RTT or interior bed platform?

Which would you guys prefer for a road trip, a RTT or on interior sleeping platform? I feel like the platform is the better option cause 1) it's way cheaper 2) don't have to worry at all what the weather is cause you know it isn't getting in and 3) better MPG's because a huge block isn't up on the roof catching air. But I was curious on what other people are running and how they like it...

 

I researched this. I almost bought an RTT but got rid of my Tacoma. Another member is using a Full-size low profile intex inflatable mattress and it fits perfectly. you have the electrical connections for the pump right there. just get a budget roof rack and put all of your shit up top....or just use the mattress and inflate/deflate after each use and avoid a rack all together. Probably cost 20 bucks to try it out. you can then throw the money you saved towards some AT tires or suspension or a cool truck-gun or something.

 

I am heavily leaning to a platform. Goose gear is a 10 week wait and 1500$. So i'm going to try and find the aluminum stock and wood board and do it myself. I'm only going to build it to the 60% size of the rear seat. I'll use the other half for some gear. I have a gobi rack on it so I can just throw stuff up there.

Side note, what do you guys use for carrying cases for your kitchen stuff if you put it up on the roof?

 

While the Goose gear stuff is nice, it's as much or more than some roof top tents IMO. So I looked for a DIY solution. Here is what I have done so far.

I am constantly going back and forth on this but I do not have any experience wth a roof top tent. I built a small platform to level the area in the back to allow sleeping without the ledge in the middle of my back. Then set the inside of the cab up with a roll a cot at first to test out the platform idea and to be able to put it back to normal easily in case I had passengers. While it worked and I was able to store things under the roll a cot, I didn't have passengers that often and there was simply not enough head room. I felt cramped, it was hard to move around while back there, and it made it so I had to get dressed outside of the vehicle.

I wanted more comfort and to be able to just get up and get dressed without exiting the vehicle. So I ditched the roll a cot and slimmed down what I took with me a little more. Took out the bottom seat on the 60 side so I could stretch out ad kept the 40 side for a possible passenger situation. This allowed me to put some things in front of the top part of the seat on the floor board and now use two stacked sleeping pads that lay directly on the floor.

So much more comfortable and can get dressed in the vehicle. Very stealthy also. I have a screen over the back window which allows some ventilation without the bugs. Took a recent 2100 mile road trip where I was on a schedule so there was no drive and find a campground situation. It was a run and gun type trip and I had no issues just pulling over and sleeping at rest stops, Walmart, etc...Not sure I could have done that with a roof top tent.

That being said I may still pull the trigger on a RTT but it will be the flip up hard shell kind that can be deployed and put away in seconds. May do this cuz I want a fridge, be able to store more inside the cab for longer trips, and even more comfort...getting old I guess. But that means spending an awful amount of money compared to my current setup. Look forward to seeing what you do, keep us posted.

EDIT: Here is a link to the post in the camping thread that shows the roll a cot set up...
https://www.4runners.com/threads/camping-thread.7903/#post-79655

 

Plano Sportsman trunk. comes in various sizes. you can get them at basspro or cabelas. You can stand on them

 

Also, a hard top RTT gives you much better aerodynamic profile than throwing all your junk on a roof rack, but then money could also be a factor here

 

ARB 2500 with room addition. I’m a little bias because that’s my setup but it’s so easy to put on and take off vs a RTT unless you have a sweet garage setup. I kept it from when I had it on my taco. Low wind resistance and LOTS of room.

 

That is exactly what I want to get.
We need to start with a rack. Since you have that, you are half there. Plus, it comes off easy.
You keep all interior storage and full rack storage!

Not to hijack the thread; @4buggy what do you like & dislike about that setup? Did you get a bigger awning? Thanks.

 

The picture is shown before it rained that night and it collapsed on me with a killer moonshine hangover the next morning but I blame that on the fact I was set up on pavement and could not set and pull the lines tight causing the water to pool in the center of the top.

 

Nice Work! I was just looking up prices of t slotted aluminum. I can build that goose gear rack for a total 500 bucks and save myself at least a grand.

 

I guess no one asked the real question.
How many people are you sleeping?
Solo- should have no problem in the vehicle.
Twin- limited room but you have a rack (where do you put rear items during the night to keep dry?)
Twin plus dog- where we are. With a dog divider there is minimal space inside for storage. Not possible to sleep. Need additional room!

 

Do the legs not adjust in height?
Could you not have used that to angle the top? Or was it the moonshine! LMAO
Seriously, do the legs adjust? I would like to know that, please.
Thanks.

 

It's just me. I found 3 inch slotted aluminum that I can make an entire platform out of for 171 bucks on Amazon. I wish I could find some sort of plastic for the top. I made a little shelf out of wood and it was heavy. So i'm trying to lighten things up a little here. Even if I spend 300 bucks on something well built and light, it's better than the price of what GG wants to charge.

 

Yes, and if I wasn’t so hungover I would have gotten up and dropped the angle. I was in bad shape and fell victim to it. The arm, which what gave, was cheaply replaced works perfectly now.

 

So I called my buddy who's an engineer and we just nerded out on how to build this thing. We'll see how this works, but he thinks two thin pieces of aluminum with a sheet of 1\4 inch balsa wood might work perfectly and keep weight down. We shall see. I'll keep you all posted.

 

This is very cool!

It will go on my mod list

 

My sleeping arrangement story goes like this.... I travel, ride and camp with my lady so having to remove all the gear out of the back to sleep would suck so I went with the RTT, a Tepui. I had that for 2 years. We were starting to get tired of the set-up/tear-down time associated with the fold out style rtt's. Sometimes we aren't able to park close to mtb trail heads and this started to became an issue, kind of taking the fun out of it. So I sold the Tepui and the Frontrunner rack (actually still up for sale) and went with the GFC. We're loving it! It's lighter than the old tent and rack and it sits like an inch off the roof. Just got back from a 3 state riding tour and the thing was awesome! So quick and easy and comfy!

Last stop before heading home, Flagstaff.

 

Very nice!...Is it a hassle taking your bedding in and out every time? Also which bumper do you have?

 

Balsa would get trashed really quickly. It's so soft that it's gonna get roughed up and picked apart from stuff sliding around on it. How about some automotive carpet? You can get it in bulk at lots of places.

 

Thanks!
Not a hassle at all. We left the sleeping bag in there, it's a Kelty Doublewide bag. It'll close, I just have to make sure it's folded lengthwise and in the middle. No pillows tho, had to take them out. I like a big pillow. LOL The tent is pretty compact when closed.

No bumper. RIGd UltraSwing.

 

I haven't experienced any of those issues. The quality seems to be good to me, we'll see tho. They do have a 2 year warranty and I think they'll fix or replace anything that may go wrong. I bought it through RIGd Supply and those guys take care of me so I'm not too worried if a problem arises.
Do you have a linky for that discussion? I'd like to see what folks are saying.

 

The balsa wood will be sandwiched between to sheets of aluminum. We're essentially trying to create material for the top layer that i'll be sleeping on. It's an experiment so we'll see.

 

Ah, gotcha.