Why Roof Top Tent

[cruiserbent]

All good discussion. I really like the thought of a tear drop camper as well. Not only do they just seem really cool. They also look like a great alternative to any kind of tent. Although they do seem really pricy as well. Will be sticking with tent for now.

[Flounder]

I think much of this depends on the vehicle. When I had and Eezi-Awn RTT on my Discovery, I thought it was a ginormous hassle. It was just high enough off the ground I had to climb up on my Disco a dozen times to get it fully deployed, and another dozen times to get it stowed. Seriously, it was step up on the tire, fiddle, step down, go to the next tire, step up, fiddle, step down.... I also really disliked the added weight on my roof. Didn't feel unsafe, but it did feel weird.

I guess I don't mind the ground tent. I'm a buyer for an outdoor store, so I literally buy outdoor gear for a living. I guess I just chose my tents carefully as well as all the goodies that go in them. I also like a shelter that's useful for more than just laying down. This is why many RTT users have awnings.

I won't say that setting up a ground tent is any quicker or easier than setting up an RTT, I'll just say that in my situation the RTT was anything but "Eezi." Kind of a PITA, actually.

[cruiserbent]

I think it would be for me too. One time I thought I wanted a bike rack on the roof. Heck, 4 inches of lift and 33s, who's gonna climb up there and get em down for me. If its just me I put the mountain bike in back with rear seats folded down. More than one I use the hitch mount rack

[hoser]

Well, there should be a distinction between the RTT's. The Autohome Columbus/Maggiolina/airtop is much faster to put away than the Eezi-awn clamshell types... probly about half the time. Use goose-down bedding and pillows and bedding can be kept in the autohomes easily. A little bit of bedding in the clamshell type increases time to fold away.... and the cover is another hassle.

[Corey]

That is one of the reasons I went with the Maggiolina.
What could be easier than this?
Putting it down takes a bit longer, but I can do it in a few minutes, and no ladder needed.
I just leave the rear door open to climb up on the rear bumper, and I can stand on my sliderz too as I work my way around.

Having all the bedding in place with this type of tent was another plus I looked at before deciding on what brand to go with.

[spressomon]

There are just too many personal variables for any tent whether ground or RTT to be universally considered best for all (IMO of course ). Its great to finally have considerable choices/selection in the marketplace regardless though.

The flip style RTT's were nothing but a PITA for us. The covers at roof height are a pain to deal with especially if raining or windy when putting them on. The covers eventually wear out; in windy conditions you better be a very sound sleeper or put the ear plugs in; bedding gets folded in half but you have to be careful to not bunch it up during the fold up process. The interior size of the fold-over style RTT sure was nice though in all but c-c-c-old climes and its nice for on-roof space conservation too as it does leave a portion of the roof for other cargo as bad a COG location as it is anyway. And they're anything but aero on your roof.

Unfortunately sleep systems apart of camping from a motored rig is a little like a golf or fly fishing hobby: You almost need a quiver of tents if your travels are so varied in application. There were trips where our former Kimberely Kamper was supreme; there are trips where sleeping (solo) in the back of my LC with my dogs is better; and there are trips where the Columbus is just plain better (faster, frees up some interior space since all sleeping related equipment is on the roof). But not one of all we've owned was perfect or universally applicable to all our travels.

A one size fits all sleeping system for everyone's uses seems to be a compromise at best. But we of the motorized campers/explorers are not unique in this perspective compared to most other hobbies...

[JIMBO]

ASTUTE-words of wisdom !

JIMBO

[chicken corners]

Food for thought?
Is a Roof Top Tent for me? The RTT Conundrum

Lots of good info.

[cruiseroutfit]

Lots of good info.

Glad you enjoyed it. I've taken some light ribbing from some fellow tent vendors asking me why I almost do a better job at talking people out of RTT's rather than into them... the truth is they are not for everyone and I don't want to sell them as such. For those that do fit the uses and features of a RTT, they rock. I spent at least 5-7 days in mine each month and I can't think of a better option.

[FishPOET]

I like having options and my RTT is one of many options for accommodations for the evening. I will be leading a trip in October over 100 miles of dirt with 2 different camp locations. This is where the RTT excels.

I tried using the RTT as a base camp one time. It was a pain to take down and set up each day. More than likely I won't be using the RTT as a base camp again.

Adding to Kurt's great thread of pros and cons. Top of the list of cons for me: No matter how much you invest....It is still just a tent. Whether it is on a trailer or on a vehicle, wind can make a night unsleepable. In a large gathering with close neighbors like Overland Expo or Rendezvous, late night noisy neighbors can be a problem. Also a con; When mounted on a vehicle is the suspension of the vehicle exaggerates minor body movements.