4x4 Action Group

Hello Wonderful Earthwalkers

I'm interested in getting myself an RTT in the near Future, Don't know which one to go for, which one is the best, and would like to hear from you, Which one do you have and what makes it the best? or what's so bad about it?

I had a howling moon as a Trailer Top tent - the build quality was excellent!

A very long time ago I had a roof top tent on my Colt. can't remember the make. It was a pain!

Positives - slightly safer than a ground tent. Having said that if a Lion or criminal wants to join you in the tent, it's no real difference.



Problems:

Once it's up you are done moving. Want to go somewhere - forget it, it's 20 minutes before you move. Pain.

Very heavy and lift the centre of gravity of the vehicle massively. lots more body roll, loss of stability etc. on and off road.

not really any quicker to erect than a ground tent

Not very big or high. you can't stand up. the bigger ones that have a side tent are better but that increases weight and time taken.

first step is a big one if you miss the ladder


Lots of people swear by them, but personally, never again!

if you want to use it for over landing, sure...... but if you want to do baboons TAKE IT OFF..... like Apocalypse said it raises your center of gravity to much and personally it is not worth the risk

Panda wrote: ↑

Thu May 23, 2019 2:44 pm

if you want to use it for over landing, sure...... but if you want to do baboons TAKE IT OFF..... like Apocalypse said it raises your center of gravity to much and personally it is not worth the risk

I don't think the Hummer would notice that tiny little weight on it's roof.

Saxj wrote: ↑

Thu May 23, 2019 2:50 pm

Panda wrote: ↑

Thu May 23, 2019 2:44 pm

if you want to use it for over landing, sure...... but if you want to do baboons TAKE IT OFF..... like Apocalypse said it raises your center of gravity to much and personally it is not worth the risk

I don't think the Hummer would notice that tiny little weight on it's roof.

40kg +on top of the roof on a side slope he will feel it...... i promise you

Saxj wrote: ↑

Thu May 23, 2019 2:50 pm

Panda wrote: ↑

Thu May 23, 2019 2:44 pm

if you want to use it for over landing, sure...... but if you want to do baboons TAKE IT OFF..... like Apocalypse said it raises your center of gravity to much and personally it is not worth the risk

I don't think the Hummer would notice that tiny little weight on it's roof.

You'd be amazed at what a RTT does to your fuel consumption and COG.

but to go back to the original topic... there is quite a range if you are going to have one.

As Manny says, the hard shell ones tend to be lighter and more aerodynamic . 4x4MW has a good display up at most of their branches and it's a good idea to wait for the shows to go and see what suits you...

First requirement is to ensure headroom is not a constraint ... say 2.1m or lower with tent
on vehicle to enter your entranceway and/or garage or parkade in town ... not a problem for a Jimny but for large vehicles it can be.
Its psychologically comforting to be high up
rather than at a Roaring Lions level but
only that !
... few insects up there and snakes etc not a problem nor hyenas etc but baboons and monkeys quite at home (no food inside !)
Mid-night toilet routines can be a problem
esp wrt wives ...but there are remedies.
Im short so can kneel and get by to dress/undress with minimal antics.
I find setting-up and packing up is not a problem
and I have the old Safari Easi-Awn of thick canvas and its big enough for 3 people
but theres only 2 of us.
Make sure you have a decent mattress
say 6-8cm high density foam with fitted
under blanket and fitted sheets ...
pref custom made. You dont want to angle around making up your bed like at home
or could just use bags (not as nice)
Have a 2-piece hinged mattress covered in thin canvas so it folds at hinge and doesnt get
caught up in the tents hinge spine on closure.
If you going to often need to remove and refit yout tent onto car you may want have a little hoist mechanism and store folded tent up below rafters.
Those some main considerations.
Most of time I have RTT on my trailer (!)
much better than TTT ... just keep seperate awning and changeroom/shower for wife.

I think RTTs a good proposition...
hard Oystershells faster but tighter than classic folders ...
... expensive Pagodas like Andreas are probly better than both?

I understand the roof top tent, on River Trip I was envious of the quick setup guys, but if you're going to camp for more than 1 night I strongly suggest a trailer with a tent on, I really makes camping so much more comfortable especially with kids. You and the Mrs sleep up top and the childrens in the room section below, there is place for the Mrs to get dressed and do her thing and getting and storing items is much easier as it's accessible from inside the tent room. Obviously each to thier own, and I would like a RTT for the likes of River Trip, but that's a boys weekend thing and would probably only get used once or twice a year so I'd search for a deal on a used one to make the investment worthwhile. I've seen Front runners and the likes from R3k up to R8k

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S9 using Tapittalk

LX, what about an Oztent RV4/5? They are easy to set up.

Quite a bit to ponder on. Thanks everyone for your contribution, I think I'll stick to my ground tent for now, I'll deal with the lions and hyenas, and snakes. I will get those little two sleeper tent that folds in to a back pack for trips requiring quick setup.
@LesseW, I'll investigate the Oztent as well.