Roof Top Tents - What's the issues People Find using them?

[robmacca]

Hi,
I'm wanting to install a RTT to a frame on my box trailer, but I'm a little bit unsure spending the money when I've heard various stories from friends who have had them on their 4WD's and have sold them on their return from their Touring trip, etc. The usual story is that u end up getting covered in dust/dirt when setting/packing up from the cover which is usually covered in dust. Then there's the hassle with re-fitting the Cover on. Windy nights can be a issue too..... Then there's the issue of not being able to move once u are setup - This won't apply to me as I'm planning on fitting it to my Box trailer.....
As I plan on putting mine on my Trailer and having greater access to the RTT to unpack and pack up, I'm thinking I shouldn't get too dirty.....?

What are some of the "other" hassles that people find when using their RTT or "Why" did people sell their RTT ??

Any particular Brand to stay away from because of its design and the hassles in setting up, etc

thanks in advance......

rob

[weeds]

We have a RRT on a dual cab tub.......

We didn't like the look of the conventional RRT that you see on every second 4wd, we went with a RRT tent that folds up full length ie 1800. It's an Aussie Traveller.

Reasons we went with the Aussie Traveller is that it gives you a full room when unfolded.

Never been covered in dust and dirt, sure it gets a little dust but that's what arm are for to keep the cover at arms distance.

Fitting cover is easy when on a trailer, the zip on mine is at shoulder height.

It's a tent, it's going to flap in the wind.....another benefit of the type we choose is that it's more stable.

Like I said, we were not fussed on the conventional type.....we walked around the caravan show on the weekend and looked at all the cross over vans, apart from not being ready to spend the coin we reckon we wouldn't change a thing.

[edz]

Have a look at Kevs set up, might give you an idea on thoughts about a RTT type camper   http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=42568.0

[wakychapmans]

we always found ours just a pain to close up and put away.

we removed it after only 3 trips away.

[weeds]

Oh, we had thought we would swap the RTT between trailer and 4WD but.........it's never been off the trailer

Search my trailer build for ideas.

[briann532]

Try getting in and out when you've had a few sherbets and you're busting for a pee..............

[Terry W4]

I don't have one but have set up my camper next people using them and the biggest problem is say when staying for 4 nights in the Alice Springs the RTT people next door had to pack every time they wanted to do some sightseeing. They saiud what a PITA it was.

[isportfish]

I have used a Autohome Columbus fibreglass hard shell unit over 4 years.

Pros
Genuine 30 second set up.
Solid and can cope easily with bad weather.
Can fix wiring and lighting to shell.
Canvas protected by shell when travelling.
Aerodynamic.
Can leave bedding set up.

Cons
Space for a family. Great for 2, but limited for any more.
More expensive than canvas RTT but will last many years longer.

[Kunnara]

I had a ute back camper with the tent on top and it was a pain to climb up the ladder after a few too many beers..My wife was always concerned that i would roll out of it, she wouldn't even sleep in it and used to put a stretcher in the side tent...

[Hoyks]

Austrack Camper RTT & I love mine, it is easy to set up and put down. 16 nights on The Cape, 4 nights on Fraiser, several multi day trips around NSW and SE QLD and I wouldn't be without it.

Before I had it I had dome tents and got the poos with them. The only inconvenience is zipping the cover on, but that isn't as big an inconvenience as trying to drop and pack a damp tent into a bag, pack away all the bedding and jam it all back into the car.

It came with a lower room to go around the ladder, but I have only used that once, mainly because it isn't mounted high enough on my vehicle.

The last thing I pack away is a water jerry can, so I use that to wash my arms before jumping in the car, but even on The Cape, it was only my forearms that needed a rinse. The cover would be a bit of a pain if on a wagon, but mine is on a tray back ute so I can get access to all sides, if on a trailer it wouldn't be much of an issue either.

[robmacca]

I had a ute back camper with the tent on top and it was a pain to climb up the ladder after a few too many beers..My wife was always concerned that i would roll out of it, she wouldn't even sleep in it and used to put a stretcher in the side tent...

Its amazing on how many of these comments I've had about accessing after a few drinks and what not.... I guess I'm lucky that I don't really drink..... but the inevitable midnight exit to water the local tree could be interesting though 

[robmacca]

I might have to have a bit of a closer look at these as they are not too far from us to check out..... I was leaning towards the Gordigear RTT and they are the only ones that seem to have that middle support bar that helps keep the rain from pooling on the fly section that covers the ladder....

How have u found it for water proofness, durability (wear & tear), windy weather, etc

rob

Austrack Camper RTT & I love mine, it is easy to set up and put down. 16 nights on The Cape, 4 nights on Fraiser, several multi day trips around NSW and SE QLD and I wouldn't be without it.

Before I had it I had dome tents and got the poos with them. The only inconvenience is zipping the cover on, but that isn't as big an inconvenience as trying to drop and pack a damp tent into a bag, pack away all the bedding and jam it all back into the car.

It came with a lower room to go around the ladder, but I have only used that once, mainly because it isn't mounted high enough on my vehicle.

The last thing I pack away is a water jerry can, so I use that to wash my arms before jumping in the car, but even on The Cape, it was only my forearms that needed a rinse. The cover would be a bit of a pain if on a wagon, but mine is on a tray back ute so I can get access to all sides, if on a trailer it wouldn't be much of an issue either.

[robmacca]

Oh, we had thought we would swap the RTT between trailer and 4WD but.........it's never been off the trailer

Search my trailer build for ideas.

Weeds.... Is the the link to your Trailer Build > weeds's HCPU camper

[gold_member]

Hi , I am only new to the site and new to having a rtt set up, I have been running this setup for only a few weeks and have unfortunately only been out on one camp trip so far, my experience with them has been good so far, the only bad points are:
-I m 6ft tall so I have to watch my head when I am in the awning part.
- yes entry after a few quiet drinks is a bit challenging but not impossible
- and yes the not being able to move your car after setup is a bit restricting but as you are going for a trailer mount that won't affect you. Although it only takes a couple of minutes to setup anyways

As for getting dirty during set up, I haven't found that to be too much of an issue, my only concern is if it was on a trailer would be stability issues, especially if it was disconnected form the car, and also you need to be able to access all around the cover to zip it up and pack it up etc.
I also was concerned about not being able to set up camp and be able to drive off somewhere, but the way I have my car setup I can set up camp in minutes and pack up in minutes so I can still move around if need be, Its a sacrifice I was willing to make as I don't like carting trailers around through the bush, I find them too restrictive

overall so far I am happy with it,  i like being off the ground and the ease and speed of setting up is great.
Hope this helps.

Cheers
GM


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[weeds]

Weeds.... Is the the link to your Trailer Build > weeds's HCPU camper

Yes, as you can see we designed it around mountain biking.

I have just removed the MTB rack and em getting a 600mm x width of trailer aluminum box made up than a rack for two bikes up front.

[woolgoolgaoffroad]

Have a look at Kevs set up, might give you an idea on thoughts about a RTT type camper   http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=42568.0

thanks edz...

hey Rob, the biggest issue i found was the build up of condensation under the mattress. To combat this i glued some of those interlocking rubber mats under the bed to the timber. l got the ones from bunnings that are a bit thinner pack of 4 and is great. just gives a little bit of extra padding and room to breath. i would take a pic but am away atm......

[Bird]

After the wind at Beachport on the weekend, we all sat there laughin at the poor bloke having a chunder out of his as it swung like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw

[robmacca]

Weeds,
The Square tubing u used for the MTB Frame, what thickness is that ? I assume its 50mm square, but what thickness wall? 1.6mm ?

Yes, as you can see we designed it around mountain biking.

I have just removed the MTB rack and em getting a 600mm x width of trailer aluminum box made up than a rack for two bikes up front.

[weeds]

The Fromt vertical is 50mm x 1.6 and the

top bar is all over the shop, I started out 25x25x2 than added a bit of 20x20x?? Not sure why I didn't run 50x50 across the top....either way it's all strengthened by the checker plate.

The main objective was to separate the bikes as our two are worth a bit of coin and we have upgraded the kids bikes as well.

[woftam]

We spent three and a half months on the road living in an ARB RTT. The only one to have an issue was the missus when she fell down the ladder one night after a few wines.

We didn't really notice the issue of having to pack up if we wanted to go anywhere as we generally either moved each day anyway or were content to stay set up for a couple of days. Usually used van parks on the rare occasions we stayed in big towns and needed the car for shopping etc.

After a week and some familiarity pack up time was reduced by two thirds.

Yes the covers collect dust but what doesn't on outback roads. I usually threw on an old sweatshirt for pack up and removed it for driving.

Having had a CT for a while now I notice how much colder it is compared to the RTT in similar weather.

We occasionally used the annexe if in close company for privacy but most times we left it off.

Would I use one again ? Apparently I wouldn't according to the missus.

It's all about compromise and what you're prepared to accept or not accept. Personally, for sustained travel where you're moving each day then I would accept the trade-offs. With a more leisurely travel style with sightseeing then a CT would be my pick.

[Hoyks]

How have u found it for water proofness, durability (wear & tear), windy weather, etc

rob

The roof has never leaked, but the side wall did after 2 days of constant driving rain. I dried it out and it hasn't leaked since. After 2 years I bought a few cans of spray on water proofing spray and give it a bit of a hose with that. It hasn't leaked since, but it has hardly rained either.

I had water pool on the roof once, but that was also when the lower room was fitted. I put it down to the entry not being pegged out properly due to the camp site. It wouldn't be hard to make a spreader if you wanted to save the $$, the plastic clips are available and tube isn't hard to come by.
I just tipped it out and got on with my life.

[robmacca]

Don't suppose u can remember where u got the 50mm x 1.6mm box section from? I'm in the market for some and for the next down that slides inside the 50mm box but I can't seem to find any locally.....

rob

The Fromt vertical is 50mm x 1.6 and the

top bar is all over the shop, I started out 25x25x2 than added a bit of 20x20x?? Not sure why I didn't run 50x50 across the top....either way it's all strengthened by the checker plate.

The main objective was to separate the bikes as our two are worth a bit of coin and we have upgraded the kids bikes as well.

[weeds]

Don't suppose u can remember where u got the 50mm x 1.6mm box section from? I'm in the market for some and for the next down that slides inside the 50mm box but I can't seem to find any locally.....

rob

At a guess the steel shop along Nudgee Rd.......

How much do you need??

[latestarter]

Can anyone give a rough price of the Austrack and Gordigear RTT.
I looked at Hannibal's a little while back and although they look good, you certainly pay for them.

[Darcy7]

I bought one of these online.  Its a Chinese knockoff of the expensive Italian brand who's name escapes me.

Dead easy to put up.  Packing up is pretty good to but you have to make sure all the tent section is tucked in properly.  Also, because the lid on this doesn't sit flush, air can get in under it while driving and if I forget to zip up a window, it can blow out.

The mattress is a bit too thin so I put another foam mattress underneath.  Very comfortable.

There's barely enough room for the two of us to sleep up there which is a bit of a shame really as that was the intended reason for purchasing it in the first place.  I've only used it for when I go away by myself. I actually really like sleeping in it.  Being that high off the ground is somewhat comforting.  Not too good if you have to have a midnight pee...!

I don't leave it on the car all the time.  I rigged up a couple of large ratchet straps to the ceiling of the carport and just lift it off when I'm done with it.  Its a bit of fiddling around but it works well.

I have considered fitting it to my trailer.  Its a small box trailer with a solid steel cover.  It has 2 roof racks on it so it could support the tent easily.

If I had my time again, I probably wouldn't buy another one.  Just not enough room for 2 people.  A quick set up tent would be much more convenient I think.  If I was a single bloke travelling on my own, yep...great idea...!

Cheers

Darcy