Roof Rack & RTT for SIII?

[LR Max]

I talked with a friend this weekend who has a RTT on the back of his Unimog. From what I can tell, if you can, test setup one BEFORE buying it. He was telling me about all the little setup tricks and if you don't do them correctly, it could have a problem if it rains (something about getting the poles just right).

The nice thing is that its up there, its quick to setup and take down, and all your sleeping gear is simply there. This weekend at the event I attended, it POURED DOWN RAIN. I'm talking 100% miserable. The wipers on the 109 could barely keep up. The RTT guys were happy because a lake didn't form under their tents. Of course I wouldn't know because I went for the day .

badvibes, that is the setup I want. But I see what you did there, basically you have megakitchen, a simple tent and some chairs. Doesn't look like it broke the bank either!

[I Leak Oil]

Sort of like this weekend in Vermont

Exactly!!!! We must not have been thinking straight at that point, there's no tarp in that picture yet!

[badvibes]

And conversly there are times I would have given up a body part for an RTT or a rack to get my tent off the ground!

It's nice to have options.

LR Max-

Yeah I'm very value oriented, ah I'll be honest. I'm a cheap a**. I can have fun and be comfortable without the highest $ gear. I covet some of it sometimes, like the Defenders that the 2 guys were driving on last weekends trail ride.....

[TeriAnn]

This weekend at the event I attended, it POURED DOWN RAIN. I'm talking 100% miserable. The wipers on the 109 could barely keep up. The RTT guys were happy because a lake didn't form under their tents.

I always thought that the folks with roof top tents were really roughing it. Especially when they get out of their trucks to set things up or go between meals and sleeping.

Home is where you pop the top

I can go from driving to camp set up, music playing, glass of wine poured, a salad made and dinner started inside of 5 minutes. Rain, snow or sunshine.

[73series88]

my rack isnt heavy at all but its not crap either.
id love a rtt but i need a new frame first.
teriAnn you should have that made into a bumper sticker.
aaron

[CMorris]

REDrum,
Roof top tent is the way to go IMO. Ease of use, dry, VERY comfortable, quick to set up. I used one on my old 109, got it up onto the RN Brownchurch rack myself for mounting (wouldn't recommend that but had no choice at the time, weight is around 100lbs as I recall). I took the whole set up through Newfoundland then up and across the Trans Labrador. I had the tent, 10 gallons of extra fuel, a hi-lift, and some misc. recovery equipment on the roof rack, everything else was tucked in the back of the 109 down low. No poor handling or top heavy feel (except for one bonehead move on my part), and no damage to the truck.........and it truly took a beating.

[luckyjoe]

73series88,

What rack is that - a 88" Brownschurch from our host?

[73series88]

i bought it off of ebay
300 bucks
all galvy
and it was only 15 minutes from the house.
i love ebay
aaron

[REDrum]

Roof top tent is the way to go IMO. Ease of use, dry, VERY comfortable, quick to set up

All big plus's to me. I like the option of unfolding over the hood, leave rear open for more stuff.

Will need new roof rack first, I only have a 1/2 rack now. I like the Thule option. Despite roof racks being strictly ornamental to many, for us its a much utilized feature. Its amazing how much luggage people arrive at the airport with...

Thanks for all the great feedback

[LR Max]

I like the Thule option.

I'm beginning to feel like a set of Thule bars for a RTT is the way to go, especially since I don't plan on running around all the time with a RTT bolted to my roof.