Don’t Spend Money on a RTT - Roof Top Tent VS Ground Tent - 4Runner Overlanding Build

[@serendipityguy]

Great Scientific Data with your Testing Steve! I agree with your suggestion and went with a couple Roam 95 L cases and love my Gazelle T-HEX HUB TENT OVERLAND EDITION that can be pop up in 90 seconds. Great video and looking forward to more of your Scientific Researching, Testing & Data 🙂

[@aired-downoverland9239]

Thx Camilo. Agree the Gazelle is an awesome tent. I throw a thin blanket over the top mesh, but under the rain fly, when it’s really cold; it helps hold in some heat. More videos coming, the science takes a long time 😂🙌

[@fliguy41]

I went out hunting in the Rocky Mountains and Utah with a friend of mine that had a rooftop tent. The weather dropped down to about 8° that night well guess who was trying to crawl in my tent cause he got cold😂😂😂 he sold his roof top tent and purchased a Kodiak canvas tent.

[@aired-downoverland9239]

LOVE IT!!! Some people love them, and that’s great for them, they’re just not on my need list. 🙌

[@fliguy41]

@@aired-downoverland9239 I like being able to have a kitchen cot and heater in my tent and also standing up to change cloths. Honestly, it’s quite shocking how people would rather spend over $4000 on equipment for their truck but I guess over landing to me these days is just seems like a lot of driving around and not actually enjoying the wilderness for what it is. Compared to probably the $1300 total I have in my entire camping set up. People just seem to be always be in a hurry. Complaining about how long it takes to set up a tent for convenience not comfort. Well I go to the wilderness to take in what I’ll never find in the city. I’m not impressed by somebody’s vehicle. What impresses me is people survival skills out in the woods because what are they gonna do when their expensive precious inspector gadget vehicle breaks down? Climb inside their rooftop tent and cry because they have no cell phone service.

[@Chubbydippin]

This segment should be a model for all segments to follow. How refreshing to Not hear the words "like" and "super" in every sentence. Might I suggest wearing a white lab coat for future endeavors in such NASA level science experimentation. Not everyone has unlimited funds. Spending more on the rig when money is tight makes way more sense. The back and forth between you 2 brothers is perfect for representing both sides of the 'ribling sivalry' coin. It would be fun to see and hear you 2 compare a high end RTT vs. a Boony Stomper. Good stuff!! Couldn't help but think of the 1980's Thomas Dolby video with the old guy yelling "SCIENCE!" Thanks for your thoughts and opinions in a lighthearted yet practical way. Look forward to more content delivered the right way.

[@aired-downoverland9239]

Thank you. We have fun making the videos, but always try to share done useful information. We’ve talked about doing a detailed Tent comparison and probably will sometime in the future. We have many ideas and not enough time 😏

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

I am 62 I go hunting with my wife in Idaho Colorado and Montana. We use non heated tents just use cold weather tents and down bags we always did great until my wife got Raynauds so we don’t go hunting anymore just warmer weather camping in a tent . It is rough getting in and out but not horrible. Great video

[@aired-downoverland9239]

You’re still getting out, and that is what’s important. 🙌

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

@@aired-downoverland9239 👊🏻👍🏻

[@OverlandPNW]

Great topic. I slept inside the vehicle on the first few trips after I bought my 4Runner. I love my RTT at night but its not my best friend during the day on technical trails. Of the two 4Runners in this video, the white one with the RTT is by far the most legit and coolest. Has the silver one ever been off road?

[@aired-downoverland9239]

Haha, I love a good soft-reader comment 😂 🙌

[@LikeOnATree]

😂😂😂

[@EatCarbs]

I like those roof top tents.. but crawling out in the middle of the night to answer the call of nature.. seems like a real pain. Thanks for the video

[@aired-downoverland9239]

I agree 100%!!! 🙌

[@richardmason4705]

Noticed the Gerber gear So I hit play My wife works for Gerber. Love your scientific approach to testing

[@aired-downoverland9239]

Based on your last name I believe I know your wife; she’s among my favorite people at work. 🙌

[@richardmason4705]

@@aired-downoverland9239 Maybe we’ll see you out on the trail sometime? 2022 white tundra with a bed top tent.

[@aired-downoverland9239]

@@richardmason4705 Abdolutely

[@adventurelifesam9357]

Really can’t beat a hardshell RTT for quick camping set-ups, best to keep weight off the top of a dedicated trail rig though. If I was going to stay in the same spot a while, then I would want a tent big enough to stand in, like a canvas wall tent. RTT on my overland tacoma build, no RTT on my jeep off road build!

[@aired-downoverland9239]

Solid argument Sam

[@aired-downoverland9239]

Unfortunately it was a one time project and not something he does on the side. I did add the Victory 4x4 steel/flat cross rails to mine; they open up mounting options.

[@sisyphus883]

John's the betterbro. It's definitely a waste of space for just a few packs.

[@aired-downoverland9239]

His ego will appreciate your vote 😄🙌

[@jobean5073]

To each their own

[@KTMcaptain]

I got my RTT, Ironman hardshell ikamper knock off for 25% off, like $1600 thereabouts last year. I bought bed bars for $300 last year. A good quality tent and rack aren’t going to be far off in that price, and I keep my bedding in the tent so it’s reducing a lot of the needed cargo space. Plus it’s far far better in the wind and cold.

[@aired-downoverland9239]

I would classify that as do'n it right!

[@rogueyota]

Steve, you are clearly the better brother; look what you put up with. 😜 RTT vs ground tent? RTT for mud-free and stowing the bedding. Ground tent for low cost, easy entry/exit and being able to stand up. I’m just not made of money and have to prioritize my upgrades.

[@aired-downoverland9239]

Smart man Dan, smart man. Your points are all valid 👍🏻🙌

[@danielemmons3513]

John is the better brother! I think a trailer and tent is the option for me.

[@OverlandPNW]

Yes to a trailer and tent! That would be the premier set up for sure!

[@off-roadingexplained8417]

I think the main problem with those gas cans on the roof is that they're getting blasted by the sun and if it's a hot enough climate ... I don't know what happens to those things...

[@aired-downoverland9239]

No issues thus far…That I’ve noticed. Exterior cans of any type are going to allow heat transfer; I think dark metal cans are most susceptible. I should have also stated, I’m not advocating for storage up top, it just works for my current setup. In the future I will be running a C4 rear bumper, and my Rotopax will move to the back. I want my roof as empty as possible. Adventure on! 🙌

[@TuanNguyen-ld8kl]

Agreed. That would not work for me. I have to depressurize my 4 gallon rotopax every trip. Laying flat on the roof with the summer sun beating down on it would cause some serious swelling especially with elevation change.

[@aired-downoverland9239]

@@Dorn-Dvinn I was just in AZ ( not with the 4Runner) and yes, much hotter there. I’ve had no issues with this set-up in the past two years.

[@aired-downoverland9239]

@@Dorn-Dvinn Go to Rotopax Instagram, you’ll find plenty of vehicles with roof mounted gas. The sun hits the rear and sides of your vehicle as well. All comments are welcome, but the mfr does it, I’ve done it for 2.5 years, all without issue.

[@aired-downoverland9239]

@@Dorn-Dvinn Is a solar farm oriented with horizontal panels, or are they at an angle directed toward the afternoon sun? Is the sun always straight up in the sky or does it move horizon to horizon? Is Rotopax an expert at designing gas storage and mounting or…

[@billgreen6963]

Jon's the better brother. In every episode, Jon keeps showing Steve that he can take his 4Runner (complete with an RTT on top) over all the same tough trails that Steve tackles. To play fair, Steve should put 200 extra pounds on his roof :)

[@rogueyota]

Something tells me Steve put rocks in Jon’s backpack growing up

[@aired-downoverland9239]

You know I did 😈

[@aired-downoverland9239]

If only Jon would let me film the number of times I had to pull him out, drive for him, or spot through a patch of gravel 😂

[@rogueyota]

@@aired-downoverland9239 I also carry my brothers’ water

[@aired-downoverland9239]

@@rogueyota 😄

[@induction7895]

Is John actually the better brother? I don't know but everybody likes him more.

[@aired-downoverland9239]

Boooo!

[@maxdexpeditions]

Good points! But all points are obsolete if you overland with your wife, and she hates being on the ground. You either divorce or go RTT. I think the RTT is a cheaper option lol😂. Now if you're single, there's no reason for RTT not unless you like bringing 100days of clothes and your whole shop 😅

[@aired-downoverland9239]

Best comment of all listed for this video 🙌

[@eyang7]

John's a better brother 😅😊

[@aired-downoverland9239]

I think even Jon would disagree with you 😂

[@Pamela_PNW]

Great video Steve! I am a Gazelle T3 girl myself. After a three week trip from the PNW to Mexico in my 4Runner last year, I came home and invested in an Iceco fridge and drawer slides for it in the back. I love it! Hey, I am looking to take advantage of the good weather next weekend, how are the off-roads in OR? Still a lot of snow? Any good early season camping ideas?

[@aired-downoverland9239]

Pamela, you’ll love the fridge and drawers. Like you, they were things I invested in later in my build, but have not regretted. Yes, the early season camping is fantastic in Oregon. The higher elevations still have some wet/Icy snow, but there are plenty of gray off grid places to camp and explore without snow. If you have good recovery gear, even the snowy areas are fun to explore. Look to the eastern/central part of the state. Drop me a message after your trip, let me know what you thought of Oregon. 🙌

[@jeffk464]

Maybe you want a rooftop tent in grizzly country

[@aired-downoverland9239]

I want an armored car in Grizzly country 😳

[@membershipmovement]

So, because you have money issues, you think we should cheap out too? 😮

[@aired-downoverland9239]

Yes, I need the support of other cheap people so don’t feel cheap 😂. I want an RTT so bad, but I just don’t want the weight up there 😏

[@philofalltrades]

Great video! Curious where did you get the TRD trays you hold your items in on the rails ? Thanks

[@aired-downoverland9239]

It’s outer sweet isn’t it. It’s a one off a friend made for me out of corrosion resistant stainless steel. 🙌

[@philofalltrades]

@@aired-downoverland9239 yeah it’s definitely awesome. Wish they were massed produced I’m sure loads of people would buy them

[@morpheus1818]

Where did you purchase the tray that your RotoPax is sitting in?

[@aired-downoverland9239]

A friend designed and cut it out of stainless for me.

[@kennyredtfeldt]

⁠​⁠@@aired-downoverland9239I have been looking for a year for any similar option, any chance your friend would make another? …I already have the 4 gallon rotopax but currently run a long pelican with only 2 flat cross-bars and as im sure you’re aware there is no good solution to spacing only 2 cross bars to fit the rotopax. Any help appreciated brother

[@NorthwestBronco]

Jon's a better Brother! I'd rather have a RTT. Great for snow and muddy conditions. Plus, there's a comfort factor being on the roof of a vehicle. Like a kid in a fort. No more dust and dirt putting away a ground tent. Also, more room in the cab of the vehicle. I vote RTT!

[@OverlandPNW]

This is probably the best and most authoritative comment ever posted on this channel. @NorthwestBronco clearly knowns what he is talking about. He has it absolutely spot on correct from the first sentence ha ha!

[@serendipityguy]

No, Steve is the Best Brother and he produces great video that is relative to the 4Runner community, shared years of wisdom & has enriched us 10 times over with the upgrading to the lager Tire Video series, plus everyone knows that he is more wiser than his younger little brother.

[@OverlandPNW]

@@serendipityguy All good points. I can't argue with any of them. He is the *older* brother after all 😀

[@aired-downoverland9239]

Oh dang Camilo, all great until the older/younger point. Jon is actually SEVERAL years older than me. 🙈

[@aired-downoverland9239]

You guys are getting soft with all that RTT luxury, you need to get down and get dirty 😂🙌

[@zachpeat5076]

What roofrack is that and tent?

[@aired-downoverland9239]

That’s my brothers rig, it’s a Rhino Rack and an iKamper

[@maxallred5442]

Real men camp on the ground 😉

[@aired-downoverland9239]

HELL YEAH!!! 🙌

[@OverlandPNW]

Real men are not afraid of heights ... and camp up off the ground ha ha! When are you going to get that Tacoma on a trip with us anyway?

[@briggs1337]

roof top 100% on a truck with a bed on my 4runner i would not run one. I have the ikamper on my taco

[@tyranitarxd2819]

Just sleep inside the car and put all your crap on the roof rack

[@aired-downoverland9239]

That’s an option 👍🏻

[@pizzasteakphocheeseburgeri2965]

Did you make a new channel?

[@aired-downoverland9239]

No, why do you ask?

[@mattwernecke2342]

What is this stuff and where to buy?

[@aired-downoverland9239]

What specifically are you commenting about?

[@mattwernecke2342]

@@aired-downoverland9239 I figured it out. Like your channel!