Roof Top Tent Upgrade

Looking at upgrading to a roof top tent. Anyone have any opinions? I am looking for something easy to set up, and one where I can see the sky when in the tent if desired.

Looking at the Thule Tepui Explorer Autana 4 with Annex
*like the Annex so my GF is able to change when we are camping with friends.
*like the easy set up
* size is good

https://get.keepa.com/efkvn

 

Welcome! No specific tent recommendations, but you may find the information in this thread useful for mounting the setup:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-upgrades-and-mounting-recomendations.680321/

 

I like having mine mounted lower for less drag while driving so no annex for me but in the back you can see a made a hanging room/bathroom/shower out of PVC and some tarps which does the job. I have an overland Systems RTT because it was the cheapest thing I could find and free shipping! It definitely left some things to be desired but if it's all you have in your budget is still go for it. I've ripped a few things on it and they have sent me replacements quickly and for free so they get five stars in the customer service department. Hope this helps!

 

Check out FreeSpirit. Mine is electric so it sets up in one minute.
the annex is another story, takes me awhile to get it set up by myself.

 

Take a look at Desert Armor..iKamp spin off/clone with a huge savings. Putting ours to use this evening..finally got sone cool weather.

 

Check out the Roam Vagabond. It's almost the exact same thing and is similarly priced. Plus you get a cargo net, boot bags, and clear panels on the rain fly so you don't have to take off the rain fly to look outside. Plus it has bungee cords you can attach on the inside which help with collapsing the tent. We have the 2 person version with the annex, but there's also a model for 4 if that's what you are looking for.
Note: we have the annex, it just isn't attached in this photo.

 

Ditto.

 

Overland recreation, priced right and quality.

 

I use a Yakima HD medium and find it roomy, comfortable and reliable for my needs.

 

Holy crap that's awesome! Any pics of it closed?

 

Sleeps 4 comfortable

 

That's so sick! I always joke about wanting to run a RTT in the bed and another on the cab for friends and family but with this I wouldn't have to!

 

iKamper.

Rocked a Tepui for a while before switching. If you're in inclement weather you can't beat the quick setup / takedown and quality IMO.

 

Get a shell. Way better weather protection, doesn't catch all that wind on top of your truck, and isn't a trendy, inconvenient eyesore.

That being said, people like their RTTs for various reasons, and that's fine. But don't look past the convenience and protection of a shell just because RTTs are all the rage right now.

Edit: HOLY SHIT!!! People are paying $2,000 - 3,000 for those things!?

 

I just received my Roam Vagabond (w/o annex) and it seems great in terms of build quality, materials and included options. My only complaint is that it is not configurable to open toward the tailgate/back of the truck. And a possible nuisance, having the tent mounted centered over the rear wheel, there is not enough clearance (w/ 9" rise crossbars) for the cab side awning to open up, so I will have to move it back a few inches. Of course, I'm looking forward to modding the mounting to enable it to open over the tailgate.

 

About as much as you paid for a fiberglass shell

 

You can configure it that way, but I'm not entirely sure why you would want to. (Although it isn't made to, and neither are other brands). Then again, I mount my bikes back there so I can't really do that anyway.

I agree about the cab side awning, but I haven't found a tent that allows it in this configuration without either being moved back or having the metal support rub on the cab. Obviously it would be more ideal with a larger bed rack, but I prefer the aerodynamics of it with the lower rack. Maybe that'll change though when I get a hoist system for the RTT and can more easily remove everything.

 

Get a ground tent ... cheaper lighter the amount of money your spending on the tent the annex and bed rack . You could of just got a ground tent and with some nice gear and still save money .I don’t understand what the hype is with these roof top tents ... ya bla bla they set up in like 5 min ..

 

As someone who has used a ground tent for the last 5 years, I can tell you that the RTT was a HUGE upgrade. More room and far sturdier too.

 

I have seen a few other brands that offer the alternate configuration, but the primary reason is to streamline my footprint where I can open it along the curbside, in a driveway, truck stop, RV parking, etc....
Regarding the hoist thought, it would definitely help things out, but I am limited to manual labor... so the lower rack is a necessity as well. Either way, I hope to get some photos uploaded soon.