Thread: Why use roof-top tents?

Because in Africa we have these:




and these



not to mention these:





None of which you want in close proximity to a ground tent

HaHa Naks - I know what you mean!!

We had a very close encounter with a few Hippos up at Lake Naivasha (I think) in the Kenyan midlands, and they were literally at our tent flaps eating grass. We kept VERY still and hoped like hell its eyesight was good enough to see our tent properly.

We weighed up making a run for the 110, but as everyone told us "more people are killed by Hippos in Africa than any other animal" we thought we'd better sit tight.

They moved off after a very long 10 minutes.

When I was an irresponsible lad, I worked for a while as the 'feed warden' at the lion park at Warragamba (just west of Sydney). Amongst my range of duties was to get towed around the park in a trailer cage feeding the lions for the entertainment of the paying punters. If any yobbos gave me a hard time I would toss a chunk of meat on to the roof of their car. The lions knew this and would jump up onto their bonnet and then the roof to retrieve the tasty morsel. Scared the **** out the yobs and probably had their wipers ripped off to boot. So Naks and other African travellers, are you really safe in a roof tent?


Cheers
KarlB

Originally Posted by KarlB

So Naks and other African travellers, are you really safe in a roof tent?

Safer than on the ground.

There's been a couple of reports of lions attacking ppl in ground tents recently - the people probably had food in the tent. Much harder for a lion to climb a ladder

Also reports of hyenas trying to grab people in campsites, in full view of everyone.

Many people I know have always used ground tents, but we just feel safer with RTTs.

After having a pop-top troopy, I have some experience in a round-about way.

As mentioned, downsides are having to pack up to move/use the vehicle. Also, something that hasn't been mentioned (unless I missed it) is the need for level ground. You'd be surprised how even a small slope can't result in 2 people crammed up against one wall by morning! This can be overcome by levellers/chocks etc.

My idea is this:

• Get a 130 Dual Cab with tray instead of tub
• Add a canopy with legs that wind up/down
• Possibly add a RTT on top of the canopy, or simply continue using my Oztent.
• Arrive at camp, wind up the canopy, drive away.

Pros:

• This eliminates the need to pack everything up to move the vehicle
• Allows for serious offroading when away camping. Not sure what a RTT would weigh, but wouldn't want that weight permanently on the roof when offroading.
• You don't lose your spot when day-tripping.
• Removes the need for a trailer, which costs rego each year and costs extra when travelling on vehicular ferries. Plus maintenance costs.
• Allows the use for a ute when at home, as the canopy would sit in the yard.
• All camping equipment stays in the canopy. Only things needed to be unpacked on return would be dirty items (clothes, bedding) and leftover food.
• Easy to level - just wind up each leg accordingly

Cons:

• Cost - the canopy I would want wouldn't be cheap, but for me worth the money.
• Ease of loading/unloading. Not sure how hard it would be to line up the vehicle to put it back on.
• Security? I imagine you might want to ensure noboy knocks it off when out and about. Maybe a chain around a tree, or even GPS tracking (or at least a warning sticker advising of such)!

This is how the Ho-Har's roll, much to my envy. Hopefully I'll have one soon, but guaranteed it won't be as schmick as their camper!

My impression, as someone who does not own one is that some people get one because they don't have enough room inside the vehicle for tent, bedding and airbeds, mattresses or stretchers.

If they want to put those things on the roofrack, they would probably have to buy something to wrap the bedding in to protect it from dust and rain.

I never had that problem in the past because with Series III LWB, even with 2 children there was enough room inside for everything, even on extended trips. I don't have that problem now because the Trayon gives me most of the advantages of the setup that Ranga described.

Here's an example of what I mentioned.

http://www.jackoff.com.au/CampingBrisbane.php

Hi, this is my first post so if I posted this in the wrong section please excuse me. My name is Charles and I am from Malta. I need some help choosing a roof tent. We are a family of 4 and I just both a Discovery 4 to use for overland expeditions and weekend camping. I have checked some tent suppliers but not all of them cater for family tents. Has anyone got one of these tents? Will 2 adults and 2 children fit comfortably? Thanks for all your time.