Almost all of which can be mitigated by trailer mounting the RTT. I have always owned a 4WD vehicle because I wanted to have the ability to get to just about anywhere I want anytime. I bought my current vehicle, 2004 Jeep Rubicon, in 2007 after my previous Jeep, 1999 Sahara, was totaled. With my son being 8 years old at the time, I knew we would be heading out on more road trips and camping trips and our trips evolved over time the more we got out.
Initially we were pretty minimalist with a backpacking tent and basic gear. In the early days, we didn't even take a cooler. Then it was a 6 man ground tent that eventually added cots, tables, camping chairs, camping stove, etc. As the amount of gear grew it truly tested the capacity of my Jeep. For a time I considered a roof rack but the same Cons listed for a vehicle mounted RTT would also be on a roof rack list. Additionally, the cost of a quality roof and basket can run upwards of $1k.
That's when I decided the solution to all my problems was a military style trailer. I did spend over two years in my "casual" search when I stumbled on a CDN M101 listed locally on Craigslist for $1k. I snatched it up as fast as I could and quickly wondered how I had lived without a trailer all of these years. The previous owner had fabricated a rack on a piano hinge for the top with the intention of eventually installing a RTT. I was just thrilled to have the extra space and could now comfortably get all my gear (and more) out for multi-day+ trips.
Eventually the RTT bug began to gnaw at me but I was surprised by the cost. One of the big RTT companies at the time was ARB and I was looking at between $2-3k, much more than I wanted to spend. Again though, patience paid off and I eventually ran across a fairly new company called Tepui that had a tent listed for $899. Concerned about quality at a price lower than competive tents, the reviews were all very good and I decided to take a chance. I was not disappointed.
The tent mounted very easily to the rack on the trailer and the hinge gave me easy access to the gear stored in the trailer. The tent itself actually offered some protection from the elements by acting as a cover keeping out most of the weather. The RTT itself was still a bit of a cool novelty, but it wasn't until my first night sleeping in it that I became a true believer. As others have said it was by far the most comfortable night I have ever spent "out in the woods".
After a few years, I decided to "upgrade" to the ruggedized XL version which was well worth the $2k and offset a little by the $500 for which I sold my old RTT. RTT do have their limitations and I still use a ground tent at times for gear storage, changing room, additional sleeping areas for friends when out for multiple days. I have always just considered the RTT my bedroom, but it sure is a heck of bedroom for camping.
View attachment 13738
View attachment 13739