Hello everyone, I'm looking for a RTT (Root Top Tent) that fits my Jeep Wrangler JK. Since I'm based in Europe, I been looking for European models. I'm in doubt between these two models: AutoHome Overland Small and the James the Baroud Horizon Vision 150. I was looking for a comparation test between them, but I didn't find anything.

They both have the same price tag in Europe (around 2500 euros), and they have more or less the same size. For me, the James Baroud Vision with its big windows has a greater look, however I could not take my decision just based on a “good look”.

I would like to know your opinion about these two RTT models:
Fabric quality?
How they handle the condensation, rain and wind?
How easy to set-up?
How comfortable they are (mattress)?
How reliable they are?
How they handle hot and cold weather?
Other stuffs you think are important.

Please, let me know your inputs about both models, if you already tested both, would be perfect to read your feedback.


AutoHome Overland

James Baroud Vision

 

I start out with saying I don’t have any experience with either one, but I will say with tents in general, the more windows, the more chances of water leaks during a rain, along those same lines, less ventilation in the summer, but I’m thinking of my camping trips here in Texas summer heat, thunderstorms come in fast and strong, not many tents are built for all around every type of weather, look at what the weather will be most of the time, a wet sleeping bag in a leaky tent from a window that the flap doesn’t hold out water can be the end of a good time.

hope you get some feedback from people that have had experience with either one

 

I don't have experience with these two specific models, but I do have experience with RTTs and camping in em, and I have some opinions that may or may not be helpful based on your use, experience with RTTs or lack of. Have you had a RTT before? Is your camping primarily solo? Are you typically camping more than 1 night in an area or are you constantly on the go? Is the tent for for "camping" or is it a place to sleep for the night as you journey along?

Personally, my tent is more for "camping", and though I do a lot by myself, my set up is focused on family camping in which we set up at a location and boondock out on adventures. I have a buddy who's purpose is really more just a place to sleep overnight, and though we both have clamshell tents like what you're looking at, I can see how a simple hardshell that pops up would be way better for his needs if it wasn't for the price of those things. It would be so nice for him to undo a couple latches and have it pop up and have all his things in there. For me, setting up a clamshell and taking it down gets to be a beating overtime.....especially putting the cover back on. At the price range you're looking in, hardshells are certainly an option that might be worth considering, depending on your use. The real downside to them for me is that they are much less "tent-like" and a bit more of a box to sleep in overnight. That said, they are so much easier to deal with from what I see. My tent is on top of a trailer. I honestly can't imagine dealing with a clamshell on top of the jeep at that height. I wouldn't want to deal with mine being any higher than it is, which is about 5.5' off the ground at its base.

 

Thanks for your message.
No, i don't have any experience with Root Top Tents, to be honest, I never thought about buying one, however I noticed that my Wrangler don't have so much space on the cage, and it make my campings more complex than what I was expecting. I usually camp either solo or with my girlfriend. I don't fell so much secure to do wild camping with a normal tent, this is one of the reasons I'm looking for the RTT. The other is because I don't like to stay more than 1-2 days in the same spot, and I think that RTT will make my logistic much easier in this case.
I was also looking for a hard shell option, however the rack I have is not so big (52" x 56"), for that reason I don't have so much options, and this was one of the reasons that makes me look into the soft shell options.
The only hard shell I found for the same price tag and fiting my rack are the: Bullface Fez and the Femkes Khosi
The Roofnest Condor and iKamper they look great, but they are pricy in europe, around 4.000 euros
Femkes Khosi

Bullface

 

I have seen a few different models in some of the campgrounds we’ve been to, my first thought is that once you set up, you don’t have a usable vehicle until you take it down, either plan on staying without a vehicle to go anywhere and leave it up or set it up for one night and get back on the road, second thought is , I m getting older, I have to get out of the tent and move around sometime during the night, do I want to negotiate the ladder during the night, they do have their place, but once set up, your vehicle just became a non moving frame for your shelter

 

Well, price and availability in your area are certainly the major factors. My opinion on the first two, not that it matters, is that the Autohome is a classic, simple design that is time-tested with the clamshell and simple folding post design. That design is pretty classic here in the States with small variations among manufacturers. The James Baround....well, it seems a bit less traditional. It appears you might have to fold out and then set up a couple more interior poles given the odd shape. I'm not a fan of those windows, nor lack of exterior coverage for them (awnings). I also don't like that there is no coverage for the entryway.....cuz rain is a thing . Having an awning for front and rear big entries and windows is really nice. I can't tell on the Autohome, but I suspect you can prop up the covers that they have rolled up maybe? The one nice thing on the Jame Baround is that extra vertical support once it's folded out. I could see that getting in the way a bit, but also nice to have cuz those ladders are never straight up and down, which really puts all your faith in the small clamshell joint when it's folded out.

Most of the tents I've seen in person, and that buddy's have.....they generally seem about the same in regard to ripstop material quality and aluminum. There are small differences as you go up the price range in quality of stitching or basic hardware (ie, quality nuts and bolts vs. cheap Chinese junk). Even the ones that seem to be better ventilated don't ever seem to ventilate enough, so condensation is a real issue if camping in extremely cold weather. I have gone so far as to have a fan pumping air out a partially opened window......and still had condensation. I don't think there's much escaping it. What really stinks is waking up in the morning with a wet tent, and not having time to dry it before wanting to get moving again. RTT's just aren't perfect, nor is any tent for that matter. I can say it's extremely nice to not be sleeping on the ground though. I think the mattresses will depend a lot on your size/weight. Most of them don't seem adequate enough IMO. Maybe some of the higher-density foam ones are better. I have a lower-end tent and the mattress was only 2", and then I added a 2" memory foam topper which made it really comfortable.......though that really eliminated any space to leave sleeping bags or pillows in there when folding it up. It's worth it though for me.

Sorry can't be much more help than general opinions. I would watch all the youtube videos on those models and then you just have to make a judgement call based on how you see using it. I would certainly lean more towards solid function through and not be as concerned with general looks. When thinking about all those windows on the James Baroud, think about how often you are going to be laying around in that tent, parked in the perfect spot atop some mountain or lake where you have this awesome 360° view you want to take in as you sit in a tent. You're typically just in that tent at night to sleep.

Best of luck with a purchase, and have fun using it!!

 

Thanks for your reply.
The problem about the autohome overland tent is that there is not so much reviews on youtube, in the opposite side the James Baroud Horizon Vision is fully covered.

 

Have you scoured ExpeditionPortal.com? That is a great website and with more of an overlanding focus there are many more folks using RTTs.

 

Yes, but they are not replaying so much

 

I have that exact JB tent and I highly recommended. I had an ARB before, and most are clones of that. Here why I think the JB is miles ahead of everyone else:

+ Simplicity of the protective cover. It has no zippers to get stuck or clogged with dirt. It has an elastic cord and some pegs under the bottom of the tent that help secure it even when driving 80m/hr+
+ Hardiness of the protective cover. It's built of super-super heavy rubberized fabric that wont tear when branches brush your roof (obviously, within limits).
+ Simplicity of the tent. Once the protective cover is removed, you just open the tent and are DONE! No little metal prongs, rubber bands, etc to set-up. It take literally 30 secs to set-up.
+ Hardiness of the tent. It's made of a "space age" fabric that is very taut and reflects heat out. There is an additional insulation layer available (mine came with the tent, but I brought it from Alaska). Super handy for cold nights. I never had condense in the tent. The tent structure is so smart that it won't flutter in the wind, rain etc.
+ Lightweight - it's one of the lightest tents on the market, if not the. It weights around 90lb. Your back will thank you (although you still need two people to put it above a JK). As important, the center of gravity of your Jeep will also thank you, as well as your blood pressure when doing off-camber trails in Moab (personal experience).
+ Inside the tent feel - super spacious and airy. Tons of windows. Also the color of the tent is such that it's luminous, no dark green claustrophobic feel.
+ Resale value.
+ Have mine for 5yrs+ and no tears, etc. Still looks like new.

- Cost. But it's made in EU, not China, so quality and design ingenuity has a price.

I also have a Autohome hard-top (not the hybrid in your pic).

It's advantage over the JB is it's simplicity to open close with all your beddings inside it. Even with it's smart cover, in frigid weather or rain putting the cover over the JB will not be a task you look forward to. Better than on others, but not a joy in those conditions.

It's disadvantage over the JB: longer space on top of the Jeep - you need a full rack, not a half size. Less room - mine is fine for one adult, not two. More claustrophobic (I have the clam style opening one). Even more pricier.

Equal - about the same weight. Again, I wouldn't underestimate this - it will greatly affect you using the tent and (safely) driving your jeep.