I had this issue. So when we camp and kayak we take my wife's Tacoma instead of the 4runner.
Might have to just trade in my 4runner to get best of both worlds haha
RTT and a Kayak?
- Thread starter IslandJim
- Start date
Might have to just trade in my 4runner to get best of both worlds haha
J.Tomasello
New member
A RTT would be just too much trouble if you plan to put other large objects on the roof rack.
Yes, Corey of Yotatech has that or similar. Less drag than the fabric RTT, too.
And what if you had already set up camp and realize you ran out of beer? LOL!
Yah bet...
Less than $600 can get you a tent that fits on your lap and backpack and can bring here...
INGRAHAM FLATS CAMP, MOUNT RAINIER
FRANKLIN LAKES, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park
Or bring overseas here ...
<iframe width="1080" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2XuiNKksJUo" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
And speaking of kayaking, If I had an RTT, that would have stayed in the parking lot while we paddled across Tomales Bay to camp here...
PELICAN NORTH BEACH, Tomales Bay, CA
Wow I’ve been looking into a RTT and wondering how I’d bring my touring kayaks out to get to some nice areas and your post changed my outlook so I’ll definitely go your route and I’ll save tons of money!!! Thank you
dot_tom
New member
Yes, best of both worlds. She made a good argument why we didn't need two Tacoma's. Makes sense.
Hit me up with a PM and an email or cell # and I'll get the pics to you...for some reason my hosting site won't let me attach those older pics.
-H-
2flyfishin
New member
Denver Outfitters has a rtt with load bars built in for carrying stuff on top of it. Just remember with ground tents, if you go that route which I personally prefer, you get what you pay for. Buy a good one and if it rains you won’t wake up wet and if the wind really starts blowing, it’ll stay put. A two person tent is a one person tent comfortably and a four person tent tent is a two person comfortably. I run two different tents, for fair weather a Kelty and for bad weather a Black Diamond bombshelter. I like Coleman gear but their tents are crap.
final
New member
Other "folding" kayaks include:
https://pakayak.com/ (Shipping soon)
https://www.trakkayaks.com/ (Shipping in the next few months)
IslandJim
New member
That's a better deal than the one from Autohome, looks very similar, still close to $3k though. Least you don't have to buy the load bars separate.
Showed my wife the price tag on the Autohome Grand Tour and then explained the double tent cot would be an easier way, she was worried about gators in the woods...LOL
Thought about sleeping in the truck and may try that, means will have to pull mostly everything out of the truck so we can sleep in it, which I am not real crazy about because we usually bring a lot of stuff with us.
2flyfishin
New member
Showed my wife the price tag on the Autohome Grand Tour and then explained the double tent cot would be an easier way, she was worried about gators in the woods...LOL
Thought about sleeping in the truck and may try that, means will have to pull mostly everything out of the truck so we can sleep in it, which I am not real crazy about because we usually bring a lot of stuff with us.[/QUOTE]
I could see getting a rtt with the possibility of gators lol. Any time you might be on the menu isn’t comforting.
Thought about sleeping in the truck and may try that, means will have to pull mostly everything out of the truck so we can sleep in it, which I am not real crazy about because we usually bring a lot of stuff with us.[/QUOTE]
I could see getting a rtt with the possibility of gators lol. Any time you might be on the menu isn’t comforting.
RAD4Runner
Senior Member
AHA! First time you mentioned this. Then, yes I second 2flyfishin' ^^^ LOL!
I think the genuine reason why RTT's are popular in Africa and other places are big predators on the ground.
IslandJim
New member
Actually think the RTT would be great because of Florida's smallest predator, "the no-seeum".
Ground level tents are very susceptible to having the ground hugging annoying insect no-seeums get in your tent. Haven't had too much trouble with them but they can be very annoying. They are a seasonal pest and are usually prolific near the saltwater.
Ground level tents are very susceptible to having the ground hugging annoying insect no-seeums get in your tent. Haven't had too much trouble with them but they can be very annoying. They are a seasonal pest and are usually prolific near the saltwater.
Hellamatic
New member
I've been back and forth on this in the past. Ultimately, the weight of a RTT and two yaks on the roof is not a great idea. Not to mention just physically fitting everything up there. But ignoring that for a minute, here was my thought process:
A little background: the GF and I like to do base camp type stuff - set up camp for a couple days and use it as a hub for adventuring in the area. So trailering the yaks and running a RTT means you'd have to break camp, fold up the tent, hook on to the trailer, and take it down to wherever you're putting the boats in for the day. The better option for us would be to mount the RTT on an adventure trailer and keep the yaks on the truck; keep the trailer/tent parked at camp and just have to take the truck to head adventuring. But that means you have to pay for both a RTT and a suitable trailer.
A ground tent is a great option, but I find space to be at a premium in the rig when you're packing life jackets, 4 sets of paddles (we keep spares aboard,) and the other kayak accessories.
The latest thing I've landed on is teardrop trailers like the Moby1 and a handful of other manufacturers. These trailers are super expensive for what you get, but I've done some research over the past while and have decided that it's within my skill set to build one of my own. Rough math puts the cost of building one at a fraction of the price of buying one. And not only does that then allow for the kayaks to be mounted on the truck, but it frees up space in the truck as well.
Just a few things to think about.
A little background: the GF and I like to do base camp type stuff - set up camp for a couple days and use it as a hub for adventuring in the area. So trailering the yaks and running a RTT means you'd have to break camp, fold up the tent, hook on to the trailer, and take it down to wherever you're putting the boats in for the day. The better option for us would be to mount the RTT on an adventure trailer and keep the yaks on the truck; keep the trailer/tent parked at camp and just have to take the truck to head adventuring. But that means you have to pay for both a RTT and a suitable trailer.
A ground tent is a great option, but I find space to be at a premium in the rig when you're packing life jackets, 4 sets of paddles (we keep spares aboard,) and the other kayak accessories.
The latest thing I've landed on is teardrop trailers like the Moby1 and a handful of other manufacturers. These trailers are super expensive for what you get, but I've done some research over the past while and have decided that it's within my skill set to build one of my own. Rough math puts the cost of building one at a fraction of the price of buying one. And not only does that then allow for the kayaks to be mounted on the truck, but it frees up space in the truck as well.
Just a few things to think about.
2flyfishin
New member
You guys should look into the Rockwood Extreme Sports Package pop up campers. They have load bars on top too.
MossJenks
New member
You stuff it THAT full? Even my huge 10-man basecamp tent packs down to about the size of an umbrella-style camp chair. Slightly longer but similar diameter. 2 or 3 cubic feet maybe? My 3-man tent packs down to about half a cubic foot or so.
TowMeOut
New member
When I take the kids and dog camping there's not enough room in the back for all our junk so I got a hard shell luggage carrier for the roof. Now we're talking about bringing the kayaks too. So....I'm in the same "boat" so to speak.
Our option might be to drag along the small utility trailer. That way all our gear and the two smaller boats go on the trailer, the longer boat on the roof. As you mentioned already, having camp set up and still being able to move the truck is a bonus. Maybe build some support racks for a RTT and mount it on a less expensive utility trailer?? If you're not going to really knarly spots do you need a lifted super-trailer with all the bells and whistles?
Our option might be to drag along the small utility trailer. That way all our gear and the two smaller boats go on the trailer, the longer boat on the roof. As you mentioned already, having camp set up and still being able to move the truck is a bonus. Maybe build some support racks for a RTT and mount it on a less expensive utility trailer?? If you're not going to really knarly spots do you need a lifted super-trailer with all the bells and whistles?
michalik.piotr6837
New member
3 pages and no one mentioned AluCab RTT? Bikes, kayaks, etc can go on top and it can even be opened with them still there. Don't think you will regret it, buy once, cry once.... don't be cheap, already have a 40k truck. Or, if you don't want it or care to spend the money on it, then don't but don't bag on them... "oh for the price of this, i can get ten of that...". We all can make choices for what works for us, our budgets, needs, etc.
The speed, ease of putting the hard shell tents up can't be beat. Late at night, wet, uneven, rocky.... you will never go back to sleeping on the ground.
The speed, ease of putting the hard shell tents up can't be beat. Late at night, wet, uneven, rocky.... you will never go back to sleeping on the ground.
