their extremely capable vehicle is actually much less capable when loaded up, and I'm assuming within acceptable limits, they are more likely to tip with weight on the roof, the extra height hits more branches, the extra weight makes them more likely to get bogged (but if that is all part of the fun then ok, load away), and that it is still worth cutting down on the nonsense in order to have a better time. I'm not even saying that as an off-roader, I much prefer carrying things on my back so I am biased towards being minimalist even when camping next to my car (I'm not saying I use exactly the same gear, I don't necessarily want to wear out my lightest and most expensive tent and other things too quickly), but people do seem to struggle making informed decisions where the marketing can sometimes be absolutely relentless.
yeah, good RTTs are more like 100 lbs and $1500 ..you're a cheapskate, just admit it. Cheapskates like you always feel the need to justify why they're cheapskates. So you like a 25 dollar cot and some people like to be up off the ground in a roof tent for $2000. You must be Roman Catholic.
I have a GoFastCamper and while it's hilariously expensive for what it does, it does address a lot of the complaints you faced, albeit for a pickup truck instead of a 4runner.
I tested my gas mileage before and after, and the difference was very negligible since i already had a roof rack with a wind guide on the front.
There's a passthrough between the sleeping area & the truck bed, so I don't have a ladder. Setup and takedown take about 60 seconds combined since I'm by myself and I pack fairly light.
Everyone in the comments seems to be extremely opinionated as to what's good and bad, this is the setup I have and I love it. I've camped and backpacked with many kinds of gear and they all have their merits.
The weight is NOT a non-factor for rooftop tents. Most roof racks are only rated for a few hundred pounds (usually around 200lbs). You have to be very careful you don't exceed that or you could damage your vehicle. Not to mention the extra damage if you get in a crash from an improperly secured one, and your insurance is likely to use that as an argument against paying out the policy (especially if the tent is over the weight rating...).
Explore Southwest did basically this exact same video a few years ago, I recommend checking that one out too.
1: everything you need stays in the vehicle so you never need to climb the ladder unless you want to go to bed. (when you set the tent up you throw in a few items you might need for the night but nothing more)
2: the setup comparison is flawed since its not just the setup time of the tent, its also the setup time of the entire bed, then the setup time can start to make a big difference
3: usually you can park wherever on a campsite (guess its a freedom inhibiting thingy thats unique to the 'free' country of the USA?) so if you travel by car anyways, a rooftop tent can save space if you have a small lot.
yes theyre super expensive and yes theyre not made for families and yes it turns your vehicle in an unmovable chunk of metal (with hopefully some amenities)
ty for the video!
We have had a RTT for 6 years. We either backpack, or take the RTT. Ours sets up in 2 minutes and all our bedding is inside. When camping in rainy areas, on a road trip, with kids, there’s no beating having camp completely set by one person in a couple minutes while my wife gets the kids ready to climb up in and stay dry. Winter camping, warm and dry. Fast, dry and less room inside the car is taken. It’s a win for some situations.
I sleep a lot better being way up off the ground in my Roofnest, both for the comfort it offers as well as the safety factors. And I love how quickly it sets up and takes down...and it hasn't affected in the least my mileage in my V-6 Toyota 4Runner.
They are brilliant as long as:
- It's a hard shell
- you have a fast pitch day shelter to 'claim' the camp site and provide day time shelter
- don't treat it like a normal tent: don't store anything in it, it's just your bedding and that stays in it when you close it. Think of the RTT as just a sleeping pod.
- most camping areas are flat enough to be able to level the car just by parking strategically, don't expect to park where you want then try and level it but the best way is to have a car that can self-level with air suspension (most older full size Land Rovers with an Easy Lift/X-Lifter)
- They're at their best when you have the windows open but bug mesh closed. No condensation, lovely views, and no-one peering in at you!
- Don't overthink the mpg. Leave it on all year and camp more!
More roof tent workflow discussion on my channel if you don't mind me mentioning it here!
Good content, Thanks! I've tent camped for entirely too many years and continue to occasionally. Thought about a roof top tent, but just couldn't get behind the fact that I had to take everything down and pack up to go anywhere. Then you are always open to someone taking your spot and having to find something else when you return. Really sucks when it's later in the dark and I'm tired.... Ended up with a small teardrop camper last year and really love it. It's really nice to be able to stay inside when crappy and get some work done if I have to. I can keep most everything I need in the teardrop and park it in the garage to be ready to take off the next time I'm ready. Still tent camp if I feel like it, but not nearly as much. Seems I only use the tent now when I want to bikepack for a few days. Good stuff, thanks again!
I can sort of understand the appeal of that style of camping. You do not have to worry about finding a spot (though you do need to find a spot to park your vehicle that is kind of level), you are raised up from the animal life (though a bear will have no problems reaching you), and that is really about it. Down sides are it is heavy, decreases fuel mileage (weight and wind resistance in particular), they can be a pain in the rear to set up on the taller vehicles, you have to climb a ladder over and over again, they are limited in size, and they are very expensive some of them.
I'm in Borneo, they keep away crocodiles and snakes, scorpions, venomous centipedes and such, but also stray dogs, which my wife gets terrified of at times. Also, if you've ever seen a stray dog pee on your tent, as I have, you'll love a roofie!
I'll say this. The rooftop tent on my gladiator has been life changing. Not only does it make trips cheaper and easier but we are staying more secluded. We stayed at big bend ranch with no one else for miles. And padre island seashore the same.
We bought a rooftop tent because we are paddlers and the trail heads to the lakes never had places for tents, so we always left home on Saturday morning. That always put us on the water late, then we had to drive out once we were back to the truck, usually 4 or 5 days later. This way we can leave late Friday, the roof top tent is easy to set up in the dark and we can get off the water late not having to worry about having to drive home or get to a hotel or campground. We do sleep way better in the roof top tent than we ever did in a tent. Just so you don't get it twisted we are avid campers and have spent weeks in tents over our 20+ years of backcountry camping. We don't overland so we can not speak to that and we don't have children so I imagine that makes things easier.
thanks for the video !
Likewise, I race MTB, and the start of these events does not have camping, and the car is full of MTB bikes and equipment. I think these come in their own when you are not there to camp but do something else. You are off the ground which means you are not taking up space when a couple hundred racers are looking at setting up their race pits. In the right circumstances, they do make sense. Also I sleep better..
This only makes sense if the kayaks are on a trailer or something... I guess a similar alternative could be a camper trailer with the kayaks on the roof of the car but perhaps your method allows more storage in the trailer?
It all depends on your use case. For me, I got a used one at a great price. I do a lot of camping and ATV riding from a staged camp spot. So once I set it up, it’s up for 3-5 days. I have an Annex and a camp toilet set up so it’s a very comfortable setup. I haven’t run into many issues leveling the vehicle and it’s really nice having a mattress off the ground but still feeling like you’re camping outdoors. The setup and cleanup is faster than everyone else I travel with who use campers, enclosed trailers and tents.
In my opinion- short of the cost. There are only two real drawbacks. It will effect your gas mileage. I lose 2mpg in a 1500 pickup. And if you have to take it down in the rain, you’ll have to set it back up when you get home and it can take awhile to dry out.
I hired a Jimny with a roof tent to go around Iceland with my wife. We absolutely loved it, so got one for my Hilux here in Borneo. Unlike the Jimny's ultra-quick pop-up hard-shell design, I got a larger, more complicated flip-over thing - which I came to hate! Too much hassle, especially when alone, as it really needed 2 people to put it away. I bit the bullet and bought a hard-shell pop-up type, and we love it like the Jimny again. Never going back to normal tents. For hiking I use a hammock.
What do you like about it specifically?
As someone who owns a Smittybilt XL Gen 1 (king mattress) with annex, I will say that it is all about CONTEXT. If you camp somewhere where your vehicle will be stationary for 2 or 3 nights, then they give you MUCH more comfort than a ground tent. If you want to move your vehicle more often than that, or leave your campsite at any point, then do a traditional tent. Heck, you could do a LARGE, high end wall tent for the price of a rooftop and maintain your mobility at the cost of a little setup/tear down time.
A cot tent like a camp-rite is a great alternative to both a tent and a roof top tent. Off the ground, stays there during day trips and super light and fast set up.
Here’s the answer, right here. Take seconds to set up, no worries about sticks, rocks, bugs, doesn’t take up much room, very comfortable.
I laugh at all the tough guys with a roof top tent that are afraid of bugs and spiders. If you’re on a safari in Africa, and there’s hyenas, that may chew leg off then yeah they might make some sense. But in North America, it’s just a flex. Right up there with having a snorkel on your truck.
The camp-rite looks like marginally more effort to setup than my stretcher tent but looks like a better design than mine... mine has a flat sloping top that allows water pool in the lower part (towards my feet) which would run off if the fly could be make taut enough but any sort of pool will overcome the hydrostatic head and come though... I'm making a note now to look more closely a that camp-rite one which seems to have a better roof design. The stretcher is so comfortable, except when conditions are really cold, then free airflow sucking heat away underneath needs to be compensated for somehow
I have been offroad camping since 1988 and always used a ground tent.
The last 3 years or so I got fed up with finding a great place to camp but nowhere suitable to pitch a tent.
Last summer I finally bought a rooftop tent I wish I had done it years. I can now rock up to any nice spot and camp there.
On rocks, on a slope, its all eas.
I take a small spirit level and adjust tyre pressures to level my vehicle.
Never had more comfortable and convenient camping in my life.
I camp out in the bush, not at campsites so it's hard to find smooth, level ground.
I have a Darche 1400 wide tent which id comfortable for our family of 3. They have wider versions which sleep more people.
I have a storage box fitted behind it for all our chairs and ground mats with a solar panel on top.
It actually leaves me more space inside the vehicle.
We have a truck bed tent, which is kind of a happy medium. Inexpensive. Sets up in about 5 minutes. Gets us off the ground. With a homemade platform in the truck bed, we’re able to use a memory foam mattress and still have storage for gear. No change in gas mileage from normal truck use. The hard part is that for campgrounds we never can get a consistent answer as to whether or not it can be considered OK for the sites without power or water (aka rustic), since we don’t need the power or water but some places don’t like vehicles in their rustic locations and they don’t seem to like camping in their parking locations…so we sometimes end up having to pay the higher rate for power/water sites. For boon-docking, though, it’s hard to beat.
This discussion could be applied to any consumer good. If you buy something because you see someone else with it and you don't have a use case for it its a waste. Our current use case was a truck that could tow 2 mustangs to shows and also go offroad, that's a pretty large RTT, and where we go we usually have just barely enough space for the truck, so being above our footprint opens more cool over night spots. If we did more flat wide open spots, traditional tent all day.
I installed a RTT on top of an expedition trailer I built. It’s perfect. All the convenience of a travel trailer only it can be pulled by a car. With it behind my Subaru I still average 22 mpg…4mpg better than a 4-runner. Memory foam mattress, not blow up mattress, sets up in
Just got a RTT this summer and we LOVE it.
Used it for a long road trip; setup/takedown was quick. Spouse also used it to attend horse shows with daughter, super easy and cheap to attend.
Honestly, mileage hardly changes (because we don’t drive very fast where we live). Height is a non issue. Our RTT includes a winter layer making it very warm.
Seems like OP just doesn’t like RTT and that’s ok. Not every solution works for everyone.
We have a hub tent, we have a Northface 6p ground tent, a wagon top 8p & a goFSR king size RTT that is on the bed of our ram 2500. Lots of situations where one tent just isn’t the best …. That said we use the RTT the most. Drive somewhere, pop it up & sleep. & our tent is below the roofline so we don’t have any issues with gas mileage
We have (for us) the best solution which is an off-road trailer with the RTT on top of it. We can quickly disconnect the trailer to do exploring or run trails and camp is still setup. Being able to setup and tear down super fast is a major convenience (especially in less than ideal conditions). We certainly prefer to be off the ground to help avoid animals, creep crawler insects, potential flooding in the rain, and not needing to deal with cots or air mattresses. All that said, we still own ground tent equipment for those times when we want to go somewhere that the trailer isn't capable of going.
You cant beat a good off road trailer works well for me on longer trips takes about 10 minutes to set up and a swag for shorter trips. I've been using a cavalier off road camp trailer for years Aussie made queen sized mattress, kitchen, water tanks, Quality canvas, lots of storage, boat rack and it uses the same fuel towing it as a rooftop tent does. Camp is always setup and takes under a minute to hook it up and every thing is ready to go for camp trips.
I agree with so many points you have. heres my take, I had a RTT, sold it for a ground tent from FSR(hub V2) and I absolutely hated it. sold it after 6 months and bought another RTT. I too have a wife and kid, so I had to go with a folding tent that's bed imprint is larger then a king bed, so we are all comfortable. a draw back is definitely the space with having any roof storage now. we have had to reorganize and prioritize our trunk to make everything fit perfectly. We also own a Landrover so its auto leveling air suspension makes parking for the night easy.
I thought about a rooftop tent. Then I got a travel trailer instead...and I love it. So glad I didn't get a RTT.
I tried ground tent and switched to RTT. After having a thunderstorm come thru in my ground tent, it was an utter mess inside and out. Had to pack it away filthy dirty, go home and set it up and then wash inside and out. Not so with the RTT. Also it depends on where you plan on camping. On a trip to CO and UT we were dispersed camping. Many times the ground was bare rock. Not comfy for ground tent, can't put stakes in the ground and although you can use rocks in their place, what if you can't find enough or any at all. Never had any issues leveling the truck. Just carry 3-4 short pieces of 2x6 and place/stack as needed. If I get to camp in the dark and just want to get to bed ASAP, it'll be much easier/faster in the RTT. Not saying anyone is dumb for using a ground tent at all. Everyone has a different use case and circumstances. It's nice to have options. Use what works for you.
I put mine on a small offroad trailer and tow it. That trailer acts as my home base.
With a $3000 price tag, I thing I would put a plywood base on the trailer, and just set up a regular tent. The trailer could still act as home base, but you would be $2000 richer.
@sdilluminatigrandfounder1813 there's more than 1 option but it's fine if you can't afford any of them.
I do the same, I haul a dirt bike or kayaks and mountain bikes in the trailer. I have regular tents as well.
@@sdilluminatigrandfounder1813 You don't have to spent 3000 dollars though. I saw a RTT on Trailer for sale second hand for 1,500 for the whole thing.
I bought my RTT because my camping typically consists of 1-2 nighters that are done with 0 planning. I keep it on my truck at all times, on top of my camper shell. I can be on the road at ajy point within 15 minutes, typically we're beach camping and show up after dark so being able to just pop it up for the kids in a couple minutes is worth the money. Ill sleep in a mattess in my camper shell which even just setting up my mattress and sleeping bag takes as much time as setting up the RTT.
In Australia these are used quite often as we do a lot of touring across our country and especially for the people that don't necessarily expect to stay in one spot for more than a night while traveling huge distances or tow a caravan, these are absolutely perfect. Another thing that would be perfect for a review is the swag, especially as its kinda the poor mans roof top tent over here as you can just roll out and you're good to go
I'm an Aussie too. I drive hundreds of miles to go camping in WA. If you really believe that a RTT is ideal for our giant country, i sure hope you have deep pockets and a 200 litre fuel tank. Did you actually notice his fuel consumption comparison? ⛽😋😊
@@Hillbilly973 Considering all the giant caravans being towed around Australia, a RTT is a non-issue. Half the vehicles have giant muddies on them, as well. I barely notice a fuel difference on mine. Just get a slimline one with a defuser, not a giant box like the cheap ones are made.
@@jayd3931 👍😊
I just love my swag. I’ve thought about getting a RTT but then my wife will want to come camping with me 😂😂
Off road camp trailer is the way to go nothing to flash mine uses the same fuel as a roof top tent and I don't have to drive around with it on my roof every day like a wanker. I don't have to worry about weight on the roof when 4wding.
I have a 4 person Overland extended and have it mounted on a rack on a small enclosed cargo trailer...... its sweet for hunting basecamps...... weekend camps and the enclosed trailer gives me an added set of bunks and all the equipment storage.....we have the add a room/annex on the ladder side and a small awning on the other side.......... I have used it in the dead of winter in new england in frigid weather for winter hunts and ice fishing alot...... guess its a preference of adventure , I ve had campers , tents and motorhomes even toughed it out in bed rolls, each has given me lessons and great backwoods experiences...
This is something I'd use while hunting in swampy area.
My partner is not into tent camping so the RTT is a compromise that works for the both of us. We just have a 2nd hand one that we paid $300 Australian dollars for....so less than that in US$. The bedding is ready to go, we can use camp-sites not suitable for tents and he has a pulley system set up on our carport to take the tent off and store it when not in use quite easily. Works for us. If at a spot for a few night's we set up a gazebo as a living space. Means no clearing a tent floor.
I’ve had my rooftop tent since May 2023, and I absolutely love it! Don’t have to worry about carrying a tent around or worrying about having to find a spot to pitch it either. Also, on nice days I like to find a scenic spot and pop my RTT up and just relax for a bit or even nap. That’s one thing I never did with a regular tent. I definitely get why they’re not for everyone, but I found a crazy deal on mine and haven’t regretted buying it since.
Sooo, a few outings and you love it? Of course you do. It's all new an' stuff. You'll change.
@@John-d7p A few outings and all new? Brother… I’ve had it a year and a half almost, taken it on multiple big road trips, to 10 national parks, along with camping in it probably another 20ish times in the state I live in. I also pop it up just to relax on a weekly basis. Yeahhh, I don’t know that I’m getting tired of this one anytime soon. I love it even more than when I got it. I will add too, mine’s a bit easier to set up and break down than even the one in this video.
@@Morgan.Bentley ooh, what brand tent is it and was the deal offered by the brand itself or you got it somewhere else?
I recently started bringing two 4x8 plywood sheets as ground support. Lay down a couple moving blankets and you're golden. 💯
Isn’t this craze more for overlanders and not people going to normal campgrounds?
It's a good point. But tell that to all the front range campgrounds folks who have them on their Subaru.
@@Reed411 they can camp at every Starbucks in the nation!!
@@howweroll7 😂
In Australia, camp sites are littered with them...tents seem too hard for most mum and dad campers so we see more $100k caravans and $3k rooftop tents.
I can’t imagine waking up busting to pee still half drunk and dealing with that ladder!
All valid points. My knees were the deciding factor in getting my RTT. I have a very hard time getting up of the ground anymore and it's painful. I factored in needing to start camping on a cot which adds weight and gear to my Bronco. I do carry a two man tent as a backup in case I can't level my Bronco or i need it for any other reason. I do love my BDV DUO with the 6 inch air mattress though
As a roof top tent owner for over 7 years, what I can say about them is they have a specific purpose. Many people who have them, don't use them for the specific purpose they're built for and would likely be fine in a ground tent or hammock, but they want to look cool.
The specific purpose is speed, space and reliability when being remote for several days. On trips like that, you are setting up and tearing down camp every morning and night, so being able to save time means you don't need as much prep time to setup or get going, which can be really beneficial when you arrive late to camp and need to sleep.
Space is also a big one, for many we carry fridges and food and chairs and supplies for several days away from civilization, so by getting our tent out of the vehicle, we free up space. And if the tent can use cross bars, we gain back space again. Sure, we lose MPG, but that was already a losing game for us because of bigger tires, lifts and payloads, so in the grand scheme, the rooftop tent doesn't matter much.
And finally, reliability. We are often in hard weather conditions, bad rain, snow, wind, and we don’t necessarily have a choice to pack up and go home sometimes, so we have to tough it out, and especially these hard shells like the one you tested (and I’ve owned for 3 years) hold up to the worst of the weather you can throw at it while keeping you warm and dry. And they can take a beating from branches and trees on the trail. (obviously hike in campers have to deal with this too, but from the same perspective, the ones who spend big are the ones who want something that can weather the elements better than the others.)
The honest truth is that if you aren’t using your setup for point to point travel like this more than 50% of the time you use it, yeah, you could definitely save a bunch of money and use a ground or hammock tent. But if this is what you do, the comfort, speed, and reliability gained is unparalleled.
BTW, this is not just to justify my purchase, I totally want to get a nice light ground tent soon to start doing some hike in camping too, and a rooftop tent can’t get that job done at all.
These are some good points and I appreciate you sharing this perspective. As I read through your comment I couldn’t help but think about backpacking and how we often encounter the same situations. We are moving everyday, experiencing extreme weather often in very high elevations, and we can’t pack up and go home if things turn south. Yet we use very lightweight ground tents and trust our safety to them. Maybe it’s this perspective that makes me biased against RTT. Thanks for commenting and watching
I agree and I have a similar experience with my own roof top tent that I use on long trips.
One of the additionnal benefit I see to it is the choice of locations where you can sleep at. We are often near nature reserves or national parks where pitching a tent would be illegal whereas the rooftop tent is legally grey, especially if it stays fully over the car like on compact models.
It also makes camping near big cities possible, albeit not too comfortable depending on the spots you find.
I bought my roof top tent more as a cheap alternative to renting a van than as an alternative to a cosy tent, it's not really the same use.
every single one of these points is worse than a traditional tent with the same features
Good points, but it all comes down to what your camping preferences are. I typically just put an air mattress in the back of my SUV, which is quick and easy. Caveat to that is having to unpack the entire back, fold the seats down, air up the mattress, roll out the sleeping bag or blankets, etc. If you have a RTT and a galley setup in the back of the vehicle, it only takes 5 minutes to set up camp. No worries about weather, level camp spot, debris, and no need to unpack the entire car to do it.
They're actually amazing. I recently converted my pavement princess into a dedicated mall crawler and it really gave my rig the look I was going for.
:savagegeesecomment:
Get a snorkel
First thing I got for it... Haven't hooked it up to the intake yet, but it looks dope!
People who cosplay the Insta-life cannot be called out enough.
I got one for a recent road trip for a few reasons. First, I'd be driving about 7 hours on avg a day for 12 days, so the setup/packup time was huge. Second, Yellowstone was my goal and with grizzly bears in the area, a RTT over my ground tent was for extra safety. Lastly, I'm a little too tall to sleep in the back of my Bronco which was my first idea for the trip.
For the trip it worked very well aside from a couple of nights of heavy condensation inside. Getting up and down after getting settled in was a little annoying, but I really liked it overall. I've been considering doing a lot more shorter weekend trips, I feel like it's given a lot more flexibility for adventure. I'm not getting rid of my ground tent anytime soon either.
I spent $6,000 on a fiberglass snugtop. It has carpet, double thick roof, hinged side and front windows, paint color matched, usb ports, lighting, roof rack. Always ready for sleeping. no set up or breakdown needed. 400 pounds.
Like he said though, you can have all that in a traditional tent for the most part
On what car? Aren’t those truck beds usually like 150-180cm long?
@@stefan_luptak 2023 Tacoma DCLB its 6' long. 182.88 cm
$6k for less than 10 minutes morning or evening while gimping the truck bed? Eh. Doesn't add up.
@@oni-one574 It serves as a lockable space for my tools while i work, or shopping. it still allows regular usage as a truck. whereas a tent topper does not.
The ultimate is towing a trailer with a RTT on it, which I do. I use one after 25yrs of camping because it sets up & packs up fast. The bedding is already setup in mine, so no need to carry a blowup mattress, blankets and pillows which is a huge plus. RTT’s are very well insulated and keep you warmer in cold weather camping. When it’s a hot night, and you open the RTT windows it’s cooler & you capture a breeze that might not exist at ground level because they’re higher up. Can be setup on ground unsuitable for a ground tent. Generally speaking, safer from things that are on ground level such a wild pigs or a wild bull that might be roaming an area where you’re camping. Setting up pole tents tents is a PITA.
Makes for cool instagram pics - some folks just love to buy every possible accessory for their vechicle just because they can
I live near the beach, so they're really great to take to the beach.. even in a crowded parking lot, being up high you get a great view and nice breeze, easy break from the sun, all without actually "setting up camp". Also a nice break from the sun, or for those of us with kids, a great place for kids to nap. I have normal tents as well, truly love RTTs though.. going up and down ladder is main down side, but really not all that bad.
Another "con" that you didn't cover:
Assuming that you had to leave the campsite for an emergency (for example, a medical emergency, a flood, etc), you can't drive the vehicle without taking the tent down, and those minutes could mean life or death.
Great insight -- thanks for posting!
As long as there are no low trees you CAN drive away. Maybe get rid of the ladder, but in an emergency even that wouldn't be a problem. At least driving for some miles to a safer place.
jesus dude what a load of bs, dont leave the house
For yrs,I have set up my 2 person tent in the back of my open bed pickup truck. For yrs ,I had a truck with an 8' bed. Could shut tailgate. Now, I have a truck with a 6' bed .Still works, but have to leave tail gate down [no big deal].
"I like brunettes more so people shouldn't date blondes" kinda vibes. Let people have their experiences their way.
That's a great way of summarizing the video and the comments. Everybody is so opinionated. What works for me works for me. I don't need to justify it to anybody else unless you are helping me pay for it, which nobody is, so why do they care?
Exactly for the reasons you list, I end up using the extra budget to buy a really fancy bell tent that cost 1000$ and a roof top box, with everything still much cheaper than the rtt and much better camping experience, happy about it
I got a good deal on a RTT in 2022 and I have loved it. I’m in the military and I was PCSing (changing duty station) across the country from Florida to Washington State and I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on hotels on the drive so I figured I could use the money I would’ve spent on hotels and actually see the country. This allowed me to do some crazy off road trails in Colorado and spend the night in places I would probably never get to again.
One thing that I believe was left out of the video is the comfort of an RTT, not necessarily the size but the bedding. It is way more comfortable than most blow up air sleeping pads. While in Washington I visited Mount Rainier and Olympic national forest with the RTT and it was very nice (as long as I had a rated sleeping bag with me). And now I’m in Southern California and when I go camping it’s nice not to track so much dirt and dust in.
Ultimately I bought the RTT to save some money for a trip but I ended up loving every trip I’ve had with it even after it fulfilled its original purpose.
I will say, someone like Roaming Reckless actually has good use for her RTT. She lives in her truck full time, which allows the first level to be used practically instead of space for sleep.
Just like any trend, most of those tents will remain brand new untill they fall apart on the roof. In the Albuquerque area, "frownie" face grills, rooftop tent, 22 inch fake beedlock wheels with "mud tires" on 4 inch spacers, blocks to lift an axle, rusty bumper jack on the front bumper, empty fuel cans, empty water cans, plastic traction boards, Punnisher skulls, Glock stickers, Pep Boys stick on "chrome", $5,000.00 bumpers, "tattered" American flag sticker on the hood MUST be on your 4x4 or you aren't cool.
Don't get me started on the soft toppers. In over 100 degree weather, taking the doors and roof off is a stupid idea. It only looks cool to the other soft toppers.
How does all that stuff not get stolen, Albuquerque is a grade A shit zone?
@@Nadirthebottomrock
Don't act like there is no theft where you live.
@@jk-76 yeah there's lots, I live off Menaul. This city is shit.
Thanks to Tim.
This had me cracking up ...... because I can just see it. LOL. You're SO right.
My thing was always having comfortable shelter with my vehicle at all times. It feels much more like home than my regular 1-2 man tent I use for backpacking, and I get much better sleep in it overall than ground tents with a real mattress in there rather than a narrow air mattress. It took about 1mpg off my tacoma, which I'm fine with
Remember when we used to go camping and all we had was our tent, sleeping bag, gun, knife, and some food, And we were happy to be out in nature
Why did you need a gun???
@@MovieMakingMan why because where I grew up in the mountains, you always took your gun you don’t know what or who you were going to run into you may feel comfortable without a gun that’s fine, but I was raised with it. ✌️😎
Yes, i remember that fondly. No, I don't want to do it again. Give me an RV with a toilet, AC and a mattress.
@@kcgunesq Give me a key-card to my room at a 5 star hotel.
@@MovieMakingMan I hate hotels for anything more than 1-2 nights. But I get your point.
I purchased my first RTT a little over a year ago and totally agree with most of your cons. At the same time, it has brought me a ton of joy and I have slept so much better in this than all my other years of camping. Especially with a partner and/or a pet space wise (coming from mostly having lightweight weight-weenie tents). My biggest con, as you mentioned, is the vehicle no longer being mobile once set up. If there's an emergency or any desire to want to leave at any pace - you're gonna have to wait.
But for now I genuinely love it for trips I want to glamp with and keep doing traditional lightweight backpacking and bikepacking set up other times. In general, even with having one, I cannot for the life of me understand why or where the price points on some of these things come from (I got a cheaper one off Kickstarter).
It may surprise you! The first time I had my wife join me in my rooftop tent I was shocked to hear her report “that was the best night sleep I’ve ever had camping”
I thought she meant the comfort of the mattress, but she revealed the real secret: she always felt unsafe on the ground. Up on top of the Jeep she finally felt safe at night. I shared this with other women and I was SHOCKED when they all reported similar feelings!!!
I think this is the real reason they're so popular. It feels safe up high and also kinda cool to sleep in one.
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just keep a 1" sheet of plywood in the back of your 4runner. When you park, put the plywood on the roof, setup up your walmart tent and put it on the roof. You've now got the same roof-top tent experience for ~$150. You'll make that money back in gas savings in a single summer of use
Been camping constantly for the last 30 years. Still prefer my $30 tent to all this crazy garbage folks are refinancing their house for.
this country is loaded with well trained consumers. we've been steady conditioned over the years. check out our credit card debit, frick yeah!!
We are planning to attach one to our roof but also pull a trailer with a motorcycle for a long east-west trip next year. the addition of the trailer will reduce the loss of cargo space as well as give us another mode of transportation when at camp. Something that wouldn't be possible with a regular camper that would probably be a lot heavier.
Mate, for camping on the beach, rocky rivers, muddy ground, get the breeze in hot conditions and the view from up there, i love it. Its the best option for touring or one nighters
Eh....there is another solution: you can always rent one for your trip, specially if you don't do camping very often. For 2 or 3 trips/year...renting a RTT might be a good solution. Here in Romania you can rent one for 20$/day so for a 10 days trip 200$ is a decent price. I'll try one out next year, because i hate setting up and packing up the ground tent and the fact that it's never smooth and leveled underneath and the sleep quality is shit. I'll still use that tent for motorcycle trips, but when i go on a trip with the car...i feel like a RTT is a far better solution.
Let's not gatekeep people from going outdoor though. Whatever gets people outside and doesn't hurt others or the environment is what I'm all for. Admittedly, the RTT market is insanely overpriced, that 'overland tax' these days.
This is an equipment review channel, its whole purpose is to judge the value proposition of camping equipment. This isn't gatekeeping anyone, they can choose RTT or traditional tent, which is the comparison made here. If overpriced equipment gets people outdoors better than traditional equipment, I guess that's fine but it's fairly irrational. Your criticism just feels unfounded. It's like saying a negative movie review is somehow gatekeeping people from enjoying the movies - it makes no sense.
@@jake5549-r4k valid points
Oh, let's absolutely gatekeep. I'm all for the moronic city-dwellers staying inside the city limits and not polluting the countryside with their stupidity.
Excellent review with good points. One benefit of a rooftop tent is that you can use it when you are camping over rocks or very hard ground that make it difficult to stake a ground tent. Personally, I'll stick with my ground tent.
I live in Denver, and this is a real issue. People driving around with all this weight in a huge block on top of their already lifted vehicle, carrying an object that is unused 99% of the time.
What’s the issue? What if they head off every weekend or twice a month camping. Why do you care? Are you all losing your minds in America.
Half the campers in Australia have a rooftop tent. It’s certainly popular with a lot of trekkers. They go off for a day trek and return to their tent for the night. We don’t have ridiculous RV parks in Australia. We go bush and we travel daily to cross vast deserts. Roof top tents are ideal You all don’t have a problem with hideous RV monstrosities that need 2 acres each just to camp up and cost an offensive amount but omg roof top tents are your problem.
This is anything but an "issue." 😂
@@amorton94 #1 issue on voters minds
@@effkay3691 the idea is it’s super wasteful to lose 3 or more mpg for 99% of your driving on an already super inefficient vehicle, so you can drive around with your occasional bed on the roof. Besides looking like a poser douchebag, these people are actively making their vehicles even more harmful to the environment for nearly no benefit. It’s selfish, pointless, and embarrassing. I’m not against SUVs, I drove a big V8 myself, but I certainly don’t take steps to make it even more of a gas guzzler. Please post your self-centered reply below
@@TheScottiem303 I'm sure it is. 🤦♂
In Australia/New Zealand we have something called a "swag" which is like a foldable and portable tent with a built in mattress. They are usually sold alongside a stretcher that you can attach to get you a couple of feet off the ground. Has the pros of being portable, super quick to set up, and being raised off the ground- while still being mobile enough to set up anywhere and keep you away from snakes/spiders/other things that might be crawling about. I just drive up to a campsite with it in the back and either hike a few minutes with it or pop it up next to the car.
Putting the rooftop tent on a trailer solves all the problems. Frees up your car/truck. Added storage. Saves your camp spot. Easy setup. Gets you off the ground.
Putting it on a trailer? Just buy a camper
Or in Australia, a trayback ute would actually act the same. Pretty good idea. Camper trailer setups already exist but cost way way more than a roof topper.
My partner and I have had a rooftop tent for a couple of years now and we have never regretted it! We payed about $1000 AUD (~$700USD) on sale. Fits both of us and the dog (He is pretty big), I won't say comfortably, but for someone who can't sleep well on normal camping mats its pretty good! Ours is a soft top one so we can keep blankets and pillows in while driving. It definitely gives us an extra sense of security being up there. I think its great for low-key road trips or staying at friends places, when you don't need the perfect camping set up. It definitely does have its downside but we absolutely use it more than our traditional tents.
Flat sleeping surface, elevated off the ground, easier to level, better views and sense of security, looks AWESOME. Love my bed-rack-top-tent and cant get enough overlanding adventures with it.
Saying this "craze needs to stop" isn't the same as "RTT is not for me, here's why". The 2nd is more understandable and respectable.