Truck Camper gone Wrong

[Less_Stuff]

Sold my truck and camper. Yet the camper has made me feel sleeping on the roof of a vehicle is normal.
So this seemed a good idea for old TCers.



This Video will tell the story. It even shows my new Jeep with one right after the VW.
Roof top tent camping

See what happens to old Truck Campers who want to drive gas powered vehicles that get 30 mpg.
Be warned!

[trail-explorer]

billtex wrote:
...it's not for us...we like a bathroom, shower, heat, galley, blah, blah, blah...

DITTO...I've wanted to do more backcountry, off the beaten path travel too, but I can't bring myself to sleep in a tent again.

[Reddog1]

I have heard it said; "He who dies with the most toys in life, wins."

[bmanning]

Wes Tausend wrote:

bmanning wrote:


LOL You could be right; my attention span isn't what it used to be!

About 5-6 years ago I just HAD TO HAVE a Polaris Ranger...first few months I owned it, took it out in the desert several times...then, maybe once a month...then once every few months...after less than 2 years the novelty had worn off and I sold it to make room in my garage.

Same could happen with a RTT but that's human nature for you...

So... were you ever sorry you owned the Ranger? Is anyone sorry they once had a beloved tool/toy that eventually fell by the wayside? 🙂

I suspect you'll enjoy this roof-top abode like we enjoyed tree-houses as a child... and as adults still do on Treehouse Masters on Animal Planet. No sense fighting it... go with it.

Besides, it's in our genes to prefer to sleep high and dry, and we might not be here if it hadn't; nor own hands instead of paws. Maybe even the deep roots of setting the roof-top up each evening will have special meaning over and above that of crawling into a ready made hardtop cavern. (Not that there is anything wrong with a solid ground cave with a big bonfire, or stick barrier, protecting it.) Sometimes, the more things change, the more they are the same. 😉

Wes
...

Well said Wes; was never sorry I bought the Polaris, just developed that familiar sense of "been there, done that, novelty wore off" and moved onto the next toy LOL.

[Wes_Tausend]

bmanning wrote:


LOL You could be right; my attention span isn't what it used to be!

About 5-6 years ago I just HAD TO HAVE a Polaris Ranger...first few months I owned it, took it out in the desert several times...then, maybe once a month...then once every few months...after less than 2 years the novelty had worn off and I sold it to make room in my garage.

Same could happen with a RTT but that's human nature for you...

So... were you ever sorry you owned the Ranger? Is anyone sorry they once had a beloved tool/toy that eventually fell by the wayside? 🙂

I suspect you'll enjoy this roof-top abode like we enjoyed tree-houses as a child... and as adults still do on Treehouse Masters on Animal Planet. No sense fighting it... go with it.

Besides, it's in our genes to prefer to sleep high and dry, and we might not be here if it hadn't; nor own hands instead of paws. Maybe even the deep roots of setting the roof-top up each evening will have special meaning over and above that of crawling into a ready made hardtop cavern. (Not that there is anything wrong with a solid ground cave with a big bonfire, or stick barrier, protecting it.) Sometimes, the more things change, the more they are the same. 😉

Wes
...

[bmanning]

billtex wrote:

Reddog1 wrote:

billtex- You are sure hard on the 4x4 crowd.

No...not at all..3 Jeeps;
* 71 CJ 5
* 79 CJ 5
* 83 CJ 7
I just think RTT's are silly.
Get a tent and a cot (which I will be in this weekend w/Scouts).

RTT's? No thanks...

As noted, if you think these are cool...go for it. I think the thrill will be short lived...

B

LOL You could be right; my attention span isn't what it used to be!

About 5-6 years ago I just HAD TO HAVE a Polaris Ranger...first few months I owned it, took it out in the desert several times...then, maybe once a month...then once every few months...after less than 2 years the novelty had worn off and I sold it to make room in my garage.

Same could happen with a RTT but that's human nature for you...

[billtex]

Reddog1 wrote:

billtex- You are sure hard on the 4x4 crowd.

No...not at all..3 Jeeps;
* 71 CJ 5
* 79 CJ 5
* 83 CJ 7
I just think RTT's are silly.
Get a tent and a cot (which I will be in this weekend w/Scouts).

RTT's? No thanks...

As noted, if you think these are cool...go for it. I think the thrill will be short lived...

B

[bmanning]

As I just mentioned on another thread (before seeing this one) I just bought an old Land Cruiser (mainly for exploring) and will very likely buy a RTT for it. I think they fill a great niche.

Of course I still plan to find the perfect TC someday, but for now it'd be ideal for the kind of camping I'll do the next couple of years.

When my boys (19mo, 1.5mo) get older and camp with me I'll do it in a TC or TT, but for quick 1-night solo hiking or mt biking trips a RTT would suit me just fine.

In my mind they "split the difference" between a tent & a TC.

Advantages over a tent: no finding a level spot, clearing it of debris, trying to somehow keep the tent clean upon multiple setups/takedowns, and you sleep off the ground.

Advantages over a TC (to state the obvious): no need for a HD pickup, weight/size, initial cost, very little cost to maintain.

Now, is it as comfortable as a TC with a full bath, heat, fridge, etc? Of course not, but everything is a compromise.

[Pete_k]

JumboJet wrote:
When I sell my Truck and TC, I am going to get one of these:

When we sold our Truck camper we got a pair of those and a 41ft 5th wheel.

Sold the TC because I was having issues get into the bed. Would for sure kill my self on that deal. But was nice to see the guy was taking his Granddaughter along for a camping trip.

But I still miss our Truck camper. Guess that may be the reason I still have the tie downs on it.;) Never know when I may run up on a deal on a used TC and have both.:B

[palmwhit]

Interesting thread with varied opinions. I say each to their own! If you want to try a setup like this and find it to your liking, COOL! If on the other hand it turns out not to be what you envisioned, well you can always return to a TC or try something else! Personally at this point (age) in my life I'm not really interested in switching to this type of camping. For those of you who find these an attraction of interest, go for it! Oh and let the rest of us know about your experiences (may they be great) as time passes. We used to back pack and portage canoes at an earlier age. Couldn't imagine we'd ever move on to of all things a truck camper, OMG! Live life and enjoy your interests and pursuits with a bit of passion, you'll only regret it if you don't when you no longer can!

[Reddog1]

CAJW - I am not familiar enough with the trail to identify exactly where I was at. I do know there were no TCs. :B

billtex- You are sure hard on the 4x4 crowd. I have heard some of them make comments on RVs that look like homes for the homeless. Especially true when they drive their 4x4 to Walmart. :B


I can't see where TCs are being compared to tents or anything else. For me, I don't have a truck, TC, Tent, Tent Cot, and a Samurai just to have them. Each contribute to my entertainment for exploring, general camping, providing me with the opportunity to be creative through modifying them. If I only had a single interest, then that would be my focus.

I could make a list of rube goldberg contraptions, but the list would only be based on my interest. I am not sure a roof top tent as an accident just waiting to happen is as likely as a motorcycle accident.

I don't know if I will ever use my Tent Cot on the Roof of me TC, but it will be an option, if for no other reason just because I can.


Less Stuff - I think this thread breaks the routine of the typical TC thread. As a Moderator, I considered moving it out of the TC Forum, but realized is is part of the TC experience for many of us. I frequently tow my Samurai to places I have to leave my TC. Sometimes I use my TC as a base camp and go exploring, with the option of using my Tent Cot is needed for long rides. There is nothing at all wrong to start thread in fun. Unfortunately, some folks have trouble with humor.

[Less_Stuff]

billtex wrote:

Trying to compare these RTT's to TC's is ridiculous.I look at the way a lot of Folks use these and to me it just seems they are doing their best to avoid the obvious; get a TC! I see Folks parked in private campgrounds, walmarts, NP's, etc...these are not remote 4x4 areas. Not saying some Folks don't use them as intended...but then again...I see plenty of Land Rovers and Jeeps that have never even been in a dirt parking lot. So a lot of Folks make the excuse they have an RTT to run the sahara...but do they? Really?
There is a reason these things are all over craigslist...a rube goldberg contraption if ever there was one!

Interesting but did you know RTT's first appeared in Western Europe in the 1930's.
Wikipedia RTT entry

I did start this thread in fun but what is wrong with that.
Needs change and my new two wheel drive Jeep won't ever carry a TC.
Yet I hope it will drive down many dirt roads.
My new Jeep and a shipping container open the world to me for exploration.
My old Chevy/Lance TC combo wouldn't fit in shipping container very well.
So comparing RTT's to TC's may be ridiculous but that's just what I am doing.
Most people think bigger is better. I think bigger is sometimes just a bigger pain.

[Ski_Pro_3]

I've done, and still do, a lot of tent camping as well as just roll-out-the-bag-on-the-ground camping from my motorcycle. And, I have my camper. The main difference between a camper and a tent is; I can live in my camper, I can only sleep in my tent. Long as weather is mild, not a big deal, but still...

Personally, I see that roof top tent as an accident just waiting to happen. Sooner or later, you are going to fall. It would be impossible to move your stuff into the roof top safely so both hands are on the ladder. If a foot or leg gets wrapped up in the ladder or you hit the ground wrong, well then, there you are; all alone way out there where no one else is just 'cause you can, with a busted leg or worse.

[CAJW]

Reddog1 wrote:
I don't particularly want to drive gas powered vehicles that get 30 mpg, but there are some places I want to camp that my TC can't get to.

I am in the process of setting my Samurai up so I can camp on top. I recently almost completed the overhead rack. This is my Samurai and one of the areas I camp. There is a Tent Cot on top, actually two.




When completed, the Tent Cot will basically mount like this.






I think I will be able to stealth camp in the city. I don't need a slide out, or ladder. Just climb up the rear bumper and spare tire.



Wayne

Buck Rock Trail?

[billtex]

Reddog1 wrote:

As for the tent cot on top of the Samurai, there are camping areas where it is worth considering. Maybe flash flood areas, bear country, alligator country,

Wayne...I don't think that RTT is going to provide much protection for any of these circumstances...

When I have to tent, it is with a cot to sleep on, or when backpacking my big agnes Q-core inflatable mattress (~ 1#) very comfy.

Trying to compare these RTT's to TC's is ridiculous.I look at the way a lot of Folks use these and to me it just seems they are doing their best to avoid the obvious; get a TC! I see Folks parked in private campgrounds, walmarts, NP's, etc...these are not remote 4x4 areas. Not saying some Folks don't use them as intended...but then again...I see plenty of Land Rovers and Jeeps that have never even been in a dirt parking lot. So a lot of Folks make the excuse they have an RTT to run the sahara...but do they? Really?
There is a reason these things are all over craigslist...a rube goldberg contraption if ever there was one!