Considering a rooftop tent - owner feedback please !

[T4R_Canuck]

If OP is serious about an RTT, it sounds like a roof rack upgrade is probably your best bet to avoid the weight issues you speak of.

I've used an RTT for 4-5 years now, both on a pickup and on my 4Runner roof. My 4Runner is a mild build for off roading and takes a substantial beating on trails. I had a soft shell RTT until I sold it about a year ago. The roof capacity of the 4Runner is actually quite high as long as you have a proper roof rack. I installed a Prinsu full length of my runner and it had zero issues carrying around my RTT (150lbs), gas cans (20-25lbs each), gun case, traction boards, etc.

I eventually sold my RTT simply because of bulk. I didn't like having the extra height and weight on my roof while offroading on off camber obstacles, it simply felt less stable. I would have switched to a hard shell RTT for my purposes, but I simply wouldn't have been able to fit my 2 kids and myself in the tent, plus it would take my entire roof rack to fit it, meaning i could no longer carry my recovery gear, fuel and other stuff on my rack.

An RTT is a great option, and isn't just hype. It's nice to be able to pull up to camp late at night, level out your vehicle and have a dry, stable and consistent place to lay down that requires little setup time. You could quite literally park in a river and still have a dry place to sleep, as opposed to ground tents where you have to search for level enough ground to set it up on, and hope its not a low spot. Those spots were hard to find for me, because we normally explore higher elevations, where we camp on rocky areas, not grassy ones.

A high quality RTT has great waterproofing, normally better than most ground tents and you never have to worry about the bottom sitting in water, because its not touching the ground. All tents require general maintenance such as cleaning zippers and touching up water proofing at the end of a season. The walls of an RTT aren't under any more or less tension than a ground tent. They all have some form of poles to create the general shape, but some RTT's have a hardshell exterior on 1 surface that helps further improve wind resistance, water resistance and snow loading.

 

[jdm-v35]

I think the driving weight capacity is around 300 lbs and static is 600 lbs. That is the actual roof capacity not the crappy OEM roof rack.

......

Where did you get those numbers, HEAVY WT ?
Toyota manual says max 120 lbs.

Do you mean that if I get an aftermarket roofrack, that will support ~300 lbs ?

Would love to make this work ...

Aftermarket racks hold considerably more weight. i have had my smittybilt xl and 3 people in it with no issue. the weak point is really the plastic feet of the OEM rack. If you think about it the roof needs to be structurally able to decently withstand a rollover. most of the roof rack companies have the upgraded weight limits in their specs. The GFC mounts directly to the OEM mount points by removing the OEM rack, so you dont need a rack for it.

 

[skag1T]

[MENTION=212017]jdm-v35[/MENTION] [MENTION=136547]T4R_Canuck[/MENTION] [MENTION=130913]HEAVY WT[/MENTION] Awesome info, did not know that, I thought the 120 lbs is what the roof can sustain. I understand now that it is a limitation of the factory roof rails.

I will look into a good quality RTT. I am ok spending extra for a roof rack.
I am thinking a clamshell tent, this will be only for me and will be for an extended time travelling around the country, at least 1 year, maybe longer - so I want something that can take a beating and just work.

So far I see Alu-Cab expedition 3.1 (~200 lbs) and there is a lite version of Alu-Cab (LT-50) that weighs around 110 lbs. Both seem high quality.

I also found info on the Bush Co. Alpha RTT (Australian made), seems high quality as well.

Appreciate everybody's time, thank you for the info!

 

[Crikeymike]

[MENTION=212017]jdm-v35[/MENTION] [MENTION=136547]T4R_Canuck[/MENTION] [MENTION=130913]HEAVY WT[/MENTION] Awesome info, did not know that, I thought the 120 lbs is what the roof can sustain. I understand now that it is a limitation of the factory roof rails.

I will look into a good quality RTT. I am ok spending extra for a roof rack.
I am thinking a clamshell tent, this will be only for me and will be for an extended time travelling around the country, at least 1 year, maybe longer - so I want something that can take a beating and just work.

So far I see Alu-Cab expedition 3.1 (~200 lbs) and there is a lite version of Alu-Cab (LT-50) that weighs around 110 lbs. Both seem high quality.

I also found info on the Bush Co. Alpha RTT (Australian made), seems high quality as well.

Appreciate everybody's time, thank you for the info!

If it's only you, and your concerned about wildlife getting you (from an earlier post), you should just build out the interior to sleep in. Moving stuff from one side to the other and making a sleep platform down one side is what I see most solo travelers doing, especially for long term use. Nothing will wear out that way either.

Bears, mountain lions, cougars, etc, can all climb trees, so they can definitely climb up a RTT ladder.

In my opinion, the biggest benefit to being up in an RTT and off the ground is creepy crawlies, like in Australia. The snake and spider situation there is much worse than here in the USA. Also, camping in snow or mud is no issue if you're off the ground.

That being said, I've had 3 RTT's and wouldn't own one again unless it was on a trailer, and I'm not planning on trailering something all over the country either. Too much weight, and it's not just the weight of the tent, it's the 70-130lb roof rack you have to put up on the roof as well just to hold it.

If you're over 40, you probably have to get up to use the bathroom each night too, and getting out of a tent for that is bad enough on a cold night, but also climbing down and up a ladder makes it way less convenient.

The reason you see so many used RTT's for sale with little use is because people get them, have never slept in one before, go out for a few nights and just don't like it, or realize how much they spent, get frustrated, and sell it. If I had to guess, I'd say the resale rate on RTT's is probably 30-40%.

 

[skag1T]

I plan to remove the ladder once I am in the tent, and take it inside. This might make getting down more cumbersome. I am more concerned about people with bad intentions than animals, to be honest.

The reason an RTT is appealing as an option is that it gives me a lot of space in the back of the 4Runner for gear and miscellaneous stuff that I want to carry with me. And it's going to be compact and closed, safe(r) against theft.

i already have a sleeping platform inside, so that could become an option, even with an RTT mounted.

I am not completely sold to the RTT idea, but it seems a feasible option. I also don't want to pull a trailer, too much drama.

 

[flyrv9]

I wonder if you can rent RTT's to see what works best. Might be best to start with a good roof rack first though; and then buy the RTT you like best.

 

[seatia]

We have had a RoofNest Condor Overland for a couple of years.
It's an all aluminum shell and weighs 160 lbs and another 300 to 400 sleeping weight. No effect on the truck at all.
It's mounted on 3 bars similar to the Nise rack, but one I made up myself.

There is absolutely no issue with weight or mounting or driving with it. It may look intimidating but the twisties at speed are not an issue. Just drive as we normally would.
It has been mounted since last January since it is a pain to take on and off which we did for the first year.
Noise only heard at above 75mph and mileage dropped 1 mpg.

The only real downside, since this model is a foldout, is that once setup you cannot move. Setup and teardown with all the awnings etc is still only a few minutes.

 

[seatia]

Here is the modified rack
Can easily handle the weight.

Mounted to the factory rails with 13mm bolts

 

[skag1T]

[MENTION=478602]seatia[/MENTION] -- Thank you for your post, I have the Nise Rack myself, I like it. Looks like RTT is actually feasible.

I am thinkig to get a GFC (GoFastCampers), I think somebody posted here (and I confirmed from their website) that it mounts directly on the 4Runner roof, using their proprietary mounts. It also seems a good quality RTT.

Appreciate the community help !

 

[danielshumate7]

Try if Eva still has the item available for sale. I got mine from her weeks ago and it was in good condition. You can reach her at [email protected]

 

[johnnygraphic]

Here is the modified rack
Can easily handle the weight.

Mounted to the factory rails with 13mm bolts

I know this is almost a year after the fact, but the factory roof rails aren't the strongest. The weak point is the plastic base, the part that actually bolts into the roof. If you upgrade to an all metal roof rack, they will be much stronger than the OEM rails.

But, on to the topic at hand. A RTT sure is all the sexiness. For my needs/uses, it is very impractical. 4Runner won't fit in the garage. Expensive. Getting in/out to go pee in the middle of the night would be dangerous the older we get.

For us, a good ground tent is the next upgrade. So far, our $89 Coleman Sundome has served us very well for almost 10 years. It has withstood heavy rain and winds.

 

[seatia]

I know this is almost a year after the fact, but the factory roof rails aren't the strongest. The weak point is the plastic base, the part that actually bolts into the roof. If you upgrade to an all metal roof rack, they will be much stronger than the OEM rails.

But, on to the topic at hand. A RTT sure is all the sexiness. For my needs/uses, it is very impractical. 4Runner won't fit in the garage. Expensive. Getting in/out to go pee in the middle of the night would be dangerous the older we get.

For us, a good ground tent is the next upgrade. So far, our $89 Coleman Sundome has served us very well for almost 10 years. It has withstood heavy rain and winds.

The Oem rails are NOT mounted on plastic, those are just the trim covers.
The actual mounts are a strong metal.
Most avid campers, especially rooftop ones use pee bottles or urinals.
Walmart has them for $2.28 apiece. The older you get you will find it more frequent.
If happy with a $89 tent, then a RTT is probably not for you.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

62 years old with nerve damage in my foot from an osteotomy surgery. Typically get up 2 to 3 times a night to piss and I'm not going up and down the widdle wadder. Not peeing in a bottle or some chick funnel. Geez it's the outdoors and I pee where I feel like.

Our K2500 Suburban diesel is large enough that my wife and I can sleep in the back, no tent needed, and it is very offroad capable.

 

[jdm-v35]

The Oem rails are NOT mounted on plastic, those are just the trim covers.
The actual mounts are a strong metal.
Most avid campers, especially rooftop ones use pee bottles or urinals.
Walmart has them for $2.28 apiece. The older you get you will find it more frequent.
If happy with a $89 tent, then a RTT is probably not for you.

The OEM rail bases are definitely just hard plastic bases with a plastic trim cover over them. I remember very well when I removed them to put my SSO rack on too.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/we0AAOSwpD1kuZTu/s-l1600.jpg

 

[lightnakite]

My thoughts:

1. Set-up/Take down gets old pretty quick. I got really tired of this ritual. To speed things up I would remove blankets/pillows and place inside my truck, because the more stuff you leave inside the harder it is to close back up. This experience worse if you are packing up camp in the rain. If you add things like condensation pads or extra topper for your bed then this also makes this worse. Putting in the rods for the windows was pretty pointless most of the time for me. It is a very awkward process hanging out the window to install them especially in the rain. Adds 5minutes to setup and a bit less for takedown. I rarely installed them.

2. Set-up anywhere. RTT can be setup easily in terrain that would be more challenging in a ground tent. i.e. Rocks, sand, mud, wet surfaces, sharp objects. This is a big advantage of RTT.

3. Sleeping experience is very fun. Always felt like a kid playing in a treehouse. I dreamed of the RTT experience and it was worth it in the short-term. Great morning views parked on a beach or mountaintop. The RTT makes these experiences better than being on the ground. The mattress was pretty comfortable and I always felt very cozy.

4. Safety. I did alot of travel in Mexico/US/Canada and almost never in paid campsites. Alot of times this meant I was choosing stealth temporary camp locations off the beaten path. I could never be entirely comfortable in these situations because there is always a time delay for me to pack up and leave. For this reason I now prefer making a bed inside the truck, locked doors and ability to dash in a moment rather than minutes. I had a few spooky instances in USA and Mexico where I resented the time it was taking me to gtfo.

5. Height Restriction. You become too tall for many height restricted areas such as parking garages or broken tree branches etc. I have a 3" lift and a BajaRack flat rack. Without my tent I can clear 6'8" and at this height its hard to remember a time where this was a problem.

6. Rooftop cargo space. Once you have a RTT all of your cargo must go inside the vehicle(I have sunroof cut-out roof rack). So lets say you want to move some lumber, mattress, surfboards, etc. this becomes more difficult or you have to go through the ordeal of removing the tent. (Once you install it on you will not want to repeat the process!). You can still move lumber/surfboards by allowing them to protrude out the rear window, but in my experience I found wood chips/dust or sand all over my vehicle afterwards.

7. Squeaky! Getting funky in the RTT is pretty fun but not exactly stealth! (LOL). Putting alot of faith in the ladder support in these scenarios!

8. Stormy/Windy weather. It's alot harder to sleep in RTT when its windy or stormy.

I sold my RTT and now sleep inside my t4r. It often requires a bit of shuffling of cargo, but I enjoy the get up and go agility and flexibility to use my rooftop or interior cargo space to suit my needs. It's also more quiet and easier to climate control.

Owning a RTT was a must-have experience for me, but I could not avoid the slow creep of buyers remorse and had to part ways with it. I'm glad I had the experience but I don't miss it.

 

[SenorBoludo]

I ordered a James Baroud after staying in my friend's, but canceled it a month before it arrived. Instead I got a Crashpad swag tent. If you're not familiar with those, I wasn't either. It's an Aussie thing; basically a heavy canvas tunnel tent with a mattress built in. You roll it up, throw it in the back of the rig, easy setup and takedown. It's pitch dark inside but breathes well. I sleep like the dead. I also got the stand for it which is like a cot that sits about 3 feet off the ground. I can fit me and my young daughter in it, but they make a double that would fit two adults. For me, having the truck with no tent on it most of the time made more sense, as I can throw the swag in the back (or strap on top) for overlanding, have the truck without for the 90% of the time I'm not. Also, a tent adds weight up top, which isn't ideal for actual off-roading.

 

[johnnygraphic]

The OEM rail bases are definitely just hard plastic bases with a plastic trim cover over them. I remember very well when I removed them to put my SSO rack on too.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/we0AAOSwpD1kuZTu/s-l1600.jpg

Sorry this is almost a month after the fact, but thanks for posting this. I was going to try and track down the YT video where I saw it and post the link.

And nothing like an irrelevant insult by the other forum member above to try and prove a point??? lol!

In any event, a few years ago I would’ve jumped on a RTT. But now that the fever for all things overlanding has cooled somewhat, I can better assess whether a RTT will suit my needs vs just a want.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jdm-v35]

Sorry this is almost a month after the fact, but thanks for posting this. I was going to try and track down the YT video where I saw it and post the link.

And nothing like an irrelevant insult by the other forum member above to try and prove a point??? lol!

In any event, a few years ago I would’ve jumped on a RTT. But now that the fever for all things overlanding has cooled somewhat, I can better assess whether a RTT will suit my needs vs just a want.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't use it all the time either as it does add some setup time. If I am by myself I sleep inside the 4runner and don't use a tent at all. If the wife, and now almost-2 yr old come then the tent with the annex is great and makes things a lot more comfortable for them. That would be my simple assessment on usefulness of the RTT - If it was just me I wouldn't get one and keep it simple, but with a family it is a game changer.

 

[seatia]

The OEM rail bases are definitely just hard plastic bases with a plastic trim cover over them. I remember very well when I removed them to put my SSO rack on too.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/we0AAOSwpD1kuZTu/s-l1600.jpg

Sorry this is almost a month after the fact, but thanks for posting this. I was going to try and track down the YT video where I saw it and post the link.

And nothing like an irrelevant insult by the other forum member above to try and prove a point??? lol!

In any event, a few years ago I would’ve jumped on a RTT. But now that the fever for all things overlanding has cooled somewhat, I can better assess whether a RTT will suit my needs vs just a want.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The OEM rail bases are without doubt metal, and from the looks of it, some sort of alum alloy casting.
Toyota has gone beyond to add a beautiful black finish which may be confusing to the untrained eye.

The purpose here on this forum, I presume, is to exchange as acurate information as possible, especially when readers are trying to make decisions, sometimes expensive ones.
Corrections should and need not be construed as insults. lol

Nonetheless, here is a pic of my rail base to which I took a file to the top removing the black paint exposing the aluminum material.