Sleeping inside a 4WD camper or in a roof top tent

Do you opt for a 4WD camper in which you can sit and sleep inside or do you go for a roof top tent?
On this page you will read about the advantages and disadvantages of both possibilities.

Advantages of sleeping inside a 4WD camper:

● Easy access to the living space.
● Lots of convenience and privacy when changing clothes, among other things. Of course, you can also stand inside.
● Everything at hand such as your belongings, the fridge, drinks and, depending on the 4WD camper model, a toilet.
● In bad weather, you can sit comfortably at the table inside or stretch out on the bench.
● Based on our own trips in Oz, we see no disadvantages.

Advantages of sleeping in a roof top tent:

● You can leave the bedding on so you always have a made-up bed.
● 4WD campers with a roof top tent mostly have more storage space than an inside sleeper.

Disadvantages of sleeping in a roof top tent:

● Ladder: getting in and out of a roof top tent can be difficult, especially for young children, the elderly or people with mobility problems.
● The stairs of most 4WD's with roof top tent are quite steep and narrow which can be very awkward if you always need to go to the toilet at night. We advise against going down the stairs sleep-deprived, wake up well before making the walk to the toilet is the advice.
● A roof tent increases the air resistance of your vehicle, leading to less efficient aerodynamics and therefore higher fuel consumption (at least 10%).
● The canvas of a softshell roof top tent can make a flapping noise in area's where it can often be quite windy like Cape Range NP. Think you are sleeping peacefully in the silence of the Outback, the flapping of the tent canvas makes for a restless night. The more protrusions a tent has, the more flapping potential. Hardshell (electric) roof top tents hardly make any noise in strong winds. By the way, the same applies to models with a lifting roof (for example a Poptop Bushcamper) as well as the Hilux 2/4 berth.
● You cannot stand in a roof top tent. The combi with a side tent offers the possibility of being able to sit inside the side tent and change clothes. Downside: it takes extra time to put up and take down the side tent. An alternative is to rent a 4WD camper that is equipped with a shower/toilet cubicle. It is an external space in which you can go to the (portable) toilet, change your clothes, etc.
● In case of rain, you will have to take place under the awning or in the roof top tent.