SWAG VS ROOFTOP TENT - An in-depth review
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- čas přidán 20. 11. 2020
- A detailed look at the pro's and con's of both the swag and rooftop tent for 4wding, camping and overlanding.
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I started off sleeping on ground sheets under a Hoochie with the Army Cadet's, that was the norm for Me for over 14 years service in both the Army and RAAF Reserves. I've had a couple tents . . . love and still have my QzTent RV5, and a Jayco Camper for the family 3 or more nights camping trips away over the years. But now that I'm in My 50's, all My trips are solo . . . so I'm back to a 1x Man Swag, on a camp stretcher, under a 4wd Awning . . . basic, simple and practicable.
That’s where the Drifta Stockton hexa tarp comes in handy. You still got your camp when you return and don’t need to setup your 4wd awnings. Saving more time packing up for your day trips
Mate that was the best comparison on youtube. Thanks, heaps.
Another great video Tyler. 👍. Roof top tent for me as well. One of the best upgrades I got for my camping is the roof top tent.
So much easier now. Setup is quick, pack up is quick and a lot safer.
Bloody good video mate, certainly appreciate your thoughts and most definitely the transparency and your honesty, keep up the great work!!
Much appreciated
love your vids... love your candid honesty.. great comparo..I love my swag on stretcher but roof top is tempting..!!
Airvolution swag on stretcher under a 270 awning for me. I had a RTT but got rid of it after 1 trip, I hated it. My main reasons for not liking the RTT:
1. Ladders are dangerous
2. PIA going to toilet at night.
3. Not as warm inside as the swag.
4.effects offroad ability with that much weight up high.
5.levelling car is a PIA.
6.sways in the wind.
7. Losing abilty to use roof rack.
But my biggest gripe with RTT I found was:
If it's raining or even if any moisture is left on the walls of your RTT it will wet your bedding when you close it.
Great points mate
Another great honest video.
I own a Drifter 1.2, & totally love it.
I keep mine always set up so if the wife has a bad day on Friday it’s all ready to go straight away.
😆
I agree with you conclusion. As you've said, both have suitable use based on your travelling style.
Interesting video. I been thinking about maybe a swag and single swag, 270 awning plus a regular awning with a tent attached for my girls to get changed in. I like the stretcher your dad has for his swag
Great review, some real honest pro’s and con’s. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Oz tent- rv5 , we’ve had 200 mm of rain one weekend and bone dry inside, has its own awning if u wanna use it , u can use stretchers or straight on the floor- long trips we use the wall kit and have a fully enclosed room to cook and hang- I’ve timed the basic set up, from the car with two stretches and tent set up is three minutes, you can also connect the tent awning to your car awning via sail track and have a huge area under cover- we have the canvas version not the nylon tent type material- cons are it’s 27kg and was about $1000-if you buy the wall kit, ground sheet and fly , plus some extra poles for fly and wall kit nearly $2000 - if you set up the full kit for long stays - it’s definitely not quick compared to just popping the tent for over night stays
Hi Tyler...recently bought a roof top tent and must say I prefer the tent/swag. the fuss and weight on my vehicle just isn't worth it but thank you for the videos its really good content
Just make sure you oil your vehicle springs so there’s no squeaking through out the night😁
Phillip Damiano, even if your by yourself. He he.
I literally just got my crashpad double swag and love it i have 4 swags in total now .
Hunter river
Darche
Burke and Willis and now a crashpad they all work perfectly and keep me dry the only reason i dont have a rooftop tent is the cost and they only sleep 2 for that space my swags sleep 6 and take up the same space on the roof.
And if i was to buy a rooftop it would definitely be the one you have i was looking at them before you even had one haha.
Im in the process of designing my own crossover between the two. I have a space cab and long tray so im making up a 3/4 height frame that finishes about 200mm from roof height that i set my double swag up on. It'll be pegged out but partly folded up with the hoop rods in place folded to the centre. Ill have a tarp over that strapping it down. When I pull up it'll be a matter of putting the spine pole in the swag to set it up then slot 4 cut down tent poles at each corner of the frame so I can use the tarp as an awening/shelter for the swag. Haha hope that made sense. Ill prob make a vid of it when I'm finally done and have it all canvassed in.
Went through the same decision swag v rooftop for a 70 night trip up to the Gulf during Covid. Initially was blown away by how cool RTT's are but decision made on budget, roof load limit and storage. Swag won for all the points mentioned in the video. For two adults, one child the only issue we had with the swag was heavy rain but in the outback this happened once. Still like the idea of a RTT now they have slim 50kg options but not an option for a 2A, 2 children. Toddler + ladder isn't going to work. Scope creep!
Great reviews Tyler, Both are good, but I have a different arrangement with a 200mm thick mattress in my ute canopy . One half sleeping accommodation , other have cooking and supplies NO set up times at all
Recently picked up a Kings Kwiky RTT for $100 on the scratch and dent sale (needed some tlc), took it away for the first time this month, loved it.
My biggest gripe was, getting out of a RTT at 1am to be sick because you ate some dodgy chicken is %100 and extreme sport.
A great unbiased review of both.
I was initially going to get a RTT because it's quick to setup and away from mud, rocks, crocs and snacks, but I went for a swag on solo trips and a tent with the wife as I was put off by:
1. Having to remove the RTT, store it then install it between trips.
2. I tend to camp for a few days in the National Parks on the way to explore them,so it is a pain to pack up and unpack a RTT several times at each campsite.
3. I was concerned about adding a 50+ kg weight to my roof on top of a 20+ kg rack, which would make my vehicle top-heavy and possibly exceed the manufacturer's weight limits.
Each to his own though.
your second point could also be applied to a swag, and a roof top tent would be faster to pack down imo.
Very informative for people to think about bro
I've put my rooftop tent on a small box trailer so I can just disconnect and go trekking I also have a swag too. My rooftop tent is an older style soft top one so takes a lot longer to set up. And I also I have the room under the ladder which will be handy. I've just finished setting it all up. Hoping to get it out in the next few weeks
A swag on a stretcher for me, off the ground but not having to climb a ladder to fall into bed!!
I am definitly getting a rooftop tent soon.
To prevent the dampness when packing after a few days of rain I reckon you could just use a plastic cover over all the bedding before folding it down.
That way when you unfold each night all the bedding would still be dry.
You mention lean from the weight but at 52kg that is nothing compared to what most people put up there.
One spare mudder is 35kg plus. 20 liters of fuel 20kg, 20 liters of water another 20kg. Plus high lifts 10kg + awnings and gas bottles and other stuff.
The rooftop tent is actually not that heavy, you just have to put most of the other junk somewhere else.
As far as the base camp goes I don't see the issue. You have to pack up your awning every time you drive off so what is the big deal of spending two minutes to fold down the tent?
all the other stuff can just be left at base camp as usual.
I would possibly peg out a tarp over the table and other gear to protect it from weather and prying eyes.
I always pack my darche swag and Hennessy camping hammock setup. Swag good for cold weather, flat ground, area with no trees, sleeping with a partner etc
Hammock great in warm weather, crap weather, going solo, needing to pack light, getting away from the critters, area with uneven/wet ground. Both work well, horses for courses 👍🇦🇺
Awesome video thanks mate!
Thanks mate!
I haven't got either of them but for Scotland climate i would go roof top tent for sure 👍 🏴
Well explained. Personally I'm more pro-swag or ground tent. Down here in Great Southern WA is very windy. Cannot really tolerate the gust at night.
Also a factor of the type of camping aka touring or wheeling.
Great review Tyler👍👍
Rooftop tent for me by a margin !
However you need to consider the following,
1. GVM, as tents can weigh from 50 kg to 90 kg
2. Roof loadings of vehicle by manufacturer, this can vary from 50 kg to 200 kg
3. Roof rack loadings, often with hidden lower specs than advertised.
4. as above off road specs to on road specs
5. insurance issues if over GVM or roof loadings.
Example Rhino - Rack for Toyota 100 series Land cruiser with RTLB2 Backbone rack
sold as 120kg roof allowance, however once you remove the weight of the rack 39kg to 47 kg , the rack can only take from 81kg to 72.5 kg depending on model/size.
then their spec sheet indicates when you go off road the loading is less due to the extra stress.
now only 57kg to 48.5 kg. not much roof left for other items, like
1. awning
2. solar panel
3. jerry cans
4. spare wheel
5. gas bottle
6. recovery tracks
7. other
Message here is if you want to comply check all the figures
Drifta roof top tent is really good, as light weight with great reviews 👍
Great points mate! actually got a whole video on roof rack ratings coming very soon!
We had an RTT but my partner has a back injury so we moved to a swag. Easier to drive without RTT on roof in windy conditions.
Nice wheels! About bloody time hahah
Yeah, saw that too and wasn't sure if I'm going crazy. They are nice.
If the kids aren"t coming we just use a 3 man dome tent with a queen size concertina base and air bed. Takes up half the room of a swag, weighs nothing, heaps comfier. It takes 20 mins total
Personally I sleep in the back of my Pajero. Works a treat, off the ground, protected from wildlife, protected from element's, stable base less to pack up when moving. Only issue is finding flat ground to park.
Nicely balanced non brand specific comparison there tylzz 👌👍
For me its a stretcher tent (bunker) and works well for me being a single bloke atm but have been looking at RTT for a while. It's all about compromise and what you're willing to sacrifice to get other benefits. All in all the quick setup of the RTT wins but major drawback is having it on there all the time and having that weight up high. Maybe the views from the RTT may sway me to make the investment. . . . Great job yet again 👌👍
Thanks for sharing mate!
Another good compare mate, I can see benefits in both. With that said Ive just got back to a ground tent from a swag. Base camp and can Stan up in it. Cheaper than RTT for original outlay. But also looked at the RTT you have myself. Cheers Steve
Good stuff mate 👌
I think it’s important to mention roof rack ratings. I had a similar set up and mine came off at 100kmhr on the freeway and became a missle. The land cruiser behind me bunny hopped it and were ok but it could have easily killed someone. The manufacturer / installer didn’t want to know me after it happened
That's actually insane you said that! Can't believe that happened to you. My friends have the bush company RTT which is close to 100kg. On their cars roof for the last 2 years driving every day and doing hectic 4wding too and off-road climbs with it all on. No problems. They all use the rhino roof rack. It's appalling the installer won't take responsibility though it's their fault
Yep got a whole video coming on this very soon mate!
RTT for ease of setup but swag overall for me 👍
This video, as have a few of your others has helped me make decisions which are a lot better informed. Made me think about different aspects of my travelling style and my needs so that I can better spend my money. Very Helpful Tyler, thanks mate.
Thanks for the feedback mate!
Rtt for the win every time. Love the channel sir, tremendous content. Have u comsidered airbags on the nav OR maxtrax minis to level out the nav so the rtt sits level? Cheers.
Nope I haven't but good point!
You mentioned that you got wet when packing up the RTT in the rain whereas packing up the swag under the awning you can keep dry - this is true, but then you have to pack up the awning, so you'd get wet anyway. I have a soft shell RTT and a double swap, I like both but much prefer the RTT. Having said that, I'm looking to upgrade my current RTT to a hard shell variety. Great info in the video and in the comments section, thank you.
Good point mate! Thank you
I've just found your CZcams through your #rooftoptent on Instagram. Such a great video. I'm not a big 4wd I have a Nissan X trail but love to camp and really want a rooftop tent which after this I'm definitely getting one haha
Which model you rocking? I have a 2005 T30 which goes decent off road
Obviously filmed before Fraser where your rooftop fell off😜
Yep 😅😂 ground top tent review coming soon 😉
Great video 👍🏼
Regarding the budget, for roof top tent you need to consider the price for the load bar or roof rack to attach the RTT to it.
Love your videos and keep it up.
Thanks for the tips!
‘Adult Night Time Activities’ should always be performed on the bonnet and done with Safety in mind. 😉🍺
I dented my bonnet once, can’t say we were being “safe” but there was three points on contact!
@@Fernweh4x4andadventure 😂🤣😅
Ew eah
You covered some good points tyler.
I used a swag in my teens and early 20s and always loved it. Missus not so much.
2 years ago we got married and purchased a canvas safari tent. Very easy to set up and take down but slightly awkward to store and travel with.
We have recently moved onto a very light offroad camper trailer.
At 500 kg it goes everywhere we go behind my locked hilux.
Queen sized bed already made, kitchen, and aussie canvas tent good to go in a few minutes upon unhitching. More then enough for 2 of us.
For me it’s a swag. Price, weight, space, convenience all outweigh the minor gain in comfort. Having said that, I also have a camper trailer which is awesome for base camping and big trips, also my wife won’t sleep on the ground.
I am going the other way. Being able to rock up at 10pm on a wet night at a rocky riverbed I can be in bed 2 minutes later with no concerns over finding a level area, clearing any rocks or sticks etc and then finding I am sleeping in 2 inches of water at 3am in the morning.
We got rained out up at Turon river at 1am in a giant thunder storm last summer and after spending 15 minutes packing up camp in the dark with lightning and torrential rain I realised the advantages of a rooftop tent.
Horses for courses for sure but after years of sleeping on the ground I have gone over to the dark side and admit that the convenience and versatility of a rooftop tent just can't be beaten.
I think you hit the nail on the head with the comment about how it really depends on how frequently you go 4WD / camping to help drive the decision between RTT or swag. I run a swag with a stretcher solo and a double swag when travelling with my partner. I do mostly weekend trips and have an awning on each side of the car. One for the swag and one for socialising. I’d like to try a RTT but still use the roof rack to transport tools, etc. If I took a gap year to travel I reckon I might go the RTT but for now the swags work.
One thing that wasn’t covered - your advice about strapping more stuff on top of the RTT, do you still think that’s a viable option based on what’s recently happened to yours? I am surprised you didn’t record a little post review addendum to add to the end of this video speaking about that as I would imagine it would change some of your advice?
Good points mate!
Yep got a whole video coming in that very soon mate, this was filmed and edited a couple of months back and already uploaded to Patreon etc
@@TylerThompson90 makes sense thanks for the reply.
Have you ever consider a flat monthly fee membership for your patreon as one of the options rather than the pay for creation model?
You might get additional supporters as it helps them know exactly what their monthly outgoings are?
@@jonathanherron4249 Yeah I have considered that but just stuck to the per upload at the moment. What I say to people is they can put a limit on how many videos they pay for. For example they can say $2 per video but maximum of 4 videos, that way they are only paying a maximum of 8 per month but still getting access to all the content even if its 6-7 videos
I have a rear awning tent which is good and roomy but has the probs of a swag. I like the drifta RTT but please tell me, how did you go getting it attached to the rhino platform? I trust my platform over the roof bars but the RTT is set up primarily for bars.
love the obedient dog on the porch
red heeler?
Red heeler cross staffy
U use to do rooftop tents, now I'm I'm a swag advocate
Hey people. Keen on the roof top. Are there any issue with stx roof bars and weight?
There are ground tents that do not use poles? I'm having trouble finding ones for sale.
With the timed setup at the start, do the tent and swag have all the bedding already in there, or need to be added after? We swag camp alot for trips, bedding is always left in our swags (mattress, sleeping bag and/or sheets, wool blanket depending on season, pillow). Can't imagine having to add all the bedding each time personally with either RTT or swag.
That comes down to branding etc as to what you can fit in them. For example I can fit more in my swag then in the RTT haha but generally you can fit more bedding in a RTT then a swag. But yeah I just didn't include bedding set up in either
Neither is better than a tent that packs into a flat bag and is quick to erect (with a collapsible stretcher and inflatable mattress). A tent allows you to stand up and dress/undress and is much roomier and often as quick to put up as a swag. A swag takes up an enormous amount of space (why they always seem to be on a roof or back of ute) and are more of a body bag. A rooftop tent raise the roof height, which can be a problem in the High Country, and are a right royal pain if you need to take it on and off when not 4WDriving. And what a pain to try and stagger into after a good night around the campfire, or needing a squirt, or worse, during the night. I've observed both over many decades and it's no contest, a tent any day.
New Wheels look mint Tyler 👌🏻
Thanks!
👍👍
Forgot to mention those deadly drop bears 🧸
what lift and tire size is that? looks perfect
285/75/R16 with a two inch ironman lift
Id love a rtt but my cheap swag and stretcher does the trick and doesn't hurt the wallet
what are they both like in really high winds like last Monday
Similar I would say, had both in high winds but swag slightly better maybe
Swag life for me
Hey Tyler what size awning did you used to run out your old Blue Navara??
Umm 2.5 x 2.5 im thinking? Not 100% sure though
@@TylerThompson90 bloody legend mate thanks for reply 👍🏽
Very educational. Swag on ground…. Rooftop tent in the air. Hmm. I would never have known that if it wasn’t for your video. ;)
Glad it was helpful! 😉
@@TylerThompson90 haha. I wasn’t expecting a reply from my big of sarcasm. Lol. Thanks Tyler. I’m using a swag on a stretcher now. Will not go back to swag on the ground.
Did you ever consider a roof rack or tub rack but putting in there a swag ? E.g. put a platform in there and some mount points to secure it. When need to pack the swag and move.
Hope I’m making sense 🤪
Did consider it but going to get a tray and canopy set up soon mate
@@TylerThompson90 Glad I'm not the only one thinking this :), cheers. Can't wait to see the new canopy/tray.
that beard ..... math teacher level 100
😂😂
Swag for life.
Im neither roof top nor swag. Im ground tent. As they have more room then a swag and you can keep base. I havr claustopia otherwise i probably would have a swag. I like tents as if its raining you can rug up in tent and watch movies on a dvd player or play phone ect
What brand of fire pit is that?
Large Snowpeak fire pit
Mate we even watched the ads till the end for you . Swag for me old timer.
Thanks mate!
New set of wheels Tyler ????
Yep!
The add came in part way through you saying the word disruption. The irony
Jens Williamson, III (Deaf)
I could pick the Swag over Roof Top Tent but I love the dome tent with the cheap cot (inside) that is it that can save my legs. I can say Oh forget it from Roof Top Tent if bad weather by rain or heavy rain because the ladder is dangerous for my legs by wet. I use my good common sense than dumb. I can't run your life. It is up to you, all in USA and the world. Good Idea about the compare. Thanks for your time. Have a good year in 2022!
Respectfully,
Jens Williamson, III
😎😷👍🇺🇲
Bexar County 🇨🇱
The camping expert!
The Former Boy Scout in Blanco, Texas and Austin, Texas.
Important is "Safe than Sorry".
Maybe you will say should not sleep in Roof Top Tent first place if fall down and injury like too late.
Your own risk? You will thank me for my best advice. Your choice?
Gday
What’s the name of your roof top tent.
Drifta wildlands 1.2M rooftop tent 👌
Just sleep in your vehicle with a foam base. No need for Tent or Swag. That's why I prefer wagons
👍🇦🇺🍺
Fkn oath bro phat rig
RTT's are too heavy and located in the worst place. I just looked it up and a 350 litre fridge weighs somewhere around 55-65kg which is much lighter than many RTT's available on the market. They have the appearance of being slim and light which I think tricks many people. Could you imagine off-roading with a 350 litre fridge on the roof? What about a 550 litre?
Also GVM figures are for driving on sealed roads. If you get close to GVM and start driving through ruts and over rocks etc it will hurt every part of your vehicle. I wouldn't go over half GVM if off-roading.
If you need comfort and luxury I think that it's best to buy a camper trailer. I've been looking at a model on a box trailer that weighs around 450kg. Solid as a rock, will go anywhere and has everything someone needs for longer touring.
But for car camping do we really need all of this stuff. Just put a bed in the tray and enjoy that you don't need so many tools to fix things because you're well under GVM.
Swag is way lighter
1 thing u didn't mention is your bedding, most roof top tents hard top u can leave your bedding in there,even have a permanent light wired in there
I leave all my bedding in my swag , latex pillow , sleeping bag , foam mattress . No problem . Rolls up a bit bigger but still fits .
With the swag you still realistically need to peg it down or at least peg out the end vents, and you need to set up your bedding which is normally separate so like +5 mins to the swag
Why not just put your swag on the roof
Nothing is free. You are paying for it by doing the videos for them.
You did NOT get them for free. It’s costing you time just like any other job.
Very true mate!
Obviously selling the drifta rooftop tent again come on let’s get real of course the roof top tent is faster easier etc but not everyone can afford a rooftop tent. If I was given one great but like everything else on my truck all my $. Didn’t hear any concerns before Drifta got on board.
Well then a swag is for you champ
This video is for people that have the privilege to save enough and spend their hard earned on what they want. So calm down and make the most out of what you've got
@@12321bennyg I have an RV3 tent so I can afford what ever I want and can pay for. The previous comment about how they are fixed to the roof is the most important issue not covered and why i didn’t go with a rooftop tent. My point is more about product placement and we are seeing more and more of it on you tube. I don’t care if someone is giving something by a vendor as a result of hard work like tyler what I would like to know is what was bought and was provided. This will enable us to make informed decisions and I really like tyler’s videos and have been following from very early on I just don’t want it to turn into 4WD 24/7. My views as as relevant as anyone’s.
I must have watched a different video. All I saw was an honest comparison between a rtt and a swag
Thank you for the reply Bob
You're definitely on the money about product placement but if people think for themselves and do research before jumping into an investment like that, then hopefully they make the right choice
I also have an RV3 for the exact same reason as you mentioned above and love it to bits!
Cheers
hahaha mate, I literally said at the end of the video both products were given to me for free and I continue to work with both these companies, hence it wasn't meant to sway in one favour of one over the other. Just another video I've put some hard work into, that I choose to do, neither Drifta or crashpad asked me to do it or paid me to do it, trying to give some honest advice to people. Once again looks like the sponsorship police are out to get me at any cost, but thanks for comment and like/dislike because either way it all counts as interaction on my channel and helps me grow. Cheers brother