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RTT, Campershell, vs Pop top Camper

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by Skey44, Jun 27, 2019.

  1. Jun 27, 2019 at 7:56 AM
    #1
    Skey44

    Skey44 [OP] GreenvilleOverland

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    Hello Tundras!
    I’ve seen various threads showing off these beautiful functional camping modifications, but have not seen a specific pro/con thread on these. I have a couple of preconceived notions in my head about each, but would love to get your advice and experience. I started a savings account yesterday dedicated to achieving this mod in the next 3-5 years ($300/month)!
    I am initially considering a Go Fast Camper vs Four Wheel Camper (probably optioned out shell) vs roof rack and bed rack with decked system +RTT setup. I plan to camp on the weekends, do dirt gravel roads (no difficult wheeling), maybe do an extended trip with my wife and daughter+ future baby nugget. We pack moderately, and we can fit everything in 2 large duffels, 1 Plano box, and 3 personal backpacks. This includes our tent. An example trip is we are headed to Jefferson NF, Shenandoah NP and DC from Greenville SC to visit the grandparents for Labor Day.
    My friends are embarking on a North America, South American odyssey this month and they have a GFC on their Tacoma. So I’ve seen this option in person and look forward to seeing other options over the next few years to compare.
    Please include some pics to keep it interesting and spark ideas, but I’m really looking for the pro/con item for each of these setups. We are currently camping on the ground, but my wife has an ant phobia. This is the spark to move above ground and limit the little critters access to our bedroom!
    I am also willing to add airbags and springs to compensate for weight. We have a 2019 SR5 Crewmax Off-road.
    Thanks for the input!
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  2. Jun 27, 2019 at 8:38 AM
    #2
    monaco730

    monaco730 New Member

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    My wife and I love the RTT. The only complaint we have with RTT is that if you are in a campsite for multiple nights and you want to roam around, you can't leave the spot without packing up the tent, thus losing your spot. So we bring a small ground tent to setup to keep our spot :)
     
    4x4_Angel, jewsNbrews and Skey44[OP] like this.
  3. Jun 27, 2019 at 8:44 AM
    #3
    Skey44

    Skey44 [OP] GreenvilleOverland

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    I think the other two options are faster/easier to erect and take down. The problem you describe would probably be true for all three. How long does it take you to setup/take down? My immediate thought is a bug screen /shade shelter would be a good place holder?
     
  4. Jun 27, 2019 at 8:45 AM
    #4
    Skey44

    Skey44 [OP] GreenvilleOverland

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    Just my preconceived notion of setup time
     
  5. Jun 27, 2019 at 8:46 AM
    #5
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    The camper shell camping is pretty much for you. The wife and kids are probably not going to want to get in there.
     
  6. Jun 27, 2019 at 8:46 AM
    #6
    Skey44

    Skey44 [OP] GreenvilleOverland

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    Do you run your RTT on a bed rack? What’s your bed setup? I’m thinking the RTT would have the most storage options bc the bed would all be storage with a 10-14” bed rack.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  7. Jun 27, 2019 at 8:46 AM
    #7
    monaco730

    monaco730 New Member

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    it takes less than ten minutes to setup/takedown the RTT. It's like clockwork after a few times.
     
  8. Jun 27, 2019 at 8:47 AM
    #8
    monaco730

    monaco730 New Member

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    I have a decked system in the back.
     
  9. Jun 27, 2019 at 8:47 AM
    #9
    Skey44

    Skey44 [OP] GreenvilleOverland

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    cool, thanks for the input. What brand is your RTT?
     
  10. Jun 27, 2019 at 8:47 AM
    #10
    Skey44

    Skey44 [OP] GreenvilleOverland

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    Ooo camper +rtt+decked. Man, your setup is beautiful! Thanks for showing off
     
  11. Jun 27, 2019 at 8:48 AM
    #11
    monaco730

    monaco730 New Member

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  12. Jun 27, 2019 at 8:50 AM
    #12
    NoRcptn

    NoRcptn Better than mediocre poster

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  13. Jun 27, 2019 at 8:53 AM
    #13
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    RCI offers a 18" bed rack for even more storage/clearance.
     
  14. Jun 27, 2019 at 9:03 AM
    #14
    Skey44

    Skey44 [OP] GreenvilleOverland

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    Really liking the decked, camper shell, RTT combos. Makes sense for the security, sleeping arrangements, and storage options this provides.
     
  15. Jun 27, 2019 at 9:04 AM
    #15
    Skey44

    Skey44 [OP] GreenvilleOverland

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    Guessing the hardshell RTT are easier to raise and lower.
     
  16. Jun 27, 2019 at 9:31 AM
    #16
    fundra_goes_west

    fundra_goes_west I’m just a guy with a girl

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    Yes and substantially more expensive. The major complaint in hard shells that I find is the cases chipping and cracking. That being said we are going with a James Baroud which has a 5 yr warranty in the case.
     
  17. Jun 27, 2019 at 9:31 AM
    #17
    pbcolt

    pbcolt New Member

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    I have used a ground tent, camper shell + decked, bed rack and RTT and now have a GFC on order. My wife keeps reminding me there is no perfect solution, but I keep trying to find one.

    Ground tent is great if you can find a flat/comfortable spot. It does sleep colder than being up in the air and I like camping in the snow/cold. Using an air bed or backpacking sleeping pad is not nearly as comfortable as having a real mattress like you get with a RTT.

    Bed rack/RTT is a good option, RTT's can get pretty flappy in the wind. The take down if you want to go somewhere isn't that big of a deal, 10 min or so once you get the hang of it. Bed racks either leave you where you can't put tall things in the bed of your truck or they put the RTT a mile in the air. Getting a dog up like we do or middle of the night "trips" up and down a wet/slick ladder get annoying.

    Camper shell + Decked/sleeping platform is wind/weather-proof, but you can't sit up in bed and with 3 people it might start to get tight. You also need to take stuff out of the truck to make room to sleep inside. That part was annoying.

    I don't have the GFC yet, but I'm sure there will be pros and cons when I get it.
     
    sdde4n likes this.
  18. Jun 27, 2019 at 10:11 AM
    #18
    Outbound

    Outbound SSEM #2.5, Token AmeriCanadian

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    The downside to RTT and the like is what do you do when the weather goes to crap for a few days? Our last trip saw 4 days of rain and snow. Not very relaxing stuck in a tent you can't stand up in or being huddled under a tarp next to a smoldering fire.

    We're looking at something like a Springbar tent. Fast set up and it has the room to have cots, chairs and a small table inside if the weather goes bad on us.

    Mind you, we don't really do the camp for one night then move on thing very often since our trips revolve around fishing. For the short trips of 1 or 2 nights our MSR Elixir 3 ground tent is good enough.
     
  19. Jun 27, 2019 at 10:25 AM
    #19
    DECKEDUSA

    DECKEDUSA New Member Vendor

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    Thats a good looking setup! We'd love to see how you have the back of your pickup packed up.
     
    Skey44[OP] likes this.
  20. Jun 27, 2019 at 11:07 AM
    #20
    Skey44

    Skey44 [OP] GreenvilleOverland

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    Totally agree on storage areas and organization pics and comments!
     
  21. Jun 27, 2019 at 11:43 AM
    #21
    Grendel

    Grendel New Member

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    This was our initial set up 97D03112-4C46-4D1D-ACB7-83D6DE6F5F27.jpg75E64A11-127E-40DA-A8CF-B00748EB3EE3.jpg now we have this because we got tired of setting up and taking down

    4B44641A-4368-47E8-A073-DDA8C76FFC43.jpg 6CE0C3A2-C0E4-49AD-8217-53A4962F65B6.jpg E073EB1E-81ED-498F-8ED1-1FAB8393099F.jpg
     
  22. Jun 27, 2019 at 12:40 PM
    #22
    Prostar 190

    Prostar 190 SSEM #9 I would rather be water skiing

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    Nice outfit.
     
  23. Jun 27, 2019 at 1:23 PM
    #23
    Tundra Fan

    Tundra Fan Got 17's?

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    :drool::drool::jellydance::jellydance:
     
  24. Jun 27, 2019 at 7:47 PM
    #24
    Inferno AZ TRD

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    Awesome setup...."Hello, Mr. Banker...I need to start another savings account"
     
    JNorman84 and Fiestee23 like this.
  25. Jun 28, 2019 at 4:19 AM
    #25
    Skey44

    Skey44 [OP] GreenvilleOverland

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    Or with my $300/month I’ll maybe be able to afford that setup by 2033 :/
     
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  26. Jun 28, 2019 at 5:12 AM
    #26
    myt1

    myt1 New Member

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    I love the trailer, except for the having to tow it part.

    I really don't want a rig that will limit my mobility.

    I have driven numerous four wheel drive roads going over mountain passes in Colorado, Engineer Pass is a typical example, where I have to make several adjustments to my line to get around hairpin turns just in my truck.

    I can't imagine having to do that with a trailer.

    Also, if one is camping mainly in the summer, just use a tent.

    The only time some of these really nice rigs are needed is in the spring and fall when it can get really cold.

    I've woken up in the back of my shell with the temperatures in the single digits. I turn on my space heater and I fire up my stove and make coffee. I can't imagine doing that in a RTT.
     
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  27. Jun 28, 2019 at 5:22 AM
    #27
    Skey44

    Skey44 [OP] GreenvilleOverland

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    Looks awesome! I am specifically looking to keep it self contained in/on the Tundra. Thanks for sharing.
     
  28. Jun 28, 2019 at 5:42 AM
    #28
    Skey44

    Skey44 [OP] GreenvilleOverland

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    As I mentioned earlier my wife’s ant phobia is a big reason we plan to sleep off the ground. It gives me justification to mod the truck with pre-approval from the finance manager. We are ground tent camping for now and enjoying it!
     
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  29. Jun 28, 2019 at 5:45 AM
    #29
    xtyfighterx

    xtyfighterx New Member

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    Love my rtt. Easy to set up and take Down. I’m using smittybilt Overlander paid $700 shipped to my door no complaints:

    Also will have an air mattress setup inside my shell.
     
  30. Jun 28, 2019 at 5:49 AM
    #30
    xtyfighterx

    xtyfighterx New Member

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    05434591-38E0-48CC-99A9-FC1E8523745A.jpg
    On bed bars here. I’ll be transferring it to my canopy once I build my rack.
     

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