Suburban original roof "rack" and roof tent

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Ricko1966

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I know the rooftop stuff is the big fad right now, I see it everywhere. I am with you, bring a tent, a pop-up, something that isn't attached to the vehicle so you can be mobile to go hiking at a trailhead a few miles away, go fishing at various spots, get beer, get food, get supplies, get the eff out where you are quickly. Tent camping isn't bad, just bring a suitable pad or mattress so you're not sleeping on the ground. Rooftop camping is just tent camping on top of your rig.
Folding lawn chair or pool mattress have been what I used.They work great,portable and cheap
 

TotalyHucked

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At this stage of the game....I ain't sleepin' on the ground ,I don't give a damn what's under me....air, pillow, dirt, whatever.... NOT doin' it, me and nature don't get along a lot!
This. For what all the gear (or god forbid an RV/toy hauler and dually) cost and as little as I enjoy it, I'll just rent a cabin. Or sleep inside the 'burb. Me and tents don't get along
 

bucket

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This. For what all the gear (or god forbid an RV/toy hauler and dually) cost and as little as I enjoy it, I'll just rent a cabin. Or sleep inside the 'burb. Me and tents don't get along

I really enjoy tent camping. Not sure why I do, but I do. Never slept in a roof tent though. Seems like it would only be beneficial when the trail IS your camp spot for the night. That's not really a possibility where I'm from.
 

TotalyHucked

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I really enjoy tent camping. Not sure why I do, but I do. Never slept in a roof tent though. Seems like it would only be beneficial when the trail IS your camp spot for the night. That's not really a possibility where I'm from.
I hate tent camping. I've woken up in puddles or slept on branches/rocks I didn't see when setting up, had kids/drunk people stumble into it and collapse it down on me, not to mention it's not exactly much protection from bears (and there's alot of them here). Plus I'm always either dying of heat stroke or freezing to death. No thanks
 

bucket

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I hate tent camping. I've woken up in puddles or slept on branches/rocks I didn't see when setting up, had kids/drunk people stumble into it and collapse it down on me, not to mention it's not exactly much protection from bears (and there's alot of them here). Plus I'm always either dying of heat stroke or freezing to death. No thanks

Yeah, you gotta be careful with tent placement. If you know where to put them and have a pad for under your sleeping bag, all is good. If you are cold, you just need to wear more layers.
 

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At this stage of the game....I ain't sleepin' on the ground ,I don't give a damn what's under me....air, pillow, dirt, whatever.... NOT doin' it, me and nature don't get along a lot!
Ditto sleeping on the ground is no longer fun and games. But a big ole burb and comfy mattress in the back is ok!
 

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I really enjoy tent camping. Not sure why I do, but I do. Never slept in a roof tent though. Seems like it would only be beneficial when the trail IS your camp spot for the night. That's not really a possibility where I'm from.
Same. Even if the trail is your camp, setting a tent for the night isn'tdifficult. A nice air mattress, a quality tent with a rain cap, not a rain fly, and it's not too bad. I sleep so much better camping than I do at home.
 

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Yeah, you gotta be careful with tent placement. If you know where to put them and have a pad for under your sleeping bag, all is good. If you are cold, you just need to wear more layers.
The trick is a quality sleeping bag rated for colder than you think it'll get. My sleeping bags are rated 25*. Roasty toasty down into the 30s, and a zip-in fleece liner so you can flop the bulky bag off when it's not cold enough for it.
 

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Burb or otherwise, I have all my camping gear loaded on to a 4x8 utility trailer. I can load it at my leisure and hook up when ready to go.

Also, I'm 6'5" and massive, and my wife is 6'2". The roof is not rated for us, even with additional bracing.
 

TotalyHucked

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Yeah, you gotta be careful with tent placement. If you know where to put them and have a pad for under your sleeping bag, all is good. If you are cold, you just need to wear more layers.
Hey, hey. Enough with your logic
 

Frankenchevy

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I would be reluctant to put anything but an uber lightweight RTT on most factory racks. That being said, my burb doesn’t have the factory racks/rail anymore, so I can’t give one the shake test.

As stated, most roof rack systems attach to rails drilled into sheet metal, but are often spread over a longer area. My rails are about 7’ long into fiberglass. I doubled the number of fasteners Yakima said to use and I also spread the load out internally by using a track system on the underside that doubles as a continuous backing plate. Not really feasible on a Burb though…

Typically, an RTT attaches to the crossbars, correct. Either way you’ll have to do some adapting.
 

idahovette

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WOW @bucket what fun!!!!!!
Same. Even if the trail is your camp, setting a tent for the night isn'tdifficult. A nice air mattress, a quality tent with a rain cap, not a rain fly, and it's not too bad. I sleep so much better camping than I do at home.
You got a sh!TTY BED at home !!!!!!!
 

DoubleDingo

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........You got a sh!TTY BED at home !!!!!!!
Lol...it's a good one...

But, where I camp it's higher in elevation, so cold at night. Prime sleeping conditions, cold dense air, air mattress at the perfect firmness, very warm bed covers, so excellent sleep.
 

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