Roof Top Tents

bhaner

Active Member
Been thinking about getting a roof top tent for weekend use. Just another way to use the Jeep to get out of the house.

Anyone here used one?

There seem to be tons of options... Not really sure what I want/need.

I was looking at the Tepui Autana that is ruggedized. I missed out on a used one on marketplace for a good price because I didn't know what I was looking for yet.

I could see me using it in really bad weather. Also in cold temps. I found that a few of them offer extra insulation for the cold.

What works? What doesn't?
 

TrailHunter

Hooked
Been thinking about getting a roof top tent for weekend use. Just another way to use the Jeep to get out of the house.

Anyone here used one?

There seem to be tons of options... Not really sure what I want/need.

I was looking at the Tepui Autana that is ruggedized. I missed out on a used one on marketplace for a good price because I didn't know what I was looking for yet.

I could see me using it in really bad weather. Also in cold temps. I found that a few of them offer extra insulation for the cold.

What works? What doesn't?
You could buy like 12 Coleman tents for the same price... or a few of those quick setup Gazelle tents and have way more room inside....
 

Brute

Hooked
RTT’s are the bomb…I’ve owned/own several of them. Yes, they are much more money than a dozen Coleman tents, but they are also a dozen times better as well, especially if you live in the PNW like we do. The two I currently own requires all of 5 minutes to set up…sleeping bags, pillows and pads are already in them…and no worries about a river running thru your tent in a downpour…
 

bhaner

Active Member
RTT’s are the bomb…I’ve owned/own several of them. Yes, they are much more money than a dozen Coleman tents, but they are also a dozen times better as well, especially if you live in the PNW like we do. The two I currently own requires all of 5 minutes to set up…sleeping bags, pillows and pads are already in them…and no worries about a river running thru your tent in a downpour…

What two do you have?

Any features you like/dislike?

I have seen many that have an annex with covered entry that I kinda like the idea of. Having a place to stand up that is dry would be a plus I would think.
 

bhaner

Active Member
A few things that I hate about tent camping... Having a flat spot without holes and humps... And the moisture that gets in the tent.

The flat spot is solved by the RTT. Just gotta level the jeep some and it should be good to go.

On many of the RTT's they have a spacer under the pad to help with moisture. Some of them also have an always open vent to allow the moisture to escape.
 

Brute

Hooked
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On the Brute, I have the Ikamper Mini; I chose it specifically for its small footprint when folded so it would fit above the bed without having to be above my cab so I can get it into my garage
 

Brute

Hooked
Heading to dinner now, I can give you more detail later…and can do an in-depth review of the Ikamp Mini in a few weeks since I’m in the midst of planning a two week fly fishing road trip through southern Utah, WY, ID and eastern WA
 

Colorado4x4

Active Member
How many people will be sleeping in it? I’ve spent many nights camping on the ground and never had an issue with it. Took the family camping last October in Ouray and used the outfitter wall tent and my wife and kids had a blast. My buddy who has had a roof top tent for a long time convinced us to buy one, much to my chagrin. We bought a Free Spirit tent last year and I love the thing. It’s really nice to be off the ground and the mattress is really comfortable. We got the massive tent to fit the whole family and it’s the size of a king sized bed. There are some negatives to the RTT just like with everything though, but I think as long as you understand those negatives you will probably be happy with one. My biggest gripe is that we go to Moab 2 -3 times a year and usually camp in one spot and wheel for 3-4 days. It sucks having to set up and take down the tent every day. Some of the hard shell tents set up in a couple minutes so those would be better for that but none of them are big enough for a whole family. I ended up buying a cheap Offroad trailer and I am pumped to have it as I can leave it in one spot and then wheel for a few days, plus we’ve got more room for firewood and camp gear. This trailer I bought had a Smittybilt tent on it that I sold for $800. I would look for a used tent online and try to save a couple bucks if you can. A lot of people spend a ton of money on these tents and quickly realize that they don’t like camping. Also, know that almost all (if not all) roof top tents are made in China 🇨🇳 366E682D-C604-4C2C-87C6-C02FBC2DB73C.jpeg 4036EE6A-28AB-4C13-BC2B-96F8443398D5.jpeg 36E2E54A-47A6-463E-9AEA-CF4ABCDFFF85.jpeg
 

Brute

Hooked
Colorado4x4 made some good points…one of the biggest negatives is it changes your cog…not a plus when doing really difficult trails, especially off camber. The other negative is it changes your height…low garages and parking spots you will not get into. It also increases your wind drag, and depending on style of rtt, wind noise.

there are basically two types…hard shell and soft shell. Hard shells have a much lower profile, and protect the tent better in the trees and branches…but they are also more costly…and usually not as large as soft top tents. Many of the soft side tents also have annexes you can attach to that gives you a ground room…but my preference is to have an awning (and usually use it a lot more than the tent itself)

if you haven’t gotten a rtt before I get back from my trip, you can either come over and check out both of my tents (I have a James Baroud on the XVenture trailer I haven’t sold yet), or I could make a trip near your neck of the woods and you could actually sleep in one of them so you can try it out for yourself…
 

CalSgt

Hooked
I would look for a used tent online and try to save a couple bucks if you can. A lot of people spend a ton of money on these tents and quickly realize that they don’t like camping. Also, know that almost all (if not all) roof top tents are made in China 🇨🇳
^^^ I know CVT in Oregon had several tents for huge discount when I was shopping, everything from near new condition to ones with small or large mildew stains on the fabric.
 

Colorado4x4

Active Member
Brute mentioned what I forgot to say. Center of gravity. My tent is heavy and I can definitely feel a difference on the trail with the tent on top of the Jeep. I really don’t like wheeling hard trails with the tent on. The hard shell 2 person tents are probably way lighter and not as much of an issue as mine. The last time we went to Moab I did not run Hells Gate or Escalator (I usually do) because I didn’t want to wreck my tent. I don’t mind scratching my Jeep but I don’t want to bang up my domicile! I’m glad the tent is on the trailer now for that reason as well.
 

bhaner

Active Member
For the most part it will be just me. So the 3 person setups should have plenty of room.

I plan to use this just for camping at this time. I would remove the rack and RTT for my normal wheeling trips. But I could see myself doing trails with it. The Whipsaw up in BC is on the list. That makes me think that a hard shell may be a bad idea. One good bump against a tree could cause big issues.

I don't normally park in parking garages so the height shouldn't be an issue. My garage door is 12' so I am good to go there.

My big plan is to eventually install the RTT on a Diesel Gladiator and use that for my DD and road trip rig. However I am waiting on them to work some of the overheating and emission system bugs out of it. Hopefully spring next year I will be ready to pull the trigger on that.

Thanks everyone for the pros, cons, and ideas!
 

Brute

Hooked
If you are thinking of getting another rig just for camping, you should buy my Xventure…unhitch it and wheel as hard as you normally do…and camp will be ready when you get back…I’ll give you a good deal on it
 

bhaner

Active Member
If you are thinking of getting another rig just for camping, you should buy my Xventure…unhitch it and wheel as hard as you normally do…and camp will be ready when you get back…I’ll give you a good deal on it
Text me or PM me some details. I will see if it is something that will work. :)

For the most part I have my truck and camper/gooseneck for the big trips. Gives me that warm fuzzy feeling to know I can just put the jeep on the trailer when I do something dumb.
 

CalSgt

Hooked
If you are thinking of getting another rig just for camping, you should buy my Xventure…unhitch it and wheel as hard as you normally do…and camp will be ready when you get back…I’ll give you a good deal on it
After building my own adventure trailer I can defiantly see where the cost on the manufactured ones comes from... I spent about 7K and an entire Summer (during COVID lockdown) to have a trailer not near as quality as the Xventure, I could have done half of the hours it took to build one on OT at work and just paid cash for a name brand one. Those Xventure's look like a well made product
 

Brute

Hooked
After building my own adventure trailer I can defiantly see where the cost on the manufactured ones comes from... I spent about 7K and an entire Summer (during COVID lockdown) to have a trailer not near as quality as the Xventure, I could have done half of the hours it took to build one on OT at work and just paid cash for a name brand one. Those Xventure's look like a well made product
They are…and electric brakes ( a big deal offroad backing downhill)…on demand hot water for both a hand held shower & sink to wash dishes, 22 gal water tank, 3 burner lp stove, it’s own warn winch…on 37 Toyo’s
 
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