RTT or lift

[kyle_uran]

Oh, the delima.

I daily drive the 4Runner in Houston, and very rarely get out on trails. For one, i don't have much time to take vacations to get to some decent wheeling spots, and two, since it's my only vehicle, I'm terrified of damaging it and having to spend money that is limited.

I have a family that i would love to take on camping/ wheeling trips and a small lift would help and make me feel more confident and do the part on the trail, where as a roof top tent would let us save money on hotels when we go camping/ traveling, etc.

What would you get, a RTT or a lift (leaning towards OME 2-2.5")?

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Runners are very capable stock, with some decent tires. If you are looking to take the family out, I bet the trails won't be to difficult and a stock truck could manage. Therefore I say RTT. And I love my RTT vs a ground tent. The significant other agrees too.

 

[KidVermicious]

If you're scared of wheeling it now, a lift won't really help you get it on the trails as much as you think. Armor will though.

I don't think you'll save money with an RTT over a hotel. Camping is camping, and some folks feel that the RTT definitely upgrades their experience, but they're still campers and would still go if they didn't have the RTT. It won't result in you getting out more the way you think it will.

 

[ebg18t]

Is a RTT really going to let you get out more? To get one big enough for a family your going to have to buy the larger models which are $900+. Plus adding that much weight up high is going to change your center of gravity, which can make off camber off-reading more precarious. Do you have a good ground tent now?

I know several folks that purchased RTT only to have them collect dust in the garage due to the weight and getting them on/off the roof. The folks I know that really use them and are happy with them leave them on the roof full time. But that means no parking in the garage and not parking in a lot of garage spots if you live in a city.

Is a small 2-2.5" lift the answer? Hard to know. A lift is going to give you a little more ground clearance, but will that allow you to overcome the concern of damage? I think skid plates, rock sliders, ie protection would help overcome the damage concern. Oh and seat time. Once you are more comfortable off roading and confident in your skills/truck you will be less concerned. But only seat time can fix that.

So let's talk about adding that much weight up high on the roof. Couple things to keep in mind. You might want a more durable rack to help control the weight. Something like the BajaRack, Wilson Metal Works, Gobi will hold the RTT and won't flex as much as the stock rack. They are also larger to give you more space to mount the tent. People to use the OEM rack though, I wouldn't, but people do. so now you have added all this weight up high you CG has changed. Upgraded suspension will help control the roll. You'd probably want something better than just a set of Bilstein 5100's. The OME setup would be a solid candidate for this.

So what's the real cost of a RTT? $900+ for the RTT, $900 for an upgraded rack and $800+ for upgraded suspension. Is that going to let you get out more?

Those are my 2 cents.

 

[kyle_uran]

Good points everyone.

Reading these comments, i definitely feel that amor would make me more comftorbale on the trail. I'm still new to off-roading, so more seat time would definitely help. I do have Cooper ATP which are better than the street radials i had, and a set of sliders. I would definitely like to get an aftermarket front bumper. That's my main concern for protection and what i usually hit when going wheeling.

As far as a tent, i have a decent one for the family which serves it's purpose. I guess in the long run, i need to better my skills which hopefully will improve my confidence, add some armor, then a lift and RTT later.

What i am not a fan of at the moment, is when going on trips with strangers from forums, they like to do trails that i can't do, so unless it's a beginner friendly trail, i usually do a easy trail and then have to ride with someone else for the rest of the trails.

It's a catch 22.

 

[KidVermicious]

Definitely armor up then, it sounds like that's what will do you the most good. Sliders, skids, and I'd get a rear bumper before a front one because your approach angle is much better than your departure angle.

 

[Titanpat57]

I would get a nice rack and get one of those ground tents that connect to the rear of the 4runner. RTTS are cool, but have there limitations as far as fitting a family.

I just got an ARB tent that fits under my ARB awning...8 x 8...easy and fast to set up.

Thanks [MENTION=54511]AutoRotate[/MENTION]

and if you get a chance attend an off road skill school

 

[preacher35]

Kyle, forget the RTT. Unless you're worried about bears (which in Texas, they are non-existant except in Big Bend NP and that's only in the Chisos Mountains) there is no need for that huge expense when a ground tent will do just fine. As far as the lift and armor questions are concerned, I agree with what the others are saying: armor first; lift later. However, if you ever decide to lift, there a several of us, in the Houston area, that would be happy to help you so that you know it's done right.

 

[wadle5]

I would say to get to new places/better places for camping clearance might be an issue. I would say get a lift first, I also only say that from personal experience. You will use the lift more than you will a tent I believe as well.

 

[63 beetle]

FJ Summit

Sign up for the summit in Ouray. They won't lead you astray. Sign up is early March. Several 4 Runners and Tacomas as well as FJs. Stock is fine.