Anyone own a roof top tent

[landyfromanuthaland]

Was looking at rooftop tents in the book, how safe are they? looking at the rear overhang with a ladder and it all looks unsupported, was thinking the hole thing could fall of the back in a heap, that would take the gloss of a good nites sleep I am sure, with the creepy crawlies up north and snakes etc being up high would have its advantages:wasntme:

[p38arover]

I don't want to sound rude (but this might so, if it does, please don't be offended).

The roof of a car has a weight limit imposed by the manufacturer.

If I recall correctly, you mentioned recently that you were somewhat overweight, i.e., over 200kg.

This combined with the weight of the tent and, I assume, your wife, will put the roof load well over the recommended maximum load.

Ron

[landyfromanuthaland]

yeah but this is later down the track after my gastro band is done and I am thin again, plus I never said I wanted one I still prefer my canvas trekker and a 12 bore in the sleeping bag, was merely amused of the thought of having the hole show drop of the back of the car

[landyfromanuthaland]

To throw further salt over my shoulder I wouldnt mount said tent to the roof, I have a full lenght roof rack thats secured to the chassis by heavy steel mounts, see we think of these things

[Outlaw]

there are a couple threads on rooftops in the camping section

[p38arover]

To throw further salt over my shoulder I wouldnt mount said tent to the roof, I have a full lenght roof rack thats secured to the chassis by heavy steel mounts, see we think of these things


Fair enough. A gastro band? You are taking this weight loss seriously. Good on you. I hope you get there.

Ron

[Disco Steve]

Andy, have a look on Evil bay. My boss bought one for $400 and has had it for 3yrs. No issues.

Cheers steve

[TheLowRanger]

I used to have one and loved it. I had a full length rack and mounted it on the front so when it opened up (towards the rear) it was all supported on the roof rack not by the ladder alone. The rear section was just a bit flimsy when supported by the ladder alone. I got rid of it a few years ago when my first little one got too big to comfortably fit anymore but am seriously contemplating getting another one and giving the kids their own tent. As to the roof weight thing, I wouldn't be too worried about putting the extra weight on the roof to sleep as you are not moving (hopefully) and are not putting all the extra stresses on the gutters that pot holes/corrugations etc can amplify the weight onboard. If you were still lying in it whilst driving, then that would be a different story.

[Hymie]

I have an ARB with a zip on annexe for the bottom for the kids to sleep in. I have it mounted so it flips out on the passenger side leaving the back free as a kitchen area. The Mrs just loves it, wasn't keen on camping before but after the month in the Kimberley she is hooked, all because the tent so bloody convenient. We have it mounted on the gutters and had no problems, even after the Tanami and Gibb River roads.
Money well spent I say.

[PAT303]

I had one when I went around Oz.We lived out of it for 4 months and was one of the good things I have bought. Pat

[mcrover]

Hey Andy,

We have a Hannible supported on a full length rack and the tent is also supported by webbing which runs through the canvas as well as the canvas takes some of the load as well as the ladder.

I did set it up on a concrete floor one day and the ladder slipped out from under it and the tent only dropped about 4" and was holding my 110kg's no problem.

The only complaint I have with it is that if there is a heavy dew or in the morning, you really have to wait until the sun dries it out before packing it up and if it rains or else it stinks a bit when you reopen it and that then cut's into driving time but it only takes me about 2 to 3 mins to fully set up or put down but if it's raining I have done it in about 45secs to the point where you can get in and sleep.

I would like to get the standard fly though oneday as the delux (extended version) can be a bit fiddly in the dark and I only use the awning for the kids who rarely come with us anyway.

It is one of the best bits of kit we have bought and really comfy.

Love it.

[Nat130]

4316

Here's ours, it's an Aussie Traveller.

The complete base sits on the roof rack so our weight limits are based on our canopy not the truck.

It takes 5 minutes to put up, is comfortable and there is plenty of room.

[mcrover]

I do really like that setup Nat, If they made a 130 disco Id buy one.

As Ive said before, I just cant get comfy in a fender.

[cookiesa]

Surprised someone hasn't already so....

"Was looking at rooftop tents in the book, how safe are they?"

Much safer than sleeping on the ground in the tropics! (And of course much less likely for snakes to make a home in too... LOL

We have thought about these a couple of times as my pet hate is air beds. I hate the heat and they make me sweat, even in winter. Ideally I would like a camper trailer.... one day! What are others using??

How do you guys find them in terms of finding somewhere relatively flat to park? (Obviously same issue with tents etc, but do you find it difficult in the bush to be able to park somewhere flat ish?

[Nat130]

Hi there Cookiesa,

Finding level ground isn't normally an issue, with the 130 and our setup it is probably more about finding a large enough clearing :D

If we are slightly unlevel we just always make sure that our heads are at the high end of the bed.

We took out the foam matress that was in ours and we replaced it with a foam/self inflating double matress and it is really comfortable.

We got ours (hopefully) as a stepping stone to a camper trailer...well I hope I can get the camper trailer one day :) think the other half likes the roof tent too much!

Cheers Nat

[spudboy]

We like our ShippShape tent. Not exactly lightweight, but comfortable and solid.

http://www.shippshape.com.au/home.htm

http://www.shippshape.com.au/shipp_front_v4.jpg

[revor]

We've got an Eezi Awn mounted up on and old military trailer... It's great but I need be sure to put the rear jack under the trailer's rear crossmember! (It was only funny 'cause I wasn't in it!) We'll put one on the roof our 110 as well, easier to sleep four what with the boy almost as big as I am now!!

[crash]

I have a Dingo Doza, One of the first aussie made roof top tents made. My wife and I loved it. Had it mounted over the tray of a navara which worked great, as it also kept the weight down lower and I was hidden behind the cab hence protected. Only real problem is if you go camping and want to do day trips 4wd the tent has to be packed up, but is only a 5-10min job.
We have moved up to a Jayco camper, and the tent is in the shed, but am thinking of remounting it to the Disco for when just myself or the when the rug rat comes with me instead of bringing the camper along.

[Koukandowie Brangus]

I have a ship shape, brought it a few months ago for 100 bucks, tis the best thing i ever brought. it is built well and robust but i am moving it to the back of the canopy on the fender as i don't like that much weight on the roof.

[Nat130]

TREX that was one lucky buy for $100! :)

[crash]

I had an unfortunate mishap when I accidenttly ran the tent into the open garage door, breaking one of the wooden floors.

[dullbird]

we have a howling moon

great tent takes to of us with ease only problem we have had was when at tuff trucks we were positive the drunks were playing around with the ladder when passing:mad:

plus the only other downside well not really a downside but need to really be parked on the flat

[OLR-067]

easiest solution I found is to blue tack a level bubble to the dash..and carry two level thingy's for caravan's...they are about $8 from supercrap....I have a cheap one off ebay...exactly the same as the Opensky ones...at half the price...

cheers
Paul

[cookiesa]

Thanks for that Nat, we use a PITA large dome tent at the moment. Similar issues with finding flat ground, just wondering how you guys went with roof tops.... might be our steeping stone too I think!

[bblaze]

I am looking into one of these for my solo trip next year and then my thoughts are to put it on a trailer for when the wife wants to come, plus then I could leave it set up as a base. Any one done this and your thoughts on it
cheers
blaze

[mcrover]

I am looking into one of these for my solo trip next year and then my thoughts are to put it on a trailer for when the wife wants to come, plus then I could leave it set up as a base. Any one done this and your thoughts on it
cheers
blaze

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php't=30653

Try this thread, I want to build similar for those trips where we are staying in the one area for a couple of days or so but the RTT is ideal if your moving from place to place each day as they take heaps less setting up than a tent or a trailer.

Mine will eventually built on a trailer that I can take the top off and use it as a normal trailer, box trailer or camper with the tent on top.

Just got to get the time to do it.

[bblaze]

Thanks for the link Mcrover, looks good. A lot of work has gone into it. I have simular pic's in my head, bit shorter in the drawbar and a bit lower.
cheers
blaze

[mcrover]

Its not so much the tent tho is it when setting up or packing up?...its all the other crap you take along :D


Yep thats it :D

The problem is, you cant fit all that much in the back of a Disco when you have Kids as well so the trailer will be handy for that as well.

Just finnished some mods to the Rack to stop it from getting a harmonic vibration going at about 90 to 95 kmh and not going away until 105 to 110kmh so I did some strengthening and Ive nearly got it right.