Hey overlanders- need a truck tent suggestion

scootergmc

scootergmc

old and slow
I just sleep in my truck bed, but I'm looking at a gift for a friend. I know nothing about them. Budget no more than $1500. Full size ram. Help please. Thanks.
 
scootergmc

scootergmc

old and slow
Guess I'm learning as I go. I guess it would be a roof top on a rack. Maybe not though at my price point.
 
bpw

bpw

Well-known member
This is one of those things that you should really just check with the person you are buying it for. They either have no desire to own one or will have a very specific idea of what they want.

Guessing results in a very expensive not quite right gift.
 
berth

berth

Well-known member
Eldritch said:
I am trying to understand why one has one of those instead of a nice high end normal tent like a normal person that is normal?
Click to expand...

Yea, is it a cleaning thing? So they don't get dirty? Easier to crawl in and out of on the ladder? Can keep it set up without worry about bears?

The dark side is insulation, as now you're in mid air vs using terra firma as one of your insulating wall. I think even camping in snow is better than be in mid air in frigid weather.
 
scootergmc

scootergmc

old and slow
bpw said:
This is one of those things that you should really just check with the person you are buying it for. They either have no desire to own one or will have a very specific idea of what they want.

Guessing results in a very expensive not quite right gift.
Click to expand...


:laughing Thanks- that's already been considered and the conversation's been had.
 
mercurial

mercurial

Well-known member
berth said:
Yea, is it a cleaning thing? So they don't get dirty? Easier to crawl in and out of on the ladder? Can keep it set up without worry about bears?

The dark side is insulation, as now you're in mid air vs using terra firma as one of your insulating wall. I think even camping in snow is better than be in mid air in frigid weather.
Click to expand...

The reason is to collect spendy gear. Overlanding is like a modern day cargo cult.
 
ScorpioVI

ScorpioVI

كافر ლ(ಠ&
Eldritch said:
I am trying to understand why one has one of those instead of a nice high end normal tent like a normal person that is normal?
Click to expand...

berth said:
Yea, is it a cleaning thing? So they don't get dirty? Easier to crawl in and out of on the ladder? Can keep it set up without worry about bears?

The dark side is insulation, as now you're in mid air vs using terra firma as one of your insulating wall. I think even camping in snow is better than be in mid air in frigid weather.
Click to expand...

PROs

A. Elevation keeps you out of the food chain. RTTs were born from Africa and Australia where the wildlife is even more hostile than North America. Even if mammals aren’t a huge concern, little critters like snakes, scorpions, spiders, and bugs aren’t a factor anymore.

B. Ease of setup. These things setup in seconds. No more clearing the ground, laying down ground cover, dealing with stupid ass poles. Unzip the cover, pop the hinges, set your ladder height, done. Ground rocky, snowy, wet, muddy, not level? No problem.

C. Comfort. RTTs have built-in mattresses. No more blowing your lungs out trying to inflate your sleeping pad. All your bedding is packed into the tent. Insulation? 6” of memory foam. Also no crawling around on the ground on your knees is a huge factor for some people (like me).

D. Versatility. It’s actually pretty easy to put it on and take it off your vehicle so if you’re a weekend warrior you can stash the tent during the week when you’re commuting. I have a friend who has a pulley system set up in his garage so he hoists the tent up off his truck and just leaves it hanging.

CONs

A. Expensive. Compared to traditional tents, these thing are money. Although more players in the manufacturer game in recent years means prices are going down.

B. Gas mileage. Having a huge sail on top of your vehicle tends to affect aerodynamics.

C. Top heavy. Makes your vehicle a lot more unstable so it’s not for hardcore off-roaders.

D. Sore thumb. You tend to stick out from the crowd with that thing on your roof.

Folks who camp more than a couple times a year may find the pros outweighing the cons. If you can’t see why, you’re just being deliberately obtuse. Since the pandemic started I’ve seen a minivan in the neighborhood start rocking one.

mercurial said:
The reason is to collect spendy gear. Overlanding is like a modern day cargo cult.
Click to expand...

Also true.
 
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Eldritch

Eldritch

is insensitive
ScorpioVI said:
PROs

A. Elevation keeps you out of the food chain. RTTs were born from Africa and Australia where the wildlife is even more hostile than North America. Even if mammals aren’t a huge concern, little critters like snakes, scorpions, spiders, and bugs aren’t a factor anymore.

B. Ease of setup. These things setup in seconds. No more clearing the ground, laying down ground cover, dealing with stupid ass poles. Unzip the cover, pop the hinges, set your ladder height, done. Ground rocky, snowy, wet, muddy, not level? No problem.

C. Comfort. RTTs have built-in mattresses. No more blowing your lungs out trying to inflate your sleeping pad. All your bedding is packed into the tent. Insulation? 6” of memory foam. Also no crawling around on the ground on your knees is a huge factor for some people (like me).

D. Versatility. It’s actually pretty easy to put it on and take it off your vehicle so if you’re a weekend warrior you can stash the tent during the week when you’re commuting. I have a friend who has a pulley system set up in his garage so he hoists the tent up off his truck and just leaves it hanging.

CONs

A. Expensive. Compared to traditional tents, these thing are money. Although more players in the manufacturer game in recent years means prices are going down.

B. Gas mileage. Having a huge sail on top of your vehicle tends to affect aerodynamics.

C. Top heavy. Makes your vehicle a lot more unstable so it’s not for hardcore off-roaders.

D. Sore thumb. You tend to stick out from the crowd with that thing on your roof.

Folks who camp more than a couple times a year may find the pros outweighing the cons. If you can’t see why, you’re just being deliberately obtuse. Since the pandemic started I’ve seen a minivan in the neighborhood start rocking one.



Also true.
Click to expand...

Interesting, this is useful thank you.

Probably you could have said more succinctly that it is for old men who love the outdoors and have more money than working knees, but good to know.

:teeth
 
CABilly

CABilly

Splitter
berth said:
Yea, is it a cleaning thing? So they don't get dirty? Easier to crawl in and out of on the ladder? Can keep it set up without worry about bears?

The dark side is insulation, as now you're in mid air vs using terra firma as one of your insulating wall. I think even camping in snow is better than be in mid air in frigid weather.
Click to expand...

The warmest backcountry sleep I've ever enjoyed was in a hammock. The underquilt actually lofted and insulating was perfect. No matter what I've done in a tent, I'm always still freezing.
 
scootergmc

scootergmc

old and slow
So it looks like getting into a quality and a decently ruggedish RTT is going to be at the max of my price point, and that's not including a good heavy duty rack. I just may end up getting him a cheese log.
 
Cabrito

Cabrito

cabrón
We love ours. I have a Front Runner brand I got used on CL for $500. I added a lower changing room accessory and it's great!. The lower part makes putting it away more work.

Taking a piss in the night is fine if I'm alone and just use a bottle, but when with Mrs Cabrito we get out and climb down the ladder. This sucks when you're half asleep. No, you don't just pee out the window or door... You wanna piss where you get into your car?

I can't put mine on or take it off alone, but Mrs Cabrito helps me. Mine is only 90lbs. It's easy to store up against the wall.

Holds up surprisingly well in wind. I just have to make sure the changing room is really staked down.

One thing that sucks is that once it's up and open you are storta stuck in place. No runs to the store or taking the truck out for some exploring without taking it down.


ScorpioVI said:
PROs

B. Ease of setup. These things setup in seconds. No more clearing the ground, laying down ground cover, dealing with stupid ass poles. Unzip the cover, pop the hinges, set your ladder height, done. Ground rocky, snowy, wet, muddy, not level? No problem.
Click to expand...

This is true for part of it, but.. Getting your vehicle level can be a bitch sometimes, and when it's not it can be a bad night sleep. While the setup is super fast, the putting it away part can be a pain in the ass too.. For me I have to climb up on the roof to get all the sides stuffed in before putting the cover on it. I'm often covered in sweat after putting it away when it's real hot out. All in all I don't find much difference in time between set up and takedown combined. I'm sure the hard top ones are much easier to put away.

ScorpioVI said:
CONs

B. Gas mileage. Having a huge sail on top of your vehicle tends to affect aerodynamics.

C. Top heavy. Makes your vehicle a lot more unstable so it’s not for hardcore off-roaders.
Click to expand...

I don't notice much change in MPG's on my FJ maybe a mile or two difference if that.- I get shitty MPG's either way. I don't even really notice it up top after a few minutes, but I'm always mindful that it's there on turns. It sucks for drive-thru's..

I do feel it right after I remove it. FJ feels more nimble and light.


Here are a few shots of my Front Runner brand.



 
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