Show Notes for Podcast Episode #16
Principles of Overlanding :: RTT vs. Ground Tent vs. Swag vs. Habitat vs. Sleeping in the vehicle
Summary:
For this Principles of Overlanding, Matt and Scott discuss the best sleeping solutions for an overland camp. They review the options of a Roof Top Tent (RTT) vs. a Ground Tent vs. a Wedge Camper (Habitat) vs. Sleeping in the vehicle, and even the Australian Swag. With well over 1,000 nights camping between the two of them, they get deep into the lessons learned camping on all seven continents.
Scott in Kenya with the Autohome Roof Tent
Roof Top Tent
Comprehensive soft shell roof tent test: https://expeditionportal.com/above-the-fray-soft-shell-roof-tents/
Comprehensive hard shell roof tent test: https://expeditionportal.com/the-travelers-tree-house/
1. Know your vehicle’s roof load rating
2. Buy a quality tent from a reputable manufacturer (for longterm service and support)
3. Soft shell for space
4. Hard shell for ease of use
Pros for the RTT
1. Comfort
2. Light management
3. It is always with you, so a quick nap during a road trip is easy
4. Above the animals and (most) insects
5. Ease of set-up for the HARD SHELL
6. Ideal for mixed terrain, rocks, mud, snow
7. Most allow Stowing bedding inside
Cons for the RTT
1. Weight up high (COG)
2. Initial purchase expense for a quality unit
3. Reduction in trail performance and increased overall height
4. Difficulty of set-up and stowing for most SOFT SHELLs
Habitat or Wedge Camper
Our Testing of the Wedge Campers (Article) https://expeditionportal.com/the-off-road-wedge-camper-shootout/
Go Fast Camper:
https://gofastcampers.com/
Life on the Go in a Go Fast: https://expeditionportal.com/life-in-a-go-fast-camper/
Go Fast Campers: https://expeditionportal.com/go-fast-campers-ultra-light-off-road-camper-solutions/
AT Habitat:
https://atoverland.com/pages/at-habitat-truck-topper
TAV Tacoma with Habitat: https://expeditionportal.com/feature-vehicle-tav-toyota-tacoma/
AT Overland Summit: https://expeditionportal.com/at-overland-releases-atlas-camper-shell/
Tacoma with Habitat: https://expeditionportal.com/classifieds-2017-toyota-tacoma-trd-w-camper/
Fifty Ten:
https://www.fiftytenusa.com/
A closer look at the FiftyTen Camper: https://expeditionportal.com/fiftyten-camper-available-for-gladiator-in-usa/
The Goose Gear F-350 with FiftyTen Camper: https://expeditionportal.com/featured-vehicle-goose-gears-overland-f-350/
Ursa Minor:
https://ursaminorvehicles.com/
200 Night Review of the Ursa Minor J30https://expeditionportal.com/the-road-chose-me-a-200-night-review-of-the-ursa-minor-j30-pop-top/
Swag Tents
Darsche
https://darche.com.au/swags/swags
Swagman
https://www.mrswagman.com.au/
ARB Swags
https://www.arb.com.au/tents-swags-awnings/single-double-swags/
Pros
Less comfortable than a roof tent, but less compromise towards a daily driver
Stowed bedding inside
Cons
Bulky and inefficient to store
Mattresses are often too thin or too soft
Terrible to put away when wet (unless you use a ground sheet)
Only the higher quality units have proper ventilation during warm rains
Ground Tent
Scott’s camp with Expeditions 7 on the northern slopes of the Greenland Ice Sheet
Pros
1. Wide range of options and costs
2. Ideal for the desert
3. Self supported options
4. Standing room options
5. Easy to move from vehicle to vehicle
Cons
1. Can be fragile
2. Less desirable in wet and muddy conditions
Nemo Tents: https://www.nemoequipment.com/
Nemo Fillo Pillow: https://www.nemoequipment.com/product-category/pillows/
Sleeping in the Vehicle
Scott’s configuration inside the GWagen
Pros:
1. Can be configured for little or no cost
2. Completely weatherproof
3. Secure
4. Benefits for the sound insulation of the vehicle
5. Permits stealth camping
Cons:
1. Not all vehicles are long enough
2. Not feasible for more than two people
Host Bios:
Scott Brady
Scott is the publisher and co-founder of Expedition Portal and Overland Journal and is often credited with popularizing overlanding in North America. His travels by 4WD and adventure motorcycle span all seven continents and includes three circumnavigations of the globe. His polar expeditions include two vehicle crossings of Antarctica and the first long-axis crossing of Greenland. @scott.a.brady
Matthew Scott
Matthew is a leading expert in automotive adventure. He has extensively explored the world’s most remote places by 4WD and is considered an industry authority on overland travel. He is the only American to ever become an editor of a major Australian 4WD publication and has over 15 years of competitive auto racing experience. @mattexplore