RTT, Campershell, vs Pop top Camper

I can see where RTTs make sense if you want to wilderness camp anyplace your 4WD can take you. Otherwise, for family camping in places a family sedan could drive, they appear to be an unnecessarily complicated and time-consuming setup. JMO from my old-guy perspective.

Back in the day, my family camping was more mundane...state parks plus with water and electric supplied campsites. Bought an old StarCraft pop-up used in good condition for $1200. Sold it after a couple years (moved up to 19' TT) for the same price. Quick hitch-up, easy low-profile tow, quick set-up, quick knock-down, park it and unhitch and you're done with until next camping trip. Gear storage in the center aisle.

Be careful of "mission creep" in buying expensive equipment that exceeds your immediate purpose. Get in cheap (used), see if you (and your family) like it, then move up to equipment you need/desire. You may find you and family really want a built-in bathroom with a shower, plus air conditioning...then you can spend a sh*t-load of money.

 

So far for me I love the RTT, it's on bedbars so the RTT sits pretty level with cab. Have a shower on board and use bins for storage. Totally self contained on truck. Setup and takedown, take no time, I do it myself and tend to move after a nite maybe 2. RTT is Smittybuilt. It withstood heavy winds and rain.
I collect rocks so lots of storage left in bed!

Also have a cap with rack on top, use a air mattress. Have wood shelf that goes across top of bed rails for storage. Was ok but lost storage when mattress set up. Also truck didnt fit in alot of places because of added height of rack on cap. Not that it fits in many places anyhow.

Than I also tow a camper if I am planning a few nites in one place. Love the option of leaving the camper and having RTT for places the camper cant go.

 

Denise rocks it like a BA style!!

 

I almost bought a 4 wheel camper in 2014. But I decided to do an RTT instead. Lighter and more compact so I can truly explore. I'll get a full size RV later on down the road for more comfortable trips on asphalt.

I can deploy my tent in under 3 min, I've timed myself. I also have a custom rack that lift up so I can access my gear. The tent is a James Baroud Horizon Vision, 88 lbs. I ditched the mattress and put in a Exped Megamat DUO 10 LW+. Damn thing is more comfortable than the mattress in my bedroom.

I have an ARB awning for shade and light rain. I also have the ARB annex room that connects to the awning if I want an 8'x8' room for really bad weather. I've had it for years and I've never used it haha

Here's some pics, let me know if you have any questions:

 

Love the pictures!!!

 

Nice setup Mike. I was wondering how you negotiate the weight capacity for the RTT on the camper shell. I know some shells have a reinforced option and obviously at a static state it should be able to hold more weight. Also with the RTT being cantilevered to the side, not all the weight is being distributed solely on the camper shell when deployed. Just want to hear your experiences with an RTT on top of camper shell for both on the road and when deployed. I've been wanting to go this route too and just figured weight limits vs safety on, off, and deployed conditions. Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

Cheers

Tin

 

I could never get enough of seeing this rig!!! The epitome of taking Bad Ass to another level!

 

If you're looking for something cheap to get you off the ground while you save for the camper or rtt, get a bed tent. I've had a couple of these Guide Gear tents and they're super easy to set up and under $100. Tons of room inside too. I want to build an RTT trailer so I don't have to break camp if I want to drive somewhere, but this works pretty well in the meantime.

 

Thanks guys for all the helpful information! Lots to think about, good to consider what I really need before I overspend and end up with more than I need or the wrong thing. We are going to continue to ground camp and research and have keep a fluid dialogue of our needs as we go.

 

Love seeing your bad a setups. I do plan on this being a mild build and prefer my truck to be mostly stock besides essential mods needed for whatever direction we go in.

 

What model bed tent is that? Looks like a nice setup.

 

Yea, i've had no issues with it.

Guide Gear Truck Tent for Camping, Hunting, Tents for Pickup Trucks, Fits Truck Bed Length 79-81", Waterproof Rainfly Included, Sleeps 2

https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Gear-F...ide+gear+tent&qid=1561770187&s=gateway&sr=8-1

 

Wow, all these pics have me stoked to get the Tundra on par with some of you guys! Monaco, what type of roof rack do you have? I ask as I may be in the market as we just but an ez up bug gazebo and the packed length is 72” (not gonna fit in the bed or cab). I would like whatever rack I get to be reliable and possibly repurposed if whichever route I go.

 

Frontrunner outfitters

 

I asked all the weight questions when setting this up so I forget numbers but I'm all good. I've had no issues with weight. I do not have the reinforced topper.

 

Leaning towards one of the campers with built in wedge style tent currently. Glad this review came out to clear up the mud. Hopefully there will be more brands available and updated designs in a few years when I have saved enough $$$. But at this moment I’d be leaning towards the Vagabond Nomad, which won the full size editors choice. https://expeditionportal.com/the-off-road-wedge-camper-shootout/

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/the-fundra-2018-tundra-four-wheel-hawk.48928/

I seen this setup and I fell in love. @epicxcrider can you chime in about your setup. Do u like it? Pros and cons?

It's not cheap by any means bit seems like the right option for me. I'll go in the dirt but not fly, I would still be able to tow my boat, and seems roomy.

 

I dig this too... Seems like a happy medium

 

Wow, thanks for linking that thread. Gives me a good idea of what mine would look like with a FWC. Even the same color truck as mine!

 

Not to thread jack, but I researched toppers for a few months and just got my ARE MX HD installed yesterday. Love the setup, 500lb dynamic weight rating for the built in cross bars (more like 750lb from what dealer said... underrated heavily) and internal frame bracing so the load is sitting on the bed sides, not the shell roof. Getting my RTT delivered soon!!!

 

I'm driving up to Scottsbluff, NE to pick up a near new 2015 ARE MX for $425 on Saturday. I'm still into ground tent camping but a topper comes in handy. Will get a full BedRug. Want to see your setup when you are done

 

Wow, that’s a GREAT price for an MX! I was never going to find the HD in Cavalry Blue used, so mine ran $2550 with some options I added (LED lighting, windoor on pass side, slider/flip up front window, etc).

The bed rug is great, that’s what I went with too, highly recommend it!

 

friend of mine from Washington state was in town show me theirs, I go awesome! going to put one on!!! until I saw the price!! shop in California make a them!! $18,000

 

I was somewhat stunned when I saw that MX for $450. I offered $425 and seller accepted. An HD version would be nice. Downside...it's Barcelona Red. I may get it color matched at some point. It's a 3 hour drive each way to get it but totally worth it. I need a road trip anyways. I found a full BedRug for my 07 Tundra for $200 on Craigslist. Near new. I'm looking again. Can't beat the BedRug!

 

How has the shell done with holding that weight? My ARE topper is old and I've seen guys report theirs cracked after installing a RTT.

 

Zero problems.

 

Mind sharing what mounting system you use? I'd like to check it out.

 

I have the ARE V-Series topper. Frontrunner Outfitters Rack.