Love the video. What do you think of overlanders. Maybe an H1? Give some feedback. Also your beard and hair look good but I think an inch or so off you would be beastly lol.
Hello. Got an area BFE, trying to mount 35” tires on a swing arm bumper, but on a tacoma, not a tundra. How high off the bumper is the bottom of your tent? What size tires on your tundra. Thx! Looking at same bumper or the CBI to fit that tire so far....
If you pull into a narrow rental spot be sure of the part of your tent that sticks over the side of your vehicle is on the part of the land that you rented not your neighbors area. This is very true with a ladder that may stand out into someone else's area. You can correct this problem by driving into the slot from the other direction or backing in. Just be sure that's the part of your tatted ladder that sticks over the edge of your vehicle will not stick into somebody else's rental space.
I have a 23zero and I absolutely love it. It only takes 5 mins to close down as I found out last weekend when we got caught in a snowstorm. The light suppression is absolutely fantastic and I think unique to the RTT world.
Single guy at 76 years of age .. built up my 2001 Ford Explorer 2Dr Sport and over the years figured out that the rear seats weren't needed and so I built a bed inside the Ford .. I never saw the advantage of sleeping on top of my rig .. case in point was the beginning of the Outdoor Expo West in 2019 .. all the tents were up and all the manufacturers had theirs up for show and along came a huge thunderstorm with high winds in the 40/50 mph range. Many of the tents went flying and others pulled down. One of the guys with me disappeared .. he had a beautiful new roof top and wrap around awning .. in the morning he showed back up and I asked him where he wert .. Motel! It's still a tent!
Yeah I hear yah... I have camped in all kinds of weather... If I could sleep inside my truck regularly I would... but I have also camped in Gail force winds in tents... A lot of people just don't know how to use their gear. When I camp in wind... I spend a lot more time worrying about where the trees will land than what to do with my tent. 🤷♂️
Only things I would add to this killer video: Before you buy a RTT- Where will you store it when not in use How will you clean it Imagine deploying and closing one in the dark, freezing rain, or an emergency. Food for thought when choosing the right one for you.
I realized after buying my first roof-top-tent, Freespirit Tri-layer, that although it was great for sleeping, I still needed a place to get out of the elements on bad weather and buggy days and bought a QuickSet Clam Shelter. For all the reasons you stated, I sold the Freespirit and purchased a RoofNest Falcon XL. I also decided to purchase the new Gazelle Overlander. After a couple of outings, I realized that the Gazelle could easily serve as the bedroom too and simplify my setup. So essentially, I started as a tent camper and have gone full circle back to a tent. The ease and fast setup of the Gazelle has greatly simplified the process. After several camping trips, I've found that I don't miss the roof-top-tent.
Gazelle is great, until you’re in a wind storm and the sides pop in on you and smack your head! You are still on the ground, still taking time to set up, lay down a tarp, set up a pad, bedding etc. RTT are better in every single way, and it’s not even close. That’s why you see them on virtually every rig.
There's definitely advantages and disadvantage to both. Having extensive 4- season experience in all conditions with both a RoofNest Falcon and a Freespirit High Country Tri-Layer, I prefer the Gazelle. Everyone has to go with what works best for them and their uses.
Good review - you clearly know what you are talking about - some good clamshells from South Africa and Australia - Good ones are The Bush Company and Alu - Cab - you pay slightly more but the quality and reliability is definitely better
Great information for anyone that is looking to buy a tent. One CON I think should be added to the clamshell rtts is the condensation. I myself have an area bfe with a condensation mat, sleep with the windows half open, even bought a dehumidifier to hang on the net. We wake up with the entire ceiling wet. I have spoken with 3 other owners (1 area bfe, 2 roofnest) all with the same issue. Never had that issue with my previous soft shell, though it makes sense. Just want to help inform the public. Pros outweigh the cons though...
This is a great point. I have noticed condensation issues in every style, especially once it starts to get cold outside... but I do agree with you that they are the worst on the Clam Shell design. Carrying a towel that you throw over the bottom of your sleeping bags on the low side and then using it in the morning to quickly dry the roof seems to solve the problem... but that is a great call out.
I would love to be able to have more room like with a rooftop tent, but I prefer to sleep in my 4 Runner. Its just me and my dog so I don't need a ton of room. Its safer and no wind noise so it really works best for me. Very informative video.
Good info here. I own a Tepui Ruggedized Autana 3 with annex. I have it mounted on a Thule Xsporter Pro over the bed of my F150. This allows me to keep it close to cab height so I can park in my garage and out of the wind when driving. I agree with much of what you said here. Opening the roof top tent is easy and quick. Closing it does take more time as you say. I don't know how people do it when mounted on a 4runner or other tall SUV. I walk around on the sides of my truck bed, tail gate and tool box I have mounted near the cab to tuck it all back together. The ruggedized version weighs in at just under 200lbs. I like it because it is heavy duty canvas and after 4 years, has stood up well. We love the annex because it allows us extra room for changing or just getting out of the weather or bugs at night. It has room for a couple of chairs and my wife and I have read and played games in their on inclement weather evenings. We have even used a Mr. Buddy propane heater in there for cold evenings and mornings. Though the annex has a floor that zips on, we have never used it. We just put a heavy duty plastic mat under the the annex. Sliding the tent cover off and sliding the annex into the same slot is not that big of a deal. We have camped in cold, rainy and even extremely windy weather and stayed dry. We bought the fitted sheets this year for the mattress that Tepui sells and ditched the sleeping bags for a down comforter. We can leave that in the tent when it is closed up. The biggest drawback we have experienced is once you set up at your campsite of not being able to easily drive away without packing up the tent. I am considering a trailer to mount the tent on to eliminate this issue. Other than that we love it.
Before we had to add additional longterm gear to our setup I had the Xsporter rack... I loved it... its a great setup. You brought up a really good point on the Annex floors... some brands zip out, some don't... the ones that don't obviously are pretty bulky and also just take longer to get setup (getting the corners stacked down etc.) I ultimately moved away from soft tops and annex rooms because of the issue you brought up, where tearing down camp seems like so much work it isn't worth it. Many times we will camp someplace for two nights but we still want to be able to run trails in between... thats why I arrived at a tent I can close up in under a min. To solve the bad weather issue and annex we went with a Batwing 270 awning. It also takes under a min to open and stash... plus it has the zip on walls to protect from the driving rain... downside... it's not going to really retain heat. One of my friends has an old FJ and runs a trailer. We will be doing a walk around and tour on that and cover some trailer PROS and CONS... they are pretty interesting options. That video is probably a couple months out as we are shooting it on a trip.
Very well put together video. One thing so far, you say the annex rooms are a pain but in a case where we’ll say a shower annex is necessary wouldn’t it be worth the inconvenience to have that available? Feel like the option of an annex is a pro not a con, bc if someone doesn’t want one there’s no reason they’d have to have one.
One main thing nice about the James Faroud tents is the wide open design for views, more roomy feeling, and a solar powered ventilation fan built in for condensation.
amazing video and super helpful I have never camped before just like many people I know but I'm trying to break out of my bubble and start somewhere small and definitely going to be looking more to your videos for guidance thank you.
Good job. I had a smittybilt soft top and absolutely hated it. I got it because compared to other styles it’s roomier. It made me go back to a ground tent. The cover on those are a real chore, especially when packing up. Lol. Just throwing the cover (kinda) heavy over a tall truck and then orienting it was a huge hassle.
I agree! This is why I mostly point everyone away from soft-tops unless they HAVE to have the space or the price point is impossible to get around. While Roof top Tents have come a long way... we forget sometimes that ground tents have as well. Lot's of good options out there.
This video and the comments made me realize people are lazy and forget taking down a normal tent will also take 10-15 minutes. IMO the only real downfall to soft top is that the mattress is exposed to the rain if you dont get the cover on quickly. That's just down to practice and techniques though. Watched a guy get his down and stored in 8 minutes.
Yes the cheese wedge type like the Roofnest Falcon is for sure fast, but if you haven't tried a full size iKamper, they really do go down very quickly. The added strap you pull to close in all the fabric really works. We really wanted the extra space that the iKamper offers, if it wasn't for that we would have definitely gone with the clamshell/cheese wedge. It also feels less confined with the skylight and more headroom everywhere
I have a Tepui Kukenam 3 ruggedized. One thing I've been doing to speed things up when breaking camp is to not rezip the outer cover. We often only spend one night at a campsite before moving on to the next and eliminating this step saves a lot of time, but this method only works when we're 100% sure it's not going to rain between driving to the new campsite. It's also very helpful that we have a half height bedrack so the bugs don't fly in because the tent is protected by the cab.
I like it. Anything that saves time. I am firm believer we will all explore more if we perceive the reward as greater than the effort. It never hurts to help that equation along.
I really think that is the iKamper mini's strength... great tent... not the fastest but still fast and it can fit over a short bed and drop below the roof line... great setup.
We just purchased the CVT St Helens hardshell pop-up and we love it! We heavily debated between the pop-up and the clamshell but decided to go with the St Helens since all our bedding, pillows and the ladder can stay in there when closed. We live in the Reno/Tahoe area and decided to roadtrip the 8hrs to CVT's location in Bend to save on freight shipping and sales tax plus they installed it on our Subaru Outback onsite including the racks! They have excellent customer service which is why we chose them. We leave it on all the time and don't even notice it's up there when we are driving. We also have a pop-up tent trailer which is a bit of a production setting up and taking down so we really enjoy the simplicity of the rooftops setup and takedown. We bought the rooftop tent for road trips and have plans to do some beach camping in Southern California and when opened up heading to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone plus Lake Louise and Banff over the border. Looking forward to many adventures!
This is a great video. I would recommend doing a separate video on each style and show how they set up and take down. Show the relative sizes. Show the problem areas. Show the benefits. You seem to know an awful lot about all these tents but just talking at a camera about the high points doesn’t give me tremendous insight into a $2-4,000 purchase. Maybe tie in to the videos different use cases. 1-2 person car camping. 3-4 person car camping. Car camping with dogs or little kids. This would help a lot of people like me visualize how I could utilize your knowledge to make a better choice for my needs. Thanks for your video, it is really informative!
I just recently started doing videos... one thing I was really bummed about is I didn't really have almost any footage from my previous tents. Since I am not sponsored I have literally bought all the tents and then used them for over a year a piece and then sold them and bought the next one... it would have been awesome to be able to have them all lined up. Future videos will start getting better and better as my video library starts to grow and more color to the reviews and information. Great feedback... it is top of mind for me.
@@jankie55 how is it Australian? The website even specifies the 100mm mattress is fully Australian made, because it’s likely the only thing. I’m thrilled you like it.
Have had 2 hardtop RTTs now. 1 iKamper Skycamp, 1 FSR odyssey. Both tents. Trash. Busted rivets, broken latches, terrible CS on iKamper, Both tents mattress have been super stiff. I’m 6’2 197. My 23zero which was my first RTT purchase is back on after 200 nights of use. Not a single tear, mattress is comfier than that of both previous stated hardtop RTTs and the cover surprisingly has not had any failure, despite winter driving in the dempster. I’ll stick with my soft top any day of the week.
You bring up a good point on the soft tops... other than having issues with the hardware vibrating apart in Baja with a Tepui (one the tent aluminum bars) Soft tops are pretty durable. I have also had issues with getting holes in the covers but that is mostly from running trails with a lot of brush. They do have less parts to go wrong.
Hi Nathan! Ty for this awesome video! I just bought a Tundra 4x4 & am in the process of moding it up. Was wondering we're you got those dope TRD stripes on the sides of your bed? Ty!!
I love roof top tents. My kids and wife too. However I fully agree that a big con is the setup/takedown. I had an Smittybuilt Overlander XL and it was great. However takedown took near 15min, which is less than ideal in the rain. I am looking for a hard shell tent for future use for sure. However, for a tent that is as big as the Overlander XL, you can't beat it for $900 (regularly on sale).
Hello Nathan - What's your opinion on the Thule Foothill. I like it because I have a fishing rod holder on one side of my rack and it conserves space on the rack. That being said it will have the caveats of a soft shell rooftop tent. Any other thoughts on hacks for better wind protection using a soft shell rooftop tent?
Ordered a GFC superlight recently, coming from a tepui. Super excited for the more minimalistic design, seems like it'll be so much less of a pain than the tepui and more durable long term
@@OutdoorAutoOrdered mid December, projected fulfillment in May. Website currently estimates July if ordered now. My hope is that they are underpromising and they are able to get them out in slightly better time. I heard the first production batch is being assembled now.
@@OutdoorAuto I have a Chevy Colorado ZR2 crew cab with a short bed, so unless I wanted my RTT to hand well off the back of my bed rack I needed to buy a really small tent. That is why I chose the Roofnest Condor. It is a small profile, but folds out larger. It is pretty easy to pack-away, just a few minutes, and the hard shell profile is really sleek and wind resistant. I'm real happy with it. I have never had a chance to witness a clam shell tent, so I have nothing to compare it with. I'm sure the clam shell tents are easier and quicker, but the extra space is so much worth it if you are in my situation.
WAIT...What's up with the TRABANT poster on your wall...??? I used to own one of those...35 years ago! What's your connection to the Sachsenring and East Germany:?
The Photo is the graphitti art from the East Side gallery in Berlin... All of it was restored and cleaned up recently but I really like the photos from when it was a "mess" and had lots of other "art" on top of it.... Only reason I ever saw it was I was on a trip as a teenager where we hitchhiked through 15 countries on $600 almost 20 years ago.
Great job Nate!! So for the subscribers I have bought two tents from Nate as he has upgraded to newer styles. Lots of great experience with the soft top tents, but too much time to set up and tear down. The roof nest is awesome and is the tent pictured on the gladiator. I still hope to get the ikamper mini and have a little bit of both worlds, hard too but still folds open.
There are well over a couple 100 Roof Top Tent brands active in the market right now. Most are creating tents in 3 different styles, plus a couple hybrids. The point of this video is to review Styles not brands... so AluCab as well as 100's of other brands where not mentioned by name... Before people start shopping brands they should figure out what style of tent will actually meet their needs... that is in fact the whole point of the video. When people obsess with brands first they are already limiting their options. The few brand names I mentioned were just as references to some of the companies that make specific styles of tents. Nothing against AluCab... they are one of the godfather of the whole industry.
I’m seriously considering the GFC Superlight as an option I still haven’t fully decided what I want but the GFC Superlight is at the top of the list at the moment.
Many can when parked... there is a huge difference between what they can support in motion.. This is generally referred to as dynamic and Static weight. In the US it is pretty common to see Subarus with two person Roof Top Tents. Static weight many time is in the 600 LBS - 900 range. Dynamic weight is very low... usually less than 200LBS.
The "car abuse" was my first thought as well. You're applying a high, heavy, shifting load over many hours, with wind adding stress. Lots of scraping and dinging from clothes and hanging parts during setup and use. I would never climb on the roof of my Subaru and roll around, yet that's sort of what you are doing with these RTTs.
I have one that i belive didn't reach the American market, it's a Oasis2 by trekking, a French made tent, they advertised it back then as the lightest softtop tent in the market, have it for more then 10 years and very happy with it.
Hi, Nate! Pretty informative. I’ve been looking at all the roof-top-tents, RTT, you just mentioned, but here’s the twist: what would be your suggestion for an urban setting for an atipical vehicle, a 04’ Scion xB? I’m eyeing Yakima and Smittybuilt for being cheap, in the
Roof Top Tents are very hard to pull off in Urban settings... Can you do anything with the seats and setup some drawers and a platform to sleep in the actual Scion... A lot of people do this with Subarus... For the price range you are talking about you will really be looking at the soft top tents... I would just get one with thick fabric for the amount of use it will get.
great review bud! Appreciate the insight. In the market for a RTT at the moment and there are so many options. I would love the IKamper mini... but damn its $$$$
I'm mew here👍🏼 wife and I have been talking about getting one. We have a travel trailer that we pull with my 2016 F150, does well. But, looking to get away just her and I, without the trailer. Great points on all these items. I'm Assuming I'll need a rack, because I have a shell on my truck, but we'll see👍🏼 Thank you.
Thanks for your insight. Been thinking about a foot top tent and this has given me a good base. Oh and I hit the Sub button, looking forward to see what you are coming out with in the future.
Thanks - Hopefully it was helpful. I just got a iKamper Mini to test and should have a video out on that soon... subscribe if you want to get otified when it comes out.
Great content! I’ve done 3 bdr overland adventures in my 18 1794 and have just slept in my shell over the decked. Been looking at a RTT for a while now and this is helpful. GFC Superlite looks tempting...
Nathan Mueller Can’t wait to see it, you almost made me want to pull the trigger on the preorder! We did almost all of NM over the course of 2 trips last year. AZ from the Mogollon Rim through the Canyon and close to the UT border early this summer (Chased off by wildfires). Heard great things about ID and UT, let’s see some of that too!
@@hoganfan2006 Absolutely. I use a preschool nap pad and I wish I had more cushion on longer trips. The problem I have is the trails I use are dusty . I need something small enough to store during the day so I don’t eat dirt all night.
My iKamper Skycamp Mini I set up in 0:59 seconds and closed up in 1:20 seconds. It's definitely fast enough when out camping. The iKamper X-cover that I used to have is the one that takes several minutes like a traditional soft-shell tent. Only thing is it doesn't have a cover, just a zipper skirt because it has a roof rack on top. Fairly unique in its own right.
Excellent review! Also on my third RTT, I would add, larger tents allow safer use of heaters. In the CVT Mt St Helens (2 person hardshell) there was no safe way to use a small space heater. Not a problem with larger 3-4 person tents.
I currently have the FrontRunners RTT and the mattress doesn't cover the whole flooring so what I do is push the mattress towards the back (away from the ladder/entry) and there's a little over a foot or so of hard flooring. That's where I place my heater, boots, etc. It's perfect for it. Just my two cents
Dude, I absolutely LOVE your channel.Please keep them coming. I particularly appreciated the one on rooftop tents! You saved me a bunch of time, money and aggravation. I will be placing an order shortly for (I think) the IKamper X Cover. I will be living out of it for at least 1-2 years. I was wondering if you would give me your advice on that kind of model, versu a clamshell, please? Lastly, I don’t know how you have afforded it, but I REALLY appreciate you buying gear with your own money, then testing it out for us. I know you have saved me $2-3K, overall, on my gear to buy in the near future.
The x-cover is another of iKampers "hybrid" tents... they are getting really good at hybrids. Basically it is like the soft top tents but it sets up and closes faster... basically removing a big piece of the soft tops biggest drawback. It is pretty cool that the got crossbars on it as well. I would be careful with those though... I dont thing they are rated for much weight. One of the issues with the Clamshells is the lack of storage room and also they are pretty small... if you are living in the tent and you will need a heater in the winter... the larger tents are good for that. This is a very BIG tent 3-4 people... is it just you, or are more people staying in it? If it is just you... you may look into some of ikampers smaller models... like the the Mini, but I can also understand wanting room when you are going to be living in it.
Appreciate the support... I am working on a bunch of new informative overland videos right now... should se them coming out over the next couple weeks.
The very, very last bit with the guitar … 😂. Excellent video. Wouldn’t another con on clamshell be a lack of storage? Like you can’t store even sheets inside some?
I'm very back and forth about whether to get one of these or just do a regular tent. I'd use it maybe 4-5 times per year. I like the idea of being off the ground, just not sure if 4-5 times balances
if it really is only 4-5 times a year... I agree with you... I would probably go with a ground tent. There are some amazing. fast ground tents and Swag tents out there.
With a 120lbs 60kg rooftop tent you might need to check your Springs and suspension if they can handle that? I dont understand please explain. I mean, if i take my 65kg granny in the back my suspension needs to be upgraded too?
Two things... I am looking into getting the Falcon; is iKamper just as good or better? Also, and suggestions are n how to get a 50# dog up there? (Use the ladder as a ramp????? Thanks.
I’ve got a Smittybilt. I have a OBD-2 tracker that I run when out on my Outback. 28mpg is expected Highway, I rarely see less the 27.6mpg with it up top. So I can’t complain. I saw a loss of 2-3mpg with my roof basket up top on average. So I think these create far lest drag then thought. I base this off of about 4,000 miles in road travel in 2020 with constant tracking. But there are others interesting points in the video, thanks for sharing!
The MPG hit on an Outback vs a Full Size truck would probably account for whether you see it as a big impact... if you start with a truck that is only getting 12 MPG and you lose 2 MPG it is fairly significant. I saw a similar drop with my 4Runner... You are benefiting from an inherently fuel efficient vehicle where 2-3 MPG drop isn’t very significant...
Hi Nathan. Can I ask you what might be your thoughts on the Falcon Pro from Roofnest. Really like the look and functionality of this tent. I know you said clam shells are your favorite but torn between this tent and hybrid hard top tents(Condor XL). Believe in one comment you said you had a Falcon(not sure what size) but believe the Falcon Pro is the biggest of the three. It would be just myself and my husband. Appreciate your feedback about the Falcon Pro. Jess 🙏
I just bought an aluminum cap. Lightweight, weather tight, not too pricey, and easily modified. The way I see it, a conventional tent is easier to deal with and climbing on/off the roof is a pain.
I would love to just run a shell and sleep in the back of my truck... I just usually have too much gear... especially in Rafting & Kayak Season... the main thing about conventional tents is the packup when it is raining or muddy... or sandy. But they do have some great advantages... especially the ability to leave with your truck and leave camp setup.
@@OutdoorAuto I try to keep gear to a minimum of course and I don't need too many luxuries. Most of my gear (not including essentials) is fishing gear. I do a lot of back country searching for trout streams. Love the no setup time of the cap. When the family goes we use a good size pop up, but the kids are off to college now so generally it's me the wife and the truck. I also have a small 12' boat. I can strap it on top, or tow it. When we tow it it makes some nice bonus storage. You want to keep the trailer weight to a minimum.
what is the story of the picture on your left side (The Trabant breaking through THE wall). I know what it stands for (coming from East Germany), but what is it doing in your room?
It’s a photo I took of theBerlin Wall (graffiti art) before they restored the East Side Gallery. I hitchhiked across West and Eastern Europe with my little brother… so just a sentimental reminder of an amazing trip.
Thanks for the info. I was looking up a truck bed pop up that sits up a foot or so as pictured but have not found one so far. One picture, a schematic, showed the tent sitting on the bed but it says it is 90” long! The drawing could not possibly to scale with that double-cab truck, which are typically 66” or so long. Maybe I’ll call the mfr.
Probably my favorite advantage is when we are camping where it is muddy and rainy... packing up a tent that sat on the ground in bad weather is a mess... Rooftop tent takes me 30 seconds to close. Speed of setup is another... build in comfortable real mattress' is another... There really are a lot... but I totally understand people that see the cost value in staying in a ground tent... I am a big fan of the swag tent kits.
Thanks for asking this - I was wondering this, myself. It seems like it's not really overlanding if you don't have a RTT, but I'm new to the concept. Helpful and constructive answer, too.
This was really helpful thank you for putting it together! One thing we’re unsure of is whether to go for the Falcon XL or the Sparrow XL. We have a 18 month old who loves adventure. The clamshell looks like it has less useable space than the Sparrow even though it’s dimensions are slightly bigger. Also, we’ve heard for overlanding the falcon is more rugged (aluminum vs plastic) but still can’t make a decision. Do you have thoughts on the two?
@@OutdoorAuto Hi Nathan. Can I ask you what might be your thoughts on the Falcon Pro from Roofnest. Really like the look and functionality of this tent. I know said clam shells are your favorite but torn between this tent and hybrid hard top tents(Condor XL). Believe in one comment you said you had a Falcon(not sure what size) but believe the Falcon Pro is the biggest of the three. It would be just myself and my husband. Appreciate your feedback about the Falcon Pro. Jess 🙏
Great video mate! I’m taking an interest in the new Thule Tepui Foothill RTT’s not many videos around of them tho, have you had any experience with them? 🤔
I've been wondering about these. My friend has one and raves about it. So I wanted to get a different point of view. I can see why people like them. I think for myself though, I will just stick to a normal tent. The clam shell one almost sold me. But 3k plus for a tent? I can buy a tent built for Mt Everest for cheaper than that
Hi Nathan, thanks for the video. I’ve been try and trying to find the roof rack that you can attach to a hardtop tent. You mentioned that uptop overland makes one. Can you drop me a link please? Thanks!
I think it is a Cap rack variation... I know it fits the Aluminum tents like the Roofnest Falcon, Area BFE and CVT Mt Hood... You may have to call them.
I want a roof top tent that can fit above the bed but out of the wind (UK fuel costs), but can also store bike racks on too which would also ideally be out of the wind (obviously without bikes on). My question would be which is the thinnest roof top tent that with racks on top. Id prefer not to have an overhang on my Hilux.
I’m idiot... read right over “UK fuel costs”. To broaden your options you might look into the bike racks that mount on the side of a bed rack... that way you can get something like the iKamper mini and mount the bikes on the side
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Love the video. What do you think of overlanders. Maybe an H1? Give some feedback. Also your beard and hair look good but I think an inch or so off you would be beastly lol.
Hi Nathan, thanks for the perfect summary. Just one question, is that Trabant on the picture on the wall on your left? What is story behind ;-)
Hello. Got an area BFE, trying to mount 35” tires on a swing arm bumper, but on a tacoma, not a tundra. How high off the bumper is the bottom of your tent? What size tires on your tundra. Thx! Looking at same bumper or the CBI to fit that tire so far....
What if I buy a tent first then just make a rack to work with it?
÷
If you pull into a narrow rental spot be sure of the part of your tent that sticks over the side of your vehicle is on the part of the land that you rented not your neighbors area. This is very true with a ladder that may stand out into someone else's area. You can correct this problem by driving into the slot from the other direction or backing in. Just be sure that's the part of your tatted ladder that sticks over the edge of your vehicle will not stick into somebody else's rental space.
Thank you for being one of the few who use “Drag” instead of “wind resistance”
👍
Really?
I have a 23zero and I absolutely love it. It only takes 5 mins to close down as I found out last weekend when we got caught in a snowstorm. The light suppression is absolutely fantastic and I think unique to the RTT world.
Awesome... I have heard good things about 23Zero from several people.
Single guy at 76 years of age .. built up my 2001 Ford Explorer 2Dr Sport and over the years figured out that the rear seats weren't needed and so I built a bed inside the Ford .. I never saw the advantage of sleeping on top of my rig .. case in point was the beginning of the Outdoor Expo West in 2019 .. all the tents were up and all the manufacturers had theirs up for show and along came a huge thunderstorm with high winds in the 40/50 mph range. Many of the tents went flying and others pulled down. One of the guys with me disappeared .. he had a beautiful new roof top and wrap around awning .. in the morning he showed back up and I asked him where he wert .. Motel! It's still a tent!
Yeah I hear yah... I have camped in all kinds of weather... If I could sleep inside my truck regularly I would... but I have also camped in Gail force winds in tents... A lot of people just don't know how to use their gear. When I camp in wind... I spend a lot more time worrying about where the trees will land than what to do with my tent. 🤷♂️
Only things I would add to this killer video:
Before you buy a RTT-
Where will you store it when not in use
How will you clean it
Imagine deploying and closing one in the dark, freezing rain, or an emergency.
Food for thought when choosing the right one for you.
As with any tent, you’d need to open it up on the next sunny day and air it out.
Garage ceiling hoists work great for storage
I realized after buying my first roof-top-tent, Freespirit Tri-layer, that although it was great for sleeping, I still needed a place to get out of the elements on bad weather and buggy days and bought a QuickSet Clam Shelter. For all the reasons you stated, I sold the Freespirit and purchased a RoofNest Falcon XL. I also decided to purchase the new Gazelle Overlander. After a couple of outings, I realized that the Gazelle could easily serve as the bedroom too and simplify my setup. So essentially, I started as a tent camper and have gone full circle back to a tent. The ease and fast setup of the Gazelle has greatly simplified the process. After several camping trips, I've found that I don't miss the roof-top-tent.
I have heard really good things about the Gazelle tents. I definitely want to get out on a trip with one and test them out.
Gazelle is great, until you’re in a wind storm and the sides pop in on you and smack your head! You are still on the ground, still taking time to set up, lay down a tarp, set up a pad, bedding etc. RTT are better in every single way, and it’s not even close. That’s why you see them on virtually every rig.
There's definitely advantages and disadvantage to both. Having extensive 4- season experience in all conditions with both a RoofNest Falcon and a Freespirit High Country Tri-Layer, I prefer the Gazelle. Everyone has to go with what works best for them and their uses.
Good review - you clearly know what you are talking about - some good clamshells from South Africa and Australia - Good ones are The Bush Company and Alu - Cab - you pay slightly more but the quality and reliability is definitely better
Great information for anyone that is looking to buy a tent. One CON I think should be added to the clamshell rtts is the condensation. I myself have an area bfe with a condensation mat, sleep with the windows half open, even bought a dehumidifier to hang on the net. We wake up with the entire ceiling wet. I have spoken with 3 other owners (1 area bfe, 2 roofnest) all with the same issue. Never had that issue with my previous soft shell, though it makes sense. Just want to help inform the public. Pros outweigh the cons though...
This is a great point. I have noticed condensation issues in every style, especially once it starts to get cold outside... but I do agree with you that they are the worst on the Clam Shell design. Carrying a towel that you throw over the bottom of your sleeping bags on the low side and then using it in the morning to quickly dry the roof seems to solve the problem... but that is a great call out.
Nice to see Connor McGregor getting into rooftop tent camping.
I would love to be able to have more room like with a rooftop tent, but I prefer to sleep in my 4 Runner. Its just me and my dog so I don't need a ton of room. Its safer and no wind noise so it really works best for me. Very informative video.
I have spent plenty of time sleeping in a 4runner.... nothing wrong with that especially for solo trips.
I’m 4’9” and sleep in my trunk.
LOL 🤣
Noice!
6’5” here. I sleep with my head out the sunroof
That's the funniest thing I've ever heard on a camping post
Hahaha
Good info here. I own a Tepui Ruggedized Autana 3 with annex. I have it mounted on a Thule Xsporter Pro over the bed of my F150. This allows me to keep it close to cab height so I can park in my garage and out of the wind when driving. I agree with much of what you said here. Opening the roof top tent is easy and quick. Closing it does take more time as you say. I don't know how people do it when mounted on a 4runner or other tall SUV. I walk around on the sides of my truck bed, tail gate and tool box I have mounted near the cab to tuck it all back together.
The ruggedized version weighs in at just under 200lbs. I like it because it is heavy duty canvas and after 4 years, has stood up well. We love the annex because it allows us extra room for changing or just getting out of the weather or bugs at night. It has room for a couple of chairs and my wife and I have read and played games in their on inclement weather evenings. We have even used a Mr. Buddy propane heater in there for cold evenings and mornings. Though the annex has a floor that zips on, we have never used it. We just put a heavy duty plastic mat under the the annex. Sliding the tent cover off and sliding the annex into the same slot is not that big of a deal.
We have camped in cold, rainy and even extremely windy weather and stayed dry. We bought the fitted sheets this year for the mattress that Tepui sells and ditched the sleeping bags for a down comforter. We can leave that in the tent when it is closed up.
The biggest drawback we have experienced is once you set up at your campsite of not being able to easily drive away without packing up the tent.
I am considering a trailer to mount the tent on to eliminate this issue. Other than that we love it.
Before we had to add additional longterm gear to our setup I had the Xsporter rack... I loved it... its a great setup.
You brought up a really good point on the Annex floors... some brands zip out, some don't... the ones that don't obviously are pretty bulky and also just take longer to get setup (getting the corners stacked down etc.)
I ultimately moved away from soft tops and annex rooms because of the issue you brought up, where tearing down camp seems like so much work it isn't worth it. Many times we will camp someplace for two nights but we still want to be able to run trails in between... thats why I arrived at a tent I can close up in under a min. To solve the bad weather issue and annex we went with a Batwing 270 awning. It also takes under a min to open and stash... plus it has the zip on walls to protect from the driving rain... downside... it's not going to really retain heat.
One of my friends has an old FJ and runs a trailer. We will be doing a walk around and tour on that and cover some trailer PROS and CONS... they are pretty interesting options. That video is probably a couple months out as we are shooting it on a trip.
Thanks for all the great detail in this comment... I am sure it will be helpful for other people.
Don't forget about the Roofnest Condor and Condor XL in your hybrid section. That's the RTT I'm looking at.
Very well put together video. One thing so far, you say the annex rooms are a pain but in a case where we’ll say a shower annex is necessary wouldn’t it be worth the inconvenience to have that available? Feel like the option of an annex is a pro not a con, bc if someone doesn’t want one there’s no reason they’d have to have one.
One main thing nice about the James Faroud tents is the wide open design for views, more roomy feeling, and a solar powered ventilation fan built in for condensation.
Great review. I appreciate it. This is the best. Never thought about wind noise while camping and velcro vs zipper. No one talks about this.
Glad it was helpful. Good luck.
Pro for soft top: Can actually look at the stars (tops are removable, or have openings for sky watching..hardshell/clam toppers limit your sky view.
True... some have sky windows but they are usually pretty small.
amazing video and super helpful I have never camped before just like many people I know but I'm trying to break out of my bubble and start somewhere small and definitely going to be looking more to your videos for guidance thank you.
Good job. I had a smittybilt soft top and absolutely hated it. I got it because compared to other styles it’s roomier. It made me go back to a ground tent. The cover on those are a real chore, especially when packing up. Lol. Just throwing the cover (kinda) heavy over a tall truck and then orienting it was a huge hassle.
I agree! This is why I mostly point everyone away from soft-tops unless they HAVE to have the space or the price point is impossible to get around. While Roof top Tents have come a long way... we forget sometimes that ground tents have as well. Lot's of good options out there.
It’s all technique! I have the smittybilt overlander and have had no issues.
This video and the comments made me realize people are lazy and forget taking down a normal tent will also take 10-15 minutes. IMO the only real downfall to soft top is that the mattress is exposed to the rain if you dont get the cover on quickly. That's just down to practice and techniques though. Watched a guy get his down and stored in 8 minutes.
Yes the cheese wedge type like the Roofnest Falcon is for sure fast, but if you haven't tried a full size iKamper, they really do go down very quickly. The added strap you pull to close in all the fabric really works. We really wanted the extra space that the iKamper offers, if it wasn't for that we would have definitely gone with the clamshell/cheese wedge. It also feels less confined with the skylight and more headroom everywhere
I have a Tepui Kukenam 3 ruggedized. One thing I've been doing to speed things up when breaking camp is to not rezip the outer cover. We often only spend one night at a campsite before moving on to the next and eliminating this step saves a lot of time, but this method only works when we're 100% sure it's not going to rain between driving to the new campsite. It's also very helpful that we have a half height bedrack so the bugs don't fly in because the tent is protected by the cab.
I like it. Anything that saves time. I am firm believer we will all explore more if we perceive the reward as greater than the effort. It never hurts to help that equation along.
Rocking a short bed taco with ikamper mini. So satisfied with this combo.
I really think that is the iKamper mini's strength... great tent... not the fastest but still fast and it can fit over a short bed and drop below the roof line... great setup.
We just purchased the CVT St Helens hardshell pop-up and we love it! We heavily debated between the pop-up and the clamshell but decided to go with the St Helens since all our bedding, pillows and the ladder can stay in there when closed. We live in the Reno/Tahoe area and decided to roadtrip the 8hrs to CVT's location in Bend to save on freight shipping and sales tax plus they installed it on our Subaru Outback onsite including the racks! They have excellent customer service which is why we chose them. We leave it on all the time and don't even notice it's up there when we are driving. We also have a pop-up tent trailer which is a bit of a production setting up and taking down so we really enjoy the simplicity of the rooftops setup and takedown. We bought the rooftop tent for road trips and have plans to do some beach camping in Southern California and when opened up heading to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone plus Lake Louise and Banff over the border. Looking forward to many adventures!
Does it come with the racks?
Thought you couldn’t tent camp in Yellowstone and others? 🤷🏻♂️
If you have questions feel free to leave a comment. Hit LIKE and SUBSCRIBE if you want to see more videos like this.
Nice video. Thank you for sharing such important review based on your experience.
Awesome, glad it was helpful. We have a whole run of new videos coming… starting this week.
Nice. Check out Autohome Columbus Variant made in Italy in 4 width options and regular or long.
Thanks, will do!
This is a great video. I would recommend doing a separate video on each style and show how they set up and take down. Show the relative sizes. Show the problem areas. Show the benefits.
You seem to know an awful lot about all these tents but just talking at a camera about the high points doesn’t give me tremendous insight into a $2-4,000 purchase.
Maybe tie in to the videos different use cases. 1-2 person car camping. 3-4 person car camping. Car camping with dogs or little kids. This would help a lot of people like me visualize how I could utilize your knowledge to make a better choice for my needs.
Thanks for your video, it is really informative!
I just recently started doing videos... one thing I was really bummed about is I didn't really have almost any footage from my previous tents. Since I am not sponsored I have literally bought all the tents and then used them for over a year a piece and then sold them and bought the next one... it would have been awesome to be able to have them all lined up. Future videos will start getting better and better as my video library starts to grow and more color to the reviews and information. Great feedback... it is top of mind for me.
@@OutdoorAuto I have a 23 zero and am in Dallas is you want to borrow it
@@jankie55 how have you found the 23zero? It looks like the best Chinese option.
@@BT_life2 it's Australian and awesome
@@jankie55 how is it Australian? The website even specifies the 100mm mattress is fully Australian made, because it’s likely the only thing.
I’m thrilled you like it.
Have had 2 hardtop RTTs now. 1 iKamper Skycamp, 1 FSR odyssey. Both tents. Trash. Busted rivets, broken latches, terrible CS on iKamper, Both tents mattress have been super stiff. I’m 6’2 197. My 23zero which was my first RTT purchase is back on after 200 nights of use. Not a single tear, mattress is comfier than that of both previous stated hardtop RTTs and the cover surprisingly has not had any failure, despite winter driving in the dempster. I’ll stick with my soft top any day of the week.
You bring up a good point on the soft tops... other than having issues with the hardware vibrating apart in Baja with a Tepui (one the tent aluminum bars) Soft tops are pretty durable. I have also had issues with getting holes in the covers but that is mostly from running trails with a lot of brush. They do have less parts to go wrong.
Very helpful! I really appreciate that Conor McGregor took the time to answer some questions that I had.
😂
Hi Nathan! Ty for this awesome video! I just bought a Tundra 4x4 & am in the process of moding it up. Was wondering we're you got those dope TRD stripes on the sides of your bed? Ty!!
Those are from a company call www.tacovinyl.com
I love roof top tents. My kids and wife too. However I fully agree that a big con is the setup/takedown. I had an Smittybuilt Overlander XL and it was great. However takedown took near 15min, which is less than ideal in the rain.
I am looking for a hard shell tent for future use for sure. However, for a tent that is as big as the Overlander XL, you can't beat it for $900 (regularly on sale).
The price on the soft tops really is amazing. Can’t deny they are a good value for money for sure.
@@OutdoorAuto For sure. It's a good gateway for the people who are on a tighter budget but want a RTT.
Hello Nathan - What's your opinion on the Thule Foothill. I like it because I have a fishing rod holder on one side of my rack and it conserves space on the rack. That being said it will have the caveats of a soft shell rooftop tent. Any other thoughts on hacks for better wind protection using a soft shell rooftop tent?
Ordered a GFC superlight recently, coming from a tepui. Super excited for the more minimalistic design, seems like it'll be so much less of a pain than the tepui and more durable long term
Curious how long they told you it will take to get yours?
@@OutdoorAutoOrdered mid December, projected fulfillment in May. Website currently estimates July if ordered now. My hope is that they are underpromising and they are able to get them out in slightly better time. I heard the first production batch is being assembled now.
Great video. FYI - I have a Roofnest Condor. It competes directly with the IKamper Mini. $500 less, and great customer service.
I still haven't got my hands on one of those yet. Do you like it... what's your take on packing it up compared to the Clam shell style?
@@OutdoorAuto I have a Chevy Colorado ZR2 crew cab with a short bed, so unless I wanted my RTT to hand well off the back of my bed rack I needed to buy a really small tent. That is why I chose the Roofnest Condor. It is a small profile, but folds out larger. It is pretty easy to pack-away, just a few minutes, and the hard shell profile is really sleek and wind resistant. I'm real happy with it. I have never had a chance to witness a clam shell tent, so I have nothing to compare it with. I'm sure the clam shell tents are easier and quicker, but the extra space is so much worth it if you are in my situation.
Tuff Stuff Alpha II also seems to resemble iKamper Mini. It's also a lot cheaper at $2900CAD.
The GFC superlight looks like a great tent...and made in America!
GoFast is working really hard to make sure their stuff is made and sourced in America... I admire their efforts to build their local community.
Off topic, i really dig the retro Toyota orange, yellow, red graphics on your Taco.
Me too... those are From TacoVinyl.com a local company up here in Idaho.
Thanks for the videos. Can I mount a roof tent on bed cap?
On other words can the bed caps hold the weight of the tent
You can on some… especially a lot of new ones are reinforced and made for it… you need to check the Manufacturer’s weight recommendations.
headroom (pee'ing in a bottle room) is why I went with the Roofnest Falcon, a wedge / triangle style.
People never think of that until you have to pee and it is raining or snowing.
I hope you are not a woman!
@@seekingtruthnotfindingany7301 ROTFLMAO!!!
Great video! Great info! 👍
Glad it was helpful!
WAIT...What's up with the TRABANT poster on your wall...??? I used to own one of those...35 years ago! What's your connection to the Sachsenring and East Germany:?
The Photo is the graphitti art from the East Side gallery in Berlin... All of it was restored and cleaned up recently but I really like the photos from when it was a "mess" and had lots of other "art" on top of it.... Only reason I ever saw it was I was on a trip as a teenager where we hitchhiked through 15 countries on $600 almost 20 years ago.
You are the RTT whisperer. Mad respect!
Great job Nate!! So for the subscribers I have bought two tents from Nate as he has upgraded to newer styles. Lots of great experience with the soft top tents, but too much time to set up and tear down. The roof nest is awesome and is the tent pictured on the gladiator. I still hope to get the ikamper mini and have a little bit of both worlds, hard too but still folds open.
Thanks @modern timber
Hey Nathan
Any reason you left out AluCab from the list?
Loved the video. Thanks for sharing!
There are well over a couple 100 Roof Top Tent brands active in the market right now. Most are creating tents in 3 different styles, plus a couple hybrids. The point of this video is to review Styles not brands... so AluCab as well as 100's of other brands where not mentioned by name... Before people start shopping brands they should figure out what style of tent will actually meet their needs... that is in fact the whole point of the video. When people obsess with brands first they are already limiting their options. The few brand names I mentioned were just as references to some of the companies that make specific styles of tents. Nothing against AluCab... they are one of the godfather of the whole industry.
Great video! Thank you so much! I have been considering getting a roof to tent and you've given me lots to think about! Greetings from South Africa!
this man knows what he is talking about! thanks for the great video, i have a tapui and you are spot on.
I’m seriously considering the GFC Superlight as an option I still haven’t fully decided what I want but the GFC Superlight is at the top of the list at the moment.
GFC put out a walk around video... did you see that yet?
@@OutdoorAuto I believe I did. 🤔
Can the roof of a regular car support the weight of two people + the tent? Say 250 kg total?
Many can when parked... there is a huge difference between what they can support in motion.. This is generally referred to as dynamic and Static weight. In the US it is pretty common to see Subarus with two person Roof Top Tents. Static weight many time is in the 600 LBS - 900 range. Dynamic weight is very low... usually less than 200LBS.
The "car abuse" was my first thought as well. You're applying a high, heavy, shifting load over many hours, with wind adding stress. Lots of scraping and dinging from clothes and hanging parts during setup and use. I would never climb on the roof of my Subaru and roll around, yet that's sort of what you are doing with these RTTs.
I have one that i belive didn't reach the American market, it's a Oasis2 by trekking, a French made tent, they advertised it back then as the lightest softtop tent in the market, have it for more then 10 years and very happy with it.
Hi, Nate! Pretty informative. I’ve been looking at all the roof-top-tents, RTT, you just mentioned, but here’s the twist: what would be your suggestion for an urban setting for an atipical vehicle, a 04’ Scion xB? I’m eyeing Yakima and Smittybuilt for being cheap, in the
Roof Top Tents are very hard to pull off in Urban settings... Can you do anything with the seats and setup some drawers and a platform to sleep in the actual Scion... A lot of people do this with Subarus... For the price range you are talking about you will really be looking at the soft top tents... I would just get one with thick fabric for the amount of use it will get.
@@OutdoorAuto any brands in specific?
Outstanding review. Thank you.
Hey awesome video! Really informational! 👍 subscribed!
Thanks more videos coming soon... we have been working a on a few big projects.
great review bud! Appreciate the insight. In the market for a RTT at the moment and there are so many options. I would love the IKamper mini... but damn its $$$$
I'm mew here👍🏼 wife and I have been talking about getting one. We have a travel trailer that we pull with my 2016 F150, does well. But, looking to get away just her and I, without the trailer. Great points on all these items. I'm Assuming I'll need a rack, because I have a shell on my truck, but we'll see👍🏼
Thank you.
Great video. It was nice to see the pros and cons of the different categories of RTT.
Glad you liked it! Hopefully it was helpful.
So I dont usually try to go cheap, but could I just mount plywood to the top of my cage and pitch a normal tent up there when I'm ready to camp?
😂 I mean... sure I guess. I think I would just camp on the ground though.
Thanks for your insight. Been thinking about a foot top tent and this has given me a good base. Oh and I hit the Sub button, looking forward to see what you are coming out with in the future.
Good luck with your build... have fun getting out there.
Super great review! Thanks so much!
Thanks - Hopefully it was helpful. I just got a iKamper Mini to test and should have a video out on that soon... subscribe if you want to get otified when it comes out.
Great content! I’ve done 3 bdr overland adventures in my 18 1794 and have just slept in my shell over the decked. Been looking at a RTT for a while now and this is helpful. GFC Superlite looks tempting...
I’ll do an update on the GFC as soon as I can. What BDR’s have you done? Do you have a Favorite? We have been exploring the Idaho BDR a lot lately.
Nathan Mueller Can’t wait to see it, you almost made me want to pull the trigger on the preorder! We did almost all of NM over the course of 2 trips last year. AZ from the Mogollon Rim through the Canyon and close to the UT border early this summer (Chased off by wildfires). Heard great things about ID and UT, let’s see some of that too!
Do you recommend a mattress for on the Decked and under the shell?
@@hoganfan2006 Absolutely. I use a preschool nap pad and I wish I had more cushion on longer trips. The problem I have is the trails I use are dusty . I need something small enough to store during the day so I don’t eat dirt all night.
My iKamper Skycamp Mini I set up in 0:59 seconds and closed up in 1:20 seconds. It's definitely fast enough when out camping.
The iKamper X-cover that I used to have is the one that takes several minutes like a traditional soft-shell tent. Only thing is it doesn't have a cover, just a zipper skirt because it has a roof rack on top. Fairly unique in its own right.
I have seen the Mini’s I really like them... I actually want to try one out really bad...
Excellent review! Also on my third RTT, I would add, larger tents allow safer use of heaters. In the CVT Mt St Helens (2 person hardshell) there was no safe way to use a small space heater. Not a problem with larger 3-4 person tents.
Thanks Eric. Great point on the heater.
I currently have the FrontRunners RTT and the mattress doesn't cover the whole flooring so what I do is push the mattress towards the back (away from the ladder/entry) and there's a little over a foot or so of hard flooring. That's where I place my heater, boots, etc. It's perfect for it. Just my two cents
There's always electric blankets!
@@datt5698 I use a 12v electric blanket extensively
This was really informative. Thank you for sharing.
Needs an update, some info on here out of date: GFC Superlite is 80lbs and $1300, great clam shell tent.
Dude, I absolutely LOVE your channel.Please keep them coming. I particularly appreciated the one on rooftop tents! You saved me a bunch of time, money and aggravation. I will be placing an order shortly for (I think) the IKamper X Cover. I will be living out of it for at least 1-2 years.
I was wondering if you would give me your advice on that kind of model, versu a clamshell, please?
Lastly, I don’t know how you have afforded it, but I REALLY appreciate you buying gear with your own money, then testing it out for us. I know you have saved me $2-3K, overall, on my gear to buy in the near future.
The x-cover is another of iKampers "hybrid" tents... they are getting really good at hybrids. Basically it is like the soft top tents but it sets up and closes faster... basically removing a big piece of the soft tops biggest drawback. It is pretty cool that the got crossbars on it as well. I would be careful with those though... I dont thing they are rated for much weight. One of the issues with the Clamshells is the lack of storage room and also they are pretty small... if you are living in the tent and you will need a heater in the winter... the larger tents are good for that. This is a very BIG tent 3-4 people... is it just you, or are more people staying in it? If it is just you... you may look into some of ikampers smaller models... like the the Mini, but I can also understand wanting room when you are going to be living in it.
Now this is a review he’ll yea and thank you Sir!!! Great stuff
Appreciate the support... I am working on a bunch of new informative overland videos right now... should se them coming out over the next couple weeks.
The very, very last bit with the guitar … 😂. Excellent video. Wouldn’t another con on clamshell be a lack of storage? Like you can’t store even sheets inside some?
Thank you, excellent information!!!!
I'm very back and forth about whether to get one of these or just do a regular tent. I'd use it maybe 4-5 times per year. I like the idea of being off the ground, just not sure if 4-5 times balances
if it really is only 4-5 times a year... I agree with you... I would probably go with a ground tent. There are some amazing. fast ground tents and Swag tents out there.
With a 120lbs 60kg rooftop tent you might need to check your Springs and suspension if they can handle that?
I dont understand please explain.
I mean, if i take my 65kg granny in the back my suspension needs to be upgraded too?
Two things... I am looking into getting the Falcon; is iKamper just as good or better? Also, and suggestions are n how to get a 50# dog up there? (Use the ladder as a ramp????? Thanks.
How was your setup when the rtt would hang past the tailgate ? Was this a concern or issue for you?
Good reasons to get a mid height shell/canopy for a truck. Simple is way better
I’ve got a Smittybilt. I have a OBD-2 tracker that I run when out on my Outback. 28mpg is expected Highway, I rarely see less the 27.6mpg with it up top. So I can’t complain. I saw a loss of 2-3mpg with my roof basket up top on average. So I think these create far lest drag then thought. I base this off of about 4,000 miles in road travel in 2020 with constant tracking.
But there are others interesting points in the video, thanks for sharing!
The MPG hit on an Outback vs a Full Size truck would probably account for whether you see it as a big impact... if you start with a truck that is only getting 12 MPG and you lose 2 MPG it is fairly significant. I saw a similar drop with my 4Runner... You are benefiting from an inherently fuel efficient vehicle where 2-3 MPG drop isn’t very significant...
Would it be easy to cut a hole in the bottom of a pop up roof tent in order to extend the roof height inside a van?
Hi Nathan. Can I ask you what might be your thoughts on the Falcon Pro from Roofnest. Really like the look and functionality of this tent. I know you said clam shells are your favorite but torn between this tent and hybrid hard top tents(Condor XL). Believe in one comment you said you had a Falcon(not sure what size) but believe the Falcon Pro is the biggest of the three. It would be just myself and my husband. Appreciate your feedback about the Falcon Pro.
Jess 🙏
On the clam shell tent can you leave bedding and pillows in them being so thin ?
Summer weight stuff… yes. Winter… not so much.
I just bought an aluminum cap. Lightweight, weather tight, not too pricey, and easily modified. The way I see it, a conventional tent is easier to deal with and climbing on/off the roof is a pain.
I would love to just run a shell and sleep in the back of my truck... I just usually have too much gear... especially in Rafting & Kayak Season... the main thing about conventional tents is the packup when it is raining or muddy... or sandy. But they do have some great advantages... especially the ability to leave with your truck and leave camp setup.
@@OutdoorAuto I try to keep gear to a minimum of course and I don't need too many luxuries. Most of my gear (not including essentials) is fishing gear. I do a lot of back country searching for trout streams. Love the no setup time of the cap. When the family goes we use a good size pop up, but the kids are off to college now so generally it's me the wife and the truck. I also have a small 12' boat. I can strap it on top, or tow it. When we tow it it makes some nice bonus storage. You want to keep the trailer weight to a minimum.
Thank you for this video! Will help us a lot in looking for a RTT!
Glad it was helpful!
Do you live in a loft cabin shed? If so how did you get the zoning required to put it on land and hook up electric, water, etc?
what is the story of the picture on your left side (The Trabant breaking through THE wall). I know what it stands for (coming from East Germany), but what is it doing in your room?
It’s a photo I took of theBerlin Wall (graffiti art) before they restored the East Side Gallery. I hitchhiked across West and Eastern Europe with my little brother… so just a sentimental reminder of an amazing trip.
Hills Offroad Gear is another company similar to the ikamper mini🙌🏻👍🏻. I got them and it works great.
Good to know!
LOVE our Smittybuilt soft top tent!
It is definitely hard to beat the price point.
Thanks for the info. I was looking up a truck bed pop up that sits up a foot or so as pictured but have not found one so far. One picture, a schematic, showed the tent sitting on the bed but it says it is 90” long! The drawing could not possibly to scale with that double-cab truck, which are typically 66” or so long.
Maybe I’ll call the mfr.
On the hybrid RTT have you checked out the bushbuck armourdillo? It’s short and looks amazing. My friend bought one and loves it
No, but I will now. There are so many new tents out there... its amazing.
Do you know of any aluminum shell tents with the size and function of a ikamper skycamp 3.0? I like the skycamp just wish it had an aluminum shell.
Only Alucab comes to mind… but they are pretty bulky.
@@OutdoorAuto yeah i am waiting for alu cab to make their newest tent into a fold out version like the ikamper skycamp 3.0
nice video, you look like Jamie Lannister
Great info as always! Thanks for sharing
Thanks Gary.
I like the retro vinyl did they make it special to fit a tundra? Only see Tacos on the website.
It’s just the extra large size... comes as a giant rectangle and you cut it to wherever you want to place it.
Awesome thx!
What is the advantage vs a ground tent and a cot for a total cost of $140 bucks ?
Probably my favorite advantage is when we are camping where it is muddy and rainy... packing up a tent that sat on the ground in bad weather is a mess... Rooftop tent takes me 30 seconds to close. Speed of setup is another... build in comfortable real mattress' is another... There really are a lot... but I totally understand people that see the cost value in staying in a ground tent... I am a big fan of the swag tent kits.
Fare enough. It is costly for what you get.
Thanks for asking this - I was wondering this, myself. It seems like it's not really overlanding if you don't have a RTT, but I'm new to the concept. Helpful and constructive answer, too.
@@tomcogar851 absolutely - I have noticed with almost all gear there is a crazy premium for convenience... not necessarily quality...
This was really helpful thank you for putting it together! One thing we’re unsure of is whether to go for the Falcon XL or the Sparrow XL. We have a 18 month old who loves adventure. The clamshell looks like it has less useable space than the Sparrow even though it’s dimensions are slightly bigger. Also, we’ve heard for overlanding the falcon is more rugged (aluminum vs plastic) but still can’t make a decision. Do you have thoughts on the two?
I have had both styles... my favorite is the Falcon... I like the aluminum and nothing opens up and breaks down quicker.
@@OutdoorAuto thank you so much! We’re pulling the trigger this weekend! Appreciate your response.
@@OutdoorAuto Hi Nathan. Can I ask you what might be your thoughts on the Falcon Pro from Roofnest. Really like the look and functionality of this tent. I know said clam shells are your favorite but torn between this tent and hybrid hard top tents(Condor XL). Believe in one comment you said you had a Falcon(not sure what size) but believe the Falcon Pro is the biggest of the three. It would be just myself and my husband. Appreciate your feedback about the Falcon Pro.
Jess 🙏
I also own a Falcon. My 4th rtt and first hardshell… will never go back to soft shell. Fastest set up and take down period. Great review.
Helpful breakdown and good information!
Thanks 🙏
what a great video! subscribing now.
Thanks for watching 🙏
Great video mate! I’m taking an interest in the new Thule Tepui Foothill RTT’s not many videos around of them tho, have you had any experience with them? 🤔
Shipping damage but it doesn’t shake apart camping lol. I’ll take the soft shell easy to replace all day. With the annex 😂
It got stabbed with a forklift 🤷♂️… I’ll never setup an Annex again.
@@OutdoorAuto I hear ya I’m not overlanding in my 17 Silverado z71 7ft bed. Just use the nomadic 4 to camp and beach off the ground lol.
I've been wondering about these. My friend has one and raves about it. So I wanted to get a different point of view. I can see why people like them. I think for myself though, I will just stick to a normal tent. The clam shell one almost sold me. But 3k plus for a tent? I can buy a tent built for Mt Everest for cheaper than that
Hi Nathan, thanks for the video. I’ve been try and trying to find the roof rack that you can attach to a hardtop tent. You mentioned that uptop overland makes one. Can you drop me a link please? Thanks!
I think it is a Cap rack variation... I know it fits the Aluminum tents like the Roofnest Falcon, Area BFE and CVT Mt Hood... You may have to call them.
Thank you for these good videos dude
Hopefully they are helpful. Thanks for watching.
I wonder where I can get your side tri color stripe? Thank you
That decal is from Tacovinyl.com
Would an hybrid rtt like iKamper, Rodin Adventures etc., fit in your clam-shell category? Thank you.
I want a roof top tent that can fit above the bed but out of the wind (UK fuel costs), but can also store bike racks on too which would also ideally be out of the wind (obviously without bikes on).
My question would be which is the thinnest roof top tent that with racks on top. Id prefer not to have an overhang on my Hilux.
What country are you in? Guessing not the US with Hilux... that will be helpful cause not all the brands ship everywhere.
I’m idiot... read right over “UK fuel costs”. To broaden your options you might look into the bike racks that mount on the side of a bed rack... that way you can get something like the iKamper mini and mount the bikes on the side
@@OutdoorAuto Cool thanks!
why not a hitch mounted bike rack?
@@TheGeoffreyDyck The Toyota Hilux is huge on UK roads and already too long to be easy to park. I dont want to increase the length of it