Touring - Roof Top Tent Vs Oz Trail Tourer

[fatcat]

Hi Guys,

Next year we are going to the Simpson in winter, for 2 weeks. We are thinking about taking a Roof top tent, with the bottom tent area.

i already have a OZtrail - Tourer 9 Plus that is very easy and quick to set up and comes with a big bag to pack it into.

so my question is which one is easer and better overall, how hard to unzip the roof top tent over the roof and get it set up and back down VS the Tourer and stretches for the kids and having to pack and tie down most of it each morning.

i do like the idea of a rooftop tent in the way that all the bedding gear will be packed and tied down on the roof.

[Robmacca]

We did the Simpson back in 2012 and there was 5 of us in the car. We used the Darche Safari Ext Tent which is similar to the tent u quoted. We all slept on self inflating mattresses and this worked well and setup/packup was quick and easy.... I think the touring tent would be much quicker to pack and setup than your RTT and the annexe area underneath.....
I guess u can always do a test to see which one is quicker....


rob

[DiscoMick]

People used both rooftops and tents on our Simpson trip and both seemed fine. We put up our awning with walls and used stretchers and swags. One morning we awoke to find a snake had gone under both our stretchers chasing something. There is a lot of active wildlife at night. So make sure you zip the tent.

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[weeds]

It pretty chilly out there in winter.....I'm not sure you will be able to fold the roof top up will all the bedding in it....

As rain is unlikely we swaged it and carried a tourer just incase. Swags can roll up fully made including pillows, PJ, touch etc. but swag will be another expense.

[DI5CO]

I had an ARB style rtt and now have the James Baroud. PITA to set up and pack up the flip over style tents. If your in a spot for 2 days or more and want to explore its a pain to have to pack up etc. the Hard roof tent is literally 3 mins to pack up and 30 seconds to set up.

[mikehzz]

Odds are that you will use the RTT for the 2 weeks then it will sit in a shed gathering dust. They are a pain to take on and off the car and a real load to carry around permanently. They are also a pain if you are camping in the one spot for several days and want to go driving. You already have the other tent, save your money.

[Robmacca]

I had an ARB style rtt and now have the James Baroud. .

I often wonder what these ones are like in bad weather.... Like there's no protection getting in or out; there's no protection over the windows so u can't have them open a little bit during bad weather.... For the price they ask the only advantage is the time saving in packup/setup which is a BIG one when touring....

[DiscoMick]

Odds are that you will use the RTT for the 2 weeks then it will sit in a shed gathering dust. They are a pain to take on and off the car and a real load to carry around permanently. They are also a pain if you are camping in the one spot for several days and want to go driving. You already have the other tent, save your money.

Yep, we thought the same. Relatives bought a RTT a while back, used it once, it sat in the shed for ages and they eventually sold it. Awning, stretcher and swag were very comfortable for us and quick to use, as well as a lot cheaper. We've since used them several times on other trips, when we couldn't take our camper. Our kids and friends have also used them. When not needed they simply live in the shed and we're not driving around with a RTT on the roof.
I do recommnend buying stretchers, they make camping so much more comfortable than sleeping on the ground.

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[mikehzz]

I've been using a stretcher tent similar to the Oztent bunker for around 3 years now and very happy with it. Sit it under the car awning and it's great.

[DiscoMick]

I've been using a stretcher tent similar to the Oztent bunker for around 3 years now and very happy with it. Sit it under the car awning and it's great.

Yes I've looked at the bunker ones which seem very good, but they're almost $500, which is a bit pricey.

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[mikehzz]

Mine's the Oztrail version at around $200. The fabric is very light so if I replaced it I'd go the bunker. I've seen them down near $400.