RTT vs Popup Camper

leftfootmoe

New member
So me and the wife are back and forth on which one to get. We are weighing pros and cons. Our only con for RTT is location and ease of toilet. Everything else she is down for. We have had a travel trailer for some time but are looking to downsize, with the main pro of an RTT with size, as in can fit pretty much anywhere. Do you guys have an ideal camp layout, like location of shower and toilet? We plan on getting an RTT with the vestibule attached, and probably a toilet/shower tent. Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

Joshua
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
I too use to have a nice Flagstaff (Jayco clone) tent trailer back in the early 90s, and I had a Sears (Thetford type) portapotty at the foot of one of the beds.
Very easy to use.
I do not miss the tent trailer at all really since going with a roof top tent.

Now that I have a roof top tent, I have a nice Nemo Heliopolis shower/crapper tent.
If boondocking off of a forest service road at a primitive campsite, they are nice for enclosing a toilet or shower.

If in a pay campground, they are still nice as you cannot pay me to sit down on a public toilet (I do use the urinals though) or use their showers :D
We used the Heliopolis enclosure below at Mount Rainer on vacation this year.
I have owned a few enclosures before, and this is the best one I have ran across so far.
Christophe from the forum here did a review on it, and I was sold.
https://expeditionportal.com/field-tested-nemo-equipment-helios-and-heliopolis/

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Herbie

Rendezvous Conspirator
The midnight toilet run (more specifically, negotiating the ladder - particularly when barefoot) was the single greatest factor that pushed us away from RTTs. That said, while having the toilet in a cabinet in our van is nice when it's really cold outside, I think the wife might still prefer a bit more privacy. I bring the privvy tent for use outside the van when the weather is warmer, and our next rig will probably end up with some sort of toilet cubicle (though probably not a full wet-bath or dry-bath).
 

calicamper

Expedition Leader
So me and the wife are back and forth on which one to get. We are weighing pros and cons. Our only con for RTT is location and ease of toilet. Everything else she is down for. We have had a travel trailer for some time but are looking to downsize, with the main pro of an RTT with size, as in can fit pretty much anywhere. Do you guys have an ideal camp layout, like location of shower and toilet? We plan on getting an RTT with the vestibule attached, and probably a toilet/shower tent. Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

Joshua
One thought. We have a simlle popup trailer. The one big factor I see regarding a vehicle tent and a trailer. With kids we base camp and do day trips from camp. Which case a vehicle tent would be a huge pita to set up and tear down everyday.

I think ultimately a pickup with a light setup like a tacoma habitat or similar then a trailer rig would be the best of both worlds. Then I can drag a boat and still have a bunk and basics, or a base camp rig.
 

hemifoot

Observer
when you say pop up camper,do you mean tent trailer or pop up truck camper?looking at your daily driver,i'd go with a pop up truck camper.no comparison when it comes to comfort and storage.not to mention a cassette toilet and hot water.we take ours so far off road it sometimes makes me a little nervous.
 

jacobconroy

Hillbilly of Leisure
We have been struggling with this for years and finally wound up with a Jeep/RTT setup for when I go alone, and a 13 foot Scamp camper trailer for when she comes with (mainly family campouts) that the Jeep will pull (just barely). The trailer is just under 2000 lbs loaded. I get to play with my Jeep toys and sleep in the RTT, she sleeps in the fiberglass camper with heat, a bathroom, and most importantly, she feels secure in there.

I've only had one popup in my life and thought it was a PITA. Really like the way the Jeep/RTT and Scamp combo works out for us. It's the right time of year to watch Craigslist for Scamp trailers. Good time of year to watch for used RTTs too.
 

calicamper

Expedition Leader
Its not a tent trailer but its trailer based Tent camping. Its a project to set up, but the space and the utility/hauling ability makes for flexable use. The lack of secure ie locked gear storage while in road mode sucks for hotel stays, which case those trips we stow everything in the truck. One day drive trips we just pile it on the trailer and go.

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