Roof Top / Truck Rack Tent

[outofbounds]

Been seeing more of these roof top/truck rack tent set ups when travelling through, MT, ID, WY and BC.

After a quick search seems there are plenty of options on racks, tents, and awnings.

Pros/cons? Feedback.

[Trochu]

I know the guys that makes these: Sojourn

As I understand it, he makes the trailers with the flip tents and is a Darche dealer. The obvious pro is that they take minutes, some models, seconds, to set up/stow with the obvious con being that they are expensive. In regards to his trailers though, the build quality is exceptional!

[JB_AOL]

There's lots of pros/cons.
Cons.. vehicle is "tied up" if you like to set up base and work from there. Yes you can fold up the RTT to do stuff, but you site may appear unoccupied then.
- big mpg hit.
- Mid- night bathroom breaks can be fun.
-expensive for what they are.
-very heavy and annoying to remove, which means they usually are left on all season or all the time = more wear and tear.

Pros
-qiuck setup/takedown.
-ideal for uneven ground, don't have to find a perfect large level tent spot.
-off the ground
-ideal for touring/overlanding style, where you done stay at the same site every night.
-hard shell ones provide better protection when in bad weather.

Imho, I always thought a small trailer that carries all the toys, with a rtt on top would be perfect.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by Trochu

I know the guys that makes these: Sojourn

As I understand it, he makes the trailers with the flip tents and is a Darche dealer. The obvious pro is that they take minutes, some models, seconds, to set up/stow with the obvious con being that they are expensive. In regards to his trailers though, the build quality is exceptional!

Thanks for the link - those look great!

[Battle Rat]

I don't like the idea of breaking camp everytime you want to use the truck to go somewhere.
A regular tent on the ground makes way more sense.

[HuyFishin]

I like the idea of having a quick set up off the ground. It’s damn expensive for a tent though


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[El Carnicero]

I have seen so many of these on all types of vehicles, not just trucks, of late. And I see them all year round. I have to wonder, are these people really using them that often, or have they simply become an ornament or some kind of millennial status symbol for others to oogle over.?
Or are there a large percentage of people that have these that are the "prepper" types and it's a "just in case" type thing?

[Albertadiver]

If I was to buy one, I'd look hard at this model.

https://www.redtailoverland.com/pages/specs

I like the floor hatch option. (i.e. if you have a moonroof in your vehicle you can climb in from inside the vehicle.

Also has power, heat, light, etc. Good for winter camping.

[Trochu]

Originally Posted by Albertadiver

If I was to buy one, I'd look hard at this model.

https://www.redtailoverland.com/pages/specs

And the big con with these units, that bad boy is over $32k Cdn.

[Albertadiver]

Originally Posted by Trochu

And the big con with these units, that bad boy is over $32k Cdn.

Yeah.... I know.

Some of those 4x4 campervans can run as much as a large fifth wheel plus truck! Well over 100K

I already have backpacking hammocks, 2 backpacking tents, one bigger vehicle camping tent, wall tent, and a 24' RV trailer.

I cannot fathom why my wife won't let me get a rooftop tent. There's just some times you need one!

[flyon]

Found a used GoFast Camper a few years back

Thing has been a game changer for me. I got it set up with a Propex heater and thermostat.

Set up and take down is the biggest benefit. No need to struggle with getting a regular RTT back into its bag.

https://gofastcampers.com/pages/platform-camper-2022.

[JB_AOL]

Originally Posted by El Carnicero

I have seen so many of these on all types of vehicles, not just trucks, of late. And I see them all year round. I have to wonder, are these people really using them that often, or have they simply become an ornament or some kind of millennial status symbol for others to oogle over.?
Or are there a large percentage of people that have these that are the "prepper" types and it's a "just in case" type thing?

It's a "status" thing, along with being a pain to remove.

[Battle Rat]

Originally Posted by JB_AOL

It's a "status" thing, along with being a pain to remove.

Yup, and gets used about as much as their snorkel kit.

[denpacc]

Originally Posted by JB_AOL

There's lots of pros/cons.
Cons.. vehicle is "tied up" if you like to set up base and work from there. Yes you can fold up the RTT to do stuff, but you site may appear unoccupied then.
- big mpg hit.
- Mid- night bathroom breaks can be fun.
-expensive for what they are.
-very heavy and annoying to remove, which means they usually are left on all season or all the time = more wear and tear.

Pros
-qiuck setup/takedown.
-ideal for uneven ground, don't have to find a perfect large level tent spot.
-off the ground
-ideal for touring/overlanding style, where you done stay at the same site every night.
-hard shell ones provide better protection when in bad weather.

Imho, I always thought a small trailer that carries all the toys, with a rtt on top would be perfect.

Having owned one for 9+ years, I'd agree with JB completely. I'd add that over a certain age I found it cramped in there, plus I hated "tied up" thing as you had to pack up every time you wanted to go somewhere with vehicle ie. get wood, run to store, explore forestry trunk road a bit, drive to different lake to fish, etc. Under 100km/hr not a huge hit on mpg, but if you do 120+km/hr, then yes.

[tirebob]

I personally hate driving a vehicle with a roof top tent. It just throws everything off and makes for an uncomfortable driving experience. YMMV

[bearb8er]

Originally Posted by tirebob

I personally hate driving a vehicle with a roof top tent. It just throws everything off and makes for an uncomfortable driving experience. YMMV

You're supposed to fold it down first Bob.😇

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by bearb8er

You're supposed to fold it down first Bob.😇

[waldedw]

Had to spend an hr in Cap It on the west end of Edmonton yesterday while they put a new window in my cap thanks to the Lloydminster boulevard sweeper, was looking at a few things they had there on display, cheese and rice are those things expensive, and the little out of bounds trailer rigs with pop up tents on top, one was $43 K unreal, can't believe they actually sell any for that.

[Dewey Cox]

There's one in the latest princess auto flyer for about a grand if I recall.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by Trochu

And the big con with these units, that bad boy is over $32k Cdn.

Yup, and they are sold out through 2023...

[Tungsten,]

Wow,as the old saying goes .

A fool and his money soon part.