Recommendations for a CHEAP roof tent?

[Kielly]

I'm going to be very honest, I'm a very cheap person and I think $2000 for a popup tent is ridiculous .

I've switched to working a 7x7 rotation with my job recently which allows me a lot more time this summer to visit trails all around this beautiful province. I've been looking at a few trails that would definitely require an overnight stay.

Two things about me, I sleep in campers, not tents; I'm absolutely terrified over the though of a grizzly or even black bear sneaking up on me in a tent. Only possible way you'd get me to sleep in a tent peacefully is if it's on the roof of my truck.

I don't plan on using it a lot, at all. If I had to guess, 2-3 times a year max, which is why I want to go as cheap as possible.

Anyone know of any brands that have any for the 4th gen that are cheap cheap? I don't want $2000 quality. I dont even like the look of them, and would be storing it away when not planning on using.

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[MERAKIAUTOWORKS]

Following.

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[Duck Amuck]

Donut did a video on cheap offroad stuff, including a tent. Might give some insight.



I'm sure I saw another video directly comparing a cheap vs. expensive RTT, but I can't remember the channel.

 

[Kielly]

Donut did a video on cheap offroad stuff, including a tent. Might give some insight.



I'm sure I saw another video directly comparing a cheap vs. expensive RTT, but I can't remember the channel.

Thanks! I'll do some digging.

 

[Luke]

I'm going to be very honest, I'm a very cheap person and I think $2000 for a popup tent is ridiculous .

I've switched to working a 7x7 rotation with my job recently which allows me a lot more time this summer to visit trails all around this beautiful province. I've been looking at a few trails that would definitely require an overnight stay.

Two things about me, I sleep in campers, not tents; I'm absolutely terrified over the though of a grizzly or even black bear sneaking up on me in a tent. Only possible way you'd get me to sleep in a tent peacefully is if it's on the roof of my truck.

I don't plan on using it a lot, at all. If I had to guess, 2-3 times a year max, which is why I want to go as cheap as possible.

Anyone know of any brands that have any for the 4th gen that are cheap cheap? I don't want $2000 quality. I dont even like the look of them, and would be storing it away when not planning on using.

I'm going to be very honest, I'm a very cheap person and I think $2000 for a popup tent is ridiculous .

I've switched to working a 7x7 rotation with my job recently which allows me a lot more time this summer to visit trails all around this beautiful province. I've been looking at a few trails that would definitely require an overnight stay.

Two things about me, I sleep in campers, not tents; I'm absolutely terrified over the though of a grizzly or even black bear sneaking up on me in a tent. Only possible way you'd get me to sleep in a tent peacefully is if it's on the roof of my truck.

I don't plan on using it a lot, at all. If I had to guess, 2-3 times a year max, which is why I want to go as cheap as possible.

Anyone know of any brands that have any for the 4th gen that are cheap cheap? I don't want $2000 quality. I dont even like the look of them, and would be storing it away when not planning on using.

Take a look at https://www.ironman4x4.com/products/cross-1200-rooftop-tent. $999 USD, great quality materials and super comfy.

 

[doritotaco]

I really like my Arb flinders. I got it for $1,100 shipped to my door. I’ve spent at least 30 nights total in it. i’ve replaced the mattress with a king camp and haven’t looked back. it’s the slimmest i’ve found available at only 8” when closed.

 

[john170950]

Is it just for you / one person?
If you're not really tall I'll bet you could make a sleeping platform on the passenger side by removing the front and rear passenger seats.

 

[Kielly]

I really like my Arb flinders. I got it for $1,100 shipped to my door. I’ve spent at least 30 nights total in it. i’ve replaced the mattress with a king camp and haven’t looked back. it’s the slimmest i’ve found available at only 8” when closed.

I see you have it mounted to your bed rack. I'm oblivious on how these things install I assume it's more of a universal fit, bed rack, roof rails, etc?

 

[Kielly]

Is it just for you / one person?
If you're not really tall I'll bet you could make a sleeping platform on the passenger side by removing the front and rear passenger seats.

That's a tempting option! If I knew I was heading out for a couple days solo I'd definitely consider going through the pain of removing both but realistically it's fair for me to assume any adventure I go on I may have a passenger with me for the ride.

More than likely they'd have their own ground tent, but seating would be a headache lol.

Wish I didn't have to settle on the short bed to get the manual transmission, I'd just do what my buddy does. Buy a hard tonneau cover and sleep under that lol.

 

[doritotaco]

I see you have it mounted to your bed rack. I'm oblivious on how these things install I assume it's more of a universal fit, bed rack, roof rails, etc?

Yes sir, i believe all of them come with universal mounting clamps. i mounted mine with 6 T bolts and haven’t had any issues. i’m not exactly the easiest on my truck either, it seems some high speed off-roading

 

[jsuber]

23Zero has sales and I own the Peregrine 270 6 pole awning Their soft tops are less than 2k. Also check out 4x4 Colorado and most good RTT cost 2k or more. I own about 12 tents from a 17 oz Zpacks tent to a 60 lb Oztent in a 75” long Alubox. I just got tired of spending two hours setting up camp so I bought a 4x4 Colorado when they won me over from buying a 23 Zero. Alucab makes a nice tent too. If you are 5’10” or less then there are a lot of clamshell options.

 

[Pappy]

Shop around for a Smittybilt 2783. Keep in mind that the tent is half the equation. You also need a way to mount the tent. That usually involves a rack of some kind, either on the roof of the cab, or in the bed. Those racks can cost as much as the tent, though you should be able to get a bed rack in the $800 range.

I will warn you. Roof tents are addictive, and you will want to get out more. I used a ground tent for 4 decades. I came to the conclusion that ground tents suck after installing my roof tent 6 years ago. I have almost 300 nights in my roof tent, and I'm not going back.

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