My background is from 30+ years backpacking, so comparison is ultra lightweight backpacking tents to a RTT.
The trailer was initially built to add hauling capacity to the 2 door JK, the RTT was an afterthought. During the trailer assembly, became interested in the RTT concept. Was hard to do any true comparison between brands/models as home is Iowa and the state isn't a great demographic for RTT retailers. Found enough basic information and owner feedback online to narrow search down to a couple brands and models. Under the "dumb luck" category, stumbled into a thread on another forum that REI had started carrying one of the brands/models I was considering, their annual 20% off sale price applied (and was underway) as did free shipping to my local store. Additionally, Active Junky had a 5% additional rebate.
Made some trailer modifications for the RTT benefit (steel brackets to transfer rack bar loads directly to trailer frame, frame pockets to accept RV scissors jacks, heavy duty tongue jack, etc.), but didn't go so far as to add a marine battery/solar set-up/on board water system. Have just under $6k in the trailer/tent combination. Could have easily reduced that by $1.5k if I'd have painted trailer myself and not matched tires/wheels to JK.
Have 50+ nights in the tent. It's been a game changer. Some thoughts:
Pros:
* Much larger footprint/more durable/more headroom (again, vs. ultralight 2 man backpacking tent).
* Off the ground (critters were never an issue, but unseen rocks/tree roots discovered at 11PM and especially migrating water after
rainstorms were).
* 3" mattress (also a con - see below). Bedding stays packed inside when tent is collapsed.
* Each window/door has independent and deep awning. Have left windows fully open during rain storms and, unless driven by a
decent wind, had no water inside. If leaving camp with rain in forecast, windows zipped half shut (zip up from bottom)
combined with depth of the awnings has resulted in zero water inside tent, despite some fairly strong accompanying winds.
* Can set up on uneven terrain . The tongue and scissors jacks are rated at 3 tons each, trailer weighs in at 1,200 lbs. fully loaded.
Can lift the trailer entirely off suspension to level and eliminate any movement when inside tent.
* Mounted at trailer height, can reach all tent straps/zippers/cover to open/close tent. Ladder is extended less than halfway.
* Can travel without breaking camp. With awning being an independent, stand alone structure, it takes close to an hour to tear
down/pack up the kitchen/tent/awning/stuff by myself. Looking at the second photo, you can see our camp has a fair amount of stuff.
Coming from lightweight backpacking and cutting every conceivable weight/mass down to the nub, I appreciate the ability to bring
stuff that I don't have to carry 3 miles on my back. So I do. Cast iron skillet/Dutch oven/camera equipment all jump to mind.
Cons:
* Anyone that says their RTT ladder isn't murder on their bare feet is a liar. Sandals resolve the pain issue, but present a different set
of problems as climbing out of the tent in the dark results in a blind fishing expedition with your first foot out feeling for that initial
ladder rung. Barefoot it hurts, sandaled you have a muted sense of touch.
* Expense. No argument that RTT's purchased new are pricey compared to ground tents. And they're particularly spendy to ship if you
don't have a local retailer (close to $300 in my case had the REI option not presented itself). However, if you're in a state where they're popular, appears they've been on the market long enough to where a decent used market is appearing.
* 3" mattress - haven't spoken with many folks who've liked the standard mattress provided with their RTT, regardless of brand
or model. We had to experiment with a few different options to dial it in for a good night's sleep. But dialed it is and I sleep well
beginning with the first night, which never happened once in 3 decades of tent camping.
My $.02. A game changer with zero regrets, but some acknowledged compromises. And again, ultralight backpacking tent is the comparison here.