Do you really NEED a ROOF TOP TENT for overlanding?
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- Опубліковано 3 сер 2024
- There seems to be this idea that having a roof top tent is what makes someone an overlander. It's the first piece of equipment (after the vehicle) that a lot of people buy. I've seen people on street tires, with a roof top tent. In this video, I discuss some of the reasons you might, or might not, want a roof top tent.
Footage from Expedition Utah: • Expedition Utah
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I love your logical truthful approach to these videos. That's how I am.
Probably the best P/C video I’ve seen on RTTs. Thank you.
Thanks!
This is a really useful/informative video because I've been considering buying a rooftop. This has helped a lot. Thanks. Keep the videos coming.
Happy to help!
Only video in my feed under 30 minutes. Great content and now I’m a subscriber!!
Welcome aboard!
Really good video. Love the pro and cons. Well done.
Thanks!
Nice video, keep them coming 👍
Excellent info thanks. I am just getting into overlanding and recently became aware of these RTT which I had never heard of before. Coming from a lifetime of backpacking and adventure motorcycle travel and using a ground tent or more recently a hammock system, I was baffled at the seemingly widespread use of these roof top tents in the vehicle overlanding community. I have to admit that they make no sense to me but at least now I know what folks are thinking about when they use these.
NO !!! 😆 that’s actually what I was going to say right away when I saw your thumbnail 😂
I sleep in my Jeep so no need for me 🤓 but I travel solo. And I have the 4cyl TJ. And I want an inconspicuous setup. And .... 😳
But at the end of the day, whatever floats your boat and works for you and your rig is the right setup. There is no one size fits all in Overlanding in my mind. Just go out there and explore with whatever makes you happy 😃
Exactly! I really like sleeping in my 4Runner too, but need the extra space when traveling with the wife!
Great review keep it up 👍
Thanks for the information very helpful 🤟🏼👌🏼
Absolutely!
Thanks for the vid! Another option to an RTT (do like a lot of the RTTs out there)...is a swag with an Exped Megamat or similar👌👌 we use swags for our 'overlanding' 2wk or so trips. Keen to try one on the roof (saw a fella set up like that once 😊)
Swags don't seem to have caught on in the US quite like they have in Australia. They seem like a great compact option though.
I also love sleeping inside my 4 Runner. Way warmer in cold weather. Turn on heater if needed. Way more quiet in the rain or wind or bugs/animals. I basically use a Exped Megamat and then have my cooler/fridge on the other side. My dog sleeps in the space behind the fridge. Gear goes in front seats. I can sleep two if needed, but my dog will always be with me so it makes it tough.
I ran a Smittybilt tent on the roof of my 98 LX470 for a while. Eventually, I got the XL tent and mounted it to a customer configured small off-road trailer. That is the absolute best option IMO, but now you're adding the cost of a trailer to the tent itself. For a few years, I camped in the back of my LX470. i had a drawer system in place, could fold the 2nd row flat and inflate a small air mattress and sleep in absolute comfort back there. All our gear was stowed on the roof in waterproof bags. Had some of our funnest adventures camping that way. It was super cheap and super easy to just get up and go.
I had a trailer, but it wasn't for me. Whatever suits you best though!
@@RevereOverland yeah, the trailer isn't the greatest for daily movement. I use it primarily for when I am going to basecamp for several days in the same location and then take the rig to go exploring trails in the area.
Great Vid! Patiently waiting for a review of the Tuff Stuff RTT you're new set up?!
You're in luck! ua-cam.com/video/-fX_gPmtxQk/v-deo.html
I was going back and fourth as well and settled on an Oztent with a front room. Same price as a good rooftop, and easy to set up quick, and my gas mileage doesn't suffer.
Good choice. They seem pretty tough too.
Great info. Thanx
You're welcome!
I recently bought a Gazelle T4. For me being able to stand up comfortably inside is major factor. That and my vehicle is already top heavy. I cant afford to add any weight up high. A RTT on a trailer is a good compromise. You can haul lots of stuff and leave the trailer at camp if you venture out.
Gazelle was my second choice! I like that you can stand up in them too. I'm not a fan of having a trailer, personally... Maybe that can be my next video!
Good video. Lots of pros and cons. While I would love the ease of a rooftop tent, being disabled and having two large Golden Retrievers, the idea of figuring out how to get them up and in there is overwhelming. :-)
Something like the Gazelle would probably be perfect! Standing room, and the dogs can walk in and out on their own!
As for peeing in the middle of the night, large mouth Gatorade bottle makes a great pee bottle. My girlfriend hates it but I am not going outside while camping in 20 or 30 degree weather.
Or tweak a few habits and remove the need to pee at night. Just google it, it's liberating.
I live in the north east. While I love a great scenic site to park it's not always the case while traveling /exploring. I myself prefer to sleep in a camper shell. Secure,stealth, and no setup.
The no setup of a camper shell is definitely appealing, and it'll help keep safe from the bears!
Hello Revere overland, I am writing to you from Chile and I have a question you ask. I have a montero sport 2013 pro native sport or challenger, I don't know what they say there. I have a car with a roof tent and I would like to install it on the roof of my hunt, but I am afraid of the weight issue and that the bars that it comes from the factory could be damaged. How much does your roof tent weigh? Greetings and I really like your videos !!! A hug!!! 👍🏻👍🏻😉😉🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱
That's good to hear! I have a Gazzel tent & screened room. Very happy!
They're good tents! Definitely what I'd have if I didn't have a roof top tent.
Just ordered a ROAM Vagabond RTT for my FJ Cruiser, I hope it’s not going to be to big for my FJ. Really wanted a Roost Hardshell due to it having a really low profile, but couldn’t justify spending $3k. Maybe later down the road I can afford a good hardshell.
Roof top tents seem to hold their value really well. If you decide an upgrade is worth it in the future, you shouldn’t be out too much!
Jeeze! Just get a good quick ground tent-
Did you watch the video?
I've had two RTT's. A soft shell and a hard shell. After giving them a try honestly not worth it to me. Weight, drag, mpg loss, change in driving dynamics (accel & braking) along with them not really being all that much more convenient to use than a ground tent were all cons with them. Most soft shell tents will set up quickly but they actually take about the same amount of time as a ground tent with bedding to put away since you really do have to tuck in everything nicely and climb all over your truck to put the cover back on. Getting up and down is a chore and if you have a dog who is afraid of ladders you'll have to carry him up. Also forget about ever parking in your home garage or city/airport garage ever again. Some of the newer RTTs like the GFC that are 6-7" make a more compelling argument for an RTT but there are still compromises. I'm now using an OzTent RV-3 and it's a high quality tent that is spacious and durable. I've kept it longer and used it a lot more than any RTT I owned. The space combined with the comfort of an Exped Megamat is unbeatable.
I like the look of the OzTents! I forgot about fitting into garages. We tried going to Boston last summer with the RTT. It took us forever to find a parking garage tall enough to accommodate it!
I always wonder what the weight does for suspension components? etc.
The tent alone won't do much since it weighs less than your average adult. Weight definitely does add up with all of the extra gear though, so I personally upgraded to a medium duty suspension.
we used to just call it taking your jeep out and going camping LOL, gotta have an industry term though for marketing purposes I guess.
Hey Revere (sorry dont know your name 😅) would you rather get a hardshell or softshell?
Hey! I love the fold out hard shell I have now! The hard shells are much quicker, and the fold out has the same space as a soft shell.
How is the mileage with the Smittybilt vs your current one?
There hasn’t been a big enough difference for me to notice yet! Maybe when I travel across country, but I bet it’s close.
I am on my 3 van. Mine is 4x4 diesel, 18 mpg. 60 gallon of fuel. 20 gallon water. Rain or snow no problem. Can park in a parking lots parking spot and no body even knows I am in there. Cook, eat, potty, sleep and nobody knows. I have a Forward camera and a back up camera that can be Accessed by my laptop, Engine off dead still.
PS: I am 70 years old and don’t like climbing.
My son has a car top tent on his 79 Toyota land cruiser wagon FJ 55. And he loves it.
I think a nice 4x4 van would be perfect for when I retire!
No interest in a RTT. I've been camping for over 50 years using ground tents and hammocks. My current go to tent is the Kodiak Canvas 8' x 9', virtually a 4 season tent with exceptional ventilation and strength. Once I unload it, its heavy, then it goes up fully staked within 20 minutes.
I have a friend with a Kodiak. They are very nice, but HEAVY as you mentioned.
I'm not familiar with the Kodiak, but anything made from a canvas like that has got to be heavy! Looks to be solid though.
I live in BC and dont want to be a bear taco
OZ tent vs RTT,
Wish I'd known about the OZ ⛺
Solid choice. I like my RTT though!
@@RevereOverland
Only meet one couple that would admit liking the OZ tent over the rtt,
Only after staying next to them was it understood,
Both are a lot of money to sleep in
I have a big ground tent for the wife and kid. I still sleep in a hammock. It's all personal!
Absolutely. I like to switch up depending on the weather, where I’m going, and who is going with me!
IMO, the biggest con for me is the price!! They are not cheap by any means. $700.00 is the cheapest one I've found for a new one. Which I think one would want a new one over a used tent. I can see having to break it down when wanting to go into town, etc being a pain in the arse. I like the idea of being off ground but no matter snakes, spiders, etc can still get to you lol. I'm going to look hard into what I want to do once I start on my outfit.
They’re definitely not cheap! The snakes and spiders can still get in, but it’s a lot less likely when you’re off the ground. Are you in Australia?
Revere Overland , I’m in North Carolina I couldn’t live in Australia I have arachnophobia I’d never be able to go outside lol
Lol!
I used to hate them, now i love mine
Lol! I still hate having mine up there, but there’s no way I’d go without!
*cries in ground peasant*
Lol! You made that choice!
Thank you for a very thorough walkthrough👍🏻
I drive a Suzuki samurai softtop, so no rooftop tent for me.. the gazelle t3 fits perfectly behind the front seats, and Im quite happy with it.
Me and the missus were supposed to go offroad through the Balkans this summer, but given the virus situation, it will have to wait until next year.
transeurotrail.org/
Stay safe
Cheers from Denmark 🇩🇰
That's a real shame. Hopefully things will clear up soon!
Nope!! Don't need one at all, but want one
Lol! Exactly!
Hell no, I overland in my pre runner Tacoma.
So, you can afford that because you have money, right? Not the average camper, correct?
A roof top tent is typically a couple of thousand. A bare bones off road camper is easily three or four times the cost.
They are often sponsored by corporations who finance their expeditions.
Roof top tent in a rest area...interesting...lol
Or a Walmart parking lot!