Annex to the roof top tent - do you use it?

[MLD]

I'm in the market to buy a roof top tent for an upcoming 3 week trip to the cape. The ebay tents are cheap these days and the annex that sits under the tent is not a significant investment. The better half may appreciate it for getting changed or when it is p!ssing down. On the other hand it's a large lump of material to carry if they are hardly used.

For those that have a RTT, do you use the annex? Is it a waste of time carrying it for the number of times you erect it?

cheers in advance for your wise words, MLD

[Chops]

G'day MLD,
We have never used either of ours yet in the 3 or so years we have had it. Came really close the other day whilst away due to flies.
The annex that sits under the tent itself is not big, the package is under the size weight if a sleeping bag. The annex for the awning is much bigger, but its bag houses two separate units. One is a full cover annex, and the other is a fly-screen annex, and of course the overall size of both awning annex's is somewhat bigger than the RTT annex. The overall weight of both bags isn't that much, but if space is at a premium, then you'd be thinking carefully about carting them around with you.
If your reasonably agile, you can easily change in the tent without any problems, but yes it would probably be much easier in the annex.
If we were to stop in one spot for more than two nights, we would more than likely set them both up, especially the awning annex fly-screen.

Hope this helps a bit.

[Pam W]

Background - We have a Howling Moon Stargazer -We wanted a top of the range tent to survive the worst of the British weather and wildlife (wet, wind, cold, midges) but also to have something very robust to last life of the road for 4 months in Australia (probably 2014). For the long journey we wanted as many touches of comfort as poss, including a bit of privacy when sitting about the evening and when going to and from bed in the night / morning!

Experience with the tent so far - We like to tour rather than camp at the same place for several days, and although the 10 minutes or so extra setting up each night can seem a PITA the advantages outweigh the hassle. Because we are living out of the back of a 90, having the extra room is a big bonus - somewhere clean and dry to put chairs, overnight bags, cooking gear, for the duration of the night's stay. Although the HM tent is heavy canvas material, we got the lightweight annexe, so it is fairly light and the pack size is reasonable for storage, etc.

When we get to Australia I'm sure there will be some nights when we just can't be bothered with the annexe, especially if the weather is fab and we are in the middle of nowhere where privacy is less of an issue. But I really like the annexe.

[woody]

Ours packs up small enough to go on top of the RTT before zipping up the cover. We always carry it for inclement weather.

http://imageshack.us/a/img13/6070/p1100891aj.jpg


woody

[The Cone of Silence]

Woody - not a bad idea, keeping it up top. Do you detach it first and pack it down a bit or leave it all hooked/ zipped up and simply fold it all in neatly so it's already to go when you next get it out?

MLD - If I'm going away for the weekend and I know there'll be no rain, then I won't take it, as it's unnecessary weight and bulk.

I will however, take it if there's a chance of rain and there are ladies coming as it gives you a heap of extra storage space so you don't have to keep going in and out of the car...and it's a superb changing room.

Last time I was away camping I kept all my cooking stuff in the annex, along with an esky, the washing up bucket, some firewood, rubbish and my boots.

I also carry a single side wall for the awning which does a great job too.

Bobby

[MLD]

Thanks all,

I'm enquiring about touring and the balance between covering all bases for all situations versus not taking everything including the laundry sink. My cape trip has blown out to 31 days on the road. Best I pack the annex for privacy and protection from the rain.

cheers MLD

[Jeff]

I have never used my annex, I have fitted it in the driveway once, to see if it fitted, and I carried it when I took the RTT, but never used it. It is only the size of a football when packed, and on mine (Howling Moon) the ladder is on the outside, so no extra privacy going from RTT to annex.

Jeff

:rocket:

[Hoges]

I've got a RTT similar to Woody's. It takes less than 2 mins to unpack and slide the annexe into place ( without the floor). About 3 minutes to detach from tent and pack into bag... Very handy for "cooking" on a small gas ring on tailgate when it's too breezy outside. With the RTT shown in the photo, you can remove the ladder to provide extra room in the space under the overhang. Plenty of room to wash / change etc in privacy.

[woody]

We unzip and fold it up before stowing up top, as it takes next to no time to set/pack up.

woody