3 years with a Roof Top Tent, would I do it again? 

Nothing says Sunday like watching Aussie Arvos

I have always pulled back on camping when the weather turns to wet/winter in Vic. Recently I purchased an Avan to be able to keep exploring throughout the year. The ability to sit inside a warm solid van with a diesel heater, a permanently made bed, small kitchen, table & comfy seat is an absolute game changer. Now I have the ability to go off road with less weight in/on the vehicle & can always put the roof top back on if a dedicated trip is on the cards. Having no canvas whatsoever is awesome!

Just used a king's electric blanket which I got delivered Friday. And it was great 👍. Got down to 2 degrees last night here in Rocklands. Every time I woke up I turned it on for another cycle.

LOVED the little cutaways showing you driving/ camping, there was some great video photography in this video!

As long as it dosent stop you from going through the drive-through bottle shop

Great review on rooftop tents. I have just purchased my second rtt. My original is the Dune Nomad 140 soft cover and it's been brilliant and I'm now running the Kings Mark 3 which is also brilliant. Both are easy to set up and pack away but the Dune allows for more bedding etc to be left inside. I have the Kings mounted on my Colorado and the Dune is on my 8x5 trailer, however, I have just bought a 7x4 gal trailer. I'm going to set it up as a dedicated off-road camperwhere the tent will be mounted on the top edge of the trailer. The mounting racks will be on a hinged frame to allow access to things stored inside. Hopefully this will do away with the need for a ladder! I've still got my swags but much prefer my rooftop tents!

Wicked video, really enjoyed watching this one!

gees i wish i was 40yrs younger and these rtt were available. im old now so its the camper or double swag for me now. those things look ace though mate. well done and a magnificent review

You forgot to mention going for a leak at 4am on a frosty 🥶 morning is interesting 😂.

Never bothered with an RTT, but mostly because whenever i go out, it's in a pack of at least 4 vehicles and thus, we just pull in a wagon style camp and sling hung tents between us with a fire in the middle. Mountain side style tents are pretty comfortable once you setup the lashings right.

nice overview of rtt. i had swags, tents and soft rrt now a hardshell rat. my only negative on the rtt is the weight.but i deal with it.also mine is older and plenty of room for bedding. ease of set up is number ONE.good video Patrick.👍

Nice one mate, I’ve had an ocam 270 awning for about two years now, love it, but I did use stainless steel bolts as I found the ones that came with it were rubbish.

In your previous awning, I like how the rear shade was square to the rear of your 4WD. I thought this was its differentiator compared to all the other 270 awnings in the market. It's a shame with this version, they got rid of that design feature.

I've never been interested in getting a RTT. I like to explore a lot and don't want to be setting up and packing up everytime I want to explore - same reason I don't have an awning. I also like to keep my roof clear. I love my swag and fold up gazebo but I'm going to be getting a caravan very soon so I'll not have to worry about having to set the swag and gazebo up and pack that up anymore either.

I've moved from a very firm 50mm mattress in my RTT to a self inflating one that goes from about 20mm up to 80mm and is much more comfortable. 30 seconds with a battery blower to inflate and deflate (stick the nozzle in the side of the motor - most brands are the same) and now there is plenty of room for a 12v electric blankets, sheets, duvet (doona for you aussies) and a blanket if needed - in fact I had to adjust my latches because it wasn't closing tight enough any more!

They look tops!

I use a diesel heater with mine never get cold in winter.

My swag takes 4 minutes to setup, cost me $350 and weighs under 20kg with my sleeping bag inside

Great channel, thanks.

Great episode Liam. Cheers for the share mate. I've been looking at getting 1 for awhile now. That awning looks pretty good. Might invest in 1 of those first. I'm still liking my swag and stretcher. Happy days.

No problems with the cold in mine...turn on the electric blanket and hour before bed,turn it off at bed time and stay warm all night.

Gday Patty, RTT’s have come along way over the past few years and there’s plenty to choose from now, I don’t think you’ll ever get one that suits every occasion but very close, yours is definitely a nice setup mate, cheers

That awning is insane

appreciate your story thanks

Hello great videos. Can yall do 2 video a week love watching yall videos.

How do you go with the side access ladder and your emu wing?

Hahaha love the Kerbal space program music being used

the awnings on the side dont look like they cover too much. whats the canvas side walls like holding up to driving rain through he night?

How does it go with boom boom

I love just taking the hammock with a mozzie net and a blanket. No level ground, wet ground, no worries. One end on the car, other on a tree.

How about using a diesel heater?

Best part of the week

Hey mate, how do you install maxtrax on your roof top tent racks?

I like my tent and swag, so I will stick to them. Though if I was ever to get a camping trailer an RTT would definitely be on my list.

Does the wet canvas wet your bed when it’s shut up

Thank you for a thorough, useful review!

Great video. Very informative. *Aussie* Arvos should be saying a Zed-fold tent, not a yankee Zee-fold tent.

Great videos lads

Very informative video!

Yeah the barefoot thing on many rtt ladders can suck

I honesty think you can’t go past a proper thick and well built RTT. You said it yourself. You want to store all your bedding up there so what’s the point with all these thin and light made ones on the market constantly all doing the same wrong designs. Put a bush company up there and be done with it. Yes they are more expensive but it’s worth it in every metric.

This tent looks like a carbon copy of my Darche Streamliner. Even the ladder.

Feels like an ad for Ocam

My tent takes 1 mins max to set up. Also i am 6ft4 so most rootops seem to small. The cost my tent cost 245 and sleeps us all.

my only problem is the $3000 price tag that comes with them.

I was thinking about getting a rooftop tent until 35 mph winds became the new normal. Must be hell in there trying to relax or sleep with 20 mph or higher winds.

Went from swag to soft shell RTT and now back to swag. Soft shell tents are not more convenient to set up than a swag, but a hardshell does look pretty easy. Big swags are usually wider than hard shell tents which adds comfort if its two adults sleeping in it. Wouldn't mind trying a hard shell but doesnt really suit my vehicle or type of set up. Having the permanent weight on a vehicle thet also gets daily duties more often than anything is a massive turn off. Any car drives better if it's light weight, on or off road. I don't think it's always worth it it for everyone, especially if you go camping rarely (less than once a month). If you travel a lot it's a no brainer, but for the everyman it's team swag all the way.

I've spent more time in my rtt in my buddies driveway because I was too drunk to drive hom e.

That’s a nice tent but I could never justify that kind of expense!

Do you think you will ever convince Liam to get one

You guys always got excellent 👌 content ✔️. ( Hot Water Bottle)🤣. THEIRS and old saying,, get a bag of cement and harden Up. Get thermals!!

It’s worth it upgraded from kings . Ocam definitely made it easy to set up and enjoy

Should paint the 80 a tuff colour

hey liam and patty saw the ad you made gotta say caught me off guard though really nice, gotta say if i get enough cash ill go ahead and buy one, boy a swag is painful

I reckon your spare tyre and jerry cans/rear bar set up makes your car more unstable than the roof topper?

Get yourself a kick ass electric blanket absolute awesome

Once your backs rooted not having to pack up or get up off the ground all the time is worth every cent.

I have the darche streamline and this is literally copy and paste, it’s the same just a different colour 😂

After sleeping in a swag for the best part of 40years i will never go back to a swag and that’s mainly due to the easy setup/packup 😉

Gum boys lettsss goooooo 🤘🤘🤘

I'm 4 years in on my kings rooftop for 699 For comparison I'll keep what I got

I'm not anti RTTs for a log time I wanted one, but I have a 90-10 RULE, if I might use it 10% of the time, I wont buy it, if its used 90% useful I will buy it! So how many trips have you used it this year where you needed it? If full time touring I get it? If sometimes a few nights away and then other weekends doing hard tracks, it doesn't make sense to me, that's how I decide on a product. Not hating but we are seeing increasingly big push's from many youtubers for this and that , justifications on how everyone can do it to etc etc, some of those channels have completely turned me off. That's fine they don't care anyways, but I have seen a change in those people and not for the better imo. Success can go to ways! Like anything it depends on your needs and solution to a problem, its seems most buys by people and I know them personally are wants! Not a need or a fix for a problem! I helped remove a roof rack off my mates 4wd the other day, been on there a year and back when he bought I said he had more important things to address on his forby! I said it was a waste for what he does! It wasn't really the right one and 2 he never uses it, so its sitting up there as a big wind breaker creating drag and also raising his engine temps, both are not good, he has had cooling issues on and off and replaced everything but the right stuff. Being a Nissan, radiator and exhaust, should be number one, not fancy light bars racks and other stuff never used! Just an example. So I have spot lights but have resisted for example buying a light bar, WHY, I don't use them enough to warrant buying it, its a complete waste of money and time! My spots are more than enough, also not the highest price fancy shit and have never let me down! Osram LEDs, quality with a good warranty. The biggest trip I did last year was 5 weeks on the road in my 80s, I had a Large Esky, used a 2 man tent the whole time, me and my dog. I used Ice and cold river water to keep it from melting, usually I could get a week out of it. I used that silver emergency blanket material as insulation and even a damp tent fly or swap on top or towel helps and they dry out in the back of the 80s no probs in summer! But keeps my esky cold! I have no power issues, no charging issues, no fire issues or any other touch wood electrical issues, its simple, light and works its not perfect, but I don't go 4wding or camping for perfection, for me personally the more I have the less I enjoy something, that's my personal experience! You learn this as you get older, haha, no one listens that's why wisdom is wasted on the youth I was there 2 once not so long ago! I will get a fridge freezer this before this summer, but it wont be OTT! I spend my money on maintenance and upgrades that make sense! For reliability and capability. My biggest aim is to always keep weight down! I did 5 trips last year that were over 3 days, so an RTT its not really something I need frankly and so far this year have done 2 big ones, did 10 days over Easter with same setup at Xmas! No issues! If you are regularly touring it makes sense I guess I'm no longer convinced on that however! I think Id rather get a Camper like Patriot and leave it at BaseCamp if the tracks were that hard, Id be better off than having an RTT, yes its more expensive also. So there's that. There just seems too much is being wasted on having too much gear, too much stuff you don't need or use! regularly enough to warrant carrying it around! And it has really accelerated on channels the last year or 2. I think Id still rather go with a Swag on a stretcher if I wanted to be off the ground, with a good 270 deg awning, which is on my list this year also, I often will camp in a tent use a light weight camping hiking tarp (3x3) because of weight and speed and flexibility both also hold up well in high winds and adverse conditions so I can still sit outside in pouring rain and stay dry, esp if its overnight only, or I can sleep inside the truck it it gets really bad. I have versatility by going light and packing small. That's my take on it, I do see some benefits esp if you are travelling with your partner but again how often! Still seems like a brick up there to me! Weight is always my priority, spares which I do carry to much of and don't need and never use so I'm working on cutting that down also, that's actually my biggest thing I carry, CVs axles, hubs, not necessary for 80% of what I do, on a long trip one of each maybe! Something I did recently on a nice day was pull everything out of my truck and laid it out on the grass, 2 rows, what I need regularly on daily maybe an overnighter trip! That's my "Go bag" always in the truck gear! My long trip equipment and spares, only load if going for a week or more on longer trip over many routes! Anyways appreciate you guys work! 🤘

Great 👍 content, guys. You have all been full of good ideas. Almost 6 years, I have been supporting your channel. From William. Mount Gambier, South Australia. RU-vid: Bill's Channel 1987

My wife says she prefers thickness over convenience LOL

I prefer the room in swag

How do you pee during the night up in a rtt

Of course you would pick the newer one. They pay you.

No offence, but you've had a couple of rtt's so now you're an expert? Did you get a discount (or worse, a gift ) on this unit? If so, you should make sure people understand it is an advert. I generally enjoy your work, but this is a bit much...

My 2 cents. RTT is for those under 40. When youre over 40. You will understand why.

Roof top tents suck !!! They are heavy , a pain in the ass to get in and out of and they make your vehicle in drivable when set up . I had one mounted on a a trailer and I’d never have one again

If you have to put your bedding in it every time ,,its pointless

Seriously? Your a shill for a brand you got for free. Zero comparison essentially with other alternatives. Partner snoring? Got to pee in the night? Weight for the vehicle - rated for the rack? Off road stability - center of gravity? Basically an ad and a waste of 11 minutes.

Bullshit, don't buy rooftop tent millions batter oztent than rooftop

get a 12 volt or 240 volt throw blanket, low wattage, use them as a pseudo electric blanket. they work grouse.

Is there new 270 awning wider then that terrible first one they made i made that mistake i bought it because you said it was good 🤣 but it literally provides no shade

How is ya swag soaked.from.rain? A tarp PVC bag good canvas etc Love ya channel but mate if ya Guna make statements get it right 👍