This Camping Craze Needs to STOP!
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- Опубликовано: 22 сен 2024
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Roof Top Tent shown in this video:
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$3000+ for a rooftop tent? Makes those $700+ dyneema trekking pole tents seem downright affordable.😂
Gold Bruce, Gold!
That's what I'm saying. There's just no reason it needs to cost more than $800, and that's if you really go a bit ham in your DIY ventures because you want to.
I bought a $100 2 man tent to take on my ADV bike, didn't expect much compared to my expensive 1 man tramping tent but it's brilliant, erects in 2 minutes, is standalone, and seems to be good quality, you don't need to spend much.
Honestly, I'd sooner throw an airup mattress in the back of a 4runner or truck with a camper shell than get a rooftop tent for my jeep.
That’s what I do in my 4Runner. I use a kayak rack and Thule storage container on the top. I also have a back rack or an extra storage container that I can throw on the hitch if needed.
Biggest benefit is that I can turn the heat or AC on when I’m sleeping in the 4Runner cab and I don’t need to tear down the tent if I wanna explore around in my 4runner
I once slept in the bed of a closed Chevy Avalanche and it was pretty nice lol
Have you tried a rooftop tent?
@@BelfastBodger
what's a rooftop tent? This video here we are watching is a rooftop tent correct?
Not saying it’s makes it completely worth it, but your comparison saying that they do make fast-to-set-up ground tents isn’t quite fair, because-from what I understand-those don’t have all of the nicer, heavier features that a rooftop tent has built in.
I had one for a while and sold it. My biggest complaint was once setup my truck was stuck in place unless I packed it all back up. No exploring during the day.
I think most people use them as road trip style. Where you generally only stay in a place a single night. Set up time, space saving, features due to weight not being a problem. Lots of reason people choose rooftop that he's just dismissed, fallen in the it's not for me, therefore its not for anyone.
Just did nc500 and was very jealous of everyone with roof top tents even more so with diesel heaters installed. My tents nice, but it's not light or fast to set up. Then having to deal with a wet and large tent in the car everyday.
They need a stand like the campers or something
@@Stonepotwaffles depends what places you stay. If it's a more organised caravan style park yes. But most basic campsites you don't. And certainly not on the trip I just got back from.
He also missed that people will mount them on trailers get a cheap harbor freight trailer and mount that on top and carry kayaks or something else underneath. Almost any vehicle can tow one of those.
@@thisoldrelic I’ll just sleep in the back of the vehicle
1. Speed and Ease of setup/tear down
2. Mattress, sheets, blankets, pillows can remain in the tent when collapsed on most models, meaning less to pack and unpack
3. Because it's mounted on the vehicle, it doesn't take up space inside the car
I think they are ideal for people who are traveling long distances and want to be able to drive, then go right to sleep without the setup/teardown or need to reserve a true camp site. They aren't ideal for people going on true camping trips, but better for those going on hunting, fishing, road tripping, or overlanding excursions who need a quick and easy place to spend the night.
I think they are overrated for most people but fill an important niche for those who fit this description. That said, for the several thousand dollars most of these setups cost, I'd rather just sleep inside my SUV.
This is the best answer. As a backpacker they aren’t that useful but as a road tripper I can see them working great!
Can't argue with first two points, but regarding no. 3 - if space is important you can gain a lot using roof rack for a fraction of cost. Other drawbacks of roof tents are susceptibility to wind and risen center of mass - it sucks off road, on traverses.
Completely agree with this comment. Im going out dispersed camping at least once a month and having a storage system and roof top tent make things so much easier to get ready for a trip. Easier means I can enjoy the trip that much more because you aren't stressing out about packing.
I'll also add that usually we are staying at a different campsite each day so shortening that tear down and setup time again makes things easier.
I'd say the major con is the fuel consumption and the weight up high. So offroading with a higher center of gravity makes things a bit harder but IMO its worth the positives the RTT comes with.
You ever heard of swags? They fill the first two requirements and are used in Australia a lot by those who hunt and fish.
@TheRealBigBash cant say ive ever tried one but from what ive seen, it can't be leveled and sits on the ground. It'll get more dirty when trying to pack up since usually you aren't using tarps with swags and they aren't the most spacious. Again, I agree with the first comment and how they fit a need some folks have. Not for everyone. It's the "cool" new thing so people are all wanting to spend on it haha. Fad will die out in 5 years.
I spent 30 dollars to turn my truck bed into an awesome tent. Better than any rooftop tent. PVC pipe, good quality tarp, some plastic clamps, and a big roll of bug netting. Our air pads are a perfect fit too
I see them as a great option for people wanting to go deep country camping along a 4x4 only vehicle trek. Or beach camping where you can’t get an RV to very easily. Being up high would also help prevent beach sand from getting into the rooftop tent
I’ve put a lot thought into this subject. My conclusions are. There is no one best solution. All camping set ups have their pros and cons. Whether it’s price, weight, hassle, safety, fuel efficiency etc.. One person’s gripes are another one’s non issue. That being said, you gotta be going camping every weekend to justify putting a semi permanent tent on your roof.
We have (for us) the best solution which is an off-road trailer with the RTT on top of it. We can quickly disconnect the trailer to do exploring or run trails and camp is still setup. Being able to setup and tear down super fast is a major convenience (especially in less than ideal conditions). We certainly prefer to be off the ground to help avoid animals, creep crawler insects, potential flooding in the rain, and not needing to deal with cots or air mattresses. All that said, we still own ground tent equipment for those times when we want to go somewhere that the trailer isn't capable of going.
Rain is the big one for me. I have no place to dry a rooftop tent without either removing it or putting the vehicle out of commission while letting it dry.
But let’s be honest removal takes like 10 minutes
But can you do this alone without some kind of crane or something?
Yeah it’s basically impossible if you’re on longer trips, backpacking tents are hard enough to dry
@@Penny-mk7fv With the hard shell ones open the tent up on the roof, find a strait road and blow dry it. Works a treat. Most of them are designed for high wind speed so you should be fine. Mileage will vary from tent to tent.
@@davidlodge4482 😂
0:32 “when I’m out camping, [electric] power is my biggest need” - words never uttered by John Muir😂😂
Only car camping. When I backpack I only have my phone for GPS and even that could be left behind
@@MyLifeOutdoors just bustin’ your chops my guy. Love your channel. ❤️👍🍺👊
I know one guy who has a MASSIVE truck on oversized wheels, and keeps his rooftop tent on all the time.
And it's hard to have a conversation with him were he doesn't find some way to complain about the price of gas.
I just enjoy seeing the people who drive around town with them on their rig 365 days a year.
Off the ground is the main benefit of a RTT. So I took my RTT and mounted it on a $450 Lowes trailer. Off the ground and I don't have to break camp to go exploring, and no hit to the mpg. Stores in the back corner of the garage. I keep my camp cook box, chairs, water jugs, fire pit, and EZup awning stored on the trailer. Just hookup and go.
Yes I agree, the best way to pack is don't unpack ,always good to go.
A very good idea!
A cot tent like a camp-rite is a great alternative to both a tent and a roof top tent. Off the ground, stays there during day trips and super light and fast set up.
Here’s the answer, right here. Take seconds to set up, no worries about sticks, rocks, bugs, doesn’t take up much room, very comfortable.
I laugh at all the tough guys with a roof top tent that are afraid of bugs and spiders. If you’re on a safari in Africa, and there’s hyenas, that may chew leg off then yeah they might make some sense. But in North America, it’s just a flex. Right up there with having a snorkel on your truck.
Hi Steven,
We use an RTT frequently, as in Germany, it is the only way to legally spend a night outdoors. You are not allowed to wild-camp, even not to bivouac in most states, outside of official camping sites, that is.
RTTs are in the grey zone, so overnight stays are not illegal.
My better half prefers them to a tent, so ours is in frequent use. It extends our outdoor portfolio, saves a lot of accommodation costs, but everyone as they please.
Did germany crack down on camping to deal with an itinerant homeless population?
@@DahVoozelNo, it's been like that for ages. Same in Austria and many other coutries in Europe.
@@DahVoozel Someone has not looked at a map recently. 🙄
That is absurd and overbearing. I'm grateful we don't have those restrictions here.
They're actually amazing. I recently converted my pavement princess into a dedicated mall crawler and it really gave my rig the look I was going for.
:savagegeesecomment:
Get a snorkel
I put mine on a small offroad trailer and tow it. That trailer acts as my home base.
With a $3000 price tag, I thing I would put a plywood base on the trailer, and just set up a regular tent. The trailer could still act as home base, but you would be $2000 richer.
@sdilluminatigrandfounder1813 there's more than 1 option but it's fine if you can't afford any of them.
I do the same, I haul a dirt bike or kayaks and mountain bikes in the trailer. I have regular tents as well.
@@sdilluminatigrandfounder1813 You don't have to spent 3000 dollars though. I saw a RTT on Trailer for sale second hand for 1,500 for the whole thing.
I hired a Jimny with a roof tent to go around Iceland with my wife. We absolutely loved it, so got one for my Hilux here in Borneo. Unlike the Jimny's ultra-quick pop-up hard-shell design, I got a larger, more complicated flip-over thing - which I came to hate! Too much hassle, especially when alone, as it really needed 2 people to put it away. I bit the bullet and bought a hard-shell pop-up type, and we love it like the Jimny again. Never going back to normal tents. For hiking I use a hammock.
What do you like about it specifically?
I can sort of understand the appeal of that style of camping. You do not have to worry about finding a spot (though you do need to find a spot to park your vehicle that is kind of level), you are raised up from the animal life (though a bear will have no problems reaching you), and that is really about it. Down sides are it is heavy, decreases fuel mileage (weight and wind resistance in particular), they can be a pain in the rear to set up on the taller vehicles, you have to climb a ladder over and over again, they are limited in size, and they are very expensive some of them.
I'm in Borneo, they keep away crocodiles and snakes, scorpions, venomous centipedes and such, but also stray dogs, which my wife gets terrified of at times. Also, if you've ever seen a stray dog pee on your tent, as I have, you'll love a roofie!
We have a truck bed tent, which is kind of a happy medium. Inexpensive. Sets up in about 5 minutes. Gets us off the ground. With a homemade platform in the truck bed, we’re able to use a memory foam mattress and still have storage for gear. No change in gas mileage from normal truck use. The hard part is that for campgrounds we never can get a consistent answer as to whether or not it can be considered OK for the sites without power or water (aka rustic), since we don’t need the power or water but some places don’t like vehicles in their rustic locations and they don’t seem to like camping in their parking locations…so we sometimes end up having to pay the higher rate for power/water sites. For boon-docking, though, it’s hard to beat.
This discussion could be applied to any consumer good. If you buy something because you see someone else with it and you don't have a use case for it its a waste. Our current use case was a truck that could tow 2 mustangs to shows and also go offroad, that's a pretty large RTT, and where we go we usually have just barely enough space for the truck, so being above our footprint opens more cool over night spots. If we did more flat wide open spots, traditional tent all day.
Pee in the middle of the night? That's what the "pee bottle" is for.
I won't be buying a rooftop tent, but the older I get the more appealing "staying off the ground" becomes.
This is something I'd use while hunting in swampy area.
I’ve had my rooftop tent since May 2023, and I absolutely love it! Don’t have to worry about carrying a tent around or worrying about having to find a spot to pitch it either. Also, on nice days I like to find a scenic spot and pop my RTT up and just relax for a bit or even nap. That’s one thing I never did with a regular tent. I definitely get why they’re not for everyone, but I found a crazy deal on mine and haven’t regretted buying it since.
My partner is not into tent camping so the RTT is a compromise that works for the both of us. We just have a 2nd hand one that we paid $300 Australian dollars for....so less than that in US$. The bedding is ready to go, we can use camp-sites not suitable for tents and he has a pulley system set up on our carport to take the tent off and store it when not in use quite easily. Works for us. If at a spot for a few night's we set up a gazebo as a living space. Means no clearing a tent floor.
The weight is NOT a non-factor for rooftop tents. Most roof racks are only rated for a few hundred pounds (usually around 200lbs). You have to be very careful you don't exceed that or you could damage your vehicle. Not to mention the extra damage if you get in a crash from an improperly secured one, and your insurance is likely to use that as an argument against paying out the policy (especially if the tent is over the weight rating...).
Explore Southwest did basically this exact same video a few years ago, I recommend checking that one out too.
In Australia these are used quite often as we do a lot of touring across our country and especially for the people that don't necessarily expect to stay in one spot for more than a night while traveling huge distances or tow a caravan, these are absolutely perfect. Another thing that would be perfect for a review is the swag, especially as its kinda the poor mans roof top tent over here as you can just roll out and you're good to go
I'm an Aussie too. I drive hundreds of miles to go camping in WA. If you really believe that a RTT is ideal for our giant country, i sure hope you have deep pockets and a 200 litre fuel tank. Did you actually notice his fuel consumption comparison? ⛽😋😊
@@Hillbilly973 Considering all the giant caravans being towed around Australia, a RTT is a non-issue. Half the vehicles have giant muddies on them, as well. I barely notice a fuel difference on mine. Just get a slimline one with a defuser, not a giant box like the cheap ones are made.
@@jayd3931 👍😊
I just love my swag. I’ve thought about getting a RTT but then my wife will want to come camping with me 😂😂
I had one for a few years, most expensive mistake I’ve ever made. You nailed most the points, the up high is nice for a view but animals aren’t a worry in the uk and bathroom breaks at night are a pain, also having to change position of the car is a pain having to put it up and down. I lost 10mpg on fuel with mine. The other big issue in the uk is with it being high up you can’t get shelter from the wind which is 90% of the days. When people ask me the only real pro’s I had were not having to find flat ground or rocks and it’s comfier. I can see why people buy them though, a very cool looking bit of kit and the idea is great, looks great in social media life. Personal got rid of mine and just summit camp on the top of the mountains now 👍🏻
Isn’t this craze more for overlanders and not people going to normal campgrounds?
It's a good point. But tell that to all the front range campgrounds folks who have them on their Subaru.
@@Reed411 they can camp at every Starbucks in the nation!!
@@howweroll7 😂
In Australia, camp sites are littered with them...tents seem too hard for most mum and dad campers so we see more $100k caravans and $3k rooftop tents.
@howweroll7 A craze for some, longterm happiness for me.
Roof top tents make a lot more sense for true over landing. You’re not in campsites so you’re less likely to have a good area to pitch a tent. Water and mudd are more likely to be an issue so again, off the ground makes sense.
Having the hard shell makes sense in high winds or harder rain….
All that being said 99.9% of those using it today are staying at camp grounds or designated spots in wildlands/national forests negating the need for most of this. Just spent two weeks in Iceland and with the high winds the only people that were truly protected were sleeping in their cars, vans, or hard sided campers.
The real reason to have a roof top tent? Status symbol.
I have Gazelle tent and later bought Gazelle screen room. I have over 80 nights in tent. Set up is about 5 minutes. It pops open. Sturdy, does great even during Sierra storms.
Screen room easily fits over picnic table. Necessary when besieged by mosquitoes or yellow jackets. In a pinch could work as a tent.
Just a great, easy and reliable set-up for quick or long trip.
Not affiliated w company--but wanted offer quick set up alternative to rooftop.
I need to get a gazelle. It can hold up to some serious wind
Thanks for this video. I have had no clue about the appeal of rooftop tents. Now I understand what they are and why people use them. But as a small woman who travels solo, I couldn't maneuver this thing even if I wanted to. One more thing--when I'm car camping, I actually *like* setting up my tent and putting my stuff in it. While that may be a chore for others who have small children, etc., it's something I enjoy.
I spent $6,000 on a fiberglass snugtop. It has carpet, double thick roof, hinged side and front windows, paint color matched, usb ports, lighting, roof rack. Always ready for sleeping. no set up or breakdown needed. 400 pounds.
Like he said though, you can have all that in a traditional tent for the most part
On what car? Aren’t those truck beds usually like 150-180cm long?
@@stefan_luptak 2023 Tacoma DCLB its 6' long. 182.88 cm
$6k for less than 10 minutes morning or evening while gimping the truck bed? Eh. Doesn't add up.
@@oni-one574 It serves as a lockable space for my tools while i work, or shopping. it still allows regular usage as a truck. whereas a tent topper does not.
Just got a RTT this summer and we LOVE it.
Used it for a long road trip; setup/takedown was quick. Spouse also used it to attend horse shows with daughter, super easy and cheap to attend.
Honestly, mileage hardly changes (because we don’t drive very fast where we live). Height is a non issue. Our RTT includes a winter layer making it very warm.
Seems like OP just doesn’t like RTT and that’s ok. Not every solution works for everyone.
I’ve enjoyed vehicle supported camping for the last forty years using a ground tent, but I like to stay at a different camp site every night. Deploying and breaking down a dusty tent for years because a real chore. Especially as I got older. Saving for a quality hard shell tent was a bit of a hardship, but it’s been well with the cost (to me) for it’s quick one minute deployment, and 5 minutes to put away. (Most of that is deflating the mattress) My iKamper Mini also holds all my bedding. It’s allowed my to travel without the burnout I was experiencing with a ground tent. It’s definitely not for everyone, but it’s been working very well for me. I remove the tent in the Fall, and put it back on in the Spring. That is a bit of a hassle, but again, very worth it for me.
Excellent video.
I could not agree more!
I will take my $1,000. pop-up camper 10’ box with two beautiful big bunks, heated mattresses, A/C, heating furnace, sink and running water, portable toilet, space to sleep as many as 6!, etc.
And almost as light as that roof top tent! Easy pulling and little drain on gas.
No contest!
Cheers and happy camping!
Well, then there's the elephant in the room: 4Runner's roof load capacity is 120 lbs. The stated weight of tent alone is 134 lbs.
You gotta upgrade to Yakima, etc. There's another 500 bucks lol
@XJapanGonnaGiveItToYa-cd4xj You mist the point. It's the roof load limit, not the roof racks. Also, you increase intrinsic instability of the vehicle.
I am a backcountry camper...who married an "I have never slept in the woods" person. We were looking at roof top as an option, but honestly have decided on a tear drop trailer instead for our camping trips. when I am with the boys, I can scratch the "sleeping on the ground" itch, We decided against the rooftop for many of the reasons you mentioned
Thru hikers must love these 😏😂🤣
While many great points are made, I'd say anything that gets people out and exploring nature is a great thing in my book!
Great video.Yes there are pros and cons to the rooftop tents.Bought mine 4 years ago.I take that out when i know im not leaving camp for a day or 2.Set up the awning,camp kitchen,blackstone.For me its like sleeping on a cloud in the woods,only thing close are hammocks lol
they probably shine a little more in the spring,fall and winter when the ground can be muddy or snowy. my solution is to just roll in a Yukon xl and sleep in the back though.
A consideration with roof top tents: If the tent is wet when you head home, you ought to set it up or hang it out to dry. But what if you need to head out for work the next day? Moldy tent?
❤thank you, Steven, I just always appreciate your scientific approach!!!😊
Nailed it, except for one thing: Rooftop tent makes you part of the cool kids, like owning a jeep or iPhone when there are much better and cheaper alternatives.
Got rid of my roof top tent and now use a swag for 2 or 3 day trips and a soft floor cavalier off road camp trailer for 6 days to 2 week trips. Also use a bushman 35-52L fridge can change the size off the fridge depending on how long I'm camping. A swag takes a few minutes to setup like a rooftop tent but much lighter and weight isn't up high when 4wding the camp trailer takes about 10 minutes to set up and towing the trailer has the same fuel economy as having a tent on the roof and takes 30 seconds to hook up the trailer were a rooftop tent takes around 20-30mins to install it on the roof racks.
Literally been like this in Australia for about 10 years.. if I didn’t have a popup camper, I’d use a RTT again 😊
Truck with a canopy. We built a plywood platform over the wheel wells and we have a queen-sized bed in the back and there's tons of storage under the sleeping platform. Still have a tent JIC. Similar pros and cons of a rooftop tent, but the truck canopy is much more useful when not being used camping. Back when we bought the canopy it was only $1000. And you don't need a ladder to get in and out--that's the biggest con for me. ER is probably far away if I miss the bottom step in the middle of the night when I have to get up to pee and end up breaking something.
I'm in the rain and snow so much and have no place to deploy one to dry it out between trips, got a 1960's garage on my house that was just built to fit a Nova in that is so low I almost hit my head on the door. I could see it just becoming a ball of mildew. This is a complaint of a buddy that has one mounted on an old military trailer. He finally got a house with a big enough garage to deploy it and dry it out.
I use the roof basket on my rig constantly for gear, trash cleanup, found firewood, spare tire for the spare tire if I'm really gonna get out there far, place to throw muddy soaked recovery gear. And if it is not raining I just throw my bag on a cot under the stars. No tent needed at all. Even at the spot we see a resident mountain lion roam through camp so most critters is not really a concern, they just don't bother us. Super mosquito infested: ground tent. Winter storm camping, which we do a lot: sleep in the back of the rig.
Very popular over here in UK but I agree, they don't make sense.I looked at roof top tents and came to the same set of disadvantages so I opted to fit a pop up roof. This has been fantastic, OK also not cheap but we are off the ground, dry, secure and can set up or pack done in minutes (OK its a bit of a mess in the back) and the toilet is always accessible. Pop up roof adds about 6" but its streamlined into the vehicle shape and best of all we can stand up inside to wash and dress.
The best use I've seen for the roof top tent is the people who are mounting them on little teeny utility trailers, effectively making them into ultralight pop up trailers. Then you can leave the trailer at your campsite.
For me, ease of setup and staying clean. Staying in a region where it rains all times of the year the rain mixed with the local soil makes the tent very dirty. A plus that you don't have to deal with floods and pooling water.
I agree with a lot of this video. Maybe if you are getting up and moving every day it makes a little more sense but the cost is pretty crazy for most. One place I think it works is when the roof top tent is built into a truck camper/shell. Then you gain tons of headroom so you can easily stand up. Still very expensive but it might be worth it if you spend a ton of time camping. Pretty specific to trucks but it is what I'm seriously considering since I own one.
Interestingly last year hiking the W Trek in Patagonia we saw RTT's set up on elevated platforms at the Refugios as preset rental tents...
I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way. I just picked up a Cybertruck and my goodness, I would never get the Cybertent. I have a dozen or so ground tents or hammocks to suit every occasion for the price of one rooftop tent. Everything from a Duration X-Mid Pro 2 to a Cabelas 8 person dome. I do have a 20 person Tipi on the wishlist, but no rooftop tent.
informative video! I was never going to buy one but have always considered it. with this, I wont have to think about the what ifs
1) Enables parallel parking in inner cities during journeys, where larger mobile homes or caravans may not fit or be allowed to park.
2) Unless you drive a raised pickup truck, a car with a rooftop tent would be low enough to fit inside some parking garages.
3) Depending on the country, some mobile homes or caravans may require expanded driver licenses to be driven legally on public roads. A car equipped with a rooftop tent wouldn't.
This camping solution was intended for people who alternate between traditional nature camping and inner-city exploration. Whereas a hiker or mobile home owner may rely in part on private or public transportation options, or their own pair of feet to get from their campsite to the inner cities, a rooftop tent effectively creates no such dependencies.
If I lived in Papua New Guinea, I'd probably want a roof top tent. I live in Bend Oregon, home of CVT a rooftop tent maker. I'm convinced that most rooftop tents serve the same purpose as a hood ornament.
Being on the ground is part of the fun of camping & backpacking! Also, I just came back from a wonderful trip to Yellowstone. These pop ups are not allowed in the campgrounds frequented by Grizzlies; only camping in hard sided vehicles allowed.
I've never used a rooftop tent, but it seems like a really good option for one or at most two people who usually arrive at the camp, stay the night and then move on. If you go to one place stay for an extended time and then return home a trailer or ordinary tent is better IMO.
As a roof top tent owner for over 7 years, what I can say about them is they have a specific purpose. Many people who have them, don't use them for the specific purpose they're built for and would likely be fine in a ground tent or hammock, but they want to look cool.
The specific purpose is speed, space and reliability when being remote for several days. On trips like that, you are setting up and tearing down camp every morning and night, so being able to save time means you don't need as much prep time to setup or get going, which can be really beneficial when you arrive late to camp and need to sleep.
Space is also a big one, for many we carry fridges and food and chairs and supplies for several days away from civilization, so by getting our tent out of the vehicle, we free up space. And if the tent can use cross bars, we gain back space again. Sure, we lose MPG, but that was already a losing game for us because of bigger tires, lifts and payloads, so in the grand scheme, the rooftop tent doesn't matter much.
And finally, reliability. We are often in hard weather conditions, bad rain, snow, wind, and we don’t necessarily have a choice to pack up and go home sometimes, so we have to tough it out, and especially these hard shells like the one you tested (and I’ve owned for 3 years) hold up to the worst of the weather you can throw at it while keeping you warm and dry. And they can take a beating from branches and trees on the trail. (obviously hike in campers have to deal with this too, but from the same perspective, the ones who spend big are the ones who want something that can weather the elements better than the others.)
The honest truth is that if you aren’t using your setup for point to point travel like this more than 50% of the time you use it, yeah, you could definitely save a bunch of money and use a ground or hammock tent. But if this is what you do, the comfort, speed, and reliability gained is unparalleled.
BTW, this is not just to justify my purchase, I totally want to get a nice light ground tent soon to start doing some hike in camping too, and a rooftop tent can’t get that job done at all.
These are some good points and I appreciate you sharing this perspective. As I read through your comment I couldn’t help but think about backpacking and how we often encounter the same situations. We are moving everyday, experiencing extreme weather often in very high elevations, and we can’t pack up and go home if things turn south. Yet we use very lightweight ground tents and trust our safety to them. Maybe it’s this perspective that makes me biased against RTT. Thanks for commenting and watching
I agree and I have a similar experience with my own roof top tent that I use on long trips.
One of the additionnal benefit I see to it is the choice of locations where you can sleep at. We are often near nature reserves or national parks where pitching a tent would be illegal whereas the rooftop tent is legally grey, especially if it stays fully over the car like on compact models.
It also makes camping near big cities possible, albeit not too comfortable depending on the spots you find.
I bought my roof top tent more as a cheap alternative to renting a van than as an alternative to a cosy tent, it's not really the same use.
every single one of these points is worse than a traditional tent with the same features
Depends upon what you want or need. It’s a high, dry sleeper. Couple minutes up or down. Everything else can be easily packaged in the vehicle. Lots of solutions for that. ‘Course the wider you scatter your “stuff”, the longer and more difficult it is to begin moving the next morning, etc. I like the idea of them. Might pull the trigger yet.
great vid, these rooftop tents are wild
In 1978 I was camping in a ground tent at White Rock Lake in Dallas and experienced a flash-flood that completely flooded my tent and soaked EVERYTHING, so a RTT is not a bad idea if you can afford one. If you can’t afford a RTT then I would suggest a tent-cot or a hammock that will at least get you off the ground.
I have been camping for 60 years and except for trips to Denali always sleep in a tent on the ground.
You can add and or make a porch that slides out under the tent and have a place to set up chairs and stuff so if you need to go to the bathroom you have a porch to stand on and have your ladder placed several feet away from the tent opening
This vid is so funny. I can’t even tell you the number and different types of vehicles I’ve seen with these things on top.
It might be different in America, but here in the UK there aren't many options for wild camping. If I want to break up a big drive with a wild camp, I need to do a lot of research to find a suitable location, and potentially add a 1hr detour to get to the closest suitable spot. With a rooftop tent you could pull up at any quiet layby and get straight to sleep. The big time saver is in finding the location
Overlanding is not about family campgrounds. It’s about wilderness exploration and off-roading. Also, like backpacking, it’s very much about the gear, just for a different demographic.
There’s also the expensive option of the blow-up truck shell, by Flated, out of Carlsbad, CA. Very robust, one person on, one person off, and they make lots of expensive inflatable accessories as well, but looks VERY well made. $2k for 8’ bed topper. Pic shows a quad parked on top of it.
Interesting and helpful thanks! I’m in the process of turning my vehicle into a type of overlander sans the obvious look. And the tent was a big sticking point because they look pretty sweat set up. and being a little harder for the cougars and bears to get to is probably biggest reason for them, especially on a bigger vehicle/moneys no object crowd. I think the fully decked out models would encourage much longer trips. But…
I backcountry and car camp with the occasional 4xtrail just for fun. And the way trails can toss things around pretty bad has me leaning towards the truck bed draw/water/power systems respectfully. Deleting the bespoke topper tent for the all season tent will streamline that considerably.
I've always thought they were stupid. This just confirms my suspicions. My wife would just love climbing down a dark ladder at night in the rain to go pee.
Sheet of plywood and your suv can have a great sleeping platform. Use your own pads and sleeping bags. Easy.
The Oztent actually sets up in under 1 minute and that is for my RV3, a 3 person ground tent. The top heaviness of the RTT also effects your vehicle stability on and off road. Ask anyone who has a Toyota and has gone down Black Bear Pass with a RTT. Don't forget the price of the roof rack that you have to install just to transport the RTT.
"I like brunettes more so people shouldn't date blondes" kinda vibes. Let people have their experiences their way.
I looked at roof-top tents and the biggest downside for me was having to put it away if I needed to go someplace with my truck. I may eventually get a trailer, which can stay at a campsite, but for now my body can still handle a tent (with a really good mattress)
I totally agree . They have to stop ! I love camping in deserts and mountains. It’s always windy at night ! Tent fabric flapping in the wind ! Plus you have zero chance of stealth camping in a town or even a Wal mart parking lot. I love stealth camping in my van on streets and lots. It’s so much cozier and no set up . If there’s trouble and you need to get out of there in a hurry at 3 am you can . What if some thugs show up and you’re up there in that tent ? You are screwed !
My biggest draw for a rooftop tent is that it enables sleeping in whatever footprint you can fit your rig. Crappy gravel forest service road with no tent suitable sites?.... not a problem.
But this is also why I just sleep in the truck bed.
When I camp alone I use DeepSleep and it’s perfect inside Bronco. When I bring my 2 large dogs, I take 80lbs Inspired Overland RTT and don’t need a ladder and it’s great.
Went camping with a friend who had just bought a new roof top tent. He loved it until he realised that every time he wanted to use his vehicle he had to completely pack up his tent. Got old real fast
I agree with nearly everything said here. I have a RTT and I’m considering selling it now that my boys are older. I’ll offer two points for your consideration in support of RTTs.
For context, I have two young children and my wife hates camping. I’d taken my oldest out on about 4 trips solo and things were going well.
My first point in favor of the RTT is with speed of set up. On the 5th trip with my oldest, when he was about 2, the “10 minute” set up of the ground tent was actually more than an hour. When you are alone and you have a toddler that will put anything in their mouth, setting up and staking out a ground tent is an ordeal. The 1-2 minute set up of the RTT can usually be done while they are still napping in their car seats.
I also live near Boulder, CO (recognized 36 in your videos). But I love camping in Utah. The one area that the RTT excels at is camping in the desert. I used to use my 3-4 season convertible backpacking tent in the desert because you could zip all the mosquito netted sections closed (so zero netting open to the inside of the tent. It was hot but it prevented the tent filling with sand. The RTT being off the ground does the same thing. In my REI family ground tent, the slightest breeze fills the tent with a coating of sand and you wake up throughout the night with sand in your eyes, mouth, nose, and ears. The RTT offers a clean sleep.
However, with both of my kids no longer toddlers, the hassle of the RTT is growing old, and it’s time for something new.
Thanks! You’ve convinced me 😊
interesting perspective. needed to hear.
Had a RTT, didn't really affect my gas milage since I had it low enough to where it was make 2 inches higher than my roof. Never had any issues with them. Just the set up and putting away is what killed it for me. Got a swag and a cot so I'm still off the ground and it is very comfortable. Can roll my sleeping bag up with the swag. Only con with the swag is the thing is very big rolled up. But if I had a choice between the two I'd go swag.
🌷Thank You🌻
Putting the rooftop tent on a trailer solves all the problems. Frees up your car/truck. Added storage. Saves your camp spot. Easy setup. Gets you off the ground.
Putting it on a trailer? Just buy a camper
Or in Australia, a trayback ute would actually act the same. Pretty good idea. Camper trailer setups already exist but cost way way more than a roof topper.
I bought one of Anker's first power stations years ago: the powerhouse 200. It doesn't have covers on the ports... Many years later, the newest one still doesn't have covers for the ports 🤦
The #1 pro of a wedge style roof top tent that I've yet to see debunked by other tents is it's ability to be popped temporarily, hassle free, in literally any location. I don't own one (yet), but during my travels I often envy the ability to pop it open and take a quick nap during long travel days -- at a rest stop, or in a day use area, or hell even in the grocery store parking lot. For that reason alone, without even considering the overnight sleeping component, I wish I could stomach the weight and aerodynamic hit on my rig and have this as an option.
Solid point at 6:02 about "where I can PARK a car is much more limited than where I can pitch a tent" as a counterpoint to how you can level your parking job but can't as easily level a tent spot
I love my rtt. Main reason I love it is when it is raining for days on end and the ground is a mud pit. Plus my rtt gives me a place to sit under and get out of the elements and cook or just sit. That said I always have a ground tent as a backup. Depending on my plans/situation the rtt may not workout. I just came off a 30 road trip and only 2 did I have to use my ground tent.
We’ve found few vehicles that have roof capacity to hold these rooftop tents. The only ones we liked were the actual roof replacements, where you get access from inside the 4x4. These were for the Defender and 4Runner. Otherwise, we don’t like them, especially if you have a dog.
Depends on what kind of places you go. I think after the third time of pitching a tent (and trying to sleep) on a gravel pad you start thinking about roof top options.
I can set up my 4-person ground tent in about 10 minutes, with a folding cot it is very comfortable. I don't want the hassle of a rooftop tent.
My video this week backs you up. There are a lot of benefits to RTTs from an overlanding standpoint, but I don’t think they make sense for most people. My instant tent sets up just as quick as many RTTs and it is $113 vs $1000s.
I really like my RTT but a bigger regular tent is also awesome. For me it depends on what vehicle I take. The RTT is on my Tacoma and the tent is in my wife's Forester. Both are amazing options.
Couldn't agree more. Great video.
It's so much nicer to have an xl ground tent when the weather gets bad. Much lighter too. I'm in no rush when overlanding and enjoy setting up a comfortable camp. Dogs look after safety.
I camped all over eastern Canada in a rooftop tent from Canadian Tire bolted on to a Maverick back in '68. At that time, it was cheap. I would highly recommend it.
I put mine over the bed of my Rivian. Barely impacts my range and the Rivian will self level in camp mode. I have it lower from a ceiling winch in my garage so mounting and unmounting is an easy and quick affair. Totally agreed on the inconvenience of being able to use your car when your tent is set up or vice versa though.
Great points and video. I've never seen a single explanation of why it's necessary to be that heavy. And I've certainly never seen a damn bit of reasoning of why it needs to be 5-10 times the cost of a quality camping tent. Take a good, roomier 4-person tent, add some floor padding, and if you're really committed to the rooftop aspect, buy a basic stowable ladder and engineer a fold-out platform of some kind that could travel flush with the roof rack. If all that costs more than $800 (because you wanted to do it with quality and comfort and went a little overboard), you've gotten way off track.
Nice Video, Could You Do A TETON Sports Scout 3400 Backpack Review?