Roof Top Tent Questions!

Afternoon folks. so I am a new 4Runner owner, and an even newer overlander!

My questions are.

What RTT would you all recommend for a family of 4? Two adults and a 9 and 13 year old.

Can heavy people safely use a RTT?

Weve been looking at they Smitty Built ,CVT, and the ARB.

So far my favorite has been the Smitty Built Overlander gen 2 xl.

 

Congrats on the new 4Runner! I personally have the Tuff Stuff Ranger (2-3 person) tent which is a great tent but the "soft shell tent" style tend to be somewhat of a pain to close up. If ease of use is a priority, I'd recommend a hard shell/hybrid type. My favorite are the iKamper 2.0 ($$$$) or the Tuff Stuff Alpha ($$) for a family of 4. The iKamper can hold up to 900lbs per their website and its my top choice for my next tent. Also, hard shells tend to be a little more aerodynamic (better for the mpg) if that matters.

Tuff Stuff Alpha - https://tuffstuff4x4.com
iKamper - https://www.ikamper.com/

 

Welcome from Arizona. We are still using a ground tent and sleeping in the rig.But my wife and I don't relish up and down the ladder at odd times of the night.Many on the RTTs are very tempting though I must say. Good luck with your search.

 

I no longer have a RTT, as I felt the convenience and coolness 2 weeks a year was outweighed by the impracticality fifty weeks a year. That said, my wife and I are not tiny... she is tall and....ummm... sturdy.... and I'm 250 lbs. No issues with us inside a tent mounted on inexpensive INNO crossbars on the factory rack.

 

Something to consider - and I'm just brainstorming here, but you'd be way over weight capacity on any roof rack or cross bar system with 4 people up there plus the weight of the RTT. And...with that much weight that high up on your rig, wouldn't it be swaying back and forth like a ship at sea while you were sleeping? You'd need outriggers! Maybe opt for a 2 or 3 man RTT, make the kids sleep inside the 4Runner & you and the Mrs sleep in the penthouse?

 

I don’t have a RRT yet. I am looking for a more aerodynamic frame and have been drooling of Roof Nest’s Sparrow XL.

 

I’m a few sleeps in my new iKamper mini and I love it. Hitting trails in Colorado this summer.