Roof top wedge tent thoughts? GFC superlite vs. Roofnest Falcon?

My 4R is 2.5 inch lifted, and I'm still trying to get used to the higher center of gravity. Going into corners and ramps (the circle ones) feels like the vehicle is going to flip over... I used to drive sedans so...

Anway, trying to get some opinions on roof top tent. I do not like tent on the ground, hate to deal with mud or dirt on the tent, also it felt cold to sleep on the ground. so my option is either sleep in the trunk or roof top tent. And roof top tent is definitely an easier solution.

I like the GFC superlite due to the lower weight, but still nto sure how 80lbs on the roof will do to the handling and drivingt feel. I know they don't make it anymore but can probably get a used one, or wait for the next gen.

I heard Roofnest Falcon build quality is very good, but main concern is how 160lbs will do to the handling and center of gravity.

What do you think?

 

Plenty of fully built 4runners with heavy tents that crawl up the canyons of Utah just fine. I’m sure there will be a learning curve, but nothing impossible. If you won’t be doing any extreme off roaring and just simple fire/forest service roads I personally wouldn’t even worry.

 

Thanks bro, I don't see RTT often on the east coast, wonder why... also wonder if I just leave the RTT on the vehicle all year round, would that be any problem (other than gas mileage), we do get pretty bad snow storms and freezing temparuate for a few months every year.

 

I’m surprised, tons of beautiful places to go and camp at over there! And the only issue I would see is cleaning underneath it. I have a buddy who has a large soft shell RTT and keeps it on year round, and it gets pretty dirty and is a PITA to take it off and re install it due to now heavy and big it is.

 

GFC Superlite has a quick release system that makes install/remove very easy, while other RTT seems all PITA to install/remove, too bad GFC discountinued Superlite.

 

I wheel with a gal that has a huge soft Ironman Roof Top Tent. It's effects her MPG. It doesn't prevent her from sending it though / off road.



Going off camber in a 4Runner is an acquired taste. It feels tippy when you 1st do it. Then it gets somewhat addictive... If you feel yourself about to go over - turn your front tires down hill and apply the gas (punch it).



Above pics aren't mine I stole them from our off road facebook group.

Here's one of me getting tippy from inside:



I figure I'll eventually add a hard top RTT. Problem is it wont fit in my garage and I don't want to park my 4Runner outside.

In the meantime - I'm really tempted by one of these Oztents.
https://oztent.com/
https://theadventureportal.com/gear-review-oztent-rv-5/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1hXQ1gJK-U

 

I want to get a RTT but can’t find myself spending $3-4k for that. I am getting close to maxing out the weight of the 4Runner and while I put a lot of work to allow it to do more than the gvwr it doesn’t change the fact that I still have to adhere to it. Throwing a RTT on top would put me over the top with 4 kids, wife and I. Then all my add-ons. I don’t want a floor tent anymore. Tired of that but will keep doing it because my truck can’t take anymore weight legally.

been thinking lately of getting a light duty off-roading trailer instead that will allow me to take weight off the 4Runner and put it on the trailer. Then when hitting day trails I can put what I need in the 4Runner. Win win in my book

 

We don’t see many in the east, but I have been seeing more and more. Where part of the east coast you from? Is curveball in reference to a music festival that didn’t happen?

 

Thanks for the pictures! I recently saw some 4Runners flipping over when trying to go up hills on Youtube... the more you watch, the more Youtube sends your way, lol... now I'm a little worried!

 

I think pulling a small trailer is a great idea, the other option I was looking at is to get a truck and Four Wheel Campers Project M.

 

Hello my friend from the east coast! I'm in NJ, I see you are from southern Maine? I drove along the coastline in Sep, it was absolutely beautiful！ Curveball is just a random name, haha

 

btw, I heard a lot of good things about Gazelle tent, but still I hate dealing with the dirt and mudd on the bottom.

OZtent is great, heard they are super well made but also quite heavy!

 

There's a couple famous Black Bear Pass 4Runner roll overs on youtube. I'd like to eventually do BB Pass and one of my goals that I worked on / achieved this past year, was getting comfortable with off camber (side hill) situations.

Going off camber is weird though. Sometimes you need to go low (like the Black Bear Pass spot) other times you need to go high on the side hill.

Key is the push through don't stop. Sometimes you got to punch it.

 

Yeah I saw the 4R roll over BB Pass videos, I do think 4R needs birdview cameras, at least need one in the front...

I heard many people saying sometimes you just got to punch it, till I saw this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqJ0HlDgHNc

 

Lockers for the win again.

 

A little too much punching it. Moderation is best.

 

Really digging the Oxtent for when I can't bring the teardrop thanks!!

 

GFC superlite is discontinued. Superlite II will eventually come out, but GFC won't commit to a date, or even a year.

Check out the iKamper Sky Camp Mini also. If I get another RTT, it'll be that or a Roofnest Condor because of size (doesn't block my sunroof) and quickness of setup.

I have a Tepui Ayer Explorer 2. It's just over 100lbs...120 IIRC. I got it pre-covid for something like $600 at an REI Garage Sale (maybe it was 7...I forget). It's a good RTT, but a speedster for setting up & taking down it ain't.