“These things are just ridiculous,” you might think. Is it really so much better than sleeping on a mattress?
This was me. The Yakima representative at Outdoor Retailer said it honestly to me a few decades ago. He was standing in front of a rooftop tent (RTT), mounted to a pickup. This tent was festooned and parked next a charming pretend camp setup. I can’t remember what he said, except for a smug chuckle. Somebody said “Don’t think it’til it’s tried it.” I thought RTTs were too difficult to attach and take off a roof and far too expensive to be worthwhile.
I was wrong. I was wrong about at least the first two points. We’ll get to that last one in a little.
After that awkward moment with Yakima reps, I was camping with my friend in Big Sur when my mind started to shift. I had just set up my tent and was contemplating the trees when I noticed a woman with a RTT pull up in her wagon. She got out her car and placed a leveling stone on the ground. Then she got out again and nodded. After about 30 seconds, she had removed the RTT covering and rolled the RTT to one side. She moved quickly onto the car’s flooring, reaching for the RTT ladder and walked back about ten to a meter. The tent had unfolded beautifully, now she was ready to go. She quickly locked the rungs in place and was done. In just five minutes, she was standing six feet above ground with cold beer in hand, her feet hanging from the ceiling.
That seemed easy to me. I did the same thing the next morning. I took out my groundcloth and turned my tent upside down to remove any dirt. I then watched as she packed the tent up as well as drive off. It hit me that I understood it. RTTs turn any car into an open-top camper. It was all so simple that I felt like it made sense.
I have tried both the Yakima Skyrise HD and Thule Tepui tents over the years. The Yakima Skyrise HD tent is an insulated tent designed for extreme cold and balmy weather. I also tried the Thule Tpui Low Pro tent. It’s lighter and folds down for wind resistance. Both have been fantastic tents and I’ve converted to RTT camping with them. While you can’t go wrong either way, I think it’s possible to have both. However, I do have a preference that I’ll explain in a moment.
For roof tent hire Scotland, visit Rooftop Campers
They’re almost identical in function. Even though they are nearly identical in terms of functionality, I would not be able to tell the difference from the inside if I was blindfolded while setting them up. The tents unfold using the ladder. Once the ladder is placed, they can be effectively erected. Both tents feature large windows that can easily be closed with a hook and loop system. They also have awnings that are similar to the one shown here.
The entire tent can be covered by a weatherproof covering when it is closed up for transport. The Yakima and Thule covers are the same, with a zipper-velcro system. While it might seem like it will be difficult to put the tent back into the cover after it has been installed, it is actually very easy.
The Yakima Skyrise HD 3
Both tents have foam pads. They are attached to the tent and fold down with it when it is closed. The Yakima’s pad measures 2.5 inches thicker than the Thule, which has a 2-inch pad. Both are luxurious and feel far more luxurious than a standard ground camp sleeping pad.
That’s what you get when you buy a RTT. Luxury. These RTTs offer comfort that is unmatched by ground camping. The foam pad covers the entire tent floor and feels just like a bed at home. You won’t be able to track dirt in the tent if your shoes are off. This is a great feeling after a few days of camping. You’ll be able to use your knees and back to reach the tent without having to bend down and stoop as you would on the ground.
If I’m going to be traveling a bit, I leave my blankets or sleeping bag in the RTT. When the tent is closed, they fold up with it.
Also, campsite availability can change drastically. Although you cannot level the ground beneath you when camping on the ground you can bring along some leveling blocks to level your vehicle. You can have a beautiful campsite if your vehicle fits on the ground.
With a RTT, there’s something about sitting high above the ground with your legs free. You can’t beat that.