ROOF TOP TENT VS SWAG, Pro's and Con's 

'Girls, use the swag roll as a football drill.' You definitely get some 'awesome dad points,' if not 'best dad award' for that.

Ive never heard about swags in the USA. I would love a tent vs swag video.

I agree about RTT mounted on a roof. My Ute has a half rack over the truck bed and the RTT sits on it putting the tent at cab height. No wind noise, no loss of fuel economy, and since it sits lower its easy to access all the flaps and windows. The added weight actually helps with traction because it’s over the rear tires where there’s less weight than the front with the cab. Always great vids, mate. US loves Ronny Dahl.

Pro tip: a lot of cons for swagging can be avoided by setting it up on a stretcher bed. More comfort, less dirt/sand in your swag and you've also got a great place to put your boots. I've sawgged this way for a few years now and it makes a massive improvement. Having said that I'm looking at putting a rooftopper on my trailer to turn it kinda into a budget camper trailer for longer trips, but I still have to iron out a few kinks yet before I commit to that purchase

swag on a stretcher bed ;) eliminates the "on the ground cons" ;) plus much easier to get into bedplus you can just dig holes to under the higher legs to make it level ;)

When I'm ready to jump into my swag, I just chuck my boots in the car and walk over in my thongs. Then your thongs can just sit outside the swag waiting patiently for the inevitable 3am wizz.

This is hands down the best video I've watched about this. I've spent hours trying to decide and find the perfect roof top tent or if I should just stay with my ground tent. Clam shell tent it is.

Little tip when I use a swag, I have it underneath my awning and awning wall, sometimes on a stretcher which combats some of the con points Ronny mentioned of being on the ground. Anyway being this close to the car I can undo my muddy boots and step into the swag, open the door and put my boots in the car, keeping the swag clean. On this point I also have my clothing bag accessible from said door meaning in the morning or night I can just reach in for my clothes and grab them out and change in the swag, eliminating space taken up by clothing bags and what not. Really would recommend for anyone to try and to this if they can, makes camp life in a swag so much better

It's one of those questions where there isn't a right or a wrong. Great video again Ronny 👍🏼

This video was great, thanks. I’m researching RTTs and came across your channel. This is exactly the debate I’m having right now in my head :)

not really a pro over a RTT, but: a swag is definitely typical Aussie, quite iconic. i brought mine back to Germany. i sadly have to admit that i'm using it far too infrequently, but when i do - the reactions i get are priceless! "will you bring your bear trap again?" is my favourite :D

I have both. Swag and hardshell AX4 rooftop tent. Swags for 4wd camping trips, rooftops for extended stays.

Hi Ronny I got a rooftop soft cover and on the 4x4 it was a wast of $ if I ever get a new rooftop I would only go hard shell, I spent 50 years in a swag and never had any problem the only thing with a swag is rolling them up with old fingers and using them up North in the wet session the rest of the time they are great easy to put up and put away and they don't take mass of space. I have used swags all over Australia from the snow to the desert from 40c + to -15d and have never been cold or wet (PS I set up in the DAY)

I agree with salsa 2 below, my 10 x 12 tent is much smaller packed than any of those 'swags'.. Very well presented, that's why I started watching you.

Double swag on stretchers under the awning for my wife and I. Just got back from a month out Central Australia and loved it.

I did the soft shell RTT for about 5 years. Never again. When I chucked the RTT I went to the Marmot Limestone 8P tent and slept on a cot. I really enjoyed the extra room inside. Now, I’m in a Darche Dirty Dee Swag and absolutely love it.

Top video! I was wanting a rooftop tent on my ute but now my mind has changed

I have a dome tent, it works for my lifestyle. I like your thinking about inconvenience on vehicle roof and fuel consumption, being sensitive to fuel consumption. I rather drive more. Having said that, I am toying with the trailer idea and your hardtop view makes sense. Thanks.

Good Pro & Cons video. In Europe it's pretty difficult to get a swag (aka order one from Australia) so most people go for this 3 options: Ground tent, RTT or sleeping platform inside the car or in the UTE hard top

Great vid! We have a hard shell rtt for 8 years now and love it. Had to deal with soft shell rtt when traveling in Australia and hated the set up & closing. Was really happy to use our hard shell when back home. It is on our Defender but no problem for offroad... except maybe for MOAB 😅

Been swagging it for years and love them. But, just had my first outing in a rtt on a trailer and loved that as well. These old bones don't quite get in an out of a swag as easy as they used to. Having said that, depends on the situation - a weekend with the boys = swag. A few days away with the Minister of Finance and Domestic Affairs, then it'll be the rtt from here on I reckon.

The thing that stuck out for me "the cheaper it is, the more work is required in setting up and packing down". Thanks Ronny

I myself have been a swag man all my life. But have lately been considering a similar set up trailer with the RTT seen in this vid. I was unsure weather to go soft or hard top. You have now 100% convinced me on hard RTT. thanks a heap for the vid champ. 👍🏼👍🏼

I have both and enjoy using both. But more and more I find the roof top tent is my go to. One of the pros for the roof top not mentioned was the ease and speed of getting ready to go off camping. With my vehicle mounted tent it now takes less than hour from deciding to go and driving out the gate. All I have to get ready and throw in the vehicle is food and clothes.

Absolutely need a ground tent vs swag video. This is the first time I ever heard of a swag

I have an X2 pretty much with the same setup of yours (with J. Baroud on top), and completely agree on your analysis. I will consider to acquire a swag as a plan B or when I have guests, taking on count your advice.

Good ideas. Thanks for taking the time to show the pro's and con's.

G’day Ronny, thanks for posting another informative video. Great stuff. I recently bought a lovely (but slow af) 1HZ powered 80. It came with a 3m awning and a Darche Highview RTT. We’ve used it a few times and it has proven itself to be very comfy. As you mentioned, you are up off the ground which if you are camping in the cooler months in Southern NSW is very beneficial, everything stays drier. But my 80 runs 33” tyres and a 4” lift. Packing up every day to hit the trails and set up again every night is a pain in the arse, particularly when the trails are so dusty by day that you have to make sure it is completely zipped up and covered lest it get full of dust. You are right, you can feel the weight of the bloody thing up there when you are negotiating some of the more technical stuff. Regardless, my accomodation is up there, out of the way. I’m not dragging a bloody trailer around and I don’t have to worry about allowing space in the cab of the car for my accomodation. Anyway, keep the vids coming mate, they’re great.

Thanks for the post. Here, in the U.S.A., I have a Tepui Ruggedized XL (soft-top) four-person tent on a Toyota Tundra. Although, it may be little time consuming to fully set it up (30 minutes for two people), I still like the spaciousness of it. It really provides the four-season camping experience for all weather situations. It's perfect for two people along all of our belongings, including a Mr. Heater Portable Buddy propane heater. Prior to purchasing the tent, I also looked at hard-shell rooftop tents, and the major drawback was the lesser space. With my Tepui tent, the floor space doubles when opened (closed size is 48"x72", opened sized is 96"x72").

I recently bought a soft top rooftop tent and I agree with Ronny completely. I absolutely love how comfortable it is, but the set up/takedown are a pain.

I had a Darche RTT (soft shell) and loved it. Put it to the test in a lovely Westerly outside Queenstown... it survived, but it was loud. So if you are in windy/exposed parts of the world I'd say go Swag! Currently working on my next build and I've decided to Swag. They are just a lot more versatile .... and in a Discovery, I really don't want any more weight up high!

Great video Ronny! Definitely like the idea of the RTT on the trailer. Would not put one on our XJ how we use it. Clearance with trees etc..would be a problem. ❤️🐞

"if you're picking up what I'm putting down" is that like "Do you understand what I'm saying?"

I have had an oztent for years and decided to get the kings qwiky rtt yes more fuel but as we are getting older having the bed made and off the ground made more sense absolutely love it. 30sec to open and little longer to close.

Helpful review,, Thanks. I recently ditched my RTT for a swag. However, I'm setting up my swag on my Diamondback bed cover. This is giving me the best of both. With the swag on my bed cover I've: - Removed dangerous high center of gravity - Reduced cost for sleeping system, RTT $ vs. Swag $ - Improved gas mileage ~ 4 mpg - Kept off ground and level sleeping feature by using truck bed cover as base for swag - Reduce time and hassle of tent setup & take down - Removed base camp mobility hassle of truck top RTT. I can actually drive at moderate speed with the swag deployed on the truck bed cover. - I can use my bed rack and tarps to expand my sleeping space to run a Mr. Buddy Heater, better protection from the elements and room for discrete clothes changing with my swag

I've got the best of both worlds. I have a swag, bit I built this retractable extension on my truck's bed. It's quite light and I just set up the swag on there. Mind you, I don't do really long trips, just a couple of nights camping.

Great video! Hello from USA👋🏾. Thanks to you, you broaden my horizon of choice of shelters for overlanding. I always assumed there was the RTT and tents, but these SWAGS are something difficult and prolly something I would consider now. Please do a tent versus SWAG video.

Always incredibly helpful, thanks! Shoutout from southwest US!

Great video Ronny! Very informative. Keep up the great work.

I debated over the question of ground tent vs rtt, and I decided to take the third option: Cot tent with rain fly that goes almost to the ground. It's nearly identical to the one sold by Oztrail. Extremely comfy, roomy enough for me and my gear, very weather proof, off the ground, weighs 25lbs, not overly huge when packed, can stay behind at basecamp, and it only cost me 50 canuck bucks vs the $800-$2000 of a RTT.

Just had our first trip with our Bush Company RTT (hardshell). It sits on our lift-off canopy set-up. Sold the Darche Panorama for the reasons you mentioned. This one is fantastic (though not cheap). We have coupled it with the Darche 180 Awning, which is also brilliant and goes up and comes down in less than 3 minutes. With the tent, we can have both packed away in around 5 minutes (no exaggeration). For an overnight stop you are ready for camp and ready for leaving in minutes. If we want to go for a drive we can simply leave our camp gear (tables, chairs etc.) in place and pack up the tent and awning for a quick getaway. If we are staying for a few days (base-camping) we can lift the canopy off (this takes about thirty minutes all up, so is mainly for long stays or when we want to tow the boat but leave camp set-up). All in all, the best set-up we have ever had. Not a swag lover (my background is outdoor education, so I prefer lightweight, compact ground set-ups) but must say the simple, triangulated, tie-up swags are great for the desert. Most of the new ones take longer to set up than some tents! And swags can be really dusty to pack up. ps: our boat has a bed...;-) As usual, good video and clear explanations, cheers.

You talked me out of the roof topper, ppl definitely need to watch this before buying 👍

Had tents for ever when camping with the family. Great times. My son still does the swag. Now V8 Toyota Troopie with a pop top, ready made bed and just to top it off diesel heater and hot shower. I reckon I've earn't it. Can set up in 1 minute and shut down in less than 2 minutes. Did I mention we love our troopie. Yes, the price point is a tad more than a swag.

Hey Ronny, great video as always. It's probably a little silly of me but I just wanted to point out that 'pros and cons' do not use apostrophes, grammatically speaking. Thanks again mate.

We have swags plus a camper trailer. We have talked about a roof top tent but it’s a problem having to pack up everyday as you mentioned plus going to the toilet 🚽 overnight can be dangerous when climbing down in the dark. So good summary by the way. Cheers

I have a double swag and fully agree about size and the space it takes up in the vehicle, but I do love it. Also keeping the zips together at the top of the flap minimises the snakes and spiders getting in issue. I always laugh when I see people zip their swags/tents up and they have the zips down low.

I had a Kings rtt, the soft one and it was shit! I’m now back in the swag & saving for a quality clam style rtt. Lesson learned.

Im a swag man always have been but recently ive started doing very long 4x4 touring holidays. Most recently i spent 2 months checking out the kimberlys in northern WA. And i can tell you right now 68 days moving camp every day, contending with massive humidity and almost no breeze at night i will be buying a rooftopper. Simply not needing to dry it out for an hour or 2 every morning before rollup is a win in my book

I have both and use both it different scenarios and love both, because they both have pro’s and cons. Awesome video mate! I really enjoyed it and found it very informative.

I've got a few choices to work with. Solo - Bourke & Wills single swag that I've had for 20 years. With the wife - Double swag. Family - Tent if we're off-roading, camper trailer (soft floor) if touring. Ground sheet and awning over the top for everything but the camper.

We use an enclosed side awning on the 4x4. This isn't something many people seem to consider but we think it is a pretty good option.

Good pro/con video on the two. I would love to see a swag vs. ground tent video. Maybe include a bivy sack (which seems a lot like what you call a swag) Keep up the great work, Ronny! Your channel inspires me to get out and do more.

Great Video. Lots of Info. Thanks!!

This was an awesome video thank you and it was very thorough

I considered all these options for a year Then just build a sleeping platform in my Landcruiser, perfect queen size bed with 2 pillow and heaps of space. Zero on the roof, Zero on the ground, Set up time is Zero, When it rains, i just smile and roll over If its cold in the morning, i reach over the start the vehicle and run the heater Can charge my devices, can access the fridge. My vehicle stays light weight and fast Cost, about $40 and some off cut timber, some second hand carpet. How ever, i did want a James Baroud RTT and 270 awning.... That was my dream, but what i have is easier, less weight and stays in-vehicle

Another great vid Ronny. I have been fortunate to have owned them all. I have an X2 as well, and it originally had a soft shell rtt on top. Did a cape york trip with it, setup and pack up was manageable with two ppl. And yes, we got very dirty when setting and packing up!!! It wasn't until I started doing solo trips that I realised how much of a pain the soft shell rtt was!! So, I spoke to the finance minister, and we bought a bundutop rtt. Wow, talk about luxury!!! My son also has a crashpad single swag and it is fantastic, even I've contemplated taking it away instead of the X2. But the whole base camp experience with an X2 is unbeatable. I also have a oztent rv4 and find that to be a fantastic tent. However, it's hard to go past pushing a button on a bundutop, and having your bed ready to sleep in in about 20 seconds!!

This helped me save a bunch of money. Thanks

👍Terrific info based on real world, real user experience. Thank you! 🙏💝

I'm looking at a rooftop now Ronny thanks for the video and congrats on 300k

Great video mate as always. I love my trusty AOS swag but I have been thinking about a roof top tent. The weight and fuel thing really puts me off though.

Great review mate good work got me rethinking the roof top for cape York trip

Thanks for the content Ron! Definitely prefer ground tent / swag rather than the roof top tent! With you on that one boss! :)

you make good points, my arb rooftop soft clamshell is fantastic, 5 mins up and 5 mins packdown.. and loads more room than a hardtop.

With 3 kids and the missus, I have opted for a camp trailer. Get the right one and you can be setup in about 5 mins. I have timed my pack-down, 8mins ;) You can leave it at base and go cruisin. If you use your truck as a daily then you can have your camper as an easy hitch-up camping solution with everything ready to go... I personally converted an army trailer into a camper as they are tough as hell. Hope this helps someone.

Just bought a Simpson III rooftop soft tent. Easy enough to setup. Even us beeing short and having it on a Tahoe, we have it setup in 5 minutes.

Great info. ARB has some newer swags with water resistant floors. I see many RTT that are ornaments over the bed restricting its use. I use tents when it is below freezing, and when it's warmer having a hammock, as long as there are trees sufficient for holding up a hammock. I run a rope and tarp over top and I have slept through heavy rain storms and cool weather. I recently picked up a Tentsile trillium 3 person hammock. It I great to sprawl out and be up off the ground, plus there are lots to make it a 4 season tent. But it requires sturdy trees. It's kind of like a swiss family Robinson treehouse.

Iv'e had them all,even still have me camper, got sick of the hasstle,now got a double swag for myself and have never looked back it's awesome

Where I am here in Romania, you must sleep in your truck due to bears. . .

Re your fuel consumption comment. I have a S/C Hilux with raised suspension, AluCab canopy and a Bundutec RTT. Consumption with everything on over a 6 month period, 8,2 Km per Litre Consumption with the Canopy and Bundutop removed over a 3 month period, 8,4 Km per Litre The loss of 200m per litre well worth the hassle free camping and in Africa, best to get as high as possible As for having the additional weight on top of your vehicle, 60kg spread over half your vehicle is hardly excessive or noticeable.

I actually have a setup called a kamprite tent cot and it’s not bad. The setup is quick and breakdown is fast. Less than $200 here in the states. We will see how long it holds up. I think they are starting to get on the overlanders radar. Thanks for all the great info

I do both and i love them it just depends where im going n what im doing

I've used a ground tent exclusively over 25+ years. I have used a cot and various pads inside. I have used a bivy sack (close to a swag) a few times and love it for the simplicity and compact nature, but it's bare bones for sure. I have also used a hammock. If it's just me, I use the hammock. If I have dogs, kiddos, and the better half, then I go for the big ground tent. Never had a RTT but I would like to try one, maybe on a trailer given your pros/cons list.

Great video Ronny, very interesting to hear your opinion, not just a list of pros and cons, as it adds weight to your argument rather than just being passive. I used to have a Swagman Double dome swag for me and the missus, and it was great, but as the opening was at the top, anytime you wanted to get in or out it meant standing on the other person with dirty feet. Also if it was raining and you wanted to enter/exit, in came the water. I trialed putting the swag on my roof rack, which actually fit perfectly, and I realised how much better things would be sleeping up high. So I sold the swag and got a second hand Kings soft cover RTT. It was $100 more expensive than my swag, and I loved it. I needed to change some cheap fitting out (just replaced with stuff sitting in the shed), and its the best way to camp that I know. Yes its not as simple to pack away and you do need to get more hands on than a hard shell tent, but I now look forward to every camping trip knowing that I get to sleep up in my RTT and be super comfy. The cons are far outweighed by the pros, and the benefit of having a good nights sleep makes the pack up time worth the cost. Next I will be looking at getting a hard shell RTT, hopefully an Alucab or Bush Company, but until then, I just want to go out camping more. Cheers.

My camp car is a Suzuki Jimny and I have an Oztent RS-1 Swag that fits perfectly on the Frontrunner roof rack. That combination seems to be gold. 💥😁

I wanted a rooftop tent until I saw this. There were a lot of cons I didn't even think about. Thanks!

Ive swaged it all my life but starting to think roof top tent for tray space, good video mate keep up the good work

Although I use a camper trailer now, am going back to a stretcher swag type for the shorter trips. Lower profile than a swag, more room, and quicker drying.

Simple, no BS info. Thanks

This may have been mentioned before but if not here goes! My wife and I are in our mid 60s. So for us a rooftop tent has the big disadvantage of safety in climbing up and down a ladder to get into it. Also if you have to go to the toilet in the night, you have to climb up and down ladders in the dark and half asleep. So we went with a 2.4 x 2.4m pop-up ground tent in which we can stand up fully inside and I am 1.92m. Great video however, thank you.

With the soft vs hard RTT I think you glanced over two main difference. Hard shell are typically much shorter then soft in I’m 6 foot 5 and hard shells are way to short unless I sleep curled up. Also the soft RTT has far better ventilation on a rainy night it is 100% more comfortable as you can get cross ventilation going both ways as you have the awnings unlike most hard shells. And to be honest your camping and meant to be relaxing why can you not spend and extra 3 minutes you have all day

I set up a hootchie/tarpaulin over my swag, as it can deflect the wind, keep the rain off & store boots and equipment!

Great video mate 👍 I love swags but a roof top is great for when you’re with the kids or missus. I’m off on a motorcycle adventure next weekend and will be taking a swag with my mattress and sleeping bag all rolled into one, 6.2kgs 💪😎 Cheers. Jason.

I know you've had one Ronny but since getting a jet bunker haven't looked back. FYI I've done 10 days in July in the high country rain wind and snow not an issue. Main downside is you can pack it up with bedding and I bring a self inflating mattress nowhere

Swag any day had mine for a few years now and one of my best camping things

Awesome info brother. Love your channel

I had a canvas tent on an echo camping trailer. Biggest pain in the ass setting up and folding away. replaced the tent with a bundutop rtt on the trailer. Best investment i made. Easy motorised lift and close. Best is all the bedding and much more is left in the rtt freeing up space and saving time. Win win for me

RTTs work well for pickup trucks here in the USA. You can keep the tent even with the roofline for better center of gravity and fuel economy. With a well designed bed rack the RTT also serves as a cover for the bed to help reduce water, snow and dust covering any gear you have in the bed. Coupled with a good tarp you can keep gear almost completely dry/clean. For snow or wet weather camping I much prefer a RTT. Hard shells are great if you don't need a lot of space and can afford them but at half the price a soft shell gets the job done.

I’ve had same swag (no hoops) for 25years. It’s been good but lousy when it’s raining or heavy dew. RTT on a trailer is on my list with a young family. Give me a buzz Ronny if Justin gives you a new X2 and you want to shift the old one. 😜

I'll always put a tarp up and put the swag under it. Two swags actually mine and a mates as I use a 18 foot by 14 foot tarp pegged at two corners to to ground and two or sometimes four extendable poles holding the other two corners up and four heavy duty ropes to peg and hold the poles in place, high enough to stand under. Not too big and not too small, I find it just the right size. Couple camp chairs will fit under it as well when it rains. Swags stay dry and your shaded by the early morning sun as long as you face the tarp in the right direction. Has lasted 20 years and still works a treat to this day.

Throw a tarp over that swag & you're virtually weatherproof!

I've never used a swag but have done a lot of camping trips on my motorbike (currently a Suzuki DR650 ADV). I use a little 2-man (I think it was advertised as a 3-man but you'd never fit 3 in it comfortably) tent which gives me enough room to bring my panniers, bag, and boots in with me so it's ideal. What I especially like about it is it has enough headroom that I can sit on my Helinox Chair-1 without my head touching the roof, next to my Helinox Table-1, while cooking and eating/drinking a meal and reading a Kindle at night, zipped up out of the mozzies. (I know, I'm always super careful when using a stove inside a tent, and keep a window & door a little unzipped to vent the carbon monoxide outside.) What I save on caravan park fees I spend on a good quality mattress and sleeping bag and I always get a good night's sleep in it and get woken by a chorus of little warblers in the trees outside. Very nice. On the DR I'm able to wander deep into the bush in search of the ideal campsite. And it's not so heavy I can't easily pick it up without having to off-load all my luggage if (when) I put it down The tent is a simple design, small and light enough to carry in a dry bag on the seat behind me without adding any weight to speak of. 2 little fibre-glass poles and a dozen little Helinox aluminium (highly recommended) pegs and guy ropes secure it to the ground. First time I put it up it took me a while to nut it out but now it's a 5 minute job. Taking it down and packing it up in the morning takes a lot longer unless I manage to set it up where the sun hits it early so the dew and frost will be gone without my having to sit around til10am before rolling it up. I'd like to be able to hit the road by sunup but that only happens the times I stay in a motel, which I almost never do because I'd miss the early morning birdsong chorus. So long story short, like I said I've never tried a swag but I don't fancy it. Btw I can easily get dressed inside my little tent.

Absolutely love our Hannibal Roof Top Tent, set up/ pack downs not that big a deal, it’s all part of the fun. Plus it’s heaps roomier than the hard shell.

Always appreciate your non bias opinon.

I am using a soft tent/air matress that fits in my bed, my supplies are all on the tacoma's rails in ammo boxes bolted around it so they are easy to get to tent on or off, takes about 20 minutes to set up, and I can store more camping supplies in the access cab. between the boxes and the cab I have enough space for my air up/air down needs, recovery gear, camp kitchen, spare clothing, tents and sleep ware as well as food for about 6 days. has worked very well and been super comfortable. for the price of the tent and air mattress I think I'm in 200 bucks or so? bought it as a short term thing for a trip before i looked at other more expensive options but me and the wife love it, so I dont plan to "upgrade".

love that trapdoor spider, hope she didnt get hurt!, i would love a tent vs swag video!

I always have friends ask for advice before camp trips, overnight or long term. My advice is to prepare for the worst conditions you can imagine, sideways rain, high winds hot and cold. The most robust sleeping in this case is a low centre of gravity tear drop trailer or some kind of folding fibreglass set up. Fabric is shit even after one night of rain, let alone two days of rain etc.

Got a hard shell on the Discovery 3 and a soft shell on the off-road trailer we travel with 3 kids. Hardshell is for quick packing and exploring every day and trailer is soft because of it being a base camp.

Like the metallica reference...big fan of ur channel keep bringing some great content

I’ve got a Arb rooftop on top of my Hilux and setup no problems but packing it up you need to get up on top and push down to get cover done up when family is camping with me no problems I use rooftop but just me swag I just bought sand swag as you Ronny crashpad black stealth 🥷 one can’t wait to get it out there now

cant go wrong with a canvas swag so warm and weather proof