Roof top tent on D4

[Firko]

G'day all,

we are getting the car ready for a bit of touring and we are at the point of buying a roof top tent.

I decided to go this way because I like the ease of it the only time i want to tow a trailer is to the race track not a fan of travailing with one.

I am leaning toward the king brad by 4x4 super center looking at aprox $800 for there tent including an anex.

so my question is anyone running one ? and how have you attached it looking to get a universal rack on top of the factory rails

How much weight can the roof take ?

If people have any other brands or tips I am all ears

Firko

[Trngia]

I have a maggiolina airlander on the D3. Works really well although saying that we have just upgraded to a camping trailer las year. Now we use the roof top tent as the guest bedroom :-) https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/405.jpg

[BMKal]

I have a maggiolina airlander on the D3. Works really well although saying that we have just upgraded to a camping trailer las year. Now we use the roof top tent as the guest bedroom :-) https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/405.jpg

That's an interesting looking camper trailer. ;)

[BobD]

In went from Perth to Cape York and back using a Kimberley Mycube roof top tent supported on twin Rhino bars. The bars also hold an awning.


These days I use a Kimberley Karavan for our remote trips and keep the roof top tent for the rougher off road stuff such as the Simpson Desert.

[Tombie]

I would suggest avoiding any of the rubbish from 4wd Sucker Centre.

If it's anything like their swags it will be poor canvas, leak or break.

[rar110]

I have a maggiolina airlander on the D3. Works really well although saying that we have just upgraded to a camping trailer las year. Now we use the roof top tent as the guest bedroom :-)

That's what I wanted for the Track before we bought the hard floor camper. What size Hannibal is that?

[rar110]

G'day all, we are getting the car ready for a bit of touring and we are at the point of buying a roof top tent. I decided to go this way because I like the ease of it the only time i want to tow a trailer is to the race track not a fan of travailing with one. I am leaning toward the king brad by 4x4 super center looking at aprox $800 for there tent including an anex. so my question is anyone running one ? and how have you attached it looking to get a universal rack on top of the factory rails How much weight can the roof take ? If people have any other brands or tips I am all ears Firko

Firko
Go have a look at 2 or 3 before buying. I bought a new but very old stock cheap tigerz11 RRT. It was great and very cheap for me. It performed great for the short time we had it. We bought it for a Simpson trip in the 110. However I don't know how they are retailing them for $800 without cutting quality.

We previously had an expensive very big eziawn RTT. The material quality was good but design wasn't.

[First LR]

Last year we did the Cape York trip and I bought the biggest rooftop tent that I could find and fit legally (80Kg). I bought 4 Rhino roof racks because I was worried about the wieght of all of us on just 2 bars but now only use 3. It only uses 2 to attach to the roof.


Its an Austrack (North Brisbane based) and it sleeps our family of 5 (kids 20,17,11) in reasonable comfort. On the Cape trip we only had 3 of us and it was very spacious with two ladders and even a zip on lower room (below annexe) that has a sewn in floor. I bought it second hand for $1000 after some research, but new its around $2000.


The quality is very impresive and stays very dry with the awnings even with windows open. The PVC travel cover zips on and seals very well with no dust getting through, so far. We also travel with all our bedding inside, inc pillows with no problems.


I have upgraded the foam mattress that came with it from a 60mm to a better quality 100mm for added comfort.


Hope this helps

[stewie110]

I have a maggiolina airlander on the D3. Works really well although saying that we have just upgraded to a camping trailer las year. Now we use the roof top tent as the guest bedroom :-) https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/405.jpg
That's a nice looking trailer... I might be bias as I have a similar one.

[Firko]

thank you for all your input i will have to have a better look around i think ...
I dont want to go spend big on the gear as not sure if the wife will be happy with the camping idea (never done it) so will take your advice on board

[LandyAndy]

Last year we did the Cape York trip and I bought the biggest rooftop tent that I could find and fit legally (80Kg). I bought 4 Rhino roof racks because I was worried about the wieght of all of us on just 2 bars but now only use 3. It only uses 2 to attach to the roof.


Its an Austrack (North Brisbane based) and it sleeps our family of 5 (kids 20,17,11) in reasonable comfort. On the Cape trip we only had 3 of us and it was very spacious with two ladders and even a zip on lower room (below annexe) that has a sewn in floor. I bought it second hand for $1000 after some research, but new its around $2000.


The quality is very impresive and stays very dry with the awnings even with windows open. The PVC travel cover zips on and seals very well with no dust getting through, so far. We also travel with all our bedding inside, inc pillows with no problems.


I have upgraded the foam mattress that came with it from a 60mm to a better quality 100mm for added comfort.


Hope this helps

Do you have a "packed" photo???
Andrew

[rar110]

I found the RRT good for when you are moving every day. My wife liked the idea of being a long way above anything crawling or slithering. I happily swagged it for that trip under the RTT floor.

[First LR]

Do you have a "packed" photo???
Andrew


Here's a photo of it packed - avoid MOST undercover car parks :D

[stewie110]

thank you for all your input i will have to have a better look around i think ...
I dont want to go spend big on the gear as not sure if the wife will be happy with the camping idea (never done it) so will take your advice on board
Roof top tent is a great way to introduce people to camping. No rocks in your back when you are on the roof of your car.. Unless you did something wrong

[First LR]

Roof top tent is a great way to introduce people to camping. No rocks in your back when you are on the roof of your car.. Unless you did something wrong


Also a good way to get a good nights sleep, not worrying about missing limbs when you wake up, if you camped too close to a waterhole in northern Australia :D

[BMKal]

Also a good way to get a good nights sleep, not worrying about missing limbs when you wake up, if you camped too close to a waterhole in northern Australia :D

Hate to tell you this .......................

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/360.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Some of these lizards are very good climbers. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/361.jpg :wasntme:

Especially if you leave the ladder down at night ...................... https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/362.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/363.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[LandyAndy]

Here's a photo of it packed - avoid MOST undercover car parks :D

Andrew.
Does it effect fuel economy much????
Andrew

[Firko]

I found the RRT good for when you are moving every day. My wife liked the idea of being a long way above anything crawling or slithering. I happily swagged it for that trip under the RTT floor.

seams to be the same story with myself o well better keep her happy ay

[Chops]

Andrew.
Does it effect fuel economy much????
Andrew



I don't know how much it would effect the D4, but on the 110, I used to lose about 30+Klms over a tank of juice. Would normally get about 600Klms a tank, not going over 100Kph.

[First LR]

Andrew.
Does it effect fuel economy much????
Andrew


I found our fuel economy with/without is more affected by speed. Whole trip to the Cape, inc OTT, averaged about 11.5l/100km. A lot less than if I was towing a camper trailer, but probably 1l/100km more than without RTT.


In general, I think RTT is great for touring (stops of 1-2 nights), but any longer I would probably use a camper/van to leave at base camp while you explore. Not that its hard to break/setup RTT camp overnight, but it would be a shame to come back to your spot and find someone else has taken it !



We use a variety of accomadation options depending on where we go, how long and what type of trip we are planning. Definitiely a case of horses for courses and picking the best of breed for the scenario.

[samandfee]

Will try and post some pics 108428

108429when packed up ....Great quality this Howling moon..

Sam:D

[stewie110]

I found our fuel economy with/without is more affected by speed. Whole trip to the Cape, inc OTT, averaged about 11.5l/100km. A lot less than if I was towing a camper trailer, but probably 1l/100km more than without RTT.


In general, I think RTT is great for touring (stops of 1-2 nights), but any longer I would probably use a camper/van to leave at base camp while you explore. Not that its hard to break/setup RTT camp overnight, but it would be a shame to come back to your spot and find someone else has taken it !



We use a variety of accomadation options depending on where we go, how long and what type of trip we are planning. Definitiely a case of horses for courses and picking the best of breed for the scenario.
That mirrors our experience too. We tend to pick what is best for the trip we are doing. A camper trailer is like a boat anchor if you are going really off road. But a RTT is also not great there because of the increase in centre of gravity. Hiking tents can work well etc.

[Russrobe]

We used a rooftop tent on our cairns trip from the expedition centre, undo 2 clips and it pops up on an angle ready to use. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/06/768.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/06/769.jpg

Loved it and was going to buy one but they're $800 for shipping to Perth is painful.

Found another company which makes one that looks even better in Perth called Alu Cab so will probably end up with theirs.

[rocket rod]

I've only purchased one thing from the 4WD super centre (an Awning) and it was cheap but I did it in the knowledge that it could become a single use item only and that was the basis of my decision. I suggest you do the same.

[Russrobe]

Also have to make mention of how great the elastic around the outsite works for packing down, 3 out of 4 pack ups were down with one hand, only once did i need to push a bit of the fabric inside before latching it. Puts 30 second tents to shame.

[Russrobe]

Likewise rocket, that's a different site, these guys do full roof conversions too 😮

[Ben_Vapid]

Also have to make mention of how great the elastic around the outsite works for packing down, 3 out of 4 pack ups were down with one hand, only once did i need to push a bit of the fabric inside before latching it. Puts 30 second tents to shame.

Is the Alu-cab their expedition tent? Out of interest how much do they retail for?

[Russrobe]

Is the Alu-cab their expedition tent? Out of interest how much do they retail for?

Sorry Ben, that was probably a confusing post. Alu Cab is a company i was recommended in W.A.

Seeing as you're from Melbourne, i'd be checking out to postage costs online for the site above in the pic(Buy 4x4 Land Rover Toyota Nissan Accessories and Parts Online | Web Store | Expedition Centre Australia by Mulgo (http://www.expeditioncentre.com.au/)) that's the one we used it was great. $3500 plus delivery from NSW

Unfortunately due to their weight and size you need one as close as possible to get your value's worth.

[Ben_Vapid]

Sorry Ben, that was probably a confusing post. Alu Cab is a company i was recommended in W.A.

Seeing as you're from Melbourne, i'd be checking out to postage costs online for the site above in the pic(Buy 4x4 Land Rover Toyota Nissan Accessories and Parts Online | Web Store | Expedition Centre Australia by Mulgo (http://www.expeditioncentre.com.au/)) that's the one we used it was great. $3500 plus delivery from NSW

Unfortunately due to their weight and size you need one as close as possible to get your value's worth.

Yeah agreed, i've been tossing up a RTT for a while but also use the roof rack for all sorts of stuff on a trip. That alu-cab seems a bit better suited to having stuff on top of it but at 80kg's, it's already pushing the load rating of the roof anyway.

[Tombie]

Yeah agreed, i've been tossing up a RTT for a while but also use the roof rack for all sorts of stuff on a trip. That alu-cab seems a bit better suited to having stuff on top of it but at 80kg's, it's already pushing the load rating of the roof anyway.



At 80kg it's already exceeded - not pushing - the rating.

[Russrobe]

=o The load rating for roof racks is under 80kgs??

[LRD414]

=o The load rating for roof racks is under 80kgs??
Maximum roof load is 71.8kg (less the weight of the roof rails & cross bars) for "Factory Roof Rails & Cross Bars".
For the Expedition Rack it lowers again to 54.3kg (less the weight of the rack & rails).

IIRC it's in the manual but also Sniegy's post here:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/145885-discovery-4-roof-loading.html

These are dynamic figures.

Scott

[Russrobe]

Read that thread just after posting. Spewing. That sucks ...

[Russrobe]

Alucab $5k fitted with 3 rhino cross bars, no platform required bringing it to 83kgs total. Fitted a D4 last week. Your risk to take though i suppose.. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/06/726.jpg

[ozscott]

Unfortunately LR load ratings for Disco (all.models) is low. Cheers

[scarry]

Looking at a roof top tent that weighs around 65KG.

Anyone fitted one the D4 using just the Rhino rails on the higher rear roof section,spread as wide as they can go?

The roof rating is 75KG,so we are OK there,its just with two people in it,that raises the load,while stationary?

And an awning on the side.

Its the static load i am concerned about.

Thoughts,anyone done this?

[ozscott]

Hi mate. I had mates with D3 and D4 that went to the Cape with me and from memory there was a 75kg on road weight and 45kg off road weight limit. I doubt static would be a problem.. Defender had a 130kg limit and the D3/4 roof is much stronger. One had a Pioneer rack and the other a Big basket. They were loaded up within limits and had no issues with either system.

Cheers

[DiscoMick]

I have heard stories of gutters cracking with roof top tents bouncing around up there, but never actually seen it myself.
I wonder what it would do to your fuel consumption to have a big plastic bag up there in the wind?

[scarry]

I have heard stories of gutters cracking with roof top tents bouncing around up there, but never actually seen it myself.
I wonder what it would do to your fuel consumption to have a big plastic bag up there in the wind?

A mate of mine has as a James Borough on a 79 series,and it makes no difference to fuel economy,as long as you don’t exceed the speed limit.
He writes down ks travelled and litres for every tank,and runs OEM tyres so the figures would be accurate.

Some of the other roof top tents are not as streamlined though,and a lot heavier than the one we are looking at.

Back to my original question,looks like we will be fine,hopefully,as it’s static load when the vehicle is stationary.

[Odysseyman]

Here’s my Gordigear RTT. Only available from the manufacturer on the Gold Coast and I bought mine on the way home to Melbourne after I picked up the car from Brisbane (where I bought it). The bed is huge - bigger than king size however they also make a smaller version that’s not quite as wide. We wanted the space. Top quality, beautiful made and he back up his product with excellent after sales service and a range of parts if you have any problems or do any damage. This particular model weighs about 65kg and makes very little difference to my fuel economy travelling at sensible speeds. I have it fitted on two Rhino bars.

150137150138

Cheers
David

[Chops]

Just a quick question on all of these tents. Regardless of which brand you choose, how do you guys decide which way to sit it on your roof?
When I had mine, it went on both the D2 and the Defender, and both times I had it so it hung out the rear. I did this for two reasons, a) to help cover the rear of the car so in inclement weather you wouldn't get wet if you were cooking or something, just gave a bit more usable space (I thought) when it was wet. b)to "try" and help with wind resistance,,, yea yea, I know, pretty futile [bighmmm], but it was worth the try [bigwhistle][thumbsupbig][biggrin]

So, in regards to fuel consumption, many miles of keeping tabs on how we went, it did make a difference, and yes, especially if you went over the speed limit (being 100k), so on a freeway, shot to hell. Having said that, it didn't then seem to matter then what you loaded the car up with, it didn't get worse. So speed, with the tent on, and a trailer, and fully loaded in the back (Dual cab ute), it didn't use more juice than if it just had the RTT on.

So, why do you put them on sideways, or length-ways?

[Chops]

Both cars with the tent on. This tent was an "Uptop" unit which at the time cost ($1,575, tent, awning, with extension ladder) a fraction of the other units on the market, and some ten years later, after lots of use, it's been put on another car to go around Australia with.
From memory I think approx 55kg all up (?) but we never used the side walls for either the tent or awning, so didn't carry them with us.

[Odysseyman]

Just a quick question on all of these tents. Regardless of which brand you choose, how do you guys decide which way to sit it on your roof?
When I had mine, it went on both the D2 and the Defender, and both times I had it so it hung out the rear. I did this for two reasons, a) to help cover the rear of the car so in inclement weather you wouldn't get wet if you were cooking or something, just gave a bit more usable space (I thought) when it was wet. b)to "try" and help with wind resistance,,, yea yea, I know, pretty futile [bighmmm], but it was worth the try [bigwhistle][thumbsupbig][biggrin]

So, in regards to fuel consumption, many miles of keeping tabs on how we went, it did make a difference, and yes, especially if you went over the speed limit (being 100k), so on a freeway, shot to hell. Having said that, it didn't then seem to matter then what you loaded the car up with, it didn't get worse. So speed, with the tent on, and a trailer, and fully loaded in the back (Dual cab ute), it didn't use more juice than if it just had the RTT on.

So, why do you put them on sideways, or length-ways?

i open mine to the drivers side as I have a Rhino Batwing awning which covers the passenger side and rear of the vehicle. It creates a very nice undercover area particularly with the RTT open as well. I also have a tent which attaches to the underside of the RTT to give privacy and protection on the ground if needed. I don’t use it very often but it’s great for cooking protection and sitting in if the weather is s****ty.

Cheers,
David

[brd]

Looking at same setup, either Gordigear or Darche .
Is yours the 1600 size David?
Was there any question of the factory tracks being able to hold the bars/RTT load, from whoever did the install?

Cheers
Brent


Here’s my Gordigear RTT. Only available from the manufacturer on the Gold Coast and I bought mine on the way home to Melbourne after I picked up the car from Brisbane (where I bought it). The bed is huge - bigger than king size however they also make a smaller version that’s not quite as wide. We wanted the space. Top quality, beautiful made and he back up his product with excellent after sales service and a range of parts if you have any problems or do any damage. This particular model weighs about 65kg and makes very little difference to my fuel economy travelling at sensible speeds. I have it fitted on two Rhino bars.

150137150138

Cheers
David

[Odysseyman]

Looking at same setup, either Gordigear or Darche .
Is yours the 1600 size David?
Was there any question of the factory tracks being able to hold the bars/RTT load, from whoever did the install?

Cheers
Brent

Hi Brent

Yes mine is the 1600 size and no problem with the load on the Rhino bars, it only weighs about 65kg and Helmut wasn’t the least bit concerned. It’s very quiet positioned where it is. He met me at his warehouse and I looked at everything before I made a decision and the he helped me fit it (actually I helped him) before I drove back to Melbourne.

Cheers
David

[josh.huber]

My mate lives 5 days a week in a "kings" RTT. Has no complaints, quality or comfort, he bought it second hand off in-laws, light enough that he gets it off each weekend when he gets home from work by himself with difficulty