https://www.dezeen.com/2018/07/24/sebastian-maluska-car-rooftop-tent-ecal-graduate-design/
Couldn’t find a price though.
Couldn’t find a price though.
Interesting roof top tent
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leftyguns21
New member
i dont know about that one. it looks pretty minimal and thin. i dont think it would be any good over a long period or lots of camping. maybe if you are on a road trip and just need to pull over?!? maybe its just the pictures but that fabric does not look like high quality or durable.
Yoter
New member
The design of that tent looks nice, I really like the fabric floor pan design, it seems much better than traditional solid ones. I wonder if it would puncture easily though, and if the tension on the fabric would spread the tear and cause a catastrophic failure?
This is just my personal opinion but I really think RRT are a terrible idea.
1) They Kill Fuel Efficiency
2) They raise vehicle center of gravity making high speed or off-road driving performance significantly worse
3) They are stupid expensive, you could get multiple high end tents for the cost of one RRT
4) They are heavy and a pain in the ass to take on and off your car
And last but not least, if I am not sleeping in the comfort of my home and I am already going camping, why on earth would I want to sleep on top of a bunch of gasoline and chemicals? I would much rather take the 5-15 minutes to setup a tent, make a campfire and sleep away from my vehicle and closer to nature.
There are some really amazing tent designs and innovative, easy to setup, designs (if poles really bother you) that can be had for a fraction of the cost of a RRT.
These are not exactly cheap but this is a german company that makes inflatable tents that are really nice https://www.heimplanet.com/
This is just my personal opinion but I really think RRT are a terrible idea.
1) They Kill Fuel Efficiency
2) They raise vehicle center of gravity making high speed or off-road driving performance significantly worse
3) They are stupid expensive, you could get multiple high end tents for the cost of one RRT
4) They are heavy and a pain in the ass to take on and off your car
And last but not least, if I am not sleeping in the comfort of my home and I am already going camping, why on earth would I want to sleep on top of a bunch of gasoline and chemicals? I would much rather take the 5-15 minutes to setup a tent, make a campfire and sleep away from my vehicle and closer to nature.
There are some really amazing tent designs and innovative, easy to setup, designs (if poles really bother you) that can be had for a fraction of the cost of a RRT.
These are not exactly cheap but this is a german company that makes inflatable tents that are really nice https://www.heimplanet.com/
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IBallEngineer
New member
I don't have one, but I think RTTs are a good idea.
1. I wouldn't leave it up there all the time, so if I hurt my fuel economy on a trip, so be it. It gives me a place away from most critters(hugely important to my wife). I get 11 MPG in my Land Cruiser, 16.5 in my 3rd gen. This isn't the right game for fuel savings.
2. They do raise the center of gravity, but so does a tire carrier, or water cans or a amp and subwoofer. 100 to 200lbs on the roof is not going to make your vehicle unsafe or significantly worse at speed. Clearance is an issue in forested areas. But not so much overland, which is the intended use of RTTs.
3. They are expensive, but generally proved a quick set up and are a better platform for us old guys. And my wife really likes being off the ground to avoid most critters.
4. They weigh between 100 and 200 lbs. Heavy? A 6 gallon jug of water weighs 48 lbs. If you feel you have to remove and install it weekly, it would be a pain in the ass. But people do it to removable hardtops and a pulley system could be rigged up, if you fit in the garage. I would find a different way myself. But yes, much harder than storing your Big Agnes tent.
Lastly, you can still make a campfire and be close to nature. I do it when I motorhome camp all the time. You drive on that gasoline and chemicals, you sit INSIDE of that box of stuff. Sleeping on the roof should not bother anyone, it does NOT bother my wife. And she feels better away from most of the critters like snakes and scorpions. For me that is especially important because she camps on her family's land adjacent to the Gila National Forest in AZ for two weeks every summer. And she has no relief from the critters there.
:tea:
absalom
New member
My dream RTT would have the following features:
- Be detachable from vehicle, preferably in some sort of a bag
- Have the ability to pitch on the ground
- Allow me to drive my vehicle while camping
- Store in my trunk vs. on the roof
- Provide at least 100 sq foot
- Not cost $1,000
- Be detachable from vehicle, preferably in some sort of a bag
- Have the ability to pitch on the ground
- Allow me to drive my vehicle while camping
- Store in my trunk vs. on the roof
- Provide at least 100 sq foot
- Not cost $1,000
rkntoy
New member
Roof Top Tents have their place (not sure what and RRT is). And I could rebut each one of the items on your list. Like so many other things in life - if you don't have personal experience all you can do is make assumptions.
WhiteBoomer04
New member
So Ill refute for the sake of it...
Kill fuel efficiency...yeah like I bought a 4Runner because of its fuel efficiency! I estimate my 4R with RTT loses about 1.5miles per gallon. Hardly killing it.
Raises COG making high speed/offroad significantly worse. Really? For starters who does high speed driving in a truck and if you are above 70mph, why? Offroad performance signifcantly worse? Hmmmm. Not my experience and I wheel pretty hard (admittedly not desert high speed, but 4r's are not really designed for that, unless you set up for a prerunner style).
Stupid expensive... Mine was from Front Runner and was less than a grand and I use it about once a month. I expect it to last about four years (had it for one year now) so amortized over 48 months that's like $25 a month or less.
Pain in the ass top put on and off. Yeah, about 10mins for me. Now if you buy the Front Runner lockdown system it takes seconds to drop into place.
Sigh. :keyboard::flame:
TonyB66
New member
One of the reasons I recently purchased a small 5x6' utility trailer is for it to serve as a RTT platform; and to permanently house all of our related gear, allowing us to hitch and go camping on a whim. I like some of the virtues of a RTT, but once set-up, I prefer it not atop the 4Runner, affording us the ease to wheel, explore, make a trek into town, without having to break camp...
If I had to purchase a RTT now, I'd likely get the SkyCamp from iKamper:
Seems like it might be one of the more aerodynamic options...
https://www.ikamper.com/pages/skycamp
If I had to purchase a RTT now, I'd likely get the SkyCamp from iKamper:
Seems like it might be one of the more aerodynamic options...
https://www.ikamper.com/pages/skycamp
leftyguns21
New member
i have the front runner quick release tent mounts. they are def time, and hand savers. such a simple effective design.
i will agree with [MENTION=82289]Yoter[/MENTION] on the loading/unloading being a pain if you are having to do it on your own. small sacrifice to make for all the what i consider to be benefits. to each their own
twitchee2
Member
I have always liked the ideal of a RTT and admittedly, I have never used one.
What do you guys do when you need to get down to take a leak in the middle of the night after you have been indulging, possibly excessively, around the campfire? I feel like the ladder may make things very complicated.
Also what do people do with their dogs. Mine sleeps in the tent with me. I can imagine large dogs can also make things an issue.
What do you guys do when you need to get down to take a leak in the middle of the night after you have been indulging, possibly excessively, around the campfire? I feel like the ladder may make things very complicated.
Also what do people do with their dogs. Mine sleeps in the tent with me. I can imagine large dogs can also make things an issue.
I've become professional at falling down the steps when waking up still hammered to take a piss, I just call it a pitfall of trail running and camping now think of the scars as your bodies version of trail pin striping!
My GSD now gets the 4runner to herself at night, I've had her up in the tent a handful of times it's the decline out with 80lbs of pissed off female shepard that's the problem.
Yoter
New member
Okay probably the wrong place to spread roof top tent hate lol
I understand for many people they are great! I especially understand the winter camping benefits! I didn't mean to hate on people who use them but just wanted to understand why they are better than a normal tent?
I am also surprised that they command such a high retail price.
I sold a bunch of roof top tents for a few years through REI, we carried Tepui tents as well the Yakima ones, and they would get returned on a regular basis we would have about two returned every week. Usually it was due to user damage/error/people exploiting the generous REI return policy.
I understand for many people they are great! I especially understand the winter camping benefits! I didn't mean to hate on people who use them but just wanted to understand why they are better than a normal tent?
I am also surprised that they command such a high retail price.
I sold a bunch of roof top tents for a few years through REI, we carried Tepui tents as well the Yakima ones, and they would get returned on a regular basis we would have about two returned every week. Usually it was due to user damage/error/people exploiting the generous REI return policy.
leftyguns21
New member
i have yet to master the middle of the night leak. i just make sure to make a few trips to the woods before i call it a night. i have seen people use a funnel with a long tube going outside. they might be more talented than me.
my dog sleeps in the annex portion. hes a little too large and old for me to carry up/down the ladder.
octanejunkie
Elite Member
Tony nailed it
My plan is to oneday build an offroad trailer with a RTT on it. The trailer carries all camping equipment and is below the height of the rear window, so the car is free for passengers and the trailer does not obstruct rear view
The trailer will be beveled fore and, with high clearance so it doesn't drag on entrance or exit to berms/gulleys and has 4 leveling feet to drop so the trailer can be detached from the truck and leveled at the camp site.
The trailer will contain a slide out BBQ, all food prep equipment, propane if desired, 10+ gallons of water, a shower device, etc.
The RTT will be off the ground, but not 6 feet off the ground and your vehicle roof is not compromised. A hidden compartment accessible through the tent floor can contain self protection gear and valuables.
I've seen a few versions online, Pinterest, and have already started sketching out the plans for a future build.
Fark RTTs, offroad trailer tent FTW
My plan is to oneday build an offroad trailer with a RTT on it. The trailer carries all camping equipment and is below the height of the rear window, so the car is free for passengers and the trailer does not obstruct rear view
The trailer will be beveled fore and, with high clearance so it doesn't drag on entrance or exit to berms/gulleys and has 4 leveling feet to drop so the trailer can be detached from the truck and leveled at the camp site.
The trailer will contain a slide out BBQ, all food prep equipment, propane if desired, 10+ gallons of water, a shower device, etc.
The RTT will be off the ground, but not 6 feet off the ground and your vehicle roof is not compromised. A hidden compartment accessible through the tent floor can contain self protection gear and valuables.
I've seen a few versions online, Pinterest, and have already started sketching out the plans for a future build.
Fark RTTs, offroad trailer tent FTW
TonyB66
New member
Thanks Mike. Was pretty stoked when I realized that a little utility trailer would address my/our needs. At $600 (CL find), and 10 bucks every 5 years to the CA DMV, that's pretty reasonable...
If I can figure-out a sliding lid or cover (brainstorming some ideas), I'll have the rack somewhat low alright.
As far as taking a piss, I'm not adverse to a hospital bottle...
One of my favorites, I'll share, or maybe I shouldn't... When I had my FJ40 in my early 20's I used to piss while driving on long stretches of road. I found that aquarium gravel cleaners are perfect! I realize most here don't know what the heck that is, so here you go:
I had that thing rigged-up to the driver's seat, of course the fat end, and tubing went through the floor. I left a trail of piss more than a few times! I imagine something like that could be used here too...
JZiggy
Senior Member
Thanks Mike. Was pretty stoked when I realized that a little utility trailer would address my/our needs. At $600 (CL find), and 10 bucks every 5 years to the CA DMV, that's pretty reasonable...
If I can figure-out a sliding lid or cover (brainstorming some ideas), I'll have the rack somewhat low alright.
As far as taking a piss, I'm not adverse to a hospital bottle...
One of my favorites, I'll share, or maybe I shouldn't... When I had my FJ40 in my early 20's I used to piss while driving on long stretches of road. I found that aquarium gravel cleaners are perfect! I realize most here don't know what the heck that is, so here you go:
I had that thing rigged-up to the driver's seat, of course the fat end, and tubing went through the floor. I left a trail of piss more than a few times! I imagine something like that could be used here too...
Got any clever solutions for #2?
TonyB66
New member
While driving, I got very close to making a hole in the seat, then use something like this:
No doors on the FJ40, so exposure was more of a concern, lol.
Bringing back some memories! Sorry OP.
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