Let’s be honest; Roof Top Tent- Yay or Nay?

Everything but the hammock was purchased used and at a considerably reduced price over new. So, I don't particularly have a loyalty to any of it just because it was bought new and would rather not admit I don't like it. Ha, on the contrary, I can and do use them all, like them all for different reasons and at different times, and though I originally thought I might sell what I didn't like or didn't use much, I now intend to keep it all.

I gathered different ways of easy-to-use sleeping quarters primarily so I could accommodate more people in small group workshops. A "just bring your vehicle and a sleeping bag!" type thing. I also wanted family and friends to be able to come camp and have a variety of shelter types to choose from.

Mainly though, to be honest, I gathered it all because I'm intrigued by the possibilities and level of comfort they each provide and wanted to explore it for myself.

I'm doing all this instead of owning a house or having an apartment, so it's really inexpensive in comparison, especially when you find such good deals on barely-used stuff. A lot of folks get into 'overlanding' then find out it's not what they thought, they don't like the gear they first chose, simply want the new 'in' thing, or need something different to accommodate partner or offspring, so often sell it quite cheap, even in like-new condition.

In order of preference when camping and traveling solo:

I always go for the van first:



It's what I am most used to now after decades of camping and long-distance traveling. It is also the most flexible in arrangement and always has my gear, clothing, reading material, and pretty much everything else where I want it, when I want it, already close at hand. I can leave it set up for sleeping in the front and still carry eight feet of cargo, photography gear, camping supplies, etc. It's set up and ready to go out there right now, matter of fact. I could take off for a week or two and leave ground tent, trailer and RTT, and hammock all behind and still be wicked comfortable overnight, even in freezing temps.

Second would be the ground tent, my wonderful OZTent RV-5, at right below:



I love it; it's simply the best ground tent I've ever used. I usually set it up with two OZTent stretcher cots, which are padded, very comfortable and roomy, and provide an excellent night's sleep. Put a little table between, your storage containers underneath, and you really do have an expedition quality tent; very comfortable, super quick to set up and take down, and extremely durable and tight to the weather. Even have a little covered patio area out front if you want. The rear half in the image above is living space, the front half is covered and open to underneath the awning, and there is a durable groundcloth under the entire thing. This tent and my trailer and it's expansive awning are the foundation of my extended base camp set up.

Third would be my hard-shell roof top tent, a RoofNest Eagle:



If I were traveling in a smaller vehicle that were not as comfortable to sleep in as my van is, and did not have enough space to carry a good ground tent like the OZTent, my hard-shell RTT would be my number one choice for comfortable, easy to use sleeping area. SO self-contained and super easy to deploy; literally undo four straps and give it a shove up. Just about as easy to close back up, too. Much easier to open and close than the many fold-open rooftop tents I researched. They fit easily on any number of different sized vehicles.

It is not as roomy as the ground tent or my van, and is pretty much the size of the mattress, which is pretty damned big, to be honest; queen-sized they say. Just not as much room for storage, as it is mattress wall to wall. Though you can keep your bedding and ladder and other small gear like folding solar panels, etc in there when closed and traveling. That's a nice little plus. I just don't like having to haul all my clothes and books and devices up and down the ladder every time I want to sleep in it for a night or two, nor enjoy climbing up and down in the middle of the night if I have to use the bathroom. You inevitably bring dirt and debris into the roof top tent. Hard-shells do not have annexes, either, that go to the ground like some fold-open RTTs do. Though I'm toying with ideas of sewing my own annex with floor that will attach on the entrance side, which will make nighttime up and downs a lot easier, and keep the tent and mattress a lot cleaner.

Last would be the hammock:



Though it is the first choice on sunny afternoons with slight breezes wafting through camp. Also the first choice for short overnight hiking/biking away from van and camp. Packs up the size of a baking potato.

Let me know if there is any other info I can provide on any of the options I use, and feel free to use my comments and name. Pics can only be used with permission and proper credit; please ask first and I'll let you know how I prefer they be credited.




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I have a wonderful ground tent, a great hard-shell RTT, a hammock, and a van, all set up for sleeping.Everything but the hammock was purchased used and at a considerably reduced price over new. So, I don't particularly have a loyalty to any of it just because it was bought new and would rather not admit I don't like it. Ha, on the contrary, I can and do use them all, like them all for different reasons and at different times, and though I originally thought I might sell what I didn't like or didn't use much, I now intend to keep it all.I gathered different ways of easy-to-use sleeping quarters primarily so I could accommodate more people in small group workshops. A "just bring your vehicle and a sleeping bag!" type thing. I also wanted family and friends to be able to come camp and have a variety of shelter types to choose from.Mainly though, to be honest, I gathered it all because I'm intrigued by the possibilities and level of comfort they each provide and wanted to explore it for myself.I'm doing all this instead of owning a house or having an apartment, so it's really inexpensive in comparison, especially when you find such good deals on barely-used stuff. A lot of folks get into 'overlanding' then find out it's not what they thought, they don't like the gear they first chose, simply want the new 'in' thing, or need something different to accommodate partner or offspring, so often sell it quite cheap, even in like-new condition.In order of preference when camping and traveling solo:I always go for the van first:It's what I am most used to now after decades of camping and long-distance traveling. It is also the most flexible in arrangement and always has my gear, clothing, reading material, and pretty much everything else where I want it, when I want it, already close at hand. I can leave it set up for sleeping in the front and still carry eight feet of cargo, photography gear, camping supplies, etc. It's set up and ready to go out there right now, matter of fact. I could take off for a week or two and leave ground tent, trailer and RTT, and hammock all behind and still be wicked comfortable overnight, even in freezing temps.Second would be the ground tent, my wonderful OZTent RV-5, at right below:I love it; it's simply the best ground tent I've ever used. I usually set it up with two OZTent stretcher cots, which are padded, very comfortable and roomy, and provide an excellent night's sleep. Put a little table between, your storage containers underneath, and you really do have an expedition quality tent; very comfortable, super quick to set up and take down, and extremely durable and tight to the weather. Even have a little covered patio area out front if you want. The rear half in the image above is living space, the front half is covered and open to underneath the awning, and there is a durable groundcloth under the entire thing. This tent and my trailer and it's expansive awning are the foundation of my extended base camp set up.Third would be my hard-shell roof top tent, a RoofNest Eagle:If I were traveling in a smaller vehicle that were not as comfortable to sleep in as my van is, and did not have enough space to carry a good ground tent like the OZTent, my hard-shell RTT would be my number one choice for comfortable, easy to use sleeping area. SO self-contained and super easy to deploy; literally undo four straps and give it a shove up. Just about as easy to close back up, too. Much easier to open and close than the many fold-open rooftop tents I researched. They fit easily on any number of different sized vehicles.It is not as roomy as the ground tent or my van, and is pretty much the size of the mattress, which is pretty damned big, to be honest; queen-sized they say. Just not as much room for storage, as it is mattress wall to wall. Though you can keep your bedding and ladder and other small gear like folding solar panels, etc in there when closed and traveling. That's a nice little plus. I just don't like having to haul all my clothes and books and devices up and down the ladder every time I want to sleep in it for a night or two, nor enjoy climbing up and down in the middle of the night if I have to use the bathroom. You inevitably bring dirt and debris into the roof top tent. Hard-shells do not have annexes, either, that go to the ground like some fold-open RTTs do. Though I'm toying with ideas of sewing my own annex with floor that will attach on the entrance side, which will make nighttime up and downs a lot easier, and keep the tent and mattress a lot cleaner.Last would be the hammock:Though it is the first choice on sunny afternoons with slight breezes wafting through camp. Also the first choice for short overnight hiking/biking away from van and camp. Packs up the size of a baking potato.Let me know if there is any other info I can provide on any of the options I use, and feel free to use my comments and name.; please ask first and I'll let you know how I prefer they be credited.