Roof Top Tents - What's the issues People Find using them?

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Originally Posted by edddo

I am thinking that it will get really really filthy on dusty or wet roads in the configuration you are planning.
That makes set up and pack up dirtier and fiddlier.

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Too true, this could prove to be a real problem, although, a small separate tarp over the unit could solve this. Having seen some of the camper trailers on YouTube etc, they get rather filthy :o

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Originally Posted by vnx205

As always, you need to consider whether your needs and priorities are the same as those of the member offering advice.

Age, athleticism and bladder capacity probably affect whether the issue of climbing up and down the ladder is important.

Some people might be inconvenienced by the problem of not being able to drive around once you are set up. Obviously some people don't find that an issue. I can't remember the last time I felt the need to drive somewhere after I had set up my slide-on camper, so for me, that is not a big worry.

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Yep, true. The only time its really been a problem for us was at the Melrose event, where I really wanted to drive "my car" around the area (well, it was new at the time :angel:). So pack up every day, go for drive, and set up every afternoon/night. If your going somewhere and you don't want to drive around, or if others will offer a seat, then its not a problem at all.

I had a canvas RTT and have since upgraded to a fibreglass hard-shell RTT from James Baroud, which was much more expensive.
However I sometimes miss the canvas one because it was bigger and I liked that it enclosed the ladder, going up the ladder while not getting rained on.
The hard shell is much tougher, quicker to setup and put away (internal gas struts are big help) and is genuinely waterproof, especially after packing up in the rain. We had it out in some very strong winds in places like Hobart and the car was rocking around and ground tents were getting smashed while we were fine. I doubt the canvas RTT would have handled the very strong gusts which we experienced.
However the hard-shell is overall smaller inside and the opening is not covered when climbing the ladder.

Packing up a wet RTT or many of the canvas camper trailers is no fun in the wet and they are not all waterproof, i.e. the wet canvas can make bedding wet when stowed.

What I found on a recent 2 month trip to Tassie was that canvas was not ideal, either on a RTT or camper trailer. The conditions can go bad quickly and they are not good for escaping the conditions when needed. This is where a small enclosed camper like an A-van, a caravan or a camper-van would provide that shelter without getting soaked setting much up. We met a number of famlilies in camper trailers who were paying for hotels because of the hassle in setting up every night in bad conditions (with kids too)

It all depends on the type of travel and the weather conditions.
I reckon a RTT is ideal (for 2) when you are changing camp every night. The usual canvas type is fine for warm dry weather conditions and its nice to have the breeze blowing through on hot nights. Trips like Cape York are ideal for RTT's. Piece of mind away from crocs and other critters.

Both the old canvas and the current James Baroud fit great on my No.5 trailer too!

If you are set on a canvas RTT I recommend ones where the ladder is covered when you climb up.

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Originally Posted by Saitch

Austrack Campers


G'day Rob.
I'm not recommending these blokes by any means as I know diddley squat about RTTs but they have had some reasonable reviews (& not so reasonable, like everything else it seems today) on another forum.
They're also sort of local being at Caboolture.
Good Luck
Steve

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I'll have a look at these, but I think they might be a little out of my price range as I believe they start around the $3k mark ??

True.... but this proposed setup is a temporary thing until the kids are to the point where they no longer want to travel with us and its just the missus & I. I don't really want to spend big $$ on something that in a few years time will not suit our need, so I'm hoping this trailer idea will just give us that little extra room we require in the car and a easy setup for the missus & I in the RTT and the kids in tents.....

Just got to figure out whether to have the RTT come out to the side or the rear of the trailer & whether I want to be able to walk under it when its set up or just be able to sit under it for some extra shade....

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Originally Posted by vnx205

As always, you need to consider whether your needs and priorities are the same as those of the member offering advice.

Age, athleticism and bladder capacity probably affect whether the issue of climbing up and down the ladder is important.

Some people might be inconvenienced by the problem of not being able to drive around once you are set up. Obviously some people don't find that an issue. I can't remember the last time I felt the need to drive somewhere after I had set up my slide-on camper, so for me, that is not a big worry.

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I have an Ezi Awn sitting in the shed gathering dust.
Tried selling it a couple years back no luck.
Can be had for not much. PM if interested.

Given what you have said in your last post maybe one of those quick erect tents might suit. Something like the Wolf Turbo tent or Jet Tent. We have the Wolf Turbo 300 and it's very quick to put up and pack up.

And if it's just the wife and two of our kids for a few nights we don't take the trailer; all sleep in the tent with self inflating mattresses.

I am doing the same thing putting it on a box trailer.I will be putting it on top of a cage though so about as high as the spare on the disco,This should keep it up away from most of the dust and mud and make pee access easier.Have to make sure the ttrailer is loaded up though because it may make the trailer top heavy.

Do folk aim to have same track & stud pattern as the tow vehicle ?

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Originally Posted by AndyG

Do folk aim to have same track & stud pattern as the tow vehicle ?

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That's a big discussion in itself.....

I had some track, turned, rims, hubs, disc and calipers.........

I believe it's a nice to have but not essential, all depends on budget and desire

I have never had a flat on my camper and currently do not carry a spare (current tug is a hi-lux, camper is all Land Rover)

The only time track could be an issue is in soft sand and how much sand towing the average punter do. Look at the amount of caravans and camper on the road, 90% wouldn't be running the same track.

My priorities would be the accommodation, water storage, tow weight, 12v and solar, fridge space way before track and matching rims. Each to there own.

Had one of these for about 10 years now

Roof top tent

We've slept better in this than any tent or swag.

Always been dust free. Packing up wet makes me nervous, but we've never had wet bedding. Just normal maintenance with reproofing canvas every so often.

Seconds to put up (ignoring awning & add on room), say 5 mins to pack away.

It needs mesh under the mattress to prevent condensation in winter, but all RTTs would. I bought this stuff.

AERO-MESH: PRODUCTS

Only design fault, and it's a minor one, is that the cover flips down over the windscreen. Any rain collects in pockets which can be flipped onto your bed. Pretty easy to drain before you pull back over.

Regards
Max P