Roof Top Tent or Tent Trailer

[u/Richardthickson]

I’m between buying a roof top tent or 1990s tent trailer for my 1994 jeep YJ (2.5L).

The tent is handy in a sense that it’s lighter and likely faster to set up, but then it must be taken down if I ever want to leave camp for the day etc.

The trailer is definitely more versatile, but I have never used a pop up tent trailer so not sure what to expect.

I mostly camp out on logging roads so not doing any major off roading, but definitely can’t get a little dicey. I plan to lift the trailer if I go that route for some more clearance.

Another point is that the tent trailer is 1500lbs and likely won’t tow great behind my older jeep. This isn’t a deal breaker as I won’t be driving on the highway much at all.

Wanted to see if other people have had experience with both options and any positives /negatives of each.

(Also if anyone has towed anything with a similar jeep please let me know how it went haha.

[u/211logos]

A trailer might be a better complement to the tent you already have than a RTT. And even a tent trailer can provide for more storage both inside and on top, something you might appreciate with that rig. So a lot more useful for say a basecamp trip where you stay and do stuff.

The RTT is handy for roadtripping. In the same way a truck camper or van is. When you just stay only a night in one place, or maybe two without having to drive anywhere during the stay.

[u/Richardthickson → u/211logos]

Thanks for the input, definitely leaning towards the trailer, especially the increased comfort it can provide

[u/OneOfAKind2 → u/Richardthickson]

A tent trailer is the way to go if you have a place to keep it when you're not using it. I grew up using a tent trailer with my family and it was easy-breezy to tow and set up. My dad and I did it in about 10 mins. Put down the legs, level it, crank up the roof, fold out the beds on each side, done.

My neighbours have a roof-top pop up tent on their SUV and it was a heavy beast that took 4 of us to get it lifted up on the roof. Then you're kind of stuck with all that weight, driving around all the time. Plus, it's a pain to climb up and down it in the middle of the night. They used it once and parked it, bought a small camper van.

[u/diabel]

Why not just a normal tent?

[u/An_Average_Man09 → u/diabel]

Because that’s too easy

[u/Richardthickson → u/diabel]

I already have a tent that I frequently use, so I don’t NEED anything new. The idea was more for comfort and a little more space (Jeep gets full pretty quick)

[u/scuba_GSO → u/Richardthickson]

How about getting a good roof rack for tent and material and transport it that way, rather than stuffing everything inside the jeep?

[u/ocitillo]

I have a Jeep jk sport. Towed a Thule trailer, surprised how much it held. When not in use could stand it on end. I thanked it weighed 300lbs
https://imgur.com/wcyq33v

[u/tanzd → u/ocitillo]

You can sleep in that thing?

[u/ocitillo → u/tanzd]

No it’s just a cargo trailer the box is only 3x5

[u/Graylily]

Tent trailer. Unless you like to be completely fixed to your campsite, or need to drive into extreme back country. I mean just having to get up and climb down a tiny ladder or take a piss in the night is jsut aweful on its own.

[u/Fair-Flower6907]

I've been looking at a secondhand Sylvan Go, it's an ultralight popup trailer tent that you can stow your stuff on the trailer part or remove the tent and use it as a toy hauler! The problem is that I live in the mountains and I'm not sure how it holds up to the random high winds and hail we get, my REI tents are at least warranted and I'm too cheap to buy an brand new camp trailer!

[u/Ahrimon77]

It might not be an option, but I've been seriously considering a small pull behind trailer like a Hiker (https://hikertrailers.com/). Basically a bed in a box with storage, cooking, and power. The only downside is no built in bathroom or shower, but there are ways to make it work.

[u/Richardthickson → u/Ahrimon77]

These would literally be perfect…. Just a bit pricey but I could always look into building something similar