Thread: rooftop tents

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

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


can yha tell i got excited and wanted to go shopping

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
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.
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

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.

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

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





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

Originally Posted by hiline

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.

Originally Posted by hiline

righto McRover


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

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

i swag it to


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.

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.