Anyone have an overhead tent for camping?

Thinking about something like this, however, open to suggestions.

https://tuffstuff4x4.com/products/tuff-stuff-r-overland-roof-top-tent-annex-room


Not sure what it takes to install this. Are there permanent mounts that need to be in place?

 

plenty of guys running them. Has pros and cons. TuffStuff usually runs black friday sales so I would wait if you think of buying.

 

I have a Smittybuilt XL RTT mounted on top of a Snugtop Shell; I built a rack and an internal "bed bar" type reinforcement structure on the underside of shell/topper to distribute the weight of RTT down into the bed rails. So far it has held up well on trails up and down into Big Bear. Quality on the Smitty built RTT seems to be equivalent to some of the other brands at a much lower cost-about half $.

 

I'm wondering about the base for the tent. Do they sell these too? And, what about catwalks, they sell those too?

 

Base of RTT is a set of "Rails" and Ublots that attach to an existing rack or crossbar set up. You will need some type of "heavy Duty" crossbar to attach the Ubolts to.

 

Ok. Where do I buy this?

 

What exactly are you attaching to; cab, bed, shell? This will determine what type of base you'll need.

 

I'm thinking of putting it in the bed, however, I heard they can take away the use of your bed when not tent camping. I wonder if there is a system that would allow you to easily drop this frame/tent into place. Or, would I have to make my own? I'm thinking maybe aluminum extrusion.

 

KBVoodoo 18” bed rack and Tepui Roof Top Tent with a Decked system in bed.

 

Here's a thread that I found to be informative
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ermbs-d-i-y-rack-system-build.433500/
I would say Bed Bars for over the Bed application would be a good route for you. Many options on these...Relntless/Voodoo/RagoFab
https://www.tundras.com/threads/rel...a-bed-bars-perfect-for-rtt-hi-lift-etc.34094/
You might Fab your own set up with extruded Aluminum or Steel, I actually used Unistrut.
Usually takes 2 people to set into place as my tents base is 76"x 48" closed. 4 "Ubolt" type fixtures attach under support rails(attached to base of RTT) to crossbars or Bed Bars. I hope this makes sense.

 

You have many options. I went with RCI Rack with Tepui Ayer2 RTT. REI usually has 20% off 1 items sales every once in a while and RCI has similar sales for holiday's too.

 

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/smittybilt-overlander-xl-roof-top-tent-coyote-tan-2883/_/R-DSBP-2883
4WP NO TAX SALE righ now. I picked this up for $899/no tax and free shipping 6 months ago from 4WP
Sleeps myself, wife and 2 kids comfortably.

 

Joshua Tree?

 

Yes, on Mojave Rd

 

Do you leave roof top tent on your truck year round?

 

Nope. I have it on a dolley stored in the garage.

 

Haha.... I think you misunderstood his question. Mojave Road and Joshua Tree are two separate locations. I believe your shot was taken in the New York Mountains along the Mojave Road.

 

Ah. I thought he was asking if that was a Joshua Tree hahah.

I'm 80% sure the 2nd photo was not New York Mountains. This photo was just a few miles off of Mojave Rd that me and my friend found off of the main Mojave Rd.

The first photo was camp in New York Mountains.

 

Wow those are expensive I think I will stick with my normal tent.

 

Tis "all -Good" my bay area buddy.


Love me some Mojave Road!!

 

If you have a garage with decent clearance you could buy a hoist to mount to the garage ceiling. I believe the bed rails detach pretty easily and you then could lift the rack and tent off as one unit and leave hanging from your garage ceiling. I had a Harken hoist that I used to lift the roof off of my jeep and then would leave the roof hanging for months at a time. Not sure of the weight of the tent/rack and if the Harken would do the job but if not there are other options.

I am looking at adding a Decked system as well as bed rails and a RTT once I get spending approval and will install a system to lift the rails/rtt off if I need too. May be a while though my wife seems to think my son's college tuition is more important.

 

Is there a reason one would go this route vs. a conventional tent on the ground? I'm trying to make sense of it as I do go camping regularly with the truck but have never thought much past trying an air mattress in the bed to sleep under the stars.

 

It's all about the ease and convenience of being able to set up and break down camp quickly. In most camping scenarios your truck bed is loaded with gear, so you would need to unpack everything before you can set up that air mattress, and then you'd have to put everything away before you can get going again. And that's not to mention the protection from the elements. An RTT setup is a lot more expensive though, obviously.