80 series rear hatch tent / awning? (1 Viewer)

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1973Guppie

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Looking for ideas of products others have used on the rear of the 80 series. I used to have a DAC tent but it got trashed on a very windy night in the desert. I would like to find something I can use at the ski resorts to cook lunch on the tailgate that offers a little bit of sun / weather protection. Basically like an enclosure for the rear tailgate area when the rear hatch is open and the tailgate is down. I purchased one of these form Amazon but was wondering what others might have used in the past?


thx for the ideas, N
 
I think, don't quote me though, someone on Olde North State cruisers organised a group buy for something like this. Can't think of the brand name

Maybe do a search in the Clubhouse Forums in the Olde North State Cruisers section
 
I don't have any ideas, as I've just camped in and shut everything up when I camp in the 80. I did want to point out that I don't think what you linked would work with the half hatch we have. it looks like it uses the full size hatch to hold up the tent in the main area.

haven't used this, but a friend of mine has something similar and likes it, super quick to set up and you can stake the other end to the grownd to somewhat close in the area... not fully enclosed by any means thought. I have several items by King Camp, well priced for the quality.
 
I have a kelty waypoint tarp setup that I carry on trips and use on occasion, but as the name suggests, it is more like a tarp setup than a tent (no walls). It is good for keeping out of the sun or a light rain as you do stuff around the tailgate area.

Probably too wide for a ski area parking lot though.

I bought it after a trip out west when we were fried by the sun in Colorado, etc. There was just no shade in several camping spots we stayed at.

I like it because it is light and I can move it around between vehicles too (unlike a the vehicle mounted awnings I considered).



PS. Slumberjack also offered a similar product that I was considering, but I opted for the Kelty.
 
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I have a kelty waypoint tarp setup that I carry on trips and use on occasion, but as the name suggests, it is more like a tarp setup than a tent (no walls). It is good for keeping out of the sun or a light rain as you do stuff around the tailgate area.

Probably too wide for a ski area parking lot though.

I bought it after a trip out west when we were fried by the sun in Colorado, etc. There was just no shade in several camping spots we stayed at.

I like it because it is light and I can move it around between vehicles too (unlike a the vehicle mounted awnings I considered).



PS. Slumberjack also offered a similar product that I was considering, but I opted for the Kelty.

I have the Slumberjack to use on my GX470... not a huge fan. the polls and guylines and stakes are good quality... but the tarp itself is rather thin and what seems like 0 UV protection as it gets oddly hot under it in mid summer sunlight. like to the point it's cooler in the area outside of it's "shade". but in cooler weather it's not bad... though I have to have a 3rd poll on mine in the middle due to the way the door is, and because I can't extend it over my cab too much because of my RTT. (no poll and it sags below my 6'2 height)
 

This is the design in this category that is least offensive to look at, but I doubt they are making it anymore.
 
This one has always looked great but I don’t know if it’s available. SafariSoftshell.com tailgate tent car truck & SUV camping - http://www.xocom.com/ss/

Tailveil Home - TailVeil - https://tailveil.com/
Sun protection but not a good ski shelter. Here are some pics of one installed on an 80:


The DAC stuff looks nice and you mentioned having one in the past. Are you looking for more shelter than those offer? Other than not standing up to wind do you have any other complaints?
 
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This is the design in this category that is least offensive to look at, but I doubt they are making it anymore.
That might be nice for sleeping inside the rig with the tailgate open, but it doesn't provide more (or at least much more) sun/rain protection than the upper tailgate alone.

I bet a boat canvas shop could make you something similar.
 
I have a DAC tent that I modified to fit the tailgate better by deepening the panel that fits around it:
efabPL.jpg

The main drawback is it doesn't have a covered area once you're off the tailgate. To provide a better shaded area I recently acquired a Kelty Backroads Shelter:
Backroads Shelter - https://www.kelty.com/backroads-shelter/?gad_source=1
It can be set up in differently ways and the side sheets can be raised or lowered easily to adjust for different needs while in camp.
 
Looking for ideas of products others have used on the rear of the 80 series. I used to have a DAC tent but it got trashed on a very windy night in the desert. I would like to find something I can use at the ski resorts to cook lunch on the tailgate that offers a little bit of sun / weather protection. Basically like an enclosure for the rear tailgate area when the rear hatch is open and the tailgate is down. I purchased one of these form Amazon but was wondering what others might have used in the past?


thx for the ideas, N
This Kelty is versatile and works well on the rear of practically any SUV. I got mine from Amazon, but REI has them and almost any place that carries Kelty.

Edit: I just realized that this is the same Kelty that Mike (@greentruck ) posted, above. Sorry Mike! I was distracted by your pic and didn’t read below it.
 
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This one has always looked great but I don’t know if it’s available. SafariSoftshell.com tailgate tent car truck & SUV camping - http://www.xocom.com/ss/

Tailveil Home - TailVeil - https://tailveil.com/
Sun protection but not a good ski shelter. Here are some pics of one installed on an 80:


The DAC stuff looks nice and you mentioned having one in the past. Are you looking for more shelter than those offer? Other than not standing up to wind do you have any other complaints?
honestly the DAC ones are just kinda expensive for what they are, I think I paid way less than what they are selling for now. Mine has been ok but the fabric ripped where the bungees attach during a wind storm on the Mojave trail. Overall the quality is kind of lacking for how much $$ they want for them. I may try to fix mine if I can't find anything else that works.
 
Looking for ideas of products others have used on the rear of the 80 series. I used to have a DAC tent but it got trashed on a very windy night in the desert. I would like to find something I can use at the ski resorts to cook lunch on the tailgate that offers a little bit of sun / weather protection. Basically like an enclosure for the rear tailgate area when the rear hatch is open and the tailgate is down. I purchased one of these form Amazon but was wondering what others might have used in the past?


thx for the ideas, N
I have the Kelty Backroads Shelter I got at REI
 
Hi, from my perspective, rear hatch tents and awnings are a great addition for extra versatility. I’ve seen setups like the 23Zero or OVS that seem compact and functional. I've They pair well with 80 Series builds for camping. Here in Canada, I’ve had the chance to try Go Overland awnings with my Exode Explore camper trailer. They seem well-built and handle varied weather conditions nicely. Curious to hear what others recommend!
 
We have two OVS 180 degree awnings on our offroad camper and really like the build quality. They're well suited to that small canper application. Add the walls, and they make terrific shelter in truly nasty weather. They take a while to stow away, and are heavy. I've never been a fan of vehicle mounted awnings on offroad vehicles - one more thing to hit trees :). The kelty tarp is light, small (like a gym duffel bag) and it tucks out of the way easily for ready access when I (rarely) need it, plus it is easy to grab off the camping shelves and toss in any vehicle. It comes down quickly, and is easy to stow.
 
Kelty now also offers the Highroads shelter. It's something like the Backroads, except more tent-like and roomier.
All 3 pack away into a small enough bag that you can bring along more than one to suit different needs. Also, the Backroads and Highroads can be attached to the side of the vehicle so more t;han one can be used at a time along with the Waypoint.
 
That highroads is sick!
 

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