Roof top tents questions

[MadeInMaine]

I had a question for all you roof tent people.

I am 6'5", 200lbs
Is a roof tent really going to be able to support myself and my wife? Especially when half the tent is only held up by the ladder?
And what about length? Will I actually be able to sleep up there?

Thanks

 

[T4RZAN]

Good question. Curious about this as well. Are there certain models that are better suited for taller people?

 

[mattysinsk]

I'm about 6'1" 175, my girlfriend is smaller but supports us both (I have a kukenam Sky tepui rtt). I use Thule crossbars on the stock rails and it works great. The ladder does support half of the tent but most of your weight is concentrated on the rack of your vehicle and not so much on the ladder. Depending on which model tent you go with you may be pretty close to being edge to edge, but unless you sleep completely sprawled out I think you'd be fine. If you're a side sleeper I would keep in mind you may need to purchase some extra padding. First few times I woke up with what felt like bruised hips due to lack of cushion, but I replaced the stock pad with the exped MegaMat duo mattress and I sleep better in there then I do at home.
I hope this helps a little! Good luck!


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[Bumbo]

I know this isn't what you are asking but ill throw in my 2 cents anyways.

I've been on the "I want a roof top tent" kick for about 6 months now...

I did not plan on using the stock rack, I wanted more load carrying capability. I plan on getting a flat rack regardless so I can throw some pelican cases up there, and figured a RTT was an obvious must have accessory.

In that time frame I still haven't really got a chance to try one out, but I did stay in my friends trailer when we went to Yellowstone. In his garage he has a dual bunk and I had to get in and out using a ladder, similar to what you would use in a RTT.

After a week of that, I actually got over it... the ladder killed it for me. The sway and shake gets old after a while too.

Also waking up a 3:47 in the morning to take a piss because you drank one too many beers isn't fun when you are sleepy and need to climb down a ladder. If there was a chance I was going to injure myself on that trip, it was going to be on that ladder.

 

[tutawted]

I'm 6'8",215 and my lady and I sleep verrrry comfortable in my CVT Mt. Hood. Won't ever go back to normal tent camping ever. I get piss drunk but luckily I'm tall enough to literally roll out and still live to tell the tail.

 

[Bumbo]

I'm 6'8",215 and my lady and I sleep verrrry comfortable in my CVT Mt. Hood. Won't ever go back to normal tent camping ever. I get piss drunk but luckily I'm tall enough to literally roll out and still live to tell the tail.

So what is it about tenting on top of a car, vs tenting on the ground that's so different?

It is just quality of the tent and setup time? Better accommodation since it has a mattress?

My biggest gripe with ground tents is setup and takedown, but I also haven't invested in a really high quality tent either. I did see some really nice ground tents like the Oztent which setup fast, but that's some serious coin as well, plus its very bulky... after I started looking at those, I figure RTT would be a smarter choice.

I really like the idea, but I have my concerns for the way I would use it.

 

[Titanpat57]

Having had two in the past...here's some answers..

Length will be fine, they're about 8' inside opened up

They are not held up by a ladder, the tent material and frame design provide support

Your weight is not the issue, but how and where it connects to your roof is...that's where you'll want to make sure you can support the tent and occupants

 

[Jetboy]

I just bought a cover and made a PVC frame to put inside so I could be one of the cool kids.

Seriously though, i've never owned one, but I have a few friends with them and have messed around in them a bit. If it were me - I'd prefer to mount it on a small trailer. If you are moving camp every day like you would on a safari or something, it'd be great. If you're normal camping involves staying a few nights at the same spot - other options might work better - like just a regular tent. They do save a lot of effort because you can leave you bedding set up, so it's fast to fold and unfold. About 10 minutes or less. I've yet to see a really bad quality one. All of the brands I've seen in person are well built.

The ladders are more than strong enough. I'd guess they'd pretty easily handle 1,000lbs of live load. The weak point is your roof structure in the 4runner. The roof rack mounting locations just aren't very strong. IMO you'd want as much weight on the ladder as you can get.

 

[nb rob]

Between rooftop tents and a hatred of sunroofs, am I the shortest person to ever own a 4runner at 5'-10"?

 

[mckennar]

Between rooftop tents and a hatred of sunroofs, am I the shortest person to ever own a 4runner at 5'-10"?

My wife is 5'1" and our 2016 is hers.

 

[Jetboy]

Between rooftop tents and a hatred of sunroofs, am I the shortest person to ever own a 4runner at 5'-10"?

It's the internet. No one is less than 6'5". .

I think taller people for some reason do seem to gravitate to 4runners over other options, possibly because, although not great it's better than the alternatives. I found the jeep wranger hard to sit in comfortably and the same in the Tacoma. The 4runner isn't ideal, but it's just enough headroom. Being tall kinda sucks for some stuff - like driving any sort of sports car, getting hit by the boom on the sailboat in the head, and people laugh at me on my motorcycle (it's a CB300f, so small bike + big rider).

 

[TheLast13]

I am 6'5" and about 235 lbs and my SO is 5'4" and half my weight.

I use Thule Cross bars on the stock rails.


NEVER EVER ONCE has there been an issue with weight. The only thing I didn't like was that my SR5 was so softly sprung, that moving around up there would move the truck side to side a little, but since the 5100's were put on its perfect.

There is the whole dynamic VS. static weight limits everyone talks about, but I would feel totally fine if there were two of me up there.

Also yes, there is plenty of leg room.

YES! a RTT is totally worth it. Easier to put up and down. Nice flat sleeping surface with no chance of waking up in the morning to find a rock or stick under the tent in the middle of your back. Less bugs to deal with. Usually a better breeze and a better view.

 

[BigDave301]

It's the internet. No one is less than 6'5".

And 3% body fat!!! LOL

 

[uptheirons]

I had a question for all you roof tent people.

I am 6'5", 200lbs
Is a roof tent really going to be able to support myself and my wife? Especially when half the tent is only held up by the ladder?
And what about length? Will I actually be able to sleep up there?

Thanks

I'm 6'2", 270lbs. My RTT supports me and my girlfriend totally fine. haven't had any problems whatsoever after 2 years of having it.

I went with the Treeline Outdoors Tamarack tent, although over heard they're all pretty similar. As far as i could find, the biggest limiting factor on weight in your tent, is what your tent is attached to... Aftermarket roof rack vs. factory roof rack kind of thing.

 

[Cr4zy4runner]

Wind issues?

I have been curious about rtt as well, i live in NM and we have crazy wind storms anytime i go camping. How do the tents hold up in wind?

 

[Engineer]

I had a question for all you roof tent people.

Is a roof tent really going to be able to support myself and my wife?

Dynamic or static? :bolt:

I'm 6'8",215 ........

.....you are one TAMF

 

[Miguelon]

I could never see putting mine on top of my rig. I like the trailer setup. THat way I can make camp and leave it w/o having to pack up.

 

[ToyoDriver]

I'm all about being in the woods, neat gadgets, and wasting money on toys but a tent is like $60 from Walmart.

$1,800 buys a lot of nights in hotel rooms...

What is the appeal of these things? And I am asking genuinely, not sarcastically...

 

[travelintony]

I could never see putting mine on top of my rig. I like the trailer setup. THat way I can make camp and leave it w/o having to pack up.

I like your trailer setup. Their website does not seem to be working. How much is that rig if you don't mind me asking?

 

[jpachard]

I'm all about being in the woods, neat gadgets, and wasting money on toys but a tent is like $60 from Walmart.



$1,800 buys a lot of nights in hotel rooms...



What is the appeal of these things? And I am asking genuinely, not sarcastically...

For those of us in the northeast, not waking up in a wet muddy tent for starters. I've been camping all my life and having the ease of use and not hunting for that perfect foot is awesome. We can roll to s nice spot and deploy in under 10min. It's also nice being off the ground and getting a nice view.


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