Roof Top Tents. Opinions please.

Hi all.
We have had the Howling Moon RTT now for about 2 months. And I've got to say we are very happy and impressed with the thing. Yes it was a bit more expensive than others we looked at but we where lucky to have sold the old camper trailer so we were in a better spot. I had been put off at the price of the HM but the ARB and TJM just didn't seem as well made, although my next choice. Our friends ARB always looked flimsy and he has never been happy with the awning which has ripped & had to have two annexes replaced under warranty luckily and he also says that after a few years it's starting to look 'tatty'. But each time I have used the HM I'm glad we went the extra. We've had really strong winds and big down pours and the HM has stood up really well. It's so well made and I've bought on price in the past and been disappointed. We are currently in Mansfield VIC. and have used it for quick overnight stops and it's so easy. I'm not sure why people think a tent is quicker. Once you put up the tent you have to pull out the bed, bedding and set up the lights etc. with the RTT it's just Zip n flip! I rate it. I agree though that extended stays would be a hassle. And of course we all have a particular camping style. Mine is to tell Kerry to stay out of my way and just look pretty while I set **** up! Ha ha. Works for us.:angel:
Cheers all.

When I worked as Sales manager for the Baja Racks importer , we were a dealer for Howling Moon.
I was quite impressed with the quality , although I cannot convince SWMBO to change from our Camp'o'matic.

One thing I was impressed with is that a customer rang with a 10 year old one and wanted a new cover, and it was no problem to supply.

I have to say the zip thing is a PITA though .

The awning walls are also great on the howling moon as the walls also seal against the car with zips so the doors can be opened.

I have an HM awning and am quite happy, though I must admit I used it only once on a round OZ trip. They are a PITA to put up with poles going everywhere,. I may get good enough at it eventually I suppose.
Regards Philip A

We looked at the cheap 1.4m RTT on Saturday. Having seen one now and doing some more comparisons at photos online, I'm confident that most of the cheap online ones are exactly the same tents, which is also the same as the ARB an TJM and Chops' UpTop as well. The caveat is that ARB might be up to version 3 of their "simpson" tent, whereas all the cheap ones are the same as ARB simpson 2. If there are any differences between the cheap one and ARB simpson 2, they are very minor. (Keep in mind we haven't owned either yet!)

The 2 models that are available are distinguished by the length of the fly and whether the ladder is on the outside, or underneath the fly. The longer fly with the ladder underneath is the ARB Simpson 2.

With regards to quality, it's obviously hard to describe (and we haven't used one yet), but we have concluded the Howling Moon is definitely better quality. But how much, I'm not sure. If we were doing a trip around Australia, we'd buy the Howling Moon for sure. But currently we're only doing small amounts of camping. Personally I thought the cheap one was perfectly fine. It's $800 with annex compared to $3,300 for the Stargazer with annex equivalent. I don't think the quality is THAT much better. The question is, will the cheap one last or will it encounter issues. Everyday camping I think both are completely fine. The only real test would be a big storm or something extreme and it's impossible to tell from looking at it now whether it will cope with that.

We're going to look at a different seller's RTT tonight, so can confirm if they are really all the same. Pretty sure we'll be buying one tonight...

Looked the same to us. We now own an UpTop RTT with annex. :)

They're not bad,, as I said, I have'nt had any problems with mine at all.
I have to watch how I do it up at the front, which is a long reach for me, to make sure I dont get the skirt caught in the zipper. I would think that they are all the same though.
A ladder has made life with the RTT a lot easier :D

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Originally Posted by Chops

I have to watch how I do it up at the front, which is a long reach for me, to make sure I dont get the skirt caught in the zipper.

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This would be resolved if you wore trousers.

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Originally Posted by VladTepes

This would be resolved if you wore trousers.

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haha,,, I'll pay that :D

We just did 4 nights in the tent. We had some pretty strong gusty wind over that time which belted the sides of the tent around. We had a heavy duty tarp up for shelter which tore down one side on the last night, but the RTT held up OK without incident. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Judo

Looked the same to us. We now own an UpTop RTT with annex. :)

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Where'd you get that from? Still happy with it?





One thing I'm wondering is - the rooms / annexes on the side - would be very handy for changing etc HOWEVER what if your truck is a bit higher than usual? Eg a canopy on a lifted130 will be higher than a prado roofrack......

How's that work?