Roof top tents
- Erratic101
- Posts: 2885
- Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:40 am
- Name: Justyn
Roof top tents
Any one have input on these? I’ve been looking at picking one up, as I’m wanting more comfort than the platform I built in my Discovery. Really leaning towards the hard shell as they’re a bit more low profile and the disco already has a high center of gravity. Unfortunately, the hard shells are A LOT more expensive. Especially the one that I’m thinking of getting.
The Roofnest Falcon pro
The $4k price tag is a bit hard to swallow, but it has all the features I want and many that I could see a use for in the future.
The Roofnest Falcon pro
The $4k price tag is a bit hard to swallow, but it has all the features I want and many that I could see a use for in the future.
Re: Roof top tents
Lots of discussion about roof top tents on the Tacoma forum I frequent.
Aside from the price ($4k buys you a hell of a nice regular tent, with enough left over for plenty of extra gear), other issues include:
- you need to level the vehicle before setting up the tent (guys buy ramps, jacks, and blocks to help with this).
- once you set up the tent, your vehicle is now fixed in place. No way to leave your campsite and drive to a trailhead.
- they add weight and wind resistance to your vehicle. You will lose MPG. They are also bulky to remove and store.
IMO, the negatives above outweigh the positive of sleeping on an elevated platform. If I am going to camp with my truck at the campsite (as opposed to parking at the trail head and hiking my gear in), I’ll just bring a cot to elevate my old butt off the ground.
I think they make a lot of sense for folks who “camp” in parking lots, but don’t want to drive a camper (such as participating in a multi day sporting event). They do look cool though.
Aside from the price ($4k buys you a hell of a nice regular tent, with enough left over for plenty of extra gear), other issues include:
- you need to level the vehicle before setting up the tent (guys buy ramps, jacks, and blocks to help with this).
- once you set up the tent, your vehicle is now fixed in place. No way to leave your campsite and drive to a trailhead.
- they add weight and wind resistance to your vehicle. You will lose MPG. They are also bulky to remove and store.
IMO, the negatives above outweigh the positive of sleeping on an elevated platform. If I am going to camp with my truck at the campsite (as opposed to parking at the trail head and hiking my gear in), I’ll just bring a cot to elevate my old butt off the ground.
I think they make a lot of sense for folks who “camp” in parking lots, but don’t want to drive a camper (such as participating in a multi day sporting event). They do look cool though.
Last edited by Ryeguy on Tue Jan 25, 2022 6:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Roof top tents
I always wondered what the benefit of these roof camper have, over something like a small tow behind teardrop. The teardrop probably gives you better mileage. There are some really cool little two person teardrop designs out there, some that you can even off road with. Cost a little more, but probably far more practical as it doesn't immobilize your truck.
Like Chris said, $500 can buy you a really nice tent, and then you have $3500 left for really nice camping kit. Teton makes some nice tent/cot combinations that still get you off the ground, and set up easily. Google "tent cot" and there are a lot of other companies that make similar.
Like Chris said, $500 can buy you a really nice tent, and then you have $3500 left for really nice camping kit. Teton makes some nice tent/cot combinations that still get you off the ground, and set up easily. Google "tent cot" and there are a lot of other companies that make similar.
Re: Roof top tents
We’ve seen them at state park campgrounds when we are in the RV and I’ve wondered the same. Yes, probably faster set-up and take down than a traditional tent, but once you know your tent, probably not much faster. The one I saw that made the most sense to me was one someone mounted to the top of a small utility trailer that they stored extra gear in (chairs, outdoor rug, grill, etc) and had added an outdoor kitchen to. He was able to leave his camp set up and take off in the Jeep each day.
- Erratic101
- Posts: 2885
- Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:40 am
- Name: Justyn
Re: Roof top tents
I thought about a trailer, but with some of the trails I head up I just couldn’t see anything making it. A lot of hairpin turns and some rough roads. Mainly would be used to camp at trail heads. I do have my nice backpacking tent that’s a light weight great option, and a few regular tents. I just don’t ever sleep well up in the mountains for some reason. Even in my disco on an even surface, I sleep like crap.
I may look more into the cot tents. Would be much cheaper.
The hard shell tents don’t weight too much, about 130-175lbs and are decently aerodynamic. Most reviews say there’s no change. My suv already get about 12mpg on a good day... can’t get much worse thanks fellas, things to think about I guess.
I may look more into the cot tents. Would be much cheaper.
The hard shell tents don’t weight too much, about 130-175lbs and are decently aerodynamic. Most reviews say there’s no change. My suv already get about 12mpg on a good day... can’t get much worse thanks fellas, things to think about I guess.
Re: Roof top tents
Bummer. I’ve always slept so much better at elevation whether it was backpacking, car camping or at the mtn house, but I’m odd man out on that amongst my friends.
- toxicavenger
- President Tranny
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- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
- Name: HeadDIK
- Location: Colorado Springs
Re: Roof top tents
all I know is some of the local guys in my hood has had a bunch of them stolen. even though they had locks on them. they are a hot item to steal i guess.
Website: http://smallwhitestubbies.com/
- Axelay2003
- Posts: 5916
- Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 9:03 am
- Name: Gerard
- Location: City of Oranges, FL
Re: Roof top tents
I custom ordered a 6 seater 2018 Toyota SR5 longbed(8’ bed). I have a Softopper installed on the longbed. My boys and I “camped” in the bed during Scouting events.
It's a beautiful world! Gerald.
Re: Roof top tents
I am assuming you've spent some time on the expedition site?Erratic101 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 25, 2022 11:35 amI thought about a trailer, but with some of the trails I head up I just couldn’t see anything making it. A lot of hairpin turns and some rough roads. Mainly would be used to camp at trail heads. I do have my nice backpacking tent that’s a light weight great option, and a few regular tents. I just don’t ever sleep well up in the mountains for some reason. Even in my disco on an even surface, I sleep like crap.
I may look more into the cot tents. Would be much cheaper.
The hard shell tents don’t weight too much, about 130-175lbs and are decently aerodynamic. Most reviews say there’s no change. My suv already get about 12mpg on a good day... can’t get much worse thanks fellas, things to think about I guess.
https://expeditionportal.com/forum/foru ... nings.138/
- Erratic101
- Posts: 2885
- Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:40 am
- Name: Justyn
Re: Roof top tents
I have not checked that out yet. Thanks for the link.unsub073 wrote:I am assuming you've spent some time on the expedition site?Erratic101 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 25, 2022 11:35 amI thought about a trailer, but with some of the trails I head up I just couldn’t see anything making it. A lot of hairpin turns and some rough roads. Mainly would be used to camp at trail heads. I do have my nice backpacking tent that’s a light weight great option, and a few regular tents. I just don’t ever sleep well up in the mountains for some reason. Even in my disco on an even surface, I sleep like crap.
I may look more into the cot tents. Would be much cheaper.
The hard shell tents don’t weight too much, about 130-175lbs and are decently aerodynamic. Most reviews say there’s no change. My suv already get about 12mpg on a good day... can’t get much worse thanks fellas, things to think about I guess.
https://expeditionportal.com/forum/foru ... nings.138/
- bedlam
- Posts: 1541
- Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2011 11:16 pm
- Name: Carl
- Location: Fremantle, Western Australia (GMT +8)
Re: Roof top tents
I have an iKamper Mini hard shell. Works well, but the negatives mentioned above are all correct. I put it on to go camping with my wife but if I'm on my own I store it and use a swag on a stretcher.
http://www.wellnet.com.au/camping/Dirk% ... UX%201.jpg
http://www.wellnet.com.au/camping/Dirk% ... UX%201.jpg
- spring-diver
- Posts: 2277
- Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2010 10:29 am
- Name: Shannon
Re: Roof top tents
Tony does long format camping videos on YT.dnslater wrote:I always wondered what the benefit of these roof camper have, over something like a small tow behind teardrop. The teardrop probably gives you better mileage. There are some really cool little two person teardrop designs out there, some that you can even off road with. Cost a little more, but probably far more practical as it doesn't immobilize your truck.
Like Chris said, $500 can buy you a really nice tent, and then you have $3500 left for really nice camping kit. Teton makes some nice tent/cot combinations that still get you off the ground, and set up easily. Google "tent cot" and there are a lot of other companies that make similar.
Here’s his latest on a “tent cot”
https://youtu.be/phxtaszhOnU
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Re: Roof top tents
FWIW I think it's far better to just put a conventional tent in your car.
Then you can leave it set up & travel around.
Then you can leave it set up & travel around.
Andy
- Erratic101
- Posts: 2885
- Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:40 am
- Name: Justyn
Re: Roof top tents
I pulled the trigger on the one I listed. I’m mainly up at trailheads and being able to close up my tent in 1min before I go hike is pretty awesome. We’ll see though.
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