Mark W
Yep, I really don't really care that much I guess.
Why not just set the darn thing on the ground? All of about 3 minutes setup then.
Mark...
$500 roof top tent strategy unfolding.
- Thread starter IdahoDoug
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Why not just set the darn thing on the ground? All of about 3 minutes setup then.
Mark...
You are right Mark, and that's what i did from there on out. I just thought it would be nice to have it up top there. Where we live there are a lot of bugs and mosquitos, when you are up high they seem not to bother you. I know there is screening but when i had it mounted like shown in the pictures there was a very nice breeze at night blowing through and made a very pleasant sleeping experience. Just the set up and take down was ridiculous.
Mark W
Yep, I really don't really care that much I guess.
I have to admit that some of the expensive roof top tents that almost open and set themselves up are appealing just for that reason. I used to want one myself, and if the use of my rigs and my camping included a lot of improved roadside campgrounds then the rooftop approach would feel more private as with more people around.
When we made a recovery run last month, as it happened all of the other guys had roof top tents. we were far from roads or campgrounds so privacy was not an issue... it took them all a lot longer to set up their roof top tents than it does for me to pitch a tent on the ground and a lot longer to break things down in the morning too. not to mention the weight and size compared to my old school tent on the ground. )
I will say that I find the tent cot intriguing. Quick and easy setup, nice rain fly and no worries about rocks and roots poking at your back in the middle of the night.
Of course I come a different point of view than a lot of the roof top tent users. During warm weather if l am not setting up a multi-day camp, I am as likely to sleep under the rig or just under the sky with a small tarp to grab if it starts raining in the night unexpectedly.
Mark...
When we made a recovery run last month, as it happened all of the other guys had roof top tents. we were far from roads or campgrounds so privacy was not an issue... it took them all a lot longer to set up their roof top tents than it does for me to pitch a tent on the ground and a lot longer to break things down in the morning too. not to mention the weight and size compared to my old school tent on the ground. )
I will say that I find the tent cot intriguing. Quick and easy setup, nice rain fly and no worries about rocks and roots poking at your back in the middle of the night.
Of course I come a different point of view than a lot of the roof top tent users. During warm weather if l am not setting up a multi-day camp, I am as likely to sleep under the rig or just under the sky with a small tarp to grab if it starts raining in the night unexpectedly.
Mark...
- Thread starter
- #44
The quick and easy aspect was one of my primary intentions. I like being spontaneous, which manifests itself in a desire to have a simple and fast setup. I've never set it up during the day, because we generally make use of the daylight hours to explore, bike, hike, etc then grab dinner and end by arriving at night. Since the 80 actually IS our camp, that means we only make camp when we stop for the night.
If I just set up the roof for sleeping, I'd guess 10 minutes would be accurate from engine shutdown to laying up there. With mosquitos around, or if it's raining, I don't wanna mess around - just get me in the tent with my reading light, a good book, and my iPod. This thing fills the bill. It's so easy, I may toss it up there for big public events like watching a ball game, parade, or outdoor concert where I may get bored and let the rest of the group continue while I kick back and wait in comfort.
Cold weather is around the corner here and I'm thinking my tent heater will be awesome after I figure a way to mount it in there so it is not in the way with two people. Will update. Probably go watch my buddies in some cold weather cyclocross races.
DougM
If I just set up the roof for sleeping, I'd guess 10 minutes would be accurate from engine shutdown to laying up there. With mosquitos around, or if it's raining, I don't wanna mess around - just get me in the tent with my reading light, a good book, and my iPod. This thing fills the bill. It's so easy, I may toss it up there for big public events like watching a ball game, parade, or outdoor concert where I may get bored and let the rest of the group continue while I kick back and wait in comfort.
Cold weather is around the corner here and I'm thinking my tent heater will be awesome after I figure a way to mount it in there so it is not in the way with two people. Will update. Probably go watch my buddies in some cold weather cyclocross races.
DougM
i have a nice one for sale! 
