Overland Ground Tent? | Gazelle T4 Hub Style Tent | Do you really need an RTT?

We loved our Hutch Roof Top Tent and it served us well in the nights we used it but ultimately we found it didn't fit our needs. We weighed the pros and cons of our options and decided to move to something that would suit us better... for now!
I love rooftop tents and one day will be back in one, just probably not a softshell.
If you have any questions drop them in the comment section below!
Follow me on Instagram: / seekopenair
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[@jackchivvis4188]

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.

[@theafamadventures9766]

👍🏼 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.

[@charlesking9745]

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!

[@judescinnamon]

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]

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.

[@dougwood3157]

Watching a lot of videos it’s all about where and when your camping determines what tent is best.

[@gopmario]

Got my Gazelle last year and I love everything about it. Camped out during the NM monsoon and it performed like a champ.

[@brianmabin5947]

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.

[@AdamusPrime76]

What sold me was your look while packing it up that said, “this is stupid easy”, lol.

[@bigaarmory100]

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.

[@erikdahl3171]

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.

[@Arizona.Ranger]

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.

[@seekopenair]

Love it! Been looking at a Mr. Buddy heater, how do you like yours?

[@Arizona.Ranger]

@@seekopenair 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.

[@mabernexpeditions9409]

@@seekopenair 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.

[@bobkent2334]

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]

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.

[@Donkarnage223]

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!!

[@SeanStewart88]

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 🤔

[@momomotorsports]

I would definitely buy a Gazelle over a RTT. Great review!

[@grn9209]

Exactly what I have👊🏼👏🏼

[@texas2far]

I bought one and am so stoked to use it this season! Great review bro

[@ed8063]

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!

[@Meatwadk6]

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_5792]

get a T3

[@Meatwadk6]

@@thebigempty_5792 Definitely possible to buy two T3s.

[@danielc.7295]

Thanks for the honest review, bud.

[@farstrider79]

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.

[@TheRealitarian]

How are you liking the removable floor? Full protection from bugs/wildlife and water?

[@rg5445]

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.

[@healthlinktransport4803]

agree with your reasons about RTT. may be a hitch tent will work for you.

[@vincedagiel3905]

Good review. Little tip. Stake the tent to the ground first then erect it. Have fun!

[@DrXtoph]

Thanks for the review and perspectice

[@grn9209]

Love video and channel!!! We love our Gazelle👊🏼

[@seekopenair]

Thanks for checking it out!!🙌🏻

[@Outdoors4adventure]

I use a qomotop tent a lot. Fast setup. There's times we use the rtt still. Good points.🙂☝👍👍

[@overland505]

Yeah, I love mine, I have the Alpine green one.

[@seekopenair]

Wanted the green but it was out of stock at the time, thanks for checking out the video!

[@surfinwaves4769]

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_Thayer]

@@surfinwaves4769 it's not that dark inside. It's darker than the orange though.

[@Allen_Thayer]

@@seekopenair Same here, so I sold the orange and bought the green.

[@surfinwaves4769]

@@Allen_Thayer thanks for the info

[@josealfredotorresreyes8223]

Great review, just order one. What air mattress are you using with this?

[@seekopenair]

Hey man sorry I just saw this! We are using the Exped Megamat, super comfortable!

[@rocketfuel5022]

You mean no more hipster roof tent? Although I’m glad it replaced the roof light bars!

[@drewolm]

If you stake those hubs out this tent can handle extreme winds no problem.

[@andyking4701]

Great points

[@thebigempty_5792]

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

[@seekopenair]

Love it! Been looking at one off house too 😂

[@azpete6436]

For heavy duty tent stakes, go to a hardware store and pick up some 8" spikes.

[@davidkozelsky]

Also love my Gazelle!

[@grn9209]

We love ours!👏🏼👊🏼

[@artat777]

Well done great video!

[@johnwalters978]

Is It going to be a sweatbox in the summer, small windows?

[@adventuremonkey711]

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.

[@seekopenair]

Oh noooo! Man hopefully you get them up there soon.

[@gracecallowayable]

Awesome!!!👠🚌👠

[@stuwalton1384]

now THAT is cool!

[@than504]

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?

[@rdiggsrn]

Wondering this too, it’s keeping me from buying

[@rocketfuel5022]

Hipster roof top tents

[@timbrown7980]

Nice video! Now what do you sleep on? IMO inflatable sleep pads suck! Never had a truly good night’s sleep on one

[@seekopenair]

Check out the Exped Megamat! I agree with you but this thing is a game changer

[@scottphillipsarch]

My Big Agnes Q-Core is very comfortable (I’m 6’-1”, 295lb). No problems getting a good night’s rest for me.

[@RougaRouKJun]

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.

[@aldoraine9949]

Dont get why cant they make some sort od collapsible board to simply put tents on roof racks, instead they sell 2k+ roof tents

[@BirdDogOffRoadAdventures]

Any issue with unwanted guests coming in through the velcro floor?

[@drewpknutz1410]

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!

[@seekopenair]

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

[@rdiggsrn]

Thank you! That has been keeping me from buying it because I heard some reviewers say this.

[@dougwood3157]

To me it’s buy both. Ground tents r so cheap and small packing y not. Ever camping site is different

[@ddiver7908]

i feel like RTTs are for sponsored channels like @LastLineOfDefense and @TrailRecon

[@805gregg]

Top heavy tents were invented in South Africa, to keep campers away from night time lions and hyenas, not needed in N. America

[@phlfly10]

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.

[@Intentsrig]

There is basically zero wind noise with my T3

[@seekopenair]

Same! We have been in windy conditions with our T4 and it’s silent

[@bluepawn]

Too big to take on my motorcycle and not dark inside.

[@TacomaForce]

But where’s your GFC🧐🧐

[@seekopenair]

One day we can be like Paul haha

[@theweknd6946]

Yeah im thinking to ditch that overweight rooftoops tent on top of my car

[@jimmelkonian5419]

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..

[@teach1644]

Baloney brah…. Hahahaha. Over-landing is just idiotic for morons.

[@joea3235]

If you're camping in Florida this tent is of no use. Insects, snakes, alligators, bears, and bobcats waiting to get inside.

[@jasonhendrickson2289]

"Overland Ground Tent" lol. It's just a fucking tent dude.

[@justinbryant6676]

The velcro bathtub is a worthless idea and I wouldn't use one because of it....