Does anyone here hunt out of a rootop tent setup? Seeking feedback

[ghosthunter]

Well I don’t have a roof top tent, I see them turkey hunting but at 73 I zero interest in crawling up a ladder to sleep. I still don’t own a full size truck. Just too big. I am on my 2 nd Nissan Frontier and it’s gets used.

I prefer the size because it’s easy to turn around on narrow roads and has all the power I need, to pull my fiberglass Rv,or utility trailer any where I want to go. Hunting season this year it saw 4K miles . It’s a crew cab but the back seat is more gun rack than passenger seating. If I needed an another truck I would buy the same. It’s quiet and dependable.

And rather than driving a full size bed every where I bought a 5 x 10 utility trailer which I can sleep in or haul trash, use for dry storage at hunting camp. Move stuff for family.

Way better than a full size truck in my op.

[ipkus]

The only benefit is parking is easier at the mall.

And the convenience store.  And the doctor’s office.  And the job parking lot.

I’m a short bed guy because like almost everyone else my truck is my daily driver and as much as I hunt and fish that’s still less than 10% of my daily driving.

But I also think the elevated tents make zero sense unless you always drive to one location and camp the entire time from right there.  Which I personally don’t know anybody that does.  With that said, I don’t preach to others, you do you and I’ll do me.

[teanawayslayer]

There a pain to hunt out of. Set up
Every night and break down every morning. I’ve used it quite a bit on scouting trips. But there is less to do durning those trips so the set up and break down isn’t bad. When it gets wet set it up on a dry day and let it air out. They dry out pretty quick.

[CaNINE]

How else can I justify the tiny ladder on the back of my 4Runner?   

I thought about a RTT but it just didn’t make sense for hunting. Snow loads? Nope.

[Stein]

$250 bed rug, $85 Mr. Heater and I'm as happy as a clam in any conditions in the back of the truck.  I couldn't imagine paying $5k for a small tent.

[ghosthunter]

$250 bed rug, $85 Mr. Heater and I'm as happy as a clam in any conditions in the back of the truck.  I couldn't imagine paying $5k for a small tent.

Well if I am camping where I want to be mobile every day with my camp. Like scouting trips. I use my short bed and a Tent Cot. My tent cot is very comfortable, hang a small tarp if needed put cot under. Cook on tail gate. 15 minutes packed and gone.

[blackveltbowhunter]

You will know best what your individual needs are. I have stayed multiple nights in a GFC and a couple others i don't remember the brand, but they were bigger with ladders coming off the side like platform.  I have never owned one, and don't anticipate ever needing to. I spend a lot of nights in a rig however, hunting and just camping.  Overall I would say i would advise to shy away if looking to use it for hunting, but certainly don't share meeps level of disdain 

IMO the pros: They are cool, kids love it. They impact the mobility of your rig very little. Setup is quicker and more efficient than a full ground setup of similar size. They free up some area in the bed of the rig. Safer in grizz country. They seemed very weather proof. ( heavy rain, and some wind, no snow experience)

Cons: You need a good option for drying. A shop you can pull into that is heated and put a fan on it is ideal. And will keep it working well for years. They dry pretty quick, but will also mildew pretty quick if not dried out after use. If you don't have a good plan for this, then I would pass no matter what, as you will be destroying a significant investment rapidly.
   If your using your rig to travel back and forth from camp to hunting area, its a PITA. Too much hassle for me under the best conditions and will only increase the later into season you get IME.
   Expensive for what it is and add-ons, add-on.

  During early season I need high mobility. I rarely have a "basecamp" but will spend many nights in my rigs. Both my tundra and 4runner are setup so I can sleep very comfortably, and be on the road in the time it takes for the rig to warm up, that includes brushing my teeth and a cup of coffee. the roof top just ends up cutting into that time by being another thing to stow. Late seasons I like a nice base camp, and am usually driving a good bit between hunting areas to and from. Being able to have a "home" for the long nights is a game changer. Again the cramped quarters and no heat are not ideal in this situation.

   A rooftop is not well suited for MY hunting needs. yours may be different.
   

[Boss .300 winmag]

Here you go @ljsommer

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,289975.0.html