I grew up sleeping on the ground or in the bed of the truck with a tarp over us if it's raining. I feel like I'm glamping now with my Coleman 4 person instant ground tent I got brand new over 7 years ago for under $100, and it's still like new. I'm trying, but I don't understand spending $$$ for an RTT. Btw, great channel, great content.
I had an area BFE, same manufacturer as CVT mount hood. As I live in Vegas and wheel a lot, I completely destroyed it. As I ripped the bolts through the aluminum sheet. It slept great, but couldn’t handle my wheeling. They were super cool and replaced it, but I sold it out of fear I would destroy it. I need serious construction, something that won’t be destroyed. If I get another one I need a quick detach maybe.
It’s worth mentioning, the most underrated RTT soft/hard top hybrid on the market. The ikamper x-cover has a hard top with soft sides while closed but opens up like a full soft top. It’s light weight, sleeps 4, low cost on sale and packs and unpacks a little over 2 min. Super fast. So best of all worlds… spacious, fast, and Low cost. Top notch materials as expected. Got mine on sale for $2,050.
I've owned a roofnest condor overland since it came out 2 years ago and I'd warn everyone to stay away from roofnest. Ive replaced the struts twice now due to rust, the waterproof tape over the seams has all become delaminated and is falling off and when the tent is closed during a rainstorm, water seeps into it. I was really happy with it at first but after 2(ish) years I wish I had gone with a different brand
I really like free spirit recreation tents! Especially the aluminum hard shell tents.They are at a fair price, great quality, and fully rebuild able and great customer service in the USA. I’ve had the odyssey for almost a year now and it’s been great even for someone who is 6’4. Also fully insulated fabric
The CVT Mt Hood was phenomenal and really one of the first "trend" setters imo. I scored it a couple years ago for 2000 brand new. The CS was amazing and having a real convo with someone here in the states was an added bonus.
Wow, Awesome real information & reviews in record setting amount of time. Thank you for taking the time to put this video together & I can't wait to watch your other videos.
Easy to pick hard to top and large space is essential as our guy didn't speak about, as when it's hot weather and you are with your partner to close each other and good luck cool down in East coast, get at least 3 to 4 people type like iKamaper style. I do have iKamaper never had condensation, and we are on East VA I went from NC to ME and never had a condensation. I'm not afflicted with iKamper. Of course, if you do sole trips that is a guy right on money. One bad thing with iKamper mattress needs upgrade and cost. I dodged a bullet after spent 2 years with soft top (about 1.2k)
Thank you for making this great great video! Very comprehensive overview of a lot of different RTT’s and types of RTT’s. I learned some things I had not yet thought of. The work is much appreciated!
Nice job thanks for all the hard work. I’m looking for a tent I can put low over my short bed tonneau cover (retrax xr), no soft tops. I like the idea of keeping below roofline for efficiency as my truck is an EV -ford lightning. I have rhino rack vortex bars already just not sure they are high enough to mount a tent. I’m ok with some overhang and I understand I might not be able to open a side if I keep the tent low.
So stoked you put this together… 🤙 Go figure I’m heavily considering switching out my ARB soft shell for a hard shell. I couldn’t agree more… dear god, putting the soft shell’s away is an absolute nightmare. I dread it every time and literally dedicate almost half a day to doing so, so I feel like that number you came up with for wasted life hours is even more when you’re not rushing. Really glad you brought up the OVS Bushveld the though because that’s the one I’ve had my eye on most. That or the 23Zero Armadillo. I really love the quality of my ARB though and I have to admit, it’s lasted this long plus I’ve done so much custom work to it, it’s hard to let go. (Heating ducts, 12v porting, lighting, insulation, carpet tiles). But the breakdown is such a PIA, no joke. Curious what your thought on the ARB Esperence might be? That’s their hardtop version. The wedge style Alucab you mentioned has me drooling too and of course payload is such an issue that that had me light up with excitement. But I’m worried about fitting a family in there. Also, what’s nice, and also another factor for me is whether or not the new tent will conquer all of my rack real estate. I also carry Maxtrax and a hi lift on my rack with my current soft shell setup and I fear if I go wedge style that might not be able to happen. As far as truck shell wedges, check out lonepeakoverland.com. Contenders with GFC to say the least and SUPER nice from what I’ve seen so far! Just coming up, so their lead times are a little longer than most, but beautiful and absolutely rad designs for truck beds.
Nathan, Greetings from Boise! Excellent video, thanks. We have the Thule Tepui Kukenham 3 on our Tacoma and while it's fairly roomy and has worked well so far, I dread packing it up after using it. That part of having a softshell is a major PITA and we'd really love to get the TopOak. I think the biggest plus of the wedge tents is that you can add racks and a solar panel. Hope to see you on the road!
I love my iKamper. Have had my SkyCamp 2.0 for 2 1/2 yrs now & used it 45-50 nights in that time. Fabrics/materials are in great shape and still look/feel like top-quality stuff. Tent stays dark-so great to sleep in. VERY glad to have the hard shell-makes a huge difference in the wind (like when i did the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands NP w 30-35mph winds!). The fiberglass shell is starting to look a little worn, but have no leaks. Mine is always on top of my SUV-which i keep in a garage. The plastic which makes up the “window” in the roof of the rain fly is starting to yellow, so ill probably have to replace it next Spring (a minor cost compared to the overall tent). Tent has TONS of space when open. I have no trouble setting it up or taking it down when I’m camping alone. I did also buy the Annex Room-and that was really a waste of $$. Its a major pain to set up-i may have used it 8 nights out of that 45-50 night camping total.
I'm headed over to GFC in Oct to pick up a Platform Topper ... I skipped the camper after I read about their leaking and condensation issues. However, their fit and finish are top level. Have you had your hands on one of the Bad Ass Tents? ... I just found these guys online ... another interesting modular concept, and super light.
This is a great video. I’m new to the rooftop tent market, and have found the range quite dizzying. This video really helped distill the process for me. Thank you.
You may want to check out the iKamper SkyCamp. Its larger than the “mini” version he covers in this video. Ive had one for 2 1/2 years and loved it. It’s definitely roomy enough for 2 adults + a 6yo. Best of luck finding something that works for you.
I have been considering the Roofnest Condor Overland which has an aluminium shell instead of a plastic one. My main issue is that the RTT will prevent getting in many carpark unless it is mounted on a low rack in the bed of the truck so the top of the tent is flush with the roof rack on the cab. Which also mean that i will limit the capacity to carry stuff in the bed. Therefore, i am now thinking of sleeping in the canopy with the gate opened and a SUV tent mounted at the back to enclose the space. One benefit is i can leave the tent on the ground with the camping gear while driving the truck around. I would be glad to have your opinion
Great video! I was surprised not to see Bush Company on there at all, nor in the comments(didn't look too deep). I'm running an older Alpha model which is now called the AX27 paired with the OVS Nomadic 270 awning on my FZJ80. My family and I absolutely love it! The awning also has walls we will probably get at some point for sleeping area since we have 2 kids under 3 and a third on the way. As far as the tent though, quality, durability, fit/finish and comfort has been unmatched. 3" mattress and even an Anderson plug on the bottom that carries power to a light and 2 separate power boxes with multiple options for power in each. If you are ever in TN and want to try it out, let me know! Cheers!
Great review, can’t wait to hear your thoughts about canopy campers that would be competing with GFC. I’ve been looking at GFC, Super Pacific, and Four Wheel Campers this year.
You know what is hard about canopys is so many are SO good... yet very different... like they aren't even going after similar customers.... makes them hard to compare fairly.
@@OutdoorAuto completely agree with you. I think what would be helpful is doing a pros and cons of each, rather than a direct head-to-head comparison. That way people can choose which features or design might be better suited for how they want to use it.
That was a pretty concise review of most rooftop tents. The one style not even mentioned is the modified wedge shell with a foot box, like JAMES BAROUD SPACE tent, and 4x4 Colorado Nimbus tents, this I think this is one of the sweet spots out there. Have you tried this style? There's another style that opens 90°, I'll looknit up and see what you know about them.
i got my Tepui Ayer in 2018 and i still use it regularly i go camping 6 to 10 times a year so it’s for sure put in work for me replaces all the zipper pulls with para cord for wind reasons and i replaced the cover a few years back only because i wanted it in black
These comparisons are really helpful. I can see putting one on a trailer but not on top of a vehicle that goes on off-camber trails. Then there is that taking a leak in the middle of the night thing. There's no additional security compared to a ground tent. Critters and predators can still climb a ladder. Then there's taking off for the day to explore a trail when staying at a campsite for multiple days. Everything tent related needs to be packed up and unpacked every single time you want to explore. A great hub tent can be had for about half (or less) of what an inexpensive RTT costs.
After almost two years I still love my Alucab Gen 3.1. Hard to beat their quality and their innovation for an interior mattress backrest, drop down table, and steps which are actually angled to match the typical angle of the ladder. Nice review!
Lots of good info in this video. I'm ready to move on from my first RTT after almost two years. I have the Smittybilt XL. It's an absolute palace when it's set up. The fabric is decent quality, but the assembly quality is terrible. I've had to replace a bunch of bolts because they were either too short to fit into the nylock section of the nut they thread into, or stuff just came loose. And putting it back together can be a bear. I finally broke the cover's zipper on our last trip, which led me to this video.
Hi once again a great vid on all the rooftop tents that are out there! Just a note! Alu-Cab was the first to mass produce and has been making wedge top tents for over 24 years now and all the rest have copied them !!
I wish I had watched this comprehensive video first🤘Do you think having a small SUV with a moonroof would be a deal breaker for a roof top tent? Thanks! Subscribed👍🏻
I've got a 2015 F150 with the 5.5" box. I have been looking at a wedge tent for myself and my wife and then just having our kids stay in a ground tent. Pretty sure this video has sold me on the wedge off of Amazon.
@@davidrucci No…my first rtt. I had looked at the 4x4 Colorado Alta (same basic design), but it’s aluminum shell pushed the weight up more that I was comfortable with. I have set it up in the driveway a few times, and each time I’ve tried to figure out what I was forgetting. Compared to a regular ground tent, it seems way too easy.
Oh man... I should have said something about shopping pre-owned. it is such a great way to go... lots of good deals to be found out there on FB Marketplace. Have fun camping.
Great video. I've owned 2 RTTs. CVT 4 person and an Autohome Columbus, which no one has mentioned as of yet, but I think they've been making RTTs for a long time out of Italy. The CVT is now on a trailer cause trying to fold it away while it's high on a roof was pretty awful. It's great on a trailer where everything is more reachable. And ya, tons of room. The Columbus is awesome. It's a fiberglass shell. Pretty light, too. No condensation problems , easy setup, but expensive. Got mine used for a deal, though.
Agreed. The Columbus is great. No one ever mentions them, but they are top tier along with AluCab. I guess the cost keeps people away. But I don't regret spending the money.
Just watched this video and the other one of the head to head of the Topoak wedge against the Roofnest. Great videos and information. Also just wanted to let you know, that on the Topoak website, they have their wedge listed for $1299 right now. So it’s an even better deal for what seems like a pretty good quality tent.
I think the price I listed was including shipping... so still maybe the same? But either way, it is a killer tent for that price... I am still using it on the Troopy and the weather is getting nasty.
I like the design of the Freespirit EVO2 which has a double strut that gives more head room than the roofnest like you had. I agree that a good aluminum frame instead of a fiberglass or plastic shell.
it is not a rooftop but the overlandish basecamp 2 is an amazing tent. if you need a large tent that is easy to use its a winner, far better than a gazelle or shiftpod
After owning a Roofnest Falcon for 3 years i have only 1 thing to say regarding Rtt's as a whole... Air flow air flow air flow! Without enough windows or ability to facilitate air circulation, more so when raining it doesnt matter what tent you have you wont be comfortable. Air flow in relevance to windows and window design for air flow without sacrificing privacy and convenience is something you need to consider.. in my opinion , James Baroud offers the most air flow without sacrificing privacy
I did a video on budget RTT alternatives… I really like Swags… lot of similar comfort and 4 season fabric… but super light and cheap… ruclips.net/video/Oo7xdAmYQq4/видео.htmlsi=cHfuFh2wScPLwq2W
A couple of reasons I'm still in a soft shell RTT. Bought my 23Zero 56" Breezeway like new / used for $800...so it was a good deal. You get a thicker more comfortable mattresses in a soft shell generally. My 270 awning prevents a rear entry, so its the iKamper style or a soft shell style. I only camp maybe 6x a year...with one good week-long trip a year. A couple extra straps solves the ballooning issue. Though...I do like the new 23Zero Kabari Lite, side entry on a wedge isn't really the best option.
@@OutdoorAuto Unpacking isn't awful, packing is a pain...agreed. The cover is usually dirty and a mess to deal with. One additional 'plus' to a soft shell or iKamper Mini style is that my entire roof rack isn't taken up by the tent.
I have a teardrop with a roofrack. The teardrop sleeps 4 but the bunk is starting to get too small for my son since he is now 6'1". I was thinking of the Naturnest as an option for him. That way my daughter gets the bunk and my wife and i get the queen bed. Is the Naturnest a good entry level tent for one person? Even $1300 is a lot of money but we need a little more space. Appreciate your time!
The Alu Cab truck camper options are phenomenal. Also their more robust Gen 3R rooftop wedge is THE top of the line. Very good video, you’ve had a TON of tents!
You know I have always wanted to test Alucabs stuff... we have one of their Campers on one of our Baja Tour vehicles... but other than that I haven't got around to them yet.
Got a Go Fast Superlite. Thinking about another RTT for my wife’s Gladiator. With that 5’ bed it is definitely a challenge to find one that will fit over the bed and below the roof. Unfortunately it seems like the smallest folded footprint is the soft top tents.
@@OutdoorAuto Me too. They have a little competition with Freespirit Recreation with the Aspen Lite wedge tent at 120 pounds. Of course my Superlite is only 80 pounds.
You can learn about ezunstuck's rooftop tent, which is a 4.8-inch ultra-thin hard-shell lightweight aluminum alloy rooftop tent that can meet your needs.
Do u plan on doing a review of the naturenest u briefly mentioned on the wedge portion of the video? Been hearing some good reviews on it, would like to hear ur thoughts
I ran two different wedges on mid height racks… if you have a full size bed it looks great. If you have the short bed it still works… just overhangs a bit.
I agree.. that wedges are pretty heavy for a Tacoma and have to go so high… I know there are a few companies that make tents like the iKamper sky camp mini… but for much less… I just don’t know if they are good… haven’t gotten my hands on one yet. The mini is a killer tent for a Tacoma down low
EZUNSTUCK's 4.8-inch compact hard-shell aluminum alloy folding rooftop tent. Unfolded length is 6.88 feet and available in three widths. The small rooftop tent has a folded width of 3.87 feet and a length of 4.86 feet. It fits perfectly in the Tacoma's trunk.
The Freespirit Recreation EVO 2 has been my favorite tent to date. They make a short and a long version. It's so warm and dark with the Tri-Layer Fabric and with it being a suspended tent and venting up top there has been no condensation. I love the fact that it is aluminum and I can mount stuff up top if I need to with cross bars. It pops almost straight up so you can sit up with ease and has a small overhang so you can open up when raining and sit view out or put on shoes without getting wet. I can store all my bedding and pillows which saves time. Excellent. I will never buy a Roofnest again. The quality is horrible and customer service is bad. Lot of money for a cheaply made tent.
Quality fiberglass will last along time with good care and UV protection every 6 months, but the real downfall are the cracks close to rivets etc. Old school Thule roof top boxes are all over the place from decades ago and still going strong, but yes if you gonna only camp and live in desert conditions plastics are not your friend in the long run, but the weight savings and price differences in alot of cases makes them still a viable option for many.
Had to stop and comment. I first started with an OVS bushveld that holds four people and while the tent is very good for shelter it's very uncomfortable. There's a lot that has to be done to make it comfortable. I saw a lot of folks purchasing mattress toppers, air mattresses, and all sorts of stuff to make the mattress in this thing comfortable. I still have not found a good option for doing so. The air mattress is probably the best way to do it. One of the biggest issues is as soon as you add anything into this tent to make it more comfortable. It becomes very difficult to close, there's just not a lot of space to store stuff inside the tent while closed. On top of the issues I've listed so far, I tried to camp in 10° weather with this tent. It was in a humid environment and it was very cold. Even with you know negative degrees sleeping bag. On top of that we would wake up and basically the entire inside of the tent would be covered in a thin sheet of ice. So with all that being said, I honestly cannot recommend the OVS bush build. I don't like it at all. It's very difficult to work around even if the price is good in my opinion, save up money and go with iKamper because they have such a big suite of accessories to suit the tent in any kind of environment.
I live near China where these terms are made. They are about 500-600 Euro for a soft shell and 800 for hard shells/wedges of these same brands. I guess they over produce or have test models (though quantities seem high). I went for the soft shell as i only will use it for about 2 summers. Unpacking is 5 minutes and packing about 15 minutes.... if all goes well. It can go to 20, but then it may become a marriage crisis as you mentioned 😅. Do i regret the longer setup time? Not really. My wife will start cooking or prepare other things. It's a winding down moment where time usually isn't an issue. Only when we get up late and the sun is blazing hot, the packing can be quite taxing. I do have an annoyance with the second layer above the tent. It's probably extra rain protection. It can flap around making enough noise to wake up my wife. To get it tight at the apex of the tent is near impossible. It's too high up (Land Cruiser 200).
Curious why you didn’t consider or speak to the 23Zero in any of these categories. I’ve had a Walkabout 62 and now am in the Kabari (original not new). Curious how you think they compare.
Great comparison video! Thanks for taking the time to shoot and edit the whole thing, I know what a pain that is! I think the wedge tents really are the best option these days for speed and price. 2 good options worth mentioning that are ultralight: Inspired Overland Ultralight Roof Top Tent 87lbs ASPEN LITE ROOFTOP TENT 110lbs I’m gonna buy 1 of those, soon hopefully!
Yeah, it's crazy light! I really like the RTT's that are using tonneau covers essentially to save on weight. It does seem to have less features and be a little plain compared to the others, but you can't beat that weight! @@OutdoorAuto
FSR seems to be doing the bargain market like OVS lately... definitely aren't going after the same market as iKamper... you can tell from their price points.... For budget overland Freespirit and OVS are both great places to look.
I live in Canada, have an SUV and no garage. Would the aluminum hard shell wedge style hold up over time, while exposed to harsh conditions. ? I would not be removing it for winter and would likely camp during winter with it as well.
So far for me, the aluminum holds up best to sun and weather… longest I have tested individual tents is around 2 years… and the plastic hard shells weren’t doing great
You can take a look at EZUNSTUCK’s 4.8-inch compact hard-shell aluminum alloy folding rooftop tent. Unfolded length is 6.88 feet and available in three widths.
Just my opinion, but a couple reasons I did not go with a go fat instead of my smartcap and roofnest. You cannot seperate it, so you always have it taller then the truck. For those of us who do not use these often it is not optimal for MPG. And the way they seal it to the bed I was informed it was not intended to be removed and reinstalled. My truck is for truck things most of the time. And camping some of the time so this was not ideal in my use case.
What is your favorite tent... of any kind, you have ever owned?
I grew up sleeping on the ground or in the bed of the truck with a tarp over us if it's raining. I feel like I'm glamping now with my Coleman 4 person instant ground tent I got brand new over 7 years ago for under $100, and it's still like new. I'm trying, but I don't understand spending $$$ for an RTT. Btw, great channel, great content.
What are your thoughts on the roofnest meadowlark?
I'll let you know soon. I'm about to purchase a Free Spirit Recreation Aspen lite. Super stoked.
@inspiredoverland rtt are light weight and affordable. They are also coming out with a new carbon fiber rtt.
I had an area BFE, same manufacturer as CVT mount hood. As I live in Vegas and wheel a lot, I completely destroyed it. As I ripped the bolts through the aluminum sheet. It slept great, but couldn’t handle my wheeling. They were super cool and replaced it, but I sold it out of fear I would destroy it. I need serious construction, something that won’t be destroyed. If I get another one I need a quick detach maybe.
It’s worth mentioning, the most underrated RTT soft/hard top hybrid on the market. The ikamper x-cover has a hard top with soft sides while closed but opens up like a full soft top. It’s light weight, sleeps 4, low cost on sale and packs and unpacks a little over 2 min. Super fast. So best of all worlds… spacious, fast, and Low cost. Top notch materials as expected. Got mine on sale for $2,050.
I've owned a roofnest condor overland since it came out 2 years ago and I'd warn everyone to stay away from roofnest. Ive replaced the struts twice now due to rust, the waterproof tape over the seams has all become delaminated and is falling off and when the tent is closed during a rainstorm, water seeps into it. I was really happy with it at first but after 2(ish) years I wish I had gone with a different brand
I really like free spirit recreation tents! Especially the aluminum hard shell tents.They are at a fair price, great quality, and fully rebuild able and great customer service in the USA. I’ve had the odyssey for almost a year now and it’s been great even for someone who is 6’4. Also fully insulated fabric
This should have a million likes. This is the video we want. Thanks bud
Nathan, just ran across your videos and I really enjoy your style and content. Thanks for putting these together, I know it's a lot of work.
Great content as always. These reviews really help prevent buyer's remorse and I appreciate everything you do.
Thank you for breaking that down- it was very helpful information. cheers
Excellent video. Thanks for the info!
Thanks for the effort. This video really helped us to choose a rooftop tent.
The CVT Mt Hood was phenomenal and really one of the first "trend" setters imo. I scored it a couple years ago for 2000 brand new. The CS was amazing and having a real convo with someone here in the states was an added bonus.
Just got a FSR Aspen Lite! So far absolutely love it!!! 🤙
Excellent review! Any thoughts on the Eezi-awn tents?
Wow, Awesome real information & reviews in record setting amount of time. Thank you for taking the time to put this video together & I can't wait to watch your other videos.
Thanks for watching... and noticing... that thing was a true beast to edit to try and keep it short and moving... first pass it was like 50 min 😳
Easy to pick hard to top and large space is essential as our guy didn't speak about, as when it's hot weather and you are with your partner to close each other and good luck cool down in East coast, get at least 3 to 4 people type like iKamaper style. I do have iKamaper never had condensation, and we are on East VA I went from NC to ME and never had a condensation. I'm not afflicted with iKamper. Of course, if you do sole trips that is a guy right on money. One bad thing with iKamper mattress needs upgrade and cost. I dodged a bullet after spent 2 years with soft top (about 1.2k)
Well done! Thx!
Thank you for making this great great video! Very comprehensive overview of a lot of different RTT’s and types of RTT’s. I learned some things I had not yet thought of. The work is much appreciated!
Awesome, glad it was helpful.
We have a 23zero 87 on my 4Runner LOVE IT easy setup for us and huge bed plus DARK inside 👍🏽👍🏽
Definitely great information and sold me even more on the clamshell
Clamshells are so efficient... hard to beat.
Awesome reviews, thanks and keep them coming. Cheers from 🇨🇦
Thanks for watching. I'm actually trying to get up to Canada next year. Want to go check out some of the trails in BC.
awesome content, thank you.
Nice job thanks for all the hard work. I’m looking for a tent I can put low over my short bed tonneau cover (retrax xr), no soft tops. I like the idea of keeping below roofline for efficiency as my truck is an EV -ford lightning. I have rhino rack vortex bars already just not sure they are high enough to mount a tent. I’m ok with some overhang and I understand I might not be able to open a side if I keep the tent low.
Thanks for your time
So stoked you put this together… 🤙 Go figure I’m heavily considering switching out my ARB soft shell for a hard shell. I couldn’t agree more… dear god, putting the soft shell’s away is an absolute nightmare. I dread it every time and literally dedicate almost half a day to doing so, so I feel like that number you came up with for wasted life hours is even more when you’re not rushing.
Really glad you brought up the OVS Bushveld the though because that’s the one I’ve had my eye on most. That or the 23Zero Armadillo. I really love the quality of my ARB though and I have to admit, it’s lasted this long plus I’ve done so much custom work to it, it’s hard to let go. (Heating ducts, 12v porting, lighting, insulation, carpet tiles). But the breakdown is such a PIA, no joke.
Curious what your thought on the ARB Esperence might be? That’s their hardtop version.
The wedge style Alucab you mentioned has me drooling too and of course payload is such an issue that that had me light up with excitement. But I’m worried about fitting a family in there. Also, what’s nice, and also another factor for me is whether or not the new tent will conquer all of my rack real estate. I also carry Maxtrax and a hi lift on my rack with my current soft shell setup and I fear if I go wedge style that might not be able to happen.
As far as truck shell wedges, check out lonepeakoverland.com. Contenders with GFC to say the least and SUPER nice from what I’ve seen so far! Just coming up, so their lead times are a little longer than most, but beautiful and absolutely rad designs for truck beds.
beside the LT50 AluCab has the Gen 3.1 and the Gen 3.R. The R is really worth to have look at. Lots of (optional) features.
Nathan, Greetings from Boise! Excellent video, thanks. We have the Thule Tepui Kukenham 3 on our Tacoma and while it's fairly roomy and has worked well so far, I dread packing it up after using it. That part of having a softshell is a major PITA and we'd really love to get the TopOak. I think the biggest plus of the wedge tents is that you can add racks and a solar panel. Hope to see you on the road!
the 23zero walkabout 72 is HUGE and the blackout feature is incredibly dark, even in the desert. but the zipper and cover 😵💫
Great job
Great video. I been always wondering why the big price difference
I love my iKamper. Have had my SkyCamp 2.0 for 2 1/2 yrs now & used it 45-50 nights in that time. Fabrics/materials are in great shape and still look/feel like top-quality stuff. Tent stays dark-so great to sleep in. VERY glad to have the hard shell-makes a huge difference in the wind (like when i did the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands NP w 30-35mph winds!). The fiberglass shell is starting to look a little worn, but have no leaks. Mine is always on top of my SUV-which i keep in a garage. The plastic which makes up the “window” in the roof of the rain fly is starting to yellow, so ill probably have to replace it next Spring (a minor cost compared to the overall tent). Tent has TONS of space when open. I have no trouble setting it up or taking it down when I’m camping alone. I did also buy the Annex Room-and that was really a waste of $$. Its a major pain to set up-i may have used it 8 nights out of that 45-50 night camping total.
I'm headed over to GFC in Oct to pick up a Platform Topper ... I skipped the camper after I read about their leaking and condensation issues. However, their fit and finish are top level. Have you had your hands on one of the Bad Ass Tents? ... I just found these guys online ... another interesting modular concept, and super light.
This is a great video. I’m new to the rooftop tent market, and have found the range quite dizzying. This video really helped distill the process for me. Thank you.
thanks for putting all of this together. wanting a hard shell but needing to sleep 3 (adults and a 6yr)
You may want to check out the iKamper SkyCamp. Its larger than the “mini” version he covers in this video. Ive had one for 2 1/2 years and loved it. It’s definitely roomy enough for 2 adults + a 6yo. Best of luck finding something that works for you.
I have been considering the Roofnest Condor Overland which has an aluminium shell instead of a plastic one. My main issue is that the RTT will prevent getting in many carpark unless it is mounted on a low rack in the bed of the truck so the top of the tent is flush with the roof rack on the cab. Which also mean that i will limit the capacity to carry stuff in the bed. Therefore, i am now thinking of sleeping in the canopy with the gate opened and a SUV tent mounted at the back to enclose the space. One benefit is i can leave the tent on the ground with the camping gear while driving the truck around. I would be glad to have your opinion
Have you looked at the Moonlander? Innovative design concept.
Just got a smart tent clamshell! Stoked to have moved on from my smittybilt soft.
Great video! I was surprised not to see Bush Company on there at all, nor in the comments(didn't look too deep). I'm running an older Alpha model which is now called the AX27 paired with the OVS Nomadic 270 awning on my FZJ80. My family and I absolutely love it! The awning also has walls we will probably get at some point for sleeping area since we have 2 kids under 3 and a third on the way. As far as the tent though, quality, durability, fit/finish and comfort has been unmatched. 3" mattress and even an Anderson plug on the bottom that carries power to a light and 2 separate power boxes with multiple options for power in each. If you are ever in TN and want to try it out, let me know! Cheers!
Dude that was dope!
Thanks, hopefully it was helpful.
Great review, can’t wait to hear your thoughts about canopy campers that would be competing with GFC. I’ve been looking at GFC, Super Pacific, and Four Wheel Campers this year.
You know what is hard about canopys is so many are SO good... yet very different... like they aren't even going after similar customers.... makes them hard to compare fairly.
@@OutdoorAuto completely agree with you. I think what would be helpful is doing a pros and cons of each, rather than a direct head-to-head comparison. That way people can choose which features or design might be better suited for how they want to use it.
That was a pretty concise review of most rooftop tents. The one style not even mentioned is the modified wedge shell with a foot box, like JAMES BAROUD SPACE tent, and 4x4 Colorado Nimbus tents, this I think this is one of the sweet spots out there. Have you tried this style? There's another style that opens 90°, I'll looknit up and see what you know about them.
I totally agree, tall people need foot space, a total wedge sacrifices too much space at the hinge end.
Thank you I’m finally getting out with my family for the first time New York to Nova Scotia.
That sounds like an awesome trip.
i got my Tepui Ayer in 2018 and i still use it regularly
i go camping 6 to 10 times a year so it’s for sure put in work for me
replaces all the zipper pulls with para cord for wind reasons and i replaced the cover a few years back only because i wanted it in black
These comparisons are really helpful. I can see putting one on a trailer but not on top of a vehicle that goes on off-camber trails. Then there is that taking a leak in the middle of the night thing. There's no additional security compared to a ground tent. Critters and predators can still climb a ladder. Then there's taking off for the day to explore a trail when staying at a campsite for multiple days. Everything tent related needs to be packed up and unpacked every single time you want to explore. A great hub tent can be had for about half (or less) of what an inexpensive RTT costs.
Excellent review buddy. I’m in the market for one and you have made it a lot easier in what to look for. Cheers 🇦🇺
Awesome, that’s the goal… helpful, informative videos
After almost two years I still love my Alucab Gen 3.1. Hard to beat their quality and their innovation for an interior mattress backrest, drop down table, and steps which are actually angled to match the typical angle of the ladder. Nice review!
For almost 5 grand, I bloody hope you like it
@@timellins haha saw your comment, looked at the price...thought the same thing!
Topoak Galaxy RTT is AWESOME!!
Lots of good info in this video. I'm ready to move on from my first RTT after almost two years. I have the Smittybilt XL. It's an absolute palace when it's set up. The fabric is decent quality, but the assembly quality is terrible. I've had to replace a bunch of bolts because they were either too short to fit into the nylock section of the nut they thread into, or stuff just came loose. And putting it back together can be a bear. I finally broke the cover's zipper on our last trip, which led me to this video.
I have a Project M but I am thinking about getting rid of it for a GFC
Hi once again a great vid on all the rooftop tents that are out there! Just a note! Alu-Cab was the first to mass produce and has been making wedge top tents for over 24 years now and all the rest have copied them !!
Good note… Got to live the South African Overlanders.
I wish I had watched this comprehensive video first🤘Do you think having a small SUV with a moonroof would be a deal breaker for a roof top tent? Thanks! Subscribed👍🏻
Well done Sir!
Great job, thanks. 👊
I've got a 2015 F150 with the 5.5" box. I have been looking at a wedge tent for myself and my wife and then just having our kids stay in a ground tent. Pretty sure this video has sold me on the wedge off of Amazon.
Did you pull the trigger? I’m in same boat f150 and I like that wedge.. curious about the overhang
Any feedback on the RTD-Slim by antishanty? Noticed they have a fully hard sided clamshell they came out with that has me interested.
what about condensation with the soft top tents.
Enjoy these reviews, looking for an RTT for a JKU.
There are more choices out there then ever before… just figure out what you value most… and stick to it.
Good comparison, thank you.
In the future, will you have a chance to to compare camper/tent units? Similar to the GFC as an example.
I hope so. The price on those makes it almost impossible to do using my own money... I will have to get some sponsors to pull that off.
Great video man!
Thanks for watching 🙏
Hi， thanks a lot
Grabbed a pre-owned 23zero Armadillo x2. Maiden voyage tomorrow night.
Excited, but plenty to get dialed in for setup.
Thanks for the vids!
Definitely interested in what you think. That one’s on my list! 🙋♂️🤙. Have you ever had a soft shell?
@@davidrucci No…my first rtt. I had looked at the 4x4 Colorado Alta (same basic design), but it’s aluminum shell pushed the weight up more that I was comfortable with.
I have set it up in the driveway a few times, and each time I’ve tried to figure out what I was forgetting. Compared to a regular ground tent, it seems way too easy.
@@exploready that’s awesome. I’m sure you’re going to love it. Have fun! 🍻
Oh man... I should have said something about shopping pre-owned. it is such a great way to go... lots of good deals to be found out there on FB Marketplace. Have fun camping.
@@exploready just checked out the Colorado 4x4’s. They are amazing… 👌. But yeah that weight though. 😬
Great video. I've owned 2 RTTs. CVT 4 person and an Autohome Columbus, which no one has mentioned as of yet, but I think they've been making RTTs for a long time out of Italy. The CVT is now on a trailer cause trying to fold it away while it's high on a roof was pretty awful. It's great on a trailer where everything is more reachable. And ya, tons of room. The Columbus is awesome. It's a fiberglass shell. Pretty light, too. No condensation problems , easy setup, but expensive. Got mine used for a deal, though.
Agreed. The Columbus is great. No one ever mentions them, but they are top tier along with AluCab. I guess the cost keeps people away. But I don't regret spending the money.
Not comparing the top tier RTTs like Autohome, AluCab, Camp King....etc is a disservice to this video.
Just watched this video and the other one of the head to head of the Topoak wedge against the Roofnest. Great videos and information.
Also just wanted to let you know, that on the Topoak website, they have their wedge listed for $1299 right now. So it’s an even better deal for what seems like a pretty good quality tent.
I think the price I listed was including shipping... so still maybe the same? But either way, it is a killer tent for that price... I am still using it on the Troopy and the weather is getting nasty.
Thanks.
very informative summary
Thanks for watching 🙏
I like the design of the Freespirit EVO2 which has a double strut that gives more head room than the roofnest like you had. I agree that a good aluminum frame instead of a fiberglass or plastic shell.
Enjoy the EVO2… most important part comes next… using it. 👍
@@OutdoorAutois this comment meant as sarcasm? I would like your opinion of this tent!
Looks like topoak for my budget!
it is not a rooftop but the overlandish basecamp 2 is an amazing tent. if you need a large tent that is easy to use its a winner, far better than a gazelle or shiftpod
After owning a Roofnest Falcon for 3 years i have only 1 thing to say regarding Rtt's as a whole... Air flow air flow air flow! Without enough windows or ability to facilitate air circulation, more so when raining it doesnt matter what tent you have you wont be comfortable. Air flow in relevance to windows and window design for air flow without sacrificing privacy and convenience is something you need to consider.. in my opinion , James Baroud offers the most air flow without sacrificing privacy
Soft shells offers the best option when it comes to airflow in my opinion.
Do you know about the pantheon aluminum shell rooftop tent thanks
Great review. Have you ever owned any ground tents? Would you recommend skipping and going straight to a rooftop?
I did a video on budget RTT alternatives… I really like Swags… lot of similar comfort and 4 season fabric… but super light and cheap… ruclips.net/video/Oo7xdAmYQq4/видео.htmlsi=cHfuFh2wScPLwq2W
Good info. Thanks man.
Awesome, hopefully it was helpful… that was the goal.
A couple of reasons I'm still in a soft shell RTT. Bought my 23Zero 56" Breezeway like new / used for $800...so it was a good deal. You get a thicker more comfortable mattresses in a soft shell generally. My 270 awning prevents a rear entry, so its the iKamper style or a soft shell style. I only camp maybe 6x a year...with one good week-long trip a year. A couple extra straps solves the ballooning issue. Though...I do like the new 23Zero Kabari Lite, side entry on a wedge isn't really the best option.
These are really good reason. I hate packing them up but they definitely have their place.
@@OutdoorAuto Unpacking isn't awful, packing is a pain...agreed. The cover is usually dirty and a mess to deal with. One additional 'plus' to a soft shell or iKamper Mini style is that my entire roof rack isn't taken up by the tent.
23Zero and Ikamper the best !!!!
I have a teardrop with a roofrack. The teardrop sleeps 4 but the bunk is starting to get too small for my son since he is now 6'1". I was thinking of the Naturnest as an option for him. That way my daughter gets the bunk and my wife and i get the queen bed. Is the Naturnest a good entry level tent for one person? Even $1300 is a lot of money but we need a little more space. Appreciate your time!
Thanks!
Wow! Thank you... You are the first person that has ever done on one of these... I hope the video helped save you a lot of money.
Love your insight & that you’d still buy a wedge over a soft top😂
The Alu Cab truck camper options are phenomenal. Also their more robust Gen 3R rooftop wedge is THE top of the line. Very good video, you’ve had a TON of tents!
You know I have always wanted to test Alucabs stuff... we have one of their Campers on one of our Baja Tour vehicles... but other than that I haven't got around to them yet.
Got a Go Fast Superlite. Thinking about another RTT for my wife’s Gladiator. With that 5’ bed it is definitely a challenge to find one that will fit over the bed and below the roof. Unfortunately it seems like the smallest folded footprint is the soft top tents.
Soft tops or or that iKamper mini. I am really interested to see what Go Fast does with the next superlite.
@@OutdoorAuto Me too. They have a little competition with Freespirit Recreation with the Aspen Lite wedge tent at 120 pounds. Of course my Superlite is only 80 pounds.
You can learn about ezunstuck's rooftop tent, which is a 4.8-inch ultra-thin hard-shell lightweight aluminum alloy rooftop tent that can meet your needs.
Do u plan on doing a review of the naturenest u briefly mentioned on the wedge portion of the video? Been hearing some good reviews on it, would like to hear ur thoughts
If Nature Nest Reached out I would.
I'm thinking about getting a wedge to put on a mid height bedrack on my Silverado.
I ran two different wedges on mid height racks… if you have a full size bed it looks great. If you have the short bed it still works… just overhangs a bit.
budget wedge to consider. INSPIRED OVERLAND.
more expensive but looks promising... the new FREE SPIRIT REC. ASPEN LITE
both under 130lbs....
I'll check out inspired overland for sure.... I like the sound of 130 Lbs
Thank you.
Thanks for watching 🙏
Great reviews. With short bed Tacoma, not a ton of good options. Thanks for the content.
I agree.. that wedges are pretty heavy for a Tacoma and have to go so high… I know there are a few companies that make tents like the iKamper sky camp mini… but for much less… I just don’t know if they are good… haven’t gotten my hands on one yet. The mini is a killer tent for a Tacoma down low
EZUNSTUCK's 4.8-inch compact hard-shell aluminum alloy folding rooftop tent. Unfolded length is 6.88 feet and available in three widths. The small rooftop tent has a folded width of 3.87 feet and a length of 4.86 feet. It fits perfectly in the Tacoma's trunk.
Hi im 6 foot 4 inch tall which hard shell rooftop wedge popup fits better? Ty and btw great tutorials.
im 6'4" and I actually fit fine in the iKamper mini.... so anything with that opened length should be good.
The Freespirit Recreation EVO 2 has been my favorite tent to date. They make a short and a long version. It's so warm and dark with the Tri-Layer Fabric and with it being a suspended tent and venting up top there has been no condensation. I love the fact that it is aluminum and I can mount stuff up top if I need to with cross bars. It pops almost straight up so you can sit up with ease and has a small overhang so you can open up when raining and sit view out or put on shoes without getting wet. I can store all my bedding and pillows which saves time. Excellent. I will never buy a Roofnest again. The quality is horrible and customer service is bad. Lot of money for a cheaply made tent.
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James Baroud 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
Quality fiberglass will last along time with good care and UV protection every 6 months, but the real downfall are the cracks close to rivets etc. Old school Thule roof top boxes are all over the place from decades ago and still going strong, but yes if you gonna only camp and live in desert conditions plastics are not your friend in the long run, but the weight savings and price differences in alot of cases makes them still a viable option for many.
Overland Vehicle Systems has the Sidewinder wedge tent.
Shame we don't get the the Topoak here in Australia. Looks to be by far the best value roof top wedge out there.
Had to stop and comment. I first started with an OVS bushveld that holds four people and while the tent is very good for shelter it's very uncomfortable. There's a lot that has to be done to make it comfortable. I saw a lot of folks purchasing mattress toppers, air mattresses, and all sorts of stuff to make the mattress in this thing comfortable. I still have not found a good option for doing so. The air mattress is probably the best way to do it. One of the biggest issues is as soon as you add anything into this tent to make it more comfortable. It becomes very difficult to close, there's just not a lot of space to store stuff inside the tent while closed. On top of the issues I've listed so far, I tried to camp in 10° weather with this tent. It was in a humid environment and it was very cold. Even with you know negative degrees sleeping bag. On top of that we would wake up and basically the entire inside of the tent would be covered in a thin sheet of ice. So with all that being said, I honestly cannot recommend the OVS bush build. I don't like it at all. It's very difficult to work around even if the price is good in my opinion, save up money and go with iKamper because they have such a big suite of accessories to suit the tent in any kind of environment.
I live near China where these terms are made. They are about 500-600 Euro for a soft shell and 800 for hard shells/wedges of these same brands. I guess they over produce or have test models (though quantities seem high). I went for the soft shell as i only will use it for about 2 summers. Unpacking is 5 minutes and packing about 15 minutes.... if all goes well. It can go to 20, but then it may become a marriage crisis as you mentioned 😅. Do i regret the longer setup time? Not really. My wife will start cooking or prepare other things. It's a winding down moment where time usually isn't an issue. Only when we get up late and the sun is blazing hot, the packing can be quite taxing. I do have an annoyance with the second layer above the tent. It's probably extra rain protection. It can flap around making enough noise to wake up my wife. To get it tight at the apex of the tent is near impossible. It's too high up (Land Cruiser 200).
Have you come across the 23Zero rooftop tents?
Curious why you didn’t consider or speak to the 23Zero in any of these categories. I’ve had a Walkabout 62 and now am in the Kabari (original not new). Curious how you think they compare.
Great comparison video! Thanks for taking the time to shoot and edit the whole thing, I know what a pain that is!
I think the wedge tents really are the best option these days for speed and price.
2 good options worth mentioning that are ultralight:
Inspired Overland Ultralight Roof Top Tent 87lbs
ASPEN LITE ROOFTOP TENT 110lbs
I’m gonna buy 1 of those, soon hopefully!
I am definitely going to look into the Inspired Overland one... never heard of it till I put this video out. 87 lbs is awesome.
Yeah, it's crazy light! I really like the RTT's that are using tonneau covers essentially to save on weight.
It does seem to have less features and be a little plain compared to the others, but you can't beat that weight! @@OutdoorAuto
What about free-spirit Recreational tents, I always thought FSR and iKamper were close competitors
FSR seems to be doing the bargain market like OVS lately... definitely aren't going after the same market as iKamper... you can tell from their price points.... For budget overland Freespirit and OVS are both great places to look.
The best tent I ever had was $59 and went on the ground. I saved a bunch over the rooftop tents and spent more money on fuel for more adventures
I live in Canada, have an SUV and no garage. Would the aluminum hard shell wedge style hold up over time, while exposed to harsh conditions. ? I would not be removing it for winter and would likely camp during winter with it as well.
So far for me, the aluminum holds up best to sun and weather… longest I have tested individual tents is around 2 years… and the plastic hard shells weren’t doing great
What's a good rtt for tall people? I'm 6'7" and there aren't any places near to go check them out in person
You can take a look at EZUNSTUCK’s 4.8-inch compact hard-shell aluminum alloy folding rooftop tent. Unfolded length is 6.88 feet and available in three widths.
Just my opinion, but a couple reasons I did not go with a go fat instead of my smartcap and roofnest. You cannot seperate it, so you always have it taller then the truck. For those of us who do not use these often it is not optimal for MPG. And the way they seal it to the bed I was informed it was not intended to be removed and reinstalled. My truck is for truck things most of the time. And camping some of the time so this was not ideal in my use case.
You forgot roam tents. Still, good video bro. Definitely going Wedge now
Check out the Harker Outdoors EXO - I think it’s better than the GFC. Not a fan of the bed setup in those…