So, I've wanted to expand the 80s sleeping from 2 to 4 with a rooftop tent and finally am on the project. Bought one of these:
Cabela's: Cabela's Deluxe Tent Cot
The idea is to mount one of the 4 legs onto a plywood base such that when I go up the ladder to open it, I just pivot it up and it's in the proper position to be opened the rest of the way. By the time I purchase a couple ladders, two sheets of marine plywood, and a piano hinge I expect to be around $500. That will include a couple of those LED lights you just touch to turn on for night time calls of nature, etc. I bought the unit pictured above in the double size and have trial fit it on the roof mounted sideways. Perfect fit. It's totally self contained, 100% waterproof and has clever features like fold open cup holders, organizer pockets, and ventilation galore.
I'm going to mount it sideways so I can put dual ladders up so each of the kids can exit out their side and climb down. Crawling over each other for a single ladder wouldn't work. The ladders will go off to the side to keep the rear hatch area clear for cooking, and so my wife and I can access our sleeping spot through the hatch. They'll be almost 8 feet off the ground for safety from wildlife, and I hope to figure a way for them to pull the ladders up safely for added security The plywood will extend 20" to give them a wide stable surface to exit the tent, then step to the ladder, and a place to put their shoes, etc. This will also let them lounge up there to view wildlife, etc. I'll put some black nonskid on the painted plywood.
My wife and I will sleep in the Cruiser when all 4 of us go out, and it is also a perfect setup for the two of us to use.
Getting the plywood tomorrow and cutting to shape so I can prime it. The plywood will rest on my Thule crossbars. The tent will bolt to the surface, and when open the legs will engage hooks on the plywood. So the tent remains folded on the roof until we stop, just like a RTT.
This is a project I've been plotting for over a year. The tent is surprisingly comparable to some compact RTT's with its 53X84 footprint. Generous sleeping for two, with enough height to sit up for changing clothes, etc. It weighs 56lbs and I'm surprised how difficult it was for me to get up there. I look at the RTT pods at twice that weight and wonder how that works out. It has a door and screen on each side, and each side can open as an awning. The ends also both have windows and screens. The rain fly is a serious one with full coverage as this product is intended as a bomb proof shelter for a guide to sleep in while the client is nearby in the accomodations.
I will update with pictures of the project as it comes together. I hope it will just be a few hours of shaping and then painting the plywood deck, which will fold for storage when off the roof. I will be incorporating some features like hand holds, hard points to hold gear on the roof and other things, so the deck can also function as an open platform for wildlife viewing, carrying gear, etc.
DougM
Cabela's: Cabela's Deluxe Tent Cot
The idea is to mount one of the 4 legs onto a plywood base such that when I go up the ladder to open it, I just pivot it up and it's in the proper position to be opened the rest of the way. By the time I purchase a couple ladders, two sheets of marine plywood, and a piano hinge I expect to be around $500. That will include a couple of those LED lights you just touch to turn on for night time calls of nature, etc. I bought the unit pictured above in the double size and have trial fit it on the roof mounted sideways. Perfect fit. It's totally self contained, 100% waterproof and has clever features like fold open cup holders, organizer pockets, and ventilation galore.
I'm going to mount it sideways so I can put dual ladders up so each of the kids can exit out their side and climb down. Crawling over each other for a single ladder wouldn't work. The ladders will go off to the side to keep the rear hatch area clear for cooking, and so my wife and I can access our sleeping spot through the hatch. They'll be almost 8 feet off the ground for safety from wildlife, and I hope to figure a way for them to pull the ladders up safely for added security The plywood will extend 20" to give them a wide stable surface to exit the tent, then step to the ladder, and a place to put their shoes, etc. This will also let them lounge up there to view wildlife, etc. I'll put some black nonskid on the painted plywood.
My wife and I will sleep in the Cruiser when all 4 of us go out, and it is also a perfect setup for the two of us to use.
Getting the plywood tomorrow and cutting to shape so I can prime it. The plywood will rest on my Thule crossbars. The tent will bolt to the surface, and when open the legs will engage hooks on the plywood. So the tent remains folded on the roof until we stop, just like a RTT.
This is a project I've been plotting for over a year. The tent is surprisingly comparable to some compact RTT's with its 53X84 footprint. Generous sleeping for two, with enough height to sit up for changing clothes, etc. It weighs 56lbs and I'm surprised how difficult it was for me to get up there. I look at the RTT pods at twice that weight and wonder how that works out. It has a door and screen on each side, and each side can open as an awning. The ends also both have windows and screens. The rain fly is a serious one with full coverage as this product is intended as a bomb proof shelter for a guide to sleep in while the client is nearby in the accomodations.
I will update with pictures of the project as it comes together. I hope it will just be a few hours of shaping and then painting the plywood deck, which will fold for storage when off the roof. I will be incorporating some features like hand holds, hard points to hold gear on the roof and other things, so the deck can also function as an open platform for wildlife viewing, carrying gear, etc.
DougM
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