Roof top tent options

[Owen]

Hi all,
I am looking for a decent size roof top tent to put on my ,11 to sleep the kids in. We have an Ultimate Camper and I want something fast and with an annex to put up and maintain some separation between us and our 4 little angels. Suggestions welcome, was thinking either bars and a tent or a platform and the tent. We will be travelling in it for a 5 week trip next year plus weekends away when we can.

[weeds]

Is the roof top for the adults??

No sure what the budget is but I rate the ones that fold up full length plus you get a room. There are a few manufactures that do them. We swapped ours between the defender and trailer depending on the trip.

http://aussietraveller.com.au/products/camping-and-4wd/roof-top-tents/mrrt-deluxe-version-grey-green

I don't reckon it would be much behind the ones that fold in half time wise to pack up.....unpacking is just as quick.

[Owen]

It's for the 4 kids. I do like that option.

[weeds]

It's for the 4 kids. I do like that option.



2 up, 2 down??

I think Hannibal make a version with a bigger sleeping area.

[Owen]

They are all worried about crocodiles, crazy but if they don't disturb my sleep this will be worth it !

[Mungus]

Checkout Gordigear RTT. We don't have the additional room yet, but very pleased with the quality and size and ease.

[BMKal]

They are all worried about crocodiles, crazy but if they don't disturb my sleep this will be worth it !

Just put them in swags, and tell them that crocs can't open zippers. :wasntme:

[DiscoMick]

Are the kids OK climbing ladders at night?

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[Chops]

You could get two tents end to end, or side by side on the roof if you wanted. You can get cheap units which will also supply an awning with a room too, which could help if you get caught in bad weather.

[Owen]

Are the kids OK climbing ladders at night?

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Mine will climb anything !

[weeds]

A quick trip to bundy today reminded me of another benefit of the one that fold up full size.

They are only 1/2 the height therefore less wind drag.

[Firko]

I have a 4x4 super centre rtt works well with anex only $750

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[Owen]

What rack have you mounted it to ?

[carlschmid2002]

Espace Evolution (http://www.jamesbaroud.com.au/products/rooftop-tents/espace-evolution.html)

I have one of these in black. I have it on my trailer at the moment but it is going on the roof for a quick trip to Tassy at Christmas. Low profile, very little drag and the quickest set up you could imagine. Pricey though.

[Babs]

I have a Darche Highview 2 rooftop tent.
This tent has only been used once a couple of weeks ago and it was erected inside a huge farm shed.
I had bought one of the cheaper ones which I had problems with, long story short they replaced it with the Darche Highview 2 which is a better quality tent, heavier canvas and better fly cover.

So as new like I said used once erected indoors, so you will need to do the wet down canvas routine etc.

I won't be using a rooftop tent anymore just invested in some stretcher bed tents.

PM me for details if your interested.

[DiscoMick]

Espace Evolution (http://www.jamesbaroud.com.au/products/rooftop-tents/espace-evolution.html)

I have one of these in black. I have it on my trailer at the moment but it is going on the roof for a quick trip to Tassy at Christmas. Low profile, very little drag and the quickest set up you could imagine. Pricey though.

They are impressive. Not much space left on the roof rack though.
Is the cost around $2k?

[carlschmid2002]

They are impressive. Not much space left on the roof rack though.
Is the cost around $2k?

More like $4K plus. It is great though and I do use it a lot when I visit my friends near Mt Glorious. The best bit about it when travelling is the speed of set up and pack up. I can pull up on the side of the road and be in bed in 30sec.

[First LR]

We have an Austrack XL RTT that can sleep 5 of us (2 adults and 3 kids) very tightly, but would be very comfortable for 4 kids. Also has dual ladders and a zip on annexe that could sleep another double/queen bed.


Its great for touring when you want a quick setup and pack away. The beds are ready within about 10 mins and another 15mins if you want the annexe setup as well.


Cheers,

[Russrobe]

I really liked the hard shell Wild Earth RTT we used in Cairns. Undo 2 clips and it pops up. Need to be near an Expedition Centre store for it to be a viable option though. Shipping is too high otherwise. Reasons for hard shell.

Easy setup and pack down.

Outlasts canvas bags.

Easy to brush off the million spyders that collected on the vehicle whilst camped on by a lake in FNQ.

[DiscoMick]

I also like the idea of hard shell rtts for better aerodynamics and probably being more waterproof, just like I prefer our hardtop camper trailer to a softtop.
The disadvantages of hardtop rtts seem to be their higher cost, weight and that they take up so much extra roof rack space. Still I guess they could all be worked around.

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[Russrobe]

Can definitely vouch for 100% water proof. We slept through a typical tropical down pour without getting wet in Cairns then got hit even harder in Cooktown.

[Owen]

Thanks everyone, I picked up a Austrac unit used on Gumtree, pick it up in 2 weeks, best get the rack organised. Ow !

[Russrobe]

Does anyone have a light weight version? I'm looking for something i can put on the roof with a second spare.

Would buy a dual rwc but at $4500 they are out atm...

Struggling to find a good setup that can give us a long range tank, 2 spares and a rtt....

[Chops]

We had a "Uptop" RTT, comes in at about 50Kgs, maybe a little under. Having said that, it was on the canopy of the Defender, with a rack on the cab of the ute.
It was that lightweight Ripstop material, but it's very good quality, we never got wet or cold in all the camping we did.

[rar110]

Does anyone have a light weight version? I'm looking for something i can put on the roof with a second spare.

Would buy a dual rwc but at $4500 they are out atm...

Struggling to find a good setup that can give us a long range tank, 2 spares and a rtt....



I'm not a fan of a long range tank as expensive and need to find a place for a spare. It gives you about 60lt extra from memory. I'd rather use 3 jerrys on the roof short term, ie use 20lt in tank and empty a Jerry. The Perentie has a 60lt tank so for Simpson trip had 5 or 6 jerrys on the roof short term, and a spare wheel and the RTT. The jerrys were emptied as a priority as we went.

[Chops]

The long range tanks for D4's are either 90 or 95/100 (?) I think from memory. Mines a 90lt

[LRD414]

Does anyone have a light weight version? I'm looking for something i can put on the roof with a second spare.
Perhaps 2 x stretcher swags would be better for your situation Russ?
Lighter than RTT, take-up less room and still sleeping off the ground.

Scott

[First LR]

Does anyone have a light weight version? I'm looking for something i can put on the roof with a second spare.

Would buy a dual rwc but at $4500 they are out atm...

Struggling to find a good setup that can give us a long range tank, 2 spares and a rtt....


I looked at a similar setup for my touring trips (when I dont use a trailer)and decided on a long range tank (104l), a single RWC and carry a spare (tyre only) inside (strapped to roof in rear compartment to use otherwise wasted space up top). Then you can get whatever RTT you want (or happy) to take on your roof.


Hope this helps.

[Russrobe]

Ah great ideas, thanks. Down to two options now.

A large double swag setup on top of the platform rack which is already on with lr tank and single wheel carrier with the second spare being on the roof. It will just need to be removed for the nights we wants to sleep up top (Can't see this being a massive issue once lowered.)

Or carry second spare inside the car wrapped up on top of the back seats against the cage maybe? With a rtt plus already mentioned Lr tank and rwc...

[DiscoMick]

When we don't take the camper we take 2 swags and stretchers on the roof. Having a Long Ranger tank usually means no need for fuel drums on the roof, freeing up space. We have a solar panel up there and also room for a second spare, Treds etc. Defenders have long roofs.

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[Russrobe]

I'm on the hunt for a clam shell roof top tent, we were just going to use our tent, but we've come to the conclusion it's going to be painful loading the roof every morning, for 13 days straight along the GRR. They weigh in around 60kgs. Unfortunately the only ones i can find in Perth are the James Baroud and they come in at a cool $4000...

Eastern Staters are spoilt for choice. Nearly worth a road trip to save the $700 in postage.

[LandyAndy]

Russ.
I was impressed with Cripesamightys setup.He set it up and packed it very quickly,it was a holwing wind when he did it too,all went perfect.
Howling Moon was the brand.
You can use your IDtool to level the vehicle for the tent too;);););););););)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/01/652.jpg (http://s113.photobucket.com/user/LandyAndy_2006/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-12/20161226_185420_zpslzzrolot.jpg.html)
Andrew

[Russrobe]

Uh Huh! I was looking at this one. Howling Moon - roof top tent | Other Parts & Accessories | Gumtree Australia Swan Area - Guildford | 1135302388 (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/guildford/other-parts-accessories/howling-moon-roof-top-tent/1135302388)

The very same i'd say. What put me off was people saying it took up to 20 mins to get the packed up with the cover back on. How long do you think this one took Andy?

The only hard top one I've found in the last few months is this one.

James Baroud 'Discovery' Roof Top Tent | Camping & Hiking | Gumtree Australia Vincent Area - North Perth | 1131929312 (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/north-perth/camping-hiking/james-baroud-discovery-roof-top-tent/1131929312)

It's about $1500 more than we wanted to spend though. I sent him a low offer, worth a try.

[DiscoMick]

BCF were selling a cheaper one last time I was in there.

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[Russrobe]

BCF were selling a cheaper one last time I was in there.

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Not a big fan of that one Mick. It's electric and other models have been known to jam up.

Would rather keep it to a basic pop up mechanism.

[LandyAndy]

Send Cripesamighty a PM,I rekon 10 to 15 mins each setup.
He just used 1 short star picket to pin it down for the overnite stop.
Andrew

[carlschmid2002]

Since I have been living in my James Baroud for the last 4 weeks I have to say a quality product. Worth every cent. I can be in bed 30 secs after pulling over. I do prefer it on the trailer as the clips are hard to reach on the roof and I didn't know I could level the car with IID Toll. I haven't even used mine yet. I haven't had time.

[Russrobe]

Carl, which model is yours? The one i'm looking at on Gumtree is the most basic. Think he's asking near on full price...

[cripesamighty]

That was one star picket because I was feeling lazy as I usually use 2 - and my beer was waiting! Basically, without rushing, I can set it up in somewhere between 8-15 minutes, depending on whether I need to batten down the hatches or not (ie add extra straps or leave windows open/closed). Packing up is the same. I have a routine I go through every time and it works well.

I can't really fault the tent as it has seen off quite heavy tropical winds and rain without issue. I added some memory foam on top of the original mattress so it is more comfortable to sleep in than my bed at home. Originally I went looking for a clamshell or hardtop type as well but just missed out on one and was quite annoyed. The Howling Moon came up at a price that was too hard to ignore. After going through a few storms I am kind of glad I got the Howling Moon now. You are protected overhead when climbing the ladder, especially when the annex is attached and there is more room inside than a clamshell or hardtop. I still love the idea of a less than one minute setup with the others though!!

Russ, unless that Howling Moon tent for sale in Guildford is in pristine condition, it is a bit pricey. I paid a grand less for mine which had only been used for two nights on an aborted trip. Also, I haven't taken the tent off the Disco yet so if you want a look at the setup, send me a PM. It might help in your decision between the two styles of tents.

[LandyAndy]

Warning Russ,Mr Mighty really likes talking:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
Don't we all:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:
Andrew

[cripesamighty]

:angel::D

[BMKal]

Warning Russ,Mr Mighty really likes talking:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
Don't we all:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:
Andrew

[url=https://postimg.org/image/5qhb7ybrx/]https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/01/632.jpg :wasntme:

[LandyAndy]

Look at the shiny thing on the bathroom wall Brian.Frypan you are:p:p:p:p:p:p:p
Andrew

[carlschmid2002]

Carl, which model is yours? The one i'm looking at on Gumtree is the most basic. Think he's asking near on full price...

espace. I bought it with my stockman trailer and I think it was a tad over $4000. I put it on the roof for my recent trip to Tassie. It's back on the trailer now. Mine is black shell with grey sides.

[carlschmid2002]

Heres a pic on the car.

[squizzyhunter]

How about this one 118636