After 30+ years of ground tents or sleeping in the back of the truck my wife and I were ready for something better so I built a 10 ft. hard shell camper/trailer that I can stand up in with a big counter, nice bed, wood stove and enough ground clearance to go most places my Tacoma will go. We have camped in it over 400 days now in all kinds of weather and some very windy times. I am starting to see a lot of overland trailers with tents and tear drop trailers but it seems no one is building small "standy" trailers like mine. Anyway I think almost any handy person could build one.
@judescinnamon3 жыл бұрын
I have been reading many similar reviews about the restrictions of rooftop tents. You have a very Nice new setup. Back to old school ground camping. Love it.
@carmenmartinez2882 Жыл бұрын
I’ve never thought about getting a rooftop, as a woman the thought of having to climb down in the middle of the night just to pee is discouraging, plus I camp with my dogs 38 and 70 lbs.
@theafamadventures97663 жыл бұрын
👍🏼 we are family of four and we use to have a marmot 4p tent and needed more space, we bought the t4 plus and it was way easier and bigger than the marmot. We love our t4plus.
@charlesking97452 жыл бұрын
I sold my rtt a couple of months ago for the exact same reasons!! Great video! I also just bought a Gazelle T4 Overlander tent!
@AdamusPrime76 Жыл бұрын
What sold me was your look while packing it up that said, “this is stupid easy”, lol.
@gopmario3 жыл бұрын
Got my Gazelle last year and I love everything about it. Camped out during the NM monsoon and it performed like a champ.
@dougwood31573 жыл бұрын
Watching a lot of videos it’s all about where and when your camping determines what tent is best.
@bigaarmory1002 жыл бұрын
I’ve had my T4 since 2019. It’s been bulletproof since then and I have zero complaints (except for the basic stakes). The overall convenience, flexibility for storage or travel, ease of assembly/disassembly, size and price made this a no brainer for me. You can literally camp in your yard with that view. Im stuck in a neighborhood with sidewalks, streetlights and 400 houses.
@brianmabin59473 жыл бұрын
We have the T8 for my wife and I and 2 dogs. We setup the front room with chairs a table, thetfird toilet and heater buddy (mountain life) and then the back room is setup as a bedroom with cots and under bed storage. Our T8 has withstood 2 hailstorms on mountain tops, 60+ mph mountain top winds and 8 hour thunder and lightning storms all through the Rockies! Just wish they made a better more full tarp with vestibule to protect the entrys. Best of luck you'll love it! Almost, almost bulletproof.
@Arizona.Ranger3 жыл бұрын
Great choice, I was able to use my T4 a couple weeks ago on top of Flagpole Knob in Virginia. The temps dipped down into the low 30's our last night there. The Gazelle withstood high winds, light snow and sleet. I also had a big buddy heater with me and kept it on low all night, the tent stayed toasty even with a couple windows unzipped for venting.
@codyscwalton3 жыл бұрын
Love it! Been looking at a Mr. Buddy heater, how do you like yours?
@Arizona.Ranger3 жыл бұрын
@@codyscwalton it's awesome, get the Big Buddy, I get about 7 hours on low with two 1lb cans. I need to get the hose and adapter for a 20lb tank still, I could get 8 hours with less than 3 lbs of propane.
@mabernexpeditions94093 жыл бұрын
@@codyscwalton i have one and don't recommend leaving it on all night. You have to find the sweet spot where the tent feels toasty but doesn't become to damp. Propane produces alot of moisture.
@erikdahl31712 жыл бұрын
Still have a trailer with a roof top tent, but went with a gezelle T3 for most my trips now. For just a couple nights with one or two people works perfect. Easy set up and take down.
@texas2far3 жыл бұрын
I bought one and am so stoked to use it this season! Great review bro
@bobkent23343 жыл бұрын
For people tenting in the desert, wind is a major consideration. The standard stakes supplied by tent manufacturers are worthless, especially on the windy side of the tent. They just won't hold up to a desert wind blasting 20+ miles-per-hour for several days, as often happens. The best solution is to take several ultra-strong stakes for placement on the windward side of the tent. For example, K&B Hardware in Quartzsite, AZ, makes ultra-strong steel stakes made from construction rebar. They come in several lengths, beginning about 12 inches. These stakes are surprisingly inexpensive, too.
@carmenmartinez2882 Жыл бұрын
I discovered those nails at the hardware store DIY in Big Bear has them too, I’ve camped a lot in hard rocky terrain (Yosemite etc) and those nails/stakes are the best, 35 cents for the big ones is awesome too.
@TheRealitarian3 жыл бұрын
How are you liking the removable floor? Full protection from bugs/wildlife and water?
@momomotorsports3 жыл бұрын
I would definitely buy a Gazelle over a RTT. Great review!
@grn92093 жыл бұрын
Exactly what I have👊🏼👏🏼
@Donkarnage2233 жыл бұрын
i just picked up a double Swag by Crashpad!! I can not wait to get it out in the desert and the woods and try it out!!
@danielc.72953 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the honest review, bud.
@SeanStewart88 Жыл бұрын
I think many people are drawn to RTT’s because of what they see on social media and KZbin with all the overland content, it’s become a must have item to make you look overland ready! Haha. Anyway I just picked up a gazelle tonight the T4 I exchanged my marmot limelight 4p to this. Taking it on its maiden voyage tomorrow for a quick overnighter with a 5 month year old! The only thing that kinda sucks is so I drive a short bed Tacoma and hauling this thing is gonna be interesting 🤔
@DrXtoph Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the review and perspectice
@grn92093 жыл бұрын
Love video and channel!!! We love our Gazelle👊🏼
@codyscwalton3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for checking it out!!🙌🏻
@ed80633 жыл бұрын
I have a rtt on my 4Runner and love it, the main reason is being off the ground. But....my truck doesn't fit in the garage, I can't put kayaks or anything on the roof since the rtt is up there, and taking it off and putting it on is a bit of a pain. I just got a GX470 which will not be using the rtt (truck is too darn tall). Just an awning and the Gazelle T4 for that one. Really excited about the T4!
@Meatwadk63 жыл бұрын
Great video, man. Really shows the pros/cons of both styles of tents without glamorizing the RTT. I really wanted to get a T4, but they're all longer than the bed of my Ranger. May have to do two smaller hub style tents.
@thebigempty_57923 жыл бұрын
get a T3
@Meatwadk63 жыл бұрын
@@thebigempty_5792 Definitely possible to buy two T3s.
@andyking47012 жыл бұрын
Great points
@overland5053 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I love mine, I have the Alpine green one.
@codyscwalton3 жыл бұрын
Wanted the green but it was out of stock at the time, thanks for checking out the video!
@surfinwaves47693 жыл бұрын
I like the look of the Alpine green. No review has commented on the degree of light protection I.e. how dark is it inside at sunrise if you’re hoping to sleep in? How have you found the thickness / darkness of the tent?
@Allen_Thayer3 жыл бұрын
@@surfinwaves4769 it's not that dark inside. It's darker than the orange though.
@Allen_Thayer3 жыл бұрын
@@codyscwalton Same here, so I sold the orange and bought the green.
@surfinwaves47693 жыл бұрын
@@Allen_Thayer thanks for the info
@rg54453 жыл бұрын
I guess if you have a off-road trailer that it’s mounted to and the right truck with enough power and you don’t care about the extra weight of it all or the size of the whole thing and you also carried an additional ground tent for the right occasion etc. etc. etc….they are just great.
@farstrider793 жыл бұрын
I kinda wanted a RTT when I first saw one, but you can get some really nice, easy to set up, spacious tents for under $200.
@rocketfuel50223 жыл бұрын
You mean no more hipster roof tent? Although I’m glad it replaced the roof light bars!
@vincedagiel39052 жыл бұрын
Good review. Little tip. Stake the tent to the ground first then erect it. Have fun!
@healthlinktransport48033 жыл бұрын
agree with your reasons about RTT. may be a hitch tent will work for you.
@grn92093 жыл бұрын
We love ours!👏🏼👊🏼
@josealfredotorresreyes82233 жыл бұрын
Great review, just order one. What air mattress are you using with this?
@codyscwalton3 жыл бұрын
Hey man sorry I just saw this! We are using the Exped Megamat, super comfortable!
@johnwalters9783 жыл бұрын
Is It going to be a sweatbox in the summer, small windows?
@drewolm Жыл бұрын
If you stake those hubs out this tent can handle extreme winds no problem.
@Outdoors4adventure3 жыл бұрын
I use a qomotop tent a lot. Fast setup. There's times we use the rtt still. Good points.🙂☝👍👍
@davidkozelsky3 жыл бұрын
Also love my Gazelle!
@gracecallowayable2 жыл бұрын
Awesome!!!👠🚌👠
@than5042 жыл бұрын
Other reviewers said that the floor corners are not 100% sealed. Is that true and do you have any issues with bugs getting in through the floor corners?
@rdiggsrn2 жыл бұрын
Wondering this too, it’s keeping me from buying
@artat7772 жыл бұрын
Well done great video!
@thebigempty_57923 жыл бұрын
I had a RTT and sold it too....very cumbersome.....I use a Gazelle T4 for just me and the dog. I can also set up a Cleanwaste toilet with plenty of room just in case :D
@codyscwalton3 жыл бұрын
Love it! Been looking at one off house too 😂
@azpete64363 жыл бұрын
For heavy duty tent stakes, go to a hardware store and pick up some 8" spikes.
@adventuremonkey7113 жыл бұрын
I wish I could get the T4, but the distributor here in Canada can't keep them in stock. I've been trying to buy one for 3 months now. I think a gound tent idea is way better than an RTT.
@codyscwalton3 жыл бұрын
Oh noooo! Man hopefully you get them up there soon.
@stuwalton13843 жыл бұрын
now THAT is cool!
@BirdDogOffRoadAdventures3 жыл бұрын
Any issue with unwanted guests coming in through the velcro floor?
@drewpknutz14103 жыл бұрын
I saw that same review and it made me nervous. I did some digging and found out there was a batch that was made incorrectly from the factory. I bought 1 a couple months ago and theres no way that I can see where bugs can get in if the floor is attached correctly. Anyway, I like it!
@codyscwalton3 жыл бұрын
Yeah what Drew said! I’m not sure how anything could get into the tent once zipped up, just double check the Velcro if needed
@rdiggsrn2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! That has been keeping me from buying it because I heard some reviewers say this.
@timbrown79803 жыл бұрын
Nice video! Now what do you sleep on? IMO inflatable sleep pads suck! Never had a truly good night’s sleep on one
@codyscwalton3 жыл бұрын
Check out the Exped Megamat! I agree with you but this thing is a game changer
@scottphillipsarch2 жыл бұрын
My Big Agnes Q-Core is very comfortable (I’m 6’-1”, 295lb). No problems getting a good night’s rest for me.
@rocketfuel50223 жыл бұрын
Hipster roof top tents
@aldoraine99493 жыл бұрын
Dont get why cant they make some sort od collapsible board to simply put tents on roof racks, instead they sell 2k+ roof tents
@dougwood31573 жыл бұрын
To me it’s buy both. Ground tents r so cheap and small packing y not. Ever camping site is different
@RougaRouKJun2 жыл бұрын
Ok poping the sides out of the gazelle is t showing setup time vs a rooftop tent. I want to see a video where someone pops out the gazelle, stakes it to the ground and all the guy lines, inflates an air mattress, and rolls out a sleeping bag. That's what you have when you open an rtt. Tent fully set up, mattress already inside, and sleeping bag.
@ddiver79083 жыл бұрын
i feel like RTTs are for sponsored channels like @LastLineOfDefense and @TrailRecon
@805gregg3 жыл бұрын
Top heavy tents were invented in South Africa, to keep campers away from night time lions and hyenas, not needed in N. America
@JakeDelger3 жыл бұрын
But where’s your GFC🧐🧐
@codyscwalton3 жыл бұрын
One day we can be like Paul haha
@Intentsrig3 жыл бұрын
There is basically zero wind noise with my T3
@codyscwalton3 жыл бұрын
Same! We have been in windy conditions with our T4 and it’s silent
@bluepawn3 жыл бұрын
Too big to take on my motorcycle and not dark inside.
@phlfly103 жыл бұрын
both them cons and pros but ground tent, when rain is pain, plus floor set up is pain. you need matters, sleeping on ground, animals snakes . it flops on wind , and can be fly away on high wind. Ground tent set up and put down longer, pus o rain it will be wet for the next night. also in video you don't set up rain protection. So there is no best solution unless spend even more and buy Jeep with hard top and pop tent.
@theweknd69462 жыл бұрын
Yeah im thinking to ditch that overweight rooftoops tent on top of my car
@jimmelkonian54193 жыл бұрын
Said once, I'll say it again, learn the difference between camping and overlanding. Sounds like you go camping, when your overlanding, you explore daily, at end of day you set tent..
@teach16442 жыл бұрын
Baloney brah…. Hahahaha. Over-landing is just idiotic for morons.
@joea32353 жыл бұрын
If you're camping in Florida this tent is of no use. Insects, snakes, alligators, bears, and bobcats waiting to get inside.
@jasonhendrickson22892 жыл бұрын
"Overland Ground Tent" lol. It's just a fucking tent dude.
@justinbryant6676 Жыл бұрын
The velcro bathtub is a worthless idea and I wouldn't use one because of it....