Comfortable camping

[entropy]

This is a post for all you campers, overlanders, etc... people out there. We are gonna debate about the endless topic "ground tent vs. rooftop tent". Wife and I do as many camping trips as we can fit through the year. I have been camping and backpacking several times and through the years I have figured out one thing. Comfort = memorable trip. So I am not gonna lie about it, if it is going to be comfortable, I look forward to it, if it isn't going to be, not so much.

Of course comfort in the outdoors is somewhat relative. To me it is:

1) Warm food
2) Warm sleeping space
3) Comfortable sleeping bed

And that's about it. I don't really care about showers and all that. Sleeping is the big thing for me. A good nights sleep = fun trip.

We camp on the ground as we yet see no point of RTTS. We camp on a good size, good quality tent and use the REI sleeping system (queen air mattress + bedding). We find it very comfortable as long as it isn't pouring or extremely cold. I have a gas mr. buddy heater to keep the tent warm, but we turn it off at night cause it freaks the wife out (gas leaks). Carbon monoxide isn't a concern, I have a carbon monoxide detector + I leave plenty ventilation open when I use the heater.

The main question is.

What do you do? ground? top? what do you think about either option in terms of comfort, and why would you think one is more comfortable than the other. Let's keep comfort be the main topic.

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[geem03]

We(my beautiful wife and i) agree with you.... as long as we have a comfortable sleeping area (free of mosquitos, of course) that is all we feel is needed for a good camping trip. Of course, a warm fire and camping food also....

when younger, we would spend days rough camping just the two of us, up at dusk, asleep not late after sunset, playing and enjoying each other's company....and now with the jeep, we are going to go back to our roots...

We can't wait till summer to start.... we take day trips now....check out "Trail ridin' with Wicked Felina (told you my wife really loves her!) " ...
but we will get more into it this summer!

 

[TexRivers]

17’ Casita

 

[TrailJoy]

Rooftop tents are expensive and require a cage or exoskeleton frame, which we didn't want. I'm a tent camper, but my husband likes the security of walls (or more importantly, doesn't like to be on the ground). Taking or camping trailer everywhere isn't an option, so this was our compromise. It cost under $200 (black friday sale for 10% off and free shipping), and it's surprisingly comfortable.

Edit: If anyone has ideas on how to make some DIY screen windows for the back and sides of the soft top, I'm open to suggestions.

 

[NMPirate]

Rooftop tents are expensive and require a cage or exoskeleton frame, which we didn't want. I'm a tent camper, but my husband likes the security of walls (or more importantly, doesn't like to be on the ground). Taking or camping trailer everywhere isn't an option, so this was our compromise. It cost under $200 (black friday sale for 10% off and free shipping), and it's surprisingly comfortable.

Edit: If anyone has ideas on how to make some DIY screen windows for the back and sides of the soft top, I'm open to suggestions.

I saw this on another thread about camping in the back of the Jeep. Looks like it may work well.
roadieproducts.com

 

[sourdough]

I have refined my kits. Coleman 6 person easy up, stand up height tent, Coleman cot, folding chair, table, area rug and a light hanging from ceiling for planned multi night camp outs. Or just a smaller Coleman3 dome easy up tent and a MegaMat 10 sleeping pad which I carry all the time for unplanned over nighters, haha.

I have a self contained 4x4 RV I used as a base camp when getting together with like minded club members.

 

[entropy]

Rooftop tents are expensive and require a cage or exoskeleton frame, which we didn't want. I'm a tent camper, but my husband likes the security of walls (or more importantly, doesn't like to be on the ground). Taking or camping trailer everywhere isn't an option, so this was our compromise. It cost under $200 (black friday sale for 10% off and free shipping), and it's surprisingly comfortable.

Edit: If anyone has ideas on how to make some DIY screen windows for the back and sides of the soft top, I'm open to suggestions.

This is awesome. As long as you have a 4 door.

 

[TrailJoy]

This is awesome. As long as you have a 4 door.

OH!! My bad. I didn't even think to check (all rooftop tents I've seen are for 4-doors, so I just assumed. Or maybe I'm wrong?)

 

[TrailJoy]

I saw this on another thread about camping in the back of the Jeep. Looks like it may work well.
roadieproducts.com

Thank you, but we've got the rear passenger windows figured out. It's the slide out soft top ones I'm trying to make. Either the two sides, or the one back.

 

[Yngwie]

Fun topic.

Whenever I have gone camping, it has been a tent on the ground with a sleeping bag.

I'm always amused by people who say they are going "camping," but they are actually staying in a cabin with full electricity and plumbing.

 

[Jltowhere]

We have two dogs (35lbs & 65lbs). We ground tent. To us a comfortable spot is where we find a location deep in the backcountry where the dogs can roam off leash and not bother anyone. We love our space. And the ability to leave camp, explore and then pass out. But we also go high quilts and backpacking gear so for us it’s the perfect setup. However a casita might be in the future too.

 

[Hayseed_JLUR]

Last time camping was with the top down and the driver's seat reclined. Slept like a baby.

 

[GRAK]

Ground, I've got a Springbar with the side walls/portico thing... sucks to put up/pack away but its very roomy & max comfy. Probably too big actually. Couple things tho..

• creepy crawlies can get inside any tent but, I wouldn't mind being up away from snakes, scorpions & tarantulas = comfort level diminished
• if you are solo camping an area you probably don't want to pack it up again just for a few hours wheeling, so it sits there exposed while you are away.. that can make you uncomfortable, depending on surroundings

 

[BuffaloBill]

I can say that this is very comfortable to sleep in. The memory foam pad is only 2 1/2” thick I believe but seems to be enough for a comfortable sleep. No tree roots, rocks, etc. I made the trailer a couple years ago; was a satisfying project.

 

[entropy]

I can say that this is very comfortable to sleep in. The memory foam pad is only 2 1/2” thick I believe but seems to be enough for a comfortable sleep. No tree roots, rocks, etc. I made the trailer a couple years ago; was a satisfying project.

so you think the foam mattress is the most comfortable aspect of your RTT? have you ever tried a high end camping mattress?

How about the walls of the tent? are they thicker/better insulated than a conventional camping tent?

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