Roof Top Tents

Shwane said:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YPYPH0U/?tag=wranglerorg-20

So I'm starting my expedition trailer build and I'm sourcing parts for it. I've got my eye on this RTT, does anyone have any experience with this one?
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All these RTT's are expensive AF!

However, the 1st review there on Amazon is a TJ owner with it mounted on their Hardtop...which is kind of blowing my mind a little seeing how it weighs 176lbs (not counting any people inside), so i'm not sure how thats not collapsing his roof with the Hardtop capacity and all. He's got 7 pictures and everything on there with a pretty good review, check it out.
 
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EJD said:
All these RTT's are expensive AF!

However, the 1st review there on Amazon is a TJ owner with it mounted on their Hardtop...which is kind of blowing my mind a little seeing how it weighs 176lbs (not counting any people inside), so i'm not sure how thats not collapsing his roof with the Hardtop capacity and all. He's got 7 pictures and everything on there with a pretty good review, check it out.
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Its very interesting...

I did want to add I have full intention on getting a roof top tent this summer for next year. I have been going back and forth on a lot of different models. I just want to say, make sure you are comfortable with the setup of it, because a lifted tj with a roof rack and rtt can be a pain to setup. I have been eying one of the hardshell ones that are strut assisted. :D

Edit: Although price may drive me to one like yours. Let me know how you like it if you get it.
 
I have future plans to add a RTT to my trailer. Tepui is at the top of the list since they are fairly local. I'll need a custom annex to have a place for my pups to sleep.
 
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This is one of the best I've seen. Setup takes a minute and you can drive around with it up.

DSC_0063.jpg
 
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billiebob said:
This is one of the best I've seen. Setup takes a minute and you can drive around with it up.

View attachment 24107
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I would kill for a trailer setup like this. I just have no where to store it. Ideally I'd like to travel the states long term next year and need a proper sleeping solution. RTT is convenient as it requires no serious storage with relatively easy setup.
 
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billiebob said:
This is one of the best I've seen. Setup takes a minute and you can drive around with it up.

View attachment 24107
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This is very similar to what I'm building. I plan on going with a larger base (4' x 8') due to the function(s) I'll need.

Short list:
Power inverter
solar cells for charging
batteries
battery charger
cooking slide out
spare tire mount
storage for gear the wife and kids have deemed "necessary camping items"

I'm trying to keep it total weight around 1000-1200 lbs or less.
 
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Shwane said:
Power inverter
solar cells for charging
batteries
battery charger
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Keep us updated. I'm doing the boon docking thing this winter too. Only thing I've decided on is using 6volt golf cart batteries. With a large solar panel permanently on the roof so it charges while driving. But actual components and price I have no idea on yet.
 
Lost Coast does not have any prices on their website, any idea what they are charging? I am building an M416 overland trailer with a RTT on top. This may be a viable option depending on cost........I am making some unique modifications in that my entire camping set up is removable from the trailer, allowing it to be used as a utility trailer when not camping. RTT are crazy expensive for what they are, I have done a good bit of research and some things I have learned are:
Most all of the similarly designed tents come out of the same factory in China
Although they look the same the sponsoring company can add or change specs thereby increasing or decreasing some of the value or durability
The sponsoring company can also make small changes in design but by and large the product design is pretty much the same (see previous comment)
There are basically two types or styles of soft RTT, one style is like the Tupui, CVT, Front Runner, Smittybilt, etc. the other is like the Free Spirit shown earlier in this thread. Both have advantages and disadvantages over the other.
The traditional style offers a possible covered entrance without having an annex, good ventilation, sometimes the foam mattress is less than comfortable
The Free Spirit style offers more ventilation but is harder to open the windows when raining and stay dry, the entrance is only covered if you put the usually optional annex up, the mattress is two different foam pads over slats (as opposed to a solid platform) and this has been reported to be more comfortable.
Both set up in about the same amount of time and both store bedding in place when collapsed.
 
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So I've been camping a few times in it in varying weather conditions. Here's my take:

It's a smittybilt product so I was hesitant on buying it, but after camping in it a few times, I've laid my worries to rest. I also bought the annex to go with it. The base is 3/4 treated plywood wrapped in fiber reinforced plastic. The canvas type material is thicker than traditional tents and holds heat well. (Not cavas like the kodiak tents though)

RTT Pros:

cheaper than most others
ease of deployment
included LED lighting for the inside
grab handles for easy entering
It holds up flawlessly in rain
It holds heat very well (had ice building up on it one night. with the proper sleeping bag, I was very toasty)
It's price point is very competitive compared to the others in its class
You'll be the talk of the campground if you live in an area not accustomed to these style set ups

Annex Pros:

It's BIG. I could fit a queen size air up in the bottom
back entry to access your vehicle
plenty of windows
easy to install
privacy when needed
the hold down straps are big enough to wrap around rocks or whatever if your camping somewhere thats hardpan

RTT cons:

It takes a while to dry off when it gets wet, if you're not in direct sunlight
The fastening hardware leaves a little to be desired
It's noisy in high winds
The mattress is hard to get out when your cleaning it

Annex cons:

It's designed to have the RTT ladder on the inside (That's just ridiculous. I modified mine to allow the ladder on the outside)
No bottom. No big deal, I use a tarp
It's thinner than the RTT material
Zippers have slack making it a pain in the a$$ to zip up in the dark
It doesn't do as well as the RTT in wind (even after its staked down)


All in all, I'm super happy with it. I initially bought it to top off a trailer, and still will once I'm done, but using it on top of the TJ is no problem. The kids LOVE the fact that they're sleeping on top of the jeep and it gets the wife out who is against any kind of tent camping that involes the ground (and snakes or bugs) I told her they cant climb ladders, so she's good now.

I would buy it again if I had to do it over again.
 
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So I scored a CVT Mt. McKinley that is two years old and had about 20 nights of sleeping in it. The Mt. McKinley has had a name change to Mt. Denali now..... It is a BIG tent, something along the lines of 87x112........ Although still not inexpensive by any measure I got what I believe to be a very fair price. I found it on iH8mud.com.
Another option in your search is searchtempest.com, this is a search engine for whatever is for sale matching your description. Give it a try.....
 
Shwane said:
So I've been camping a few times in it in varying weather conditions. Here's my take:

It's a smittybilt product so I was hesitant on buying it, but after camping in it a few times, I've laid my worries to rest. I also bought the annex to go with it. The base is 3/4 treated plywood wrapped in fiber reinforced plastic. The canvas type material is thicker than traditional tents and holds heat well. (Not cavas like the kodiak tents though)

RTT Pros:

cheaper than most others
ease of deployment
included LED lighting for the inside
grab handles for easy entering
It holds up flawlessly in rain
It holds heat very well (had ice building up on it one night. with the proper sleeping bag, I was very toasty)
It's price point is very competitive compared to the others in its class
You'll be the talk of the campground if you live in an area not accustomed to these style set ups

Annex Pros:

It's BIG. I could fit a queen size air up in the bottom
back entry to access your vehicle
plenty of windows
easy to install
privacy when needed
the hold down straps are big enough to wrap around rocks or whatever if your camping somewhere thats hardpan

RTT cons:

It takes a while to dry off when it gets wet, if you're not in direct sunlight
The fastening hardware leaves a little to be desired
It's noisy in high winds
The mattress is hard to get out when your cleaning it

Annex cons:

It's designed to have the RTT ladder on the inside (That's just ridiculous. I modified mine to allow the ladder on the outside)
No bottom. No big deal, I use a tarp
It's thinner than the RTT material
Zippers have slack making it a pain in the a$$ to zip up in the dark
It doesn't do as well as the RTT in wind (even after its staked down)


All in all, I'm super happy with it. I initially bought it to top off a trailer, and still will once I'm done, but using it on top of the TJ is no problem. The kids LOVE the fact that they're sleeping on top of the jeep and it gets the wife out who is against any kind of tent camping that involes the ground (and snakes or bugs) I told her they cant climb ladders, so she's good now.

I would buy it again if I had to do it over again.
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I am working on a deal buying a trailer that has one that is a XL on the top of a utility trailer. I will post pics if I can work the deal, but I believe the XL model has enough room for the ladder to go in the inside of the annex. i think the non xl doesn't but people are creating slits to leave the ladder on the outside.

I am pretty excited about it. I appreciate your review. I should know this week if I get mine.
 
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