Canopy/RTT vs Camper
Posted by RonnieDarkoh@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 18 comments
The build has stalled quite a bit due to some creative differences amongst the band…
Next steps focus on a more structured sleeping system but between a canopy for the flatbed paired with a RTT or a full camper build, I’m torn.
Any inspiration or words of advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, friends.
DonkeyEnergy@reddit
Roof top tents are silly and just a hipster fad ...so many drawbacks... weight...air resistance...lower mpg... can't stealth camp... can't leave a campsite without breaking it down...cant stand up in one . you're in the wind...many don't dry quickly... going up and down a ladder... stupid costs for minimal equipment...there is no logical reason to have one.
PonyThug@reddit
I have friends with camper/tents GFC style and people with racks or fiberglass toppers and RTT’s. No one with a camper wishes they had separate units, but half of them wish they had all in one campers with pass through tents.
randyjacksonsarmpits@reddit
I’m running a flatbed like yours but with the canopy and roof tent. Really enjoying the setup. It’s definitely more dedicated to overlanding since you no longer have the bed and the canopy has gull wing style doors. Plenty of space inside the canopy that can be configured to your needs. Front half is dedicated to fridge and onboard power systems. Back half is a pass through for gear items.
genuinecve@reddit
Ngl that’s one of the best gladiators I’ve ever seen. That and my dad’s neighbor which looks pretty similar, just different style canopy. IMO those gladiators looks so much better with this type of set up rather than a regular truck bed.
randyjacksonsarmpits@reddit
Appreciate it! It’s been a ton of fun and taken us to some cool places
skindroid@reddit
Structured sleeping system?
Just toss a swag in the back and bungie it down.
Tray looks badass btw
OverlandOutlaw@reddit
love the look of ROAMs new tent and seems like the setup is pretty easy
https://youtu.be/FHYYfnNPaVo
uthink-ah1002@reddit
Camper center of gravity would be too far back
Citizen_0Zer0@reddit
I want that bed!
RonnieDarkoh@reddit (OP)
Summit Expedition Trucks 🤙🏻
Drummer123456789@reddit
If I had a flatbed I would want to leave it open so I could easily put cargo on it. (No RTT or anything I cant take off in 5 to 10 minutes). Otherwise, I would want to put a camper on that I could easily take off so I could then use my flatbed again. If your flatbed is just for looks then pick whichever you like the look of better.
RonnieDarkoh@reddit (OP)
That’s been a huge consideration. I got the flatbed for the cargo. Regardless, I’ll have the sliding storage under the bed and the side compartments. A canopy/RTT combo would allow a ton of storage options compared to a camper. Obviously, bulk items wouldn’t fit anymore but that’s not been the purpose of the truck anyway.
Idontworkhere67@reddit
Sick build dude! After some more home renos I want to get a flat bed for my 2nd gen!
As for the sleeping situation how many people are you needing to bunk? Where do you usually camp? What matters most to you?
Im a more spur of the moment kinds guy and it's usually just me or me and the girlfriend so what id like would be a canopy with a GFC camper on top with a pass through. Super light, dont have to worry about setup or tear down. No need to haul a trailer. But you are missing out on amenities. For me itll be a diesel heater in the winter, fridge/freezer in the summer.
Also if you do go the canopy RTT route id strongly recommend something with a pass through. Currently I just have a hi rise cap on the back of my truck and thats what I sleep in. My biggest gripe is just not having much room to move around if you have to change. At night I usually throw my duffle bag in the cab than strip down in bed and have my clothes floating around for the night. A pass through would be good because you can pop out the platform, stand up, change comfortably, not worry about tracking mud or water in if it's rainy and shitty out. But thats just my 2 cents.
The best setup for you is what works FOR YOU!
RonnieDarkoh@reddit (OP)
I appreciate the kind words, friend!
I think you’re absolutely right. I tend to be a spur of the moment guy, myself. I’ve gotten by with a ground tent or setting up a tarp over the flatbed but the spontaneity of my trips would really benefit from a more organized set up.
Typically, I’m either solo or with one other person so I don’t need a ton of room. I guess it’s going to come down to storage needs. I’ve deleted the rear seats which helps with gear but it’s still nice to have room in the bed that’s not totally devoted to a sleeping space.
It’s been a fun “problem” to have and I’m looking forward to getting creative with a solution.
RareArtifact@reddit
I have both a towable camper and a roof tent. They serve different purposes so it really depends on what kind of camping you do.
Campers are more versatile for overnight stops and campgrounds, but not usually a good choice for rugged terrain and really remote places.
Roof tents are great for getting to remote areas without having to tow anything. This is pretty much the only good use case.
If you’re going to far away places with overnight stops, or like to “set up camp” somewhere and then leave to go explore and come back later (whether that’s somewhere remote or a campground) you’ll probably hate the roof tent and wish you got a camper because you have to break camp every time you want to move your vehicle.
I personally run both now. Roof tent on the Jeep AND tow a light camper. When we’re going to the other side of the country the camper is nice for overnight stops and when we get to the destination area we drop the camper at a campground, then go explore in the Jeep and spend a few nights in the wilderness in the roof tent. It’s much easier to have that base camp to return to and only need to carry a couple days worth of whatever we need in the Jeep than to try to carry enough to spend a week+ in the Jeep.
genuinecve@reddit
Truck looks sweet right now. IMO RTT over flatbeds look weird, money no object if go full camper with like a alucab to have a similar style.
RonnieDarkoh@reddit (OP)
I tend to agree. I do have a feeling the build might end up looking a touch weird as time goes on though. Would love for it to be eye candy but the function over form approach is leading the truck down a goofy-looking path.
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