RoofTop Tent on the top a Frame on a Box-Trailer.... Questions?

[Robmacca]

Guys....

Looking at making a Frame for the top of my 7x4 Box Trailer but I heard various stories about "ease or speed" of setting them up and then the water proofness of them, especially when packed away wet and how your bedding can be wet when u setup again that night....


Not knowing much about RoofTop Tents, I was hoping more experienced users can give me some better insights into them....

Here's some of the questions that I'm seeking answers to:



When touring out wet on the dusty roads, how do people find them in setting & packing up as in themselves not getting covered in dirt/dust?
Obviously when touring/moving daily, the RoofTop Tent may need to be packed up while still wet - How does this effect the interior when u go to set up again?
I know this may very, depending on type/brand, etc, but what is the average Setup and Packup Times that I can expect?
Height off the Ground - I've seen some plans where the manufacturer has given a height variance of 1750 - 2100mm, How does that go if u get one with an enclosed annexe?
Obviously, one that has the ladder "Under-Cover" would be better than one where the ladder is out in the weather?
The awnings over the windows - Do these awnings ver the windows always need to have the braces installed everytime u set up
Durability - I know this will come down to "You get what you Pay for" so-to-speak, but how durable are these Tents really?
Weight - I've seen some can vary a fair bit (ie: 40kgs > 78kgs is what I've seen), but what's average weight & the heavier ones, does that include the underneath Annexeas well?
Is that annexe that attaches underneath, is this usually packed seperately to the RoofTop Tent? (ie: U need to find room elsewhere to pack it away)
Brands - Is there any one brand to "stay away" from?
I'm looking to spend no more than I need to, but I also want to get value for my $$$, so what it an average price that I should expect to pay? I certainly don't really want to go over $1800 (that includes the annexe as well, but if people reckon it's not really needed, then I'm happy to save some $$$ that way......
Removal / Installation - How to people "Remove & Install" these Tents when Required? (What's the best way if u have to do it yourself?)
Maintenance - What Sort of Maintenance is required ?
If I was to Look for "Secondhand" ones, what sort of things do I need to keep an eye out for?


If anyone with experience with Rooftop Tent can shed some light on some of the above questions, that would be greatly appreciated....

Here's some photos of some:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/825.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/826.jpg


Dimensions of one....
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/827.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/828.jpg

cheers....
rob

[weeds]

I put an Aussie traveller Deluxe onto a trailer......we went this design as the bed doesn't fold in half and the annex is much larger.

Have only packed it up once in the rain, we were careful and the bed stayed dry.

We brought second hand as they are on the more expensive side of things.

Never been on really dusty roads.......

I reckon they are easy as to set up, I modified ours to include an awning, it stays attached all the time. It's a little longer to set up, three poles and five pegs/ropes. Without awning it would only need two pegs in good weather.

We have only done a few overnighters, try to do minimum two nights. Either way it takes what ever time it takes, we don't time setup/pack up as each time it's different.

We had to re-water proof ours as it leaked quite badly, haven't had a drop inside since.

It was always planned that ours would go between the trailer (whole family touring) and on top of the car when it's just Wendy and I........we haven't moved it off the trailer to date.

Steps are punishing on the feet.......

We can leave ours fully made up with doonas, 4 pillows and two solar panels.

I also installed LED lighting with two way switches.

[weeds]

Oh the awning and annex stay attached and pack up together.

[Robmacca]

I put an Aussie traveller Deluxe onto a trailer......we went this design as the bed doesn't fold in half and the annex is much larger.

Have only packed it up once in the rain, we were careful and the bed stayed dry.

We brought second hand as they are on the more expensive side of things.

Never been on really dusty roads.......

I reckon they are easy as to set up, I modified ours to include an awning, it stays attached all the time. It's a little longer to set up, three poles and five pegs/ropes. Without awning it would only need two pegs in good weather.

We have only done a few overnighters, try to do minimum two nights. Either way it takes what ever time it takes, we don't time setup/pack up as each time it's different.

We had to re-water proof ours as it leaked quite badly, haven't had a drop inside since.

It was always planned that ours would go between the trailer (whole family touring) and on top of the car when it's just Wendy and I........we haven't moved it off the trailer to date.

Steps are punishing on the feet.......

We can leave ours fully made up with doonas, 4 pillows and two solar panels.

I also installed LED lighting with two way switches.
Thanks for that.....

I don't suppose u happen to have photos of your
Setup?

[simonmelb]

Keep the tent separate from the vehicle - that way you don't have to pack everything up just to go to the shops, start of a bushwalk etc.

[Robmacca]

Keep the tent separate from the vehicle - that way you don't have to pack everything up just to go to the shops, start of a bushwalk etc.

Yep, that's the plan.... :)

[weeds]

Thanks for that.....

I don't suppose u happen to have photos of your
Setup?


Search my build thread HCPU Camper

[weeds]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-tutorials/125879-hcpu-tub-trailer-6.html

[numpty]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/trailers-vans-campers/168752-my-trailer-build-rebuild.html

Here's mine.

Like Kelvin, it takes whatever time it takes, although 5 to 10 minutes is usually what is required.

I haven't had a problem re bed wetting :D as the fly usually keeps the main tent dry. Height varies because of different roof heights on vehicles, but most have a short extension available for the ladder if needed and the annex, at least on mine, can also be extended with a zip on section ie unzip the floor, zip in the extended piece and rezip on the floor.

And no, for an overnight when you can't be arsed, there is no need to put up the window awnings, although it will restrict airflow.

Perry

[ozrob]

Here is a few pictures of my No5 trailer camper trailer build.

https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0571-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-wBG48ZL/0/M/DSCN0571-M.jpg)

https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0570-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-pzkCtFT/0/M/DSCN0570-M.jpg)

Yes the trailer is now my off road camper,
https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0563-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-xHLRXK4/0/M/DSCN0563-M.jpg)

Drifta DSOB Tail gate Kitchen installed

https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0565-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-4jms8Dw/0/M/DSCN0565-M.jpg)

Enough room to mount a Jerry Can for water
https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0573-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-jJ3LMvs/0/M/DSCN0573-M.jpg)

Had to cut the inner guards to make the kitchen fit
https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0567-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-LrHcVcV/0/M/DSCN0567-M.jpg)

Modified wheel arches for the wider axle
https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0575-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-XZcFRhf/0/M/DSCN0575-M.jpg)

Cutting the axle was quite easy as it is hollow in the middle,after cutting the axle, the axle is 48 mm thick but being hollow I welded a length of 1/2" pipe down the middle making the axle 120 mm wider then welded a length of 48 mm pipe over the top so it is just as strong.
https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0576-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-dSSX8p8/0/M/DSCN0576-M.jpg)
Lots of work to make the tailgate, cut the inner guards to fit the kitchen, make the frame for the roof top tent, make the axle 120 mm wider to match the track of the defender and make wider wheel arches.
I am quite happy with the end result after spending many weekends cutting, grinding welding and painting.
Many thanks to Drifta for the ideas....they sell a similar trailer for $7K after all the work I did I understand why.

I chose to put the RTT on a trailer reason top of the defender it was too high up off the ground to unpack and repack safely, with the trailer I can walk around on top of the trailer while doing the zipper up on the cover.
I have had no issues with the bedding getting wet when packed away wet due to the fly over the tent.

[Robmacca]

Given me some ideas....Food for thought :)



Here is a few pictures of my No5 trailer camper trailer build.

https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0571-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-wBG48ZL/0/M/DSCN0571-M.jpg)

https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0570-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-pzkCtFT/0/M/DSCN0570-M.jpg)

Yes the trailer is now my off road camper,
https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0563-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-xHLRXK4/0/M/DSCN0563-M.jpg)

Drifta DSOB Tail gate Kitchen installed

https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0565-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-4jms8Dw/0/M/DSCN0565-M.jpg)

Enough room to mount a Jerry Can for water
https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0573-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-jJ3LMvs/0/M/DSCN0573-M.jpg)

Had to cut the inner guards to make the kitchen fit
https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0567-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-LrHcVcV/0/M/DSCN0567-M.jpg)

Modified wheel arches for the wider axle
https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0575-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-XZcFRhf/0/M/DSCN0575-M.jpg)

Cutting the axle was quite easy as it is hollow in the middle,after cutting the axle, the axle is 48 mm thick but being hollow I welded a length of 1/2" pipe down the middle making the axle 120 mm wider then welded a length of 48 mm pipe over the top so it is just as strong.
https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Campe...DSCN0576-M.jpg (https://ozrob.smugmug.com/Army-Camper/Army-Trailer-Camper/i-dSSX8p8/0/M/DSCN0576-M.jpg)
Lots of work to make the tailgate, cut the inner guards to fit the kitchen, make the frame for the roof top tent, make the axle 120 mm wider to match the track of the defender and make wider wheel arches.
I am quite happy with the end result after spending many weekends cutting, grinding welding and painting.
Many thanks to Drifta for the ideas....they sell a similar trailer for $7K after all the work I did I understand why.

I chose to put the RTT on a trailer reason top of the defender it was too high up off the ground to unpack and repack safely, with the trailer I can walk around on top of the trailer while doing the zipper up on the cover.
I have had no issues with the bedding getting wet when packed away wet due to the fly over the tent.

[Robmacca]

Hey Numpty.....


What Brand of RTT did u end up getting and roughly, how high off the ground is it?


rob



http://www.aulro.com/afvb/trailers-vans-campers/168752-my-trailer-build-rebuild.html

Here's mine.

Like Kelvin, it takes whatever time it takes, although 5 to 10 minutes is usually what is required.

I haven't had a problem re bed wetting :D as the fly usually keeps the main tent dry. Height varies because of different roof heights on vehicles, but most have a short extension available for the ladder if needed and the annex, at least on mine, can also be extended with a zip on section ie unzip the floor, zip in the extended piece and rezip on the floor.

And no, for an overnight when you can't be arsed, there is no need to put up the window awnings, although it will restrict airflow.

Perry

[numpty]

It's a Gordigear one Rob, which I purchased second hand. It works like any other as far as I can see.

Because my partner and I are "normal" height people ;) I made the tent 1800mm off the ground so as "we" don't bump into it. Abnormal height people just have to be wary.

Perry

[Robmacca]

Cool.... so many brands out there it's hard to know where to start :)

How's the stability of your set-up when driving along and cornering, etc ?? I assume it will vary depending on how loaded the bottom section of your trailer is ???


It's a Gordigear one Rob, which I purchased second hand. It works like any other as far as I can see.

Because my partner and I are "normal" height people ;) I made the tent 1800mm off the ground so as "we" don't bump into it. Abnormal height people just have to be wary.

Perry

[numpty]

It tows well Rob and it still has the lunette and pintle hook combo. I've done some mild offroad stuff with it without any issues.

Perry