Rooftop tent v sleeping inside (2 people)

I recently purchased a Frontrunner Slimline rack for the purposes of surfing and bringing propane and extra fuel tanks. I'm now realizing that it may be a better use of that space to just get a rooftop tent. particularly since those racks are not cheap! Before, I was sleeping inside with my partner but it was a bit cramped, though I enjoyed the extra security. The ventilation wasn't great though. I am wondering if it makes more sense to get a rooftop tent. I'm wondering what the pros and cons are? they definitely seem expensive and reduce mpg on the vehicle. But it does seem like a more comfortable camping experience. Thoughts?

 

I've seen the issues of getting into a RTT after a few beers. Was very entertaining to me/us. Very painful for RTT owner. That one instance was enough to sour me on an RTT, forever.

 

I am not a proponent of RTTs. I posted my specific thoughts on camping and RTTs here, which in the interests of board space I will link. RTT experience is the end of the 2nd post:

https://www.4runners.com/threads/re...at-ability-hump-2-vs-3-row.18328/#post-219785

https://www.4runners.com/threads/re...at-ability-hump-2-vs-3-row.18328/#post-220323

 

RTT for 2 people is going to be easiest and most comfortable.

I’ve always slept in the back, but at 6’1 it’s never been the most comfortable. But you sacrifice a lot for a RTT. Better sleep vs utilizing space

 

I’ve had a Maggiolina and a OVS clamshell softside.
Both were uber expensive, good for quick overnights and weatherproof but man you pay for it in “tippyness, inability to move your rig once deployed and leveled, etc..

we sold both after about 7-8 nights and decided that climbing up and down a ladder just isnt our thing.

 

To each there own, but I love my RTT. But if you get it you gotta use it to make it worth it. Probably slept 1 or 2 nights almost every weekend this summer. Honestly hasn’t affected my MPG much either. On long trips and if it’s windy I’ve noticed a difference but other than that not really. And most of my driving is in the mountains of California. Haven’t spent much time sleeping in the back of my runner before I got the tent but had slept in an Outback ALOT as well. Think the RTT is more comfortable and easier set up compared to moving everything around in the back to set up a bed. And the headspace is way better compared to a platform. But I could see how it’s not for everyone. Wish mine was easier to take on and off and probably would buy a hardtop for better aerodynamics and easier setup, although the extra space of a soft sided tent is nice.

 

I slept in the back of my Runner after being encouraged by the Meef's post. Im hooked. If im alone while out, the mattress solution is ingenious. I bought the weathertech wind deflectors and a mosquito net that goes over the doors like a sock. I have a small USB fan to circulate the air in the cabin. Air circulates well and no water comes in if it rains.

I save money, and there are no chiro visits from lifting a RTT onto the roof everytime I go travel. I also dont have to bother any friends for assistance to get it on or off. My roof stays available for water solutions. The convenience as well if there is a storm is boss.

Try an in cabin solution before getting an RTT. You might change ur mind.

 

At 6’3” sleeping in the runner just isn’t comfy. And then add the second person and it adds up to a short night of sleep.

 

2 people in a 4Runner is tough, 1 person is perfect as I have been doing it with specific mods for a while now. A roof top tent will be much roomier and comfortable, but you have set up/tear down before doing anything (including laving in emergency's) and having to climb up there is not so great.

Just get a big tent. Otherwise you will need to do some serious modding of your 4R for it to accommodate 2 people well.

 

I guess I never updated my original multi pic post linked above but about 18 mo ago I replaced the inflatable full size mattress with a Exped Megamat two person model. It's significantly better; more comfortable, warmer, less likely to disturb one person when the other one moves or gets up, and thinner so it's easier to sit up. Everything else with my setup is the same (pallet, footwell boxes, etc).

I don't have any images of it in use.

 

RTT's look like a great solution until you factor in the cost, weight, possible loss of stability, middle of the night inconvenience, variable weather conditions, set-up and tear-down. Not trying to be negative but back of the rig and/or a larger ground tent seem like better options to me.

 

Anybody HAD a RTT previously and decided against them? I have a nice tent and cots, but think a RTT might be a better option, as the cots are heavy, but a necessity in a ground tent.

 

Yes see my post above with the link to a previous thread for a detailed explanation of my reasons for getting rid of the RTT.

 

As i was saying we’ve had two and went back to ground tents and cots both times. I’m Also considering tent-cots for a future Rubicon trip for ease of setup.

 

I see that now, sounds like you didn’t like the soft shell, we have been planning to get a hard shell, but the cost keeps holding us back and shitty experience with one company when we did order. A few years ago now, I ordered the Tank, it was in shipping and when I contacted the company about possible quality issues I read about, they rerouted the shipment or another customer, when the tent was 20 miles from my house.

 

I see that now, ADHD reading sucks sometimes. We are pretty good at setup, spent about 22 nights last summer in the tent, but I struggle with the thought the ground with cots is easier to set up (but I have never experienced the RTT). The other big hold up, is the climbing up and down, which probably would be easier than climbing in and out of the runner, but clearly not as easy as a ground tent.

 

Depends on How much Adult Beverage had...

 

I have a Roof Top Tent and it is great if you are going to one spot and staying there with out driving off every day (I use mine when going fishing and staying at that location) The Down Side of them is with the Full Size ones they are a bit awkward and somewhat heavy.
Never had any issues with the So Called Top heavy, they do take a little time to set up however more room than many hard top units plus cost substantially less.
I been using this Same ARB RTT since 2009 without any issues except I lost a couple of tie down clips during storage one year and they were easy to make new ones and I decided to replace the tie down straps since they were showing wear in 2011 I purchased the Annex for it.

It has been From Utah to NY and back 3 times, All over The Uintah National Forest area and then some. I first started with it on a 1995 Land Rover Discovery then 2007 FJ Cruiser, then in 2018 it went on the back of the TRD Pro Tacoma.

I have not yet Put it on the 4Runner that is in plan for this early spring and maybe not if I can find a Good Roomy Hard top unit for the Right price Since the full size unit is Like a Brick in the Wind.

 

Tent camped for years, did a few nights with a cot with nothing (during cooler weather so no need for bug nets), and have had 2 RTTs (one soft like a Smittybilt, and my current hard shell Ironman 1300 Nomad). I installed a hoist in my ceiling to mount the tent on my vehicle, but never did. Seems like a pain, so I just build trailers. Solves a few problems.

No need for the vehicle to pack up to move.
Gives extra cargo space so you can keep important stuff in the 4runner.
Dirty stuff, wet stuff, goes in the bed.
Lower height so only a few rungs to climb, or fall out of

RTTs work if you trailer them, but there aren't many trailers that are reasonable cost. Thankfully, I have a group of friends who weld, so we just bought metal, drew up plans, and built our own. Then I did some custom paint jobs, lighting, and touches that make it really fun. Realistic cost to build yourself, probably around $3000, $1000 for accessories and paint, then a $2300 tent, so around $6500 if you're able to do this type of work. Buying a pre-built one is around $8500 + tent, so that's in teardrop camper territory (which I also had...T@g Boondock XL).

Of all the methods, my favorite is the teardrop. No slides, weather proof, but you gotta open the bed door into the elements, so an awning is a nice add.

Image dump:

My First Trailer we built from a used Jetski trailer we upgraded (bought for $100 - invested $1500 + tent)


Then we bought a teardrop:


Sold that during pandemic for $$$ cause people are dumb and were overpaying. Wanted to simplify.

Tent Trailer v2



And finally my hoist cause I'm not going to ask my wife to lift this.

 

I may Build a Trailer however it is a Back and Forth thing because there are times I want to take my boat and Camp also.

 

That landcruiser is awesome!

 

Looks like my question on a different thread is more relevant here;

 

autohome maggiolina was by far easier to setup (literally setup in 1-2 minutes.) and had the benefit of being able to be used as a place to store bedding and some clothes. Downside is that it used the whole roof, is expensive (as are variants like james Baroud, etc), adds a bunch of wind drag, and definitely is a drag getting up and down at night, but if you have a “nightime nalgene” pee bottle up top ready to go, nights are less of an issue.


for Two, it’s what i’d recommend if that’s the way you want to go. They’re very watertight, warm and have the best mattress of all we’ve tried.

 

My wife and I literally have been sleeping in our 4R the past two weeks. Listen it definitely isn’t Four Seasons but it works. Totally sucks when it’s cold. We did 20 degrees and I literally thought I had hypothermia. Now we are in a condo in Florida and it’s 80 degrees

 

That hoist setup is amazing, I really like it! I noticed you have a Thule box floating in the air with a similar setup. I have a Yakima of similar size for my wife's Highlander and I would love to find a solution to what you have. Could you share photos of it? Thanks!!

 

There is a video on youtube that goes into the science of this. In short, you will struggle to surpass the weight limit ratings. Let me try to find it and ill post up.

 

@kmeeg

https://youtu.be/mLTJ6SpdUx4

https://youtu.be/TNx97jqzUuY


Hope this helps. If not lmk,

 

Let take this topic slowly, one by one. Do we have the answer to the question #1 discussed in both these videos? Do we know where we can find this number on our owners manual?



I can only see roof luggage carrier rating not roof carry rating.

 

I dont have a clue. An email to Toyota Of America is in order. Its the only way to remove all doubt.

Until proven otherwise, (Assumption) the 110lb rating on the standard roof rack allows you to use the equation provided in the videos.

 

I made you a youtube video of what I did for the hoists.

https://youtu.be/TYvLRzBY-74

Also, here's a few stills: