[concretejungle]

This is a great thread. I have been looking at these RTT for a while trying to compare and see if i can justify the extra $$ for the one i really like (Maggiolina airland). It appears to be the stoutest, most comfortable, truly insect tight, fastest to set-up and take down, and, very important to me, aerodynamic.

I have been kicking around the idea of taking the cruiser on the Alaska Cruiser Trek and really want a tent on the roof. Part of the plan is to take the long trip back, site-see through Alaska, drive through BC, visit Idaho and Wyoming, down through Colorado and then head back across to NC. I want to minimize hotel stays and plan on really using the tent. I want something that is not going to make the cruiser top heavy and something that's not going to eat 4-5 mpg in gas mileage either. All this points me towards the airland.

This really is a tough decision but i think by skipping 5-10 hotel stays, i have paid for the tent.

[spressomon]

Originally Posted by concretejungle

This is a great thread. I have been looking at these RTT for a while trying to compare and see if i can justify the extra $$ for the one i really like (Maggiolina airland). It appears to be the stoutest, most comfortable, truly insect tight, fastest to set-up and take down, and, very important to me, aerodynamic.

I have been kicking around the idea of taking the cruiser on the Alaska Cruiser Trek and really want a tent on the roof. Part of the plan is to take the long trip back, site-see through Alaska, drive through BC, visit Idaho and Wyoming, down through Colorado and then head back across to NC. I want to minimize hotel stays and plan on really using the tent. I want something that is not going to make the cruiser top heavy and something that's not going to eat 4-5 mpg in gas mileage either. All this points me towards the airland.

This really is a tough decision but i think by skipping 5-10 hotel stays, i have paid for the tent.

Carbon Columbus = Light!

[lx450landcruiser]

Originally Posted by spressomon

Carbon Columbus = Light = your left nut

fixed it for ya

[spressomon]

Originally Posted by lx450landcruiser

fixed it for ya

Ok...Ok...so it's a little spendy . But it is: Aerodynamic, lightweight, super quick to set-up/take down, etc. Some folks spend more than this on a bicycle frame .

[Jan-78FJ40]

Columbus=perfect for travel. sets up fast, has space, and is completely storm-proof.

[Bakes5]

I have spent more on a rear wheel for my bike...but then again it's a pretty sweet rear wheel.

[Greg_B]

Originally Posted by Mike S

In certain climates and conditions of weather and use, it may be helpful to add undermattress air circulation for control of condensation. This is what the undermattress air circulation pad is for. It seems to work well in these conditions. These are also used on sailboats, when ventilation and condensation can be a real problem. Mike S

I've looked around for these with no success. Do you have information or a link to these pads?

Thanks

gb

[lowenbrau]

Originally Posted by Greg_B

I've looked around for these with no success. Do you have information or a link to these pads?

Thanks

gb

Let me know if you find something. After using my Technitop this summer in AK for more than three weeks straight I started having real trouble with the mattress on the side the folds off the truck. It was cold enough on the bottom side of the plastic to cause a fair amount of water to form. I'm going to insulate it with some of that foil/ bubble wrap (R5) and see if that helps. I'm just about ready to plumb a heater core up there as well to extend the use to year round. If the Webasto is heating the block anyway It might as well be heating the tent.

[J-man]

Originally Posted by lowenbrau

Let me know if you find something. After using my Technitop this summer in AK for more than three weeks straight I started having real trouble with the mattress on the side the folds off the truck. It was cold enough on the bottom side of the plastic to cause a fair amount of water to form. I'm going to insulate it with some of that foil/ bubble wrap (R5) and see if that helps. I'm just about ready to plumb a heater core up there as well to extend the use to year round. If the Webasto is heating the block anyway It might as well be heating the tent.

what plastic are you referring to? I know that on my eezi awn the mattress came wrapped in plastic, but your supposed to remove it to allow it to breathe.

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by Greg_B

I've looked around for these with no success. Do you have information or a link to these pads?

Thanks

gb

I sell them, but do not have them on the website yet.

M

[lowenbrau]

Originally Posted by J-man

what plastic are you referring to? I know that on my eezi awn the mattress came wrapped in plastic, but your supposed to remove it to allow it to breathe.

The Technitop is a plastic clamshell tent as opposed to the plywood that most fold over tents have. In this aspect plastic is a disadvantage.

[brownbear]

Is ezi Awn the biggest of the tents? I need something where I can fit three little kids and the wife and I in..... bigger is the best. Any ideas who would sell the biggest of the tents?

I already have an all aluminum roof rack that is the complete size of my roof. So very easy platform to put any tent on.

My local Toyota dealer has an arb touring tent on their FJcruiser in the showroom, it looks pretty big. But no idea if I could get all the kidlets in there.

[LandCruiserPhil]

An Eezi-Awn 2200 will take up the entire roof of an 80. Opens to 7'x 8' and 187lbs. given you ~20" per person. Its going to be tight for 5 IMO.

[Greg_B]

Originally Posted by lowenbrau

Let me know if you find something. After using my Technitop this summer in AK for more than three weeks straight I started having real trouble with the mattress on the side the folds off the truck. It was cold enough on the bottom side of the plastic to cause a fair amount of water to form. I'm going to insulate it with some of that foil/ bubble wrap (R5) and see if that helps. I'm just about ready to plumb a heater core up there as well to extend the use to year round. If the Webasto is heating the block anyway It might as well be heating the tent.

I've wondered if an expanding foam closed cell product might help with this: Insulate and reduce condensation. I've not done the research to see the potential weight gain. Leave a few holes as relief for the pressure, fill, cut, reseal and have at it...

Mike S, thanks and I'll PM for info.

gb

[J-man]

Originally Posted by lowenbrau

The Technitop is a plastic clamshell tent as opposed to the plywood that most fold over tents have. In this aspect plastic is a disadvantage.

not sure about the disadvantage, cause after extended use my eezi awn mattress does have a slight dampness under the mattress too. Its almost like the bottom of the tent needs a bunch of tiny 1/4" holes drilled to let it breathe.

[J-man]

Originally Posted by brownbear

Is ezi Awn the biggest of the tents? I need something where I can fit three little kids and the wife and I in..... bigger is the best. Any ideas who would sell the biggest of the tents?

I already have an all aluminum roof rack that is the complete size of my roof. So very easy platform to put any tent on.

My local Toyota dealer has an arb touring tent on their FJcruiser in the showroom, it looks pretty big. But no idea if I could get all the kidlets in there.

keep the roof tent for you and the wife, ground tent for kids. The biggest hazzard of the roof tent for kids is one will eventually fall out and break something, or slip while walking down the ladder, get their leg caught while their body falls. Sorry to be so negative, but i've almost done it myself. OR make a trailer thats lower, and fit one on that - that will be low and they will have their own space, or should i say you and wify will have yours ;0

[J-man]

Originally Posted by Mike S

I sell them, but do not have them on the website yet.

M

how thick are theese pads? I would love one, but in the eezi awn with the standard mattress pad, plus a novaform topper, 2 sleeping bags and 2 pillows, i already have to use 2 ratchet straps to keep it folded up tight for the cover to go on.

[brownbear]

Originally Posted by J-man

keep the roof tent for you and the wife, ground tent for kids.

I like that idea! but my wife isn't going to go for it. Think camping in northern BC/Alaska in the Grizzly area......

I like the idea of getting us all off the ground in a relatively safe distance above things.... but I guess for bear country nothing is high enough.

[brownbear]

Originally Posted by LandCruiserPhil

An Eezi-Awn 2200 will take up the entire roof of an 80. Opens to 7'x 8' and 187lbs. given you ~20" per person. Its going to be tight for 5 IMO.

I'll look at that thanks... my kids are really young so there little right now.

[jdhall3]

let's say you had too pick between the columbia and the maggiolina...which one? I'm torn!

[J-man]

oh wow, i didnt realize your that far north. Yeah, figure out some way to put two on the roof - best idea.

[brownbear]

there ya go like a little village of tents on my roof

Mike S is the overland large model pretty roomy? It looks to be the largest of the fabric tents.

Anyone have a USA or Canada Ezi Awn link?

[DiHrdBowTi]

Originally Posted by jdhall3

let's say you had too pick between the columbia and the maggiolina...which one? I'm torn!

For me I like the Maggiolina. Then again I have never been partial to the clamshell design.

[Jan-78FJ40]

Originally Posted by jdhall3

let's say you had too pick between the columbia and the maggiolina...which one? I'm torn!

they are both great. Columbus sets up faster, and closes faster, and does not require a crank. It' also a little cheaper and definitely more storm resistant, if you park the shell-side in the wind.
Maggiolina has more space all around, but the columbus has more headroom.

[spressomon]

Originally Posted by brownbear

there ya go like a little village of tents on my roof

Mike S is the overland large model pretty roomy? It looks to be the largest of the fabric tents.

Anyone have a USA or Canada Ezi Awn link?

I had the Overland Large...it is a king size mattress.

[spressomon]

I really like my Maggiolina Medium. In a perfect world I'd like to have the 3-4" more length of the Large...but it ain't a perfect world .

I would guess the Maggiolina sleeps a little warmer than the Columbus due to the lower ceiling height (?). The even quicker set-up/tear down of the Columbus, all things being equal, would be nice. As the carbon fiber shell: Quite a bit lighter...I'd would like that!

Check them both to be sure they'll be long enough for you. The Maggiolina loses about 3.5-4" or so on each end internally to the screw mechanism that raises/lowers the top...one advantage of the Columbus. But I don't know how much you lose on the hinged end in interior length due to the angled end wall.

I really like the fact that when my Maggiolina is in stow mode it is dust and water tight...which I would assume is the same with the Columbus.

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by brownbear

there ya go like a little village of tents on my roof

Mike S is the overland large model pretty roomy? It looks to be the largest of the fabric tents.

Anyone have a USA or Canada Ezi Awn link?

BB - The OverLand Large is 87"L X 71" W - Headroom = 49" Weight = 130 lbs.

It's well proven tent with a lot of room and a 5 year warranty.

[brownbear]

Thanks. Sounds like the closest fit for three toddlers and mom/dad.

Shipping would be a killer on one of these.... are you on the West coast Might have to make a trip one day and return with one of these...

[Tom B]

Originally Posted by brownbear

Is ezi Awn the biggest of the tents? I need something where I can fit three little kids and the wife and I in..... bigger is the best. Any ideas who would sell the biggest of the tents?

I already have an all aluminum roof rack that is the complete size of my roof. So very easy platform to put any tent on.

My local Toyota dealer has an arb touring tent on their FJcruiser in the showroom, it looks pretty big. But no idea if I could get all the kidlets in there.

The Howling Moon 2.4m is larger than the 'family' Eezi-Awn. I have been looking at perhaps getting one of these over the 2.2m Eezi-Awn, but there are no US dealers that I know of yet.

http://www.howlingmoon.co.za

I like their trailer tent setup, looks slick.

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by brownbear

Thanks. Sounds like the closest fit for three toddlers and mom/dad.

Shipping would be a killer on one of these.... are you on the West coast Might have to make a trip one day and return with one of these...

BB = We ship form the warehouse in Sparks, NV (Eastern edge of Reno). You can pick up here, or I can ship to Blaine, WA for pickup there -- right down the road.

Mike