rooftop tents

[dirtdawg]

looking at fitting one to the disco, just after some opinions on them from you guys pro's and con's etc

[Outlaw]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/camping-tucker-bush-basics/34677-roof-top-tent.html
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/camping-tucker-bush-basics/33805-oasis-rooftop-tent.html
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/camping-tucker-bush-basics/30576-tent-roof-storage-system.html

:D :D :D

[Aaron]

I saw a hard top roof top tent that id LOVE. I will try to get back to you tomorrow with a link. If I dont, PM me or I may forget.

[VladTepes]

One of the guys in our club got a $400 one off ebay. Chinese jobbie.
He reckons its pretty godd - just a 2 person one but quite waterproff and convenient.

You have to ask yourself what sort of camping you are planning.

If a desert trip (say) where pull up, camp for the night and off again in the morning - perfect.

A weekend away camping with mates and four wheel driving - a PITA coz you have to put the tent down when you want to pop out for a drive. This missus might not like that if she wants to "relax back at camp' while you are gone !

Cheers

[Tusker]

This is the one I bought, very happy with it. Made 200 mm longer than std for my height.

Roof Top Tents Australia - Sydney Australia (http://www.mrswagman.com.au/rooftoptents/introduction.shtml)

Regards
Max P

[waynep]

The only 2 problems I see with them
1. one is climbing up and down the ladder all the time - especially if you have to get up in the middle of the night ( for a you know what ). It's enough of a hassle in a regular tent.
2. the other as said before is, if you want to go for a short drive somewhere you need to pack it all up
How do you guys with them deal with that aspect ?

[Tusker]

Everything is a compromise. Rooftop tents are great for a trip where you're moving frequently. Not so good if you're based in one spot for a few days & want to do day trips.

re your 3.00AM issue.. its no big deal. You get used to the ladder quick enough.

Regards
Max P

[Chucaro]

I saw a hard top roof top tent that id LOVE. I will try to get back to you tomorrow with a link. If I dont, PM me or I may forget.

OUTDOOR WORLD PTY (http://www.autohome.com.au)

This is the link for the importer of the hard top tents
Cheers

[Four Boar]

I want one! Just had a look on ebay and so many to choose from!
I was told that the roof racks/ roof had a capasity of like 150kg for
my disco, as I wanted to put a pipe up there to hold water? Two adults alone would weigh 150kg, then there is the tent, perhaps a third person etc?

Weight must not be to much of an issue when staionary?

Cal/ Four Boar

[mcrover]

The only 2 problems I see with them
1. one is climbing up and down the ladder all the time - especially if you have to get up in the middle of the night ( for a you know what ). It's enough of a hassle in a regular tent.
2. the other as said before is, if you want to go for a short drive somewhere you need to pack it all up
How do you guys with them deal with that aspect ?


The Ladder is not a problem, I find it easier to get in and out than a normal tent which you have to crawl every where.

I dont like hights and I find it is great.

The second problem is true and is a PITA but it only takes (if done in a hurry) about 45 seconds to pack up our tent or about 2 mins if you take your time once you work it out so it isnt really that bad but in saying that, Mine is going on a trailer for long stay trips but I am making it so it can go back on the rack for touring.

[Chucaro]

The hard top Maggiolina looks like that are very easy to setup in a harry, the problem is the cost about $ 3500 :eek:
Regarding Four Boar concern about the weight, the issue is more related to the stability when the vehicle is moving, then again when you see some of the exploration vehicles how are loaded up, I will not be to concerned about it.
Some of them holding the weight with the roll cage which transfer the load to the chassis.
I do not think that is good idea carry the water at the top, I rather fit a tank on the rear foot well.

[RonMcGr]

The Ladder is not a problem, I find it easier to get in and out than a normal tent which you have to crawl every where.

I dont like hights and I find it is great.

The second problem is true and is a PITA but it only takes (if done in a hurry) about 45 seconds to pack up our tent or about 2 mins if you take your time once you work it out so it isnt really that bad but in saying that, Mine is going on a trailer for long stay trips but I am making it so it can go back on the rack for touring.

How about a "Night Bottle?"

[Bushwanderer]

The hard top Maggiolina looks like that are very easy to setup in a harry, the problem is the cost about $ 3500 :eek:
Regarding Four Boar concern about the weight, the issue is more related to the stability when the vehicle is moving, then again when you see some of the exploration vehicles how are loaded up, I will not be to concerned about it.
Some of them holding the weight with the roll cage which transfer the load to the chassis.
I do not think that is good idea carry the water at the top, I rather fit a tank on the rear foot well.

Hi Four Boar,
I agree with Chucaro. I don't recall which model Disco you have, after I bought my 1993 D1, I asked LRA what the load limit was on the roof. The answer was 50kg.:eek::eek::eek: While this is the travelling load (including any roof bars), I don't think having water storage on the roof is a good idea. :(

Best Wishes,

[Chucaro]

How about a "Night Bottle?"

I remember during my stay at the Moore Park caravan park people used to carry a BUCKET to the toilets in the morning :D
Perhaps it would be a good idea to use the pipe in the rack as a "septic tank" instead of using it for water :D

[Bushwanderer]

I remember during my stay at the Moore Park caravan park people used to carry a BUCKET to the toilets in the morning :D
Perhaps it would be a good idea to use the pipe in the rack as a "septic tank" instead of using it for water :D

As long as it can be a gas-tight seal.:o

[mcrover]

Ours weighs in with rack at 60 odd kg's so I dont put much more up there but it has rails the whole length of the gutters so the weight is spread over the entire gutters rather than over just the 4 legs on either side.

On the stability side of things, I havnt found it to be unstable at all, actually I have found due to it being over the back wheels it gives me a bit more traction if anything.

Since I put the better quality shocks and springs in it it is even better even though it is taller so I dont think it is much of a problem.

Im not that lazy that I wont get out of bed to have a leak........Im getting a bit worried about a few of you guys :p

I wouldnt bother puting water on the rack, it is a fair bit of weight up top that moves around a lot which would bother me a bit.

It also gets hot when up there so it is only really good for a shower lol.

Put it under the car in sill tanks is normally the best but it makes it bloody heavy with tent, sill's, Long range tank and gear.

[helga_3]

I wouldnt consider a roof top when you can get a great tent from OZTENT.
Erect it in 30 secs (no bull) Arent cheap but are very convienient.
Got POd closing the roof top up every time we wanted to drive somewhere and getting back to find your spot taken. Hope this helps.

[Chucaro]

I agree with Mcrover
One of the great advantages of roof tents is that if you are going to be in a place for long time you fit the tent in the trailer and have a very good and compact camping trailer.
If it is for over night stops in different places then you fit the tent in the roof.
Flexibility is the advantage of this option.

[GrahamP38]

I want one! Just had a look on ebay and so many to choose from!
I was told that the roof racks/ roof had a capasity of like 150kg for
my disco, as I wanted to put a pipe up there to hold water? Two adults alone would weigh 150kg, then there is the tent, perhaps a third person etc?

Weight must not be to much of an issue when staionary?

Cal/ Four Boar

Hi all if it's of any help I recently bought Maggiolina mfr Autohome & mounted it on the P38 roofload max 88kg our combined weight 150kg roof hasnt collapsed yet.

[mcrover]

I wouldnt consider a roof top when you can get a great tent from OZTENT.
Erect it in 30 secs (no bull) Arent cheap but are very convienient.
Got POd closing the roof top up every time we wanted to drive somewhere and getting back to find your spot taken. Hope this helps.


I personally dont like sleeping on the ground either as the cold plays havoc with my back even though we still sleep in the swag with the HD foam and the normal mattress in it.

I never really park in the same place twice anyway, I just get somewhere that isnt under a gum tree and isnt in the way of everyone else.

The only other problem that I have is removing it takes either 4 blokes or a fork lift to lift it off, not because it's heavy but because it is long and awkward but when I eventually build my new shed I will rig up a block and tackle to lift it off, for now I use the fork at work and drop it on the trailer and bring it home if I want it off.

[dullbird]

we have a roof top and i love it :).....yes it is a pain if you want to go out driving but it takes two mins to pack away, so its no big deal

but when we go camping we tend to go to relax and not off driving the car every 5mins......

but we would like to put ours on a trailer for long stay trips etc...

when we went to stix river we got there at 2:30 in the morning and i tell you what there is nothing better when you are dog tired than zip,zip,zip grab the ladder and pull tent is up...........i would say it takes even less time than the 0ztent 30sec to errect.

i think putting a tent up at that time of the morning when everyone your camping with is asleep in the pitch black could of been very frustrating;)

also you get a good views out of your window.:)

[dirtdawg]

and although the tourer tents are good they take up a fair wack of space when packed up and we all know a s1 disco isnt big on space, hence why i am looking at a roofop tent

[dirtdawg]

and the missus isnt big on camping but when i showed her the rooftop and the coleman hot waterand a few other comforts that are easily takin along she got interested and said maybe trekking around tassie this year could be ok
:twobeers: :arms: :thumbsup: :clap2: :woot: :burnrubber::burnrubber::burnrubber: :MileStone::MileStone::MileStone::MileStone:

can yha tell i got excited and wanted to go shopping

[streaky]

I have an EaziAwn RTT from South Africa on my Discovery.

Last time I had it up there I had it opening off the back. I couldn't open the rear door of the truck all of the way out because the ladder got in the way:mad:
The tent also got in the way when I wanted to access anything secured at the front of the roof rack.

Next time I mounted it to open from the front and placed the ladder into the bull bar. The wind noise and fuel economy was horrific:mad:.
Opening the tent single handed is also a problem...the ladder wanted to drop down onto the bonnet which could have been nasty.

Next time I mount it I'm going to extend the ladder and try opening the tent from the side of the car:unsure:

I've yet to find a 100% satisfactory solution to the wonders of owning a RRT apart from the fact that you won't get a better nights sleep anywhere else.

[Tusker]

Have heard, but can't confirm, that dust & dirt gets in the Maggiolina windup mechanism. That'd be a PITA fishing out the WD40 to get the tent up.

And a rooftop beats a 30 sec to setup every time, coz the bedding is all setup. We've timed it. By the time the 30 sec comes down off the roof rack - they are bulky - and you've setup sleeping bags etc, the rooftopper has the beer open.

Regards
Max P

[Greylandy]

The other option for a hardshell rooftop tent is the Hannibal Impi:

http://www.hannibalsafari.com.au/library/pix/impiOpen400.jpg

http://www.hannibalsafari.com.au/library/pix/impiTrailer.jpg

Dimensions Closed
Length: 2.2m
Width: 1.3m
Height: 32cm

Dimensions Open
Length: 2.2m
Width: 1.3m
Height: 1.5m

Weight: 63 kg (Includes ladder)
Retail: $3,320.00

[mcrover]

yep much easier than a tent ;)

When we went to sheepyard with you guys Ray, we got there at about 9:30 pm and I was sitting around the fire not even 10 mins later and the bedding wasnt in the tent.

It is much quicker to set up than your Jayco camper trailer, I would have mine open and bedding in by the time youve got the stabilisers down and the roof up.

Yes it is a pain to take off but most of summer it stays on and like I said I use the fork at work to take it off in winter so it is also not a drama for me but I thought I would mention it so people who are looking at getting one would be well informed.

Mrs Mc, a freaind of hers (also Female) and myself put it up there in the first place so it's not too bad but a little harder now the cars lifted.

In saying all that, we still own a big 8 man tent as well that were taking away on Aussie day weekend and I will take the RTT off so there is no reason others also couldnt have both, I could also just swag it if I wanted to but Mrs Mc isnt too keen on that.

As far as fuel economy goes, it is no noticable differance with the rack and tent on as with it off unless were driving into a strong head wind of labouring up long hills but that kills standard Discos as well.



I have found that if swmbo likes to use a doona and lots of pillows then it can become too bulky to pack up in the tent but up to 6 pillows and 2 sleeping bags packs up fine.

As far as the door thing goes, It used to be fine until I lifted the disco and I can move the rack back a bit which makes it possible to open the door without doing anything different but if I havnt bot the rack in the right place I just have to grap the ladder and lift the end of the tent a couple of inch's to open the door and the same to close it so it's not all that much of a problem.

[mcrover]

:TakeABow::TakeABow: righto McRover


you seem to forget i have 6 people in my family:angel:
so your so called roof top tent would not suit us

and if i go alone guess what .............................

i swag it to :p:p:p


my point was a simple point........ as per usual you seem to mis understand

going by your reply about taking it off, seemed a bit on the hard side ;)


you know the tongue in cheek comments and all that stuff
oh yes i almost forgot its all just a joke

Your comment wasnt tounge in cheek and was deffinatly not a joke, it was having a go at it being difficult to take off and making out like it is crap because of that fact.

It isnt for everyone Ray but seems you dont have one, you havnt used one, you have no dreams of owning one why dont you just not comment as all your comments can be taken as being derogotory MOST of the time.

As I just said, they are not for everyone but seems that the question was about how people find their RTT's then Im pretty sure my replies have been pretty much right on topic and not having a go at anyone.

[Chucaro]

mcrover, what about fitting rollers on the rear of the roof rack like the ones to lift and carry the aluminium boats on the rack ?
Did you give it a thought about this or do you know if somebody with this arrangement ?
In my case, because of a crooked back, I think that the solution of lifting gear on the roof truss in the shed are the way to go.
Then it can be downloaded in the vehicle or in the trailer.

[WOLLAPIT85]

Wow if the Mcrovers can fit a large 8 man tent in their disco and all their gear, a touring type tent should leave heaps of room.
Horses for courses I guess pros and cons.
Going by the 2 into 8 man tent maybe you could get a 24 man tent for your 6 Ray.

[mcrover]

Wow if the Mcrovers can fit a large 8 man tent in their disco and all their gear, a touring type tent should leave heaps of room.
Horses for courses I guess pros and cons.
Going by the 2 into 8 man tent maybe you could get a 24 man tent for your 6 Ray.


You have never met us Justin, you have never camped with us and you would have no idea of how much gear we take or anything about us other than what other people with biased opinions of what we are like have told you.

We have an 8 man tent as I have 2 kids as well and we were given the tent so what is wrong with using it.

You guys sarcastic coments are not funny or warrented.

By the way Ray, you told me that you had never used a RTT so thats how I know, no ESP.

I compared how long it took to your camper trailer for the reason that we all have different ways and means of camping but you were making out like ours was wrong for some reason.

I like camper trailers, I do have a third share in an old Corvette fibre glass one that is in need of a bit of TLC before it will be able to go back into use so I know what thats like as well.

Give it a break, you know bugger all about it but you will bag it out anyway or is it just me your bagging out again?

[crump]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[hiline]

By the way Ray, you told me that you had never used a RTT so thats how I know, no ESP.

WRONG.............

i mate of mine has one fitted to a old tradey trailer ;)
all fitted out nicely with a kitchen and the lot

we often use it while off hunting fish in remote areas


but not suitable for my family ............

[WOLLAPIT85]

and although the tourer tents are good they take up a fair wack of space when packed up and we all know a s1 disco isnt big on space, hence why i am looking at a roofop tent

All I was say was if an 8 man tent can fit in a disco then so should a touring type tent with no problems.

And how would you know what I have been told and what I know..
I can make my own judgement from your posts.

[WOLLAPIT85]

Sorry crump...i'm finnished.

Thats funny BTW

[Chucaro]

Thanks Crump, I still waiting for the answer to my question which I believe it is going to be for the benefit of all of us.
I am new in this forum and I was under impression that friendship and camaraderie was the rule.
Cheers

[hiline]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

sorry mate :(

nice car by the way ;)

[sclarke]

Dont Hobits live under ground???

[crump]

Thanks Crump, I still waiting for the answer to my question which I believe it is going to be for the benefit of all of us.
I am new in this forum and I was under impression that friendship and camaraderie was the rule.
Cheers
and in most instances it is, dont let it put you off.;)

[dirtdawg]

i also have 3 scuba tanks for the gas in the back of my car so i lose a bit of space

[Greylandy]

looking at fitting one to the disco, just after some opinions on them from you guys pro's and con's etc

Pro's
Very quick to setup and breakdown
Ideal for short stay travel (you don't even have to make your bed)
You don't need a proper campsite, you can sleep next to the road.
Creates more room inside the vehicle as you don't need to cart a tent around.
Some really nice options on the market with side panels and awnings to create more room below the tent.
Gets your @rse off the ground
Keeps you save from skippy, the killer kangaroo!
Most rooftop tents such as EeziAwn, Hannibal etc. are made in South-Africa. They are by far the leaders in the industry.

Con's
Bulky item to get onto and remove from the roof. In most cases you need three to four people or a pully system.
Impact on fuel economy
Affects the handling of the vehicle and makes it slightly top heavy.
Takes up most of your roofrack space.
You have to break camp everytime you want to go for a short drive.
If you want to buy a good quality tent (not a chinese knock off) they are double the price of a comparable canvass tent.

They work for some people, for others they are just a hassle. I do a fair bit of kayaking and have to carry a 7.2m sea kayak. A rooftop tent is not an option for me. Having said that I have been on trips where I wish I had one.

[loanrangie]

When i was in Tanzania i saw quite a few roof top tents on SA regoed landys and even a 2dr rangie, i still think if a lion or cheetah wanted to ,the bonnet would make a nice ramp up to the cupboard !

[dirtdawg]

would these Land Rover Discovey - " Rola" Roof Rack with bike rack - eBay, 4x4 Accessories, Car Accessories, Tuning, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 20-Jan-08 00:18:57 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190189854687&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=009) be ok to put a rooftop onto

[MrsMcRover]

Pro's
Very quick to setup and breakdown
Ideal for short stay travel (you don't even have to make your bed)
You don't need a proper campsite, you can sleep next to the road.
Creates more room inside the vehicle as you don't need to cart a tent around.
Some really nice options on the market with side panels and awnings to create more room below the tent.
Gets your @rse off the ground
Keeps you save from skippy, the killer kangaroo!
Most rooftop tents such as EeziAwn, Hannibal etc. are made in South-Africa. They are by far the leaders in the industry.

Con's
Bulky item to get onto and remove from the roof. In most cases you need three to four people or a pully system.
Impact on fuel economy
Affects the handling of the vehicle and makes it slightly top heavy.
Takes up most of your roofrack space.
You have to break camp everytime you want to go for a short drive.
If you want to buy a good quality tent (not a chinese knock off) they are double the price of a comparable canvass tent.

They work for some people, for others they are just a hassle. I do a fair bit of kayaking and have to carry a 7.2m sea kayak. A rooftop tent is not an option for me. Having said that I have been on trips where I wish I had one.

Apart from the Kayak. As i dont own one. Couldnt put better myself. :D

There Great , they work for some not others!

[mcrover]

When i was in Tanzania i saw quite a few roof top tents on SA regoed landys and even a 2dr rangie, i still think if a lion or cheetah wanted to ,the bonnet would make a nice ramp up to the cupboard !


Yeah, I think your right, I dont think anything canvas would be much protection in that sort of case.:eek:

The only thing is Oz that we have to worry about are Oonapoona's, Black panthers and drop bears :o

[loanrangie]

Yeah, I think your right, I dont think anything canvas would be much protection in that sort of case.:eek:

The only thing is Oz that we have to worry about are Oonapoona's, Black panthers and drop bears :o

You left out the man eating Bunyip - hes not happy !

[mcrover]

You left out the man eating Bunyip - hes not happy !

I knew there was another one but I forgot his name lol :eek:

[longreach]

:cool:I have a roof top tent on my defender,I found it great,for when I go fishing,eazy to put up,about 5 min,I leave my beding in the tent and just fold it up,I use mine over xmas on north straddie......it was great....bought mine on ebay for $700...very happy with it....:eek:

[dullbird]

When i was in Tanzania i saw quite a few roof top tents on SA regoed landys and even a 2dr rangie, i still think if a lion or cheetah wanted to ,the bonnet would make a nice ramp up to the cupboard !

is that before or after they eat the person in the tent on the floor;).....

[sclarke]

is that before or after they eat the person in the tent on the floor;).....

But watch out for hoop snakes, they roll up the bonnet into the Tent

[Chucaro]

Lions, snakes , that is nothing :) just see what happens if a nice funnel web spider is waiting for you inside the sleeping bag :D
Tanzania and Lions are paradise :D

[loanrangie]

is that before or after they eat the person in the tent on the floor;).....

That was the entree' , when we were camping in Kenya, i slept in a tent but my mate used a swag - well not after he woke up with an Epyptian Cobra staring into his eyes ! For 2 people a rooftop tent is a great idea but the missus wont like climbing down a ladder to empty her pea sized bladder.

[Chucaro]

That was the entree' , when we were camping in Kenya, i slept in a tent but my mate used a swag - well not after he woke up with an Epyptian Cobra staring into his eyes ! For 2 people a rooftop tent is a great idea but the missus wont like climbing down a ladder to empty her pea sized bladder.

That is way a large funnel and house it is a must in the roof tent equipment :D

[Missmyrangie]

I had a mate who had one a few years ago when they were a new concept. He made up some legs that kept it up (although you couldn't stay in it), so he could leave it up and drive away during the day and just come back and drive under for the night. A good idea I thought. I think he made them from memory.

[hiline]

I had a mate who had one a few years ago when they were a new concept. He made up some legs that kept it up (although you couldn't stay in it), so he could leave it up and drive away during the day and just come back and drive under for the night. A good idea I thought. I think he made them from memory.


you can now buy them like that :D

better idea than packing up everytime you need go for a drive
dont know how they would stand up in strong winds though

[mcrover]

I had a mate who had one a few years ago when they were a new concept. He made up some legs that kept it up (although you couldn't stay in it), so he could leave it up and drive away during the day and just come back and drive under for the night. A good idea I thought. I think he made them from memory.

That sounds like a great Idea.:D

[Pedro_The_Swift]

do you chain them to a tree??

[hiline]

do you chain them to a tree??

my guess would be to chain them somewhere ;)

that would be a big problem i'd guess:eek: i'm sure my tent was here when we left :mad:

[dullbird]

mmmm hows that work

they fold in the middle..............you got any pics:)

[Redback]

That was the entree' , when we were camping in Kenya, i slept in a tent but my mate used a swag - well not after he woke up with an Epyptian Cobra staring into his eyes ! For 2 people a rooftop tent is a great idea but the missus wont like climbing down a ladder to empty her pea sized bladder.


So, the Cobra was on holidays too then:p;)

Personally i think anything other than a camper trailer is a PITA, stop buggerising around and go out and buy one, ya buncha wosses:cool:

Baz.

[dirtdawg]

dont need a camper trailer it would hardly get used i dont have kids and usually its just me and the boys so a tent is fine

[dirtdawg]

yay post no 200

[1103.9TDI]

A weekend away camping with mates and four wheel driving - a PITA coz you have to put the tent down when you want to pop out for a drive. This missus might not like that if she wants to "relax back at camp' while you are gone !




Yeah, well, we normally set up a big tarp, if we intend to staylonger than a couple of days in one spot, so food, fridge, geny, deckchairs go under that!. I must say that it is a concern, and normally we don't go to far, just in case some mug decides to help him/herself to any of our stuff.

This said, I don't see how the situation would improve if we didn't have a roof-top tent.......we'd just be leaving more behind on those short trips! ie the tent.

The other advantage of the Maggiolina and similar, is when packing up in the rain, the bedding remains dry, we've done it a number of times!, and then moved on to another spot, to set up again......this would be a major PITA with any other tent.

Another issue that I think warrants discussion in the northern areas, is that if you want to camp in coastal areas, close to water, it pays to be off the ground, we get some decent sized croc's, snakes and spiders in these regions!!! & flooding can also be another problem on the ground.


Have heard, but can't confirm, that dust & dirt gets in the Maggiolina windup mechanism. That'd be a PITA fishing out the WD40 to get the tent up.


I've never had even a remote problem with the winding up/down of our roof-tent, but could see how it could happen if you didn't 'make your bed' prior to closing the tent..... I guess some people aren't as tidy as others!!....We're also used to the ladder, it's easy.

All in all, my missus enjoys camping a whole lot more, with the roof tent, despite what our 9 month old son gets up to!.....and lets face it, thats 99% of any problem sorted!.


I wouldnt consider a roof top when you can get a great tent from OZTENT.
Erect it in 30 secs (no bull) Arent cheap but are very convienient.
Got POd closing the roof top up every time we wanted to drive somewhere and getting back to find your spot taken. Hope this helps.


Oztents are an excellent product, but too long when folded for most people....

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[landrover_tas]

I have got a amper trailer still at the momnt an yes they do have there merits, the only problem with them s if you want to take a boat with you, which we often do. At the moment I am in two minds to either build my slide on camper for the flat tray or go with a roof top. With theroof top I figure I can use it on the defender wagon no problems and use it on the defender flat tray as well. I am thinking of installing the kind of legs they put on those slide on campers that you can drive out from beneath.

[mrapocalypse]

We are thinking about a rooftopper. Already have a very very nice Katmandu Basecamp 500 4 man with an awning that we would carry for longer stays with day trips away from camp.... Roof tops are mostly for overlanding I thought. Pull up, fold out, sleep, pack and drive off. That's the appeal. And no nasty things crawling over you!

Mrs already has a P..s bucket, actually designed for nappies so no Stink and if it gets knocked over no spillage. Good idea for the scaredy cat chicks out there. Makes campning a breeze.

We were worried about fuel consumption mostly (D2 V8), so are looking at speedy set up tents that pack away!

The lions don't realize that the food is inside the tent. I have a friend who has overlanded all through africa and he says the lions sniff, wander around, growl but never rip into the tents. I don't actually believe him!

[andylandy]

Hi guys,

we have just spent 9 months then a years break to earn more money and then a further 9 months travelling around Aus and we have a 300tdi Disco with an Eezi awn rooftop tent, they are great and we love ours, but they do have a few drawbacks as previously stated:

1, if you want to pop out anywhere then you have to pack up.

2. If the weather turns nasty then you have no decent indoor space to hide, we have a 2.5m x 3.5m awning but the rain still comes in sideways!

on the plus side you can watch the crocs swimming around up in the top end and not worry about getting munched during the night

plus you ntend to catch the breeze being up higher.

we have cracks around our b pillar from having weight on the roof rack (tent,spare tyre, solar panels) but these only appeared after having driven the Tanami track which was shocking when we drove it! the weight of the tent and people on the roof isn't a problem when stationary as there is no wind loading, which as you can guess gets quite high once doing 100kms!!!

but as i say we love ours it has served us brilliantly

Andy.c :D

[kowari]

We have the problem of getting the tent off the roof (and on!) as I commute to work on a daily basis so cant leave it on. can't get it in the shed and hoist it off as the shed is not tall enough for the landy.

I put angle iron rails on it that extend out the front and have brackets at the back that alighns with holes in the roof rack. I wheel it from the shed on a sack truck and the wife and I (one on either side) lean it down until the rails touch the rack then we lift and slide until the brackets line up and i slip the bolts in and thats it, it's worked a treat for a while now.

we usually camp and move or camp and walk (bird watching n'stuff) so havn't had the problem of long stay camping.
Though we have a biggish fast erect fly/mozzi tent (pretty cheap I think) which we would use to leave in our camp spot if needed (and also keep the flys off ).:)