Car-Top-Tents for sale

[alf]

Falling down drunk. Just pop the top and sleep it off.

Takes tailgating to a new level. Now you can show up the night before.

Run the red light district and pic up a friend without needing a hotel room.

When the wife throws you out you can sleep in style on the driveway.

 

[Epic Ed]

I will be snoring before you get yours out of the bag.

Ok. I see that it's quicker -- niffty looking system. So lets say it takes you 45 seconds and it takes me 15 minutes (I do camp quite a bit and actually it takes me less than 5, but I'll give you 15).

Total cost of ownership for the Car Top = ~$800
Total for my family sized tent from WalMart = $75
Add in sleeping pads for two adults = $80
__________________________________________
Difference in price = $ 645



That's a lot of hotel rooms, IMO. They look cool -- nice and convenient -- and believe me, I'm always trying to justify sending $$ on the latest cool stuff (ask my wife ), but this is one I'm just not understanding yet. Can anyone attest to weatherproof-ness in these things? How do they hold up in the wind and rain?

Ed

 

[BMAN]

Ok. I see that it's quicker -- niffty looking system. So lets say it takes you 45 seconds and it takes me 15 minutes (I do camp quite a bit and actually it takes me less than 5, but I'll give you 15).

Total cost of ownership for the Car Top = ~$800
Total for my family sized tent from WalMart = $75
Add in sleeping pads for two adults = $80
__________________________________________
Difference in price = $ 645



That's a lot of hotel rooms, IMO. They look cool -- nice and convenient -- and believe me, I'm always trying to justify sending $$ on the latest cool stuff (ask my wife ), but this is one I'm just not understanding yet. Can anyone attest to weatherproof-ness in these things? How do they hold up in the wind and rain?

Ed

You ever spent 15 minutes setting up your tent in the rain? Or how about 15 setting it up when the rain is only 5 minutes out? Or breaking camp under the same circumstance?

I had a 2 man tent for 10+ years that I could set up in about 5 minutes by myself. Swore by it, never thought that I would camp any other way. Never owned a sleeping pad or cot either. Talked myself into buying my roof top tent (RTT) a little over a year ago and now I wonder how I ever camped without one.

Your tent is also now up away from critters and ground moisture. Tent cleanup is virtually nonexistent now. I open it up at home and run the vaccume through it, fold it back up and store till next time.

 

[GeoRoss]

I see your points Ed and agree. But...

It is not just the setting up of the tent, it is also having all the sleeping pads and what not ready to go. When my family goes camping we use two small tents. It easily takes 20 minutes to get the tents set up, sleeping bags and pads unpacked. Not as fun in the dark or rain . Tearing it all down takes takes us at least 30 minutes. Not fun if you are in a hurry or it is raining.

Now if you are just doing a basecamp, no big deal. If you are camping somewhere different every night it becomes tedious.

The other nice thing that I see is that if your vehicle can fit, you are good to go. No worries about rocks or crushing bushes etc, I can't count how many times I we have had some difficulty finding a durable/comfortable place to set up camp. We don't have this problem in established campgrounds, but in off track places it can be difficult.

Now I don't own one. I wish I did, but a family of 4 with one on the way is too big for this option. I can't speak to weather proofness from experience. I will say that from the ones that I have seen in person (Magnollia and Eezi-Awn), they will do better than any $75 Walmart tent IMHO.

Just an uniformed opinion from the peanut gallery.

Ross

ps, I am glad Kevin was able to help you out.

 

[letus]

i wouldnt even attempt to camp at the beach without my roof top tent. this is another reason i have it

 

[Epic Ed]

Some good points. I'm trying to get critical opinions because I hate to miss a good deal on anything, and this looks like a screamin deal for the RTT. If I can justify needing it, I'd probably buy it.

Not sure I'm agreeing with the weather argument. If it's raining, it's raining while you're taking your sleeping bags and gear out of the RTT, just like it's raining on me while I'm moving it from my tent to the vehicle. Fold up time of the RTT would be quicker, but you're still out in the elements while getting it done. Is it as easy to put back together and secure properly as it is to deploy?

Ed

 

[BMAN]

Some good points. I'm trying to get critical opinions because I hate to miss a good deal on anything, and this looks like a screamin deal for the RTT. If I can justify needing it, I'd probably buy it.

Not sure I'm agreeing with the weather argument. If it's raining, it's raining while you're taking your sleeping bags and gear out of the RTT, just like it's raining on me while I'm moving it from my tent to the vehicle. Fold up time of the RTT would be quicker, but you're still out in the elements while getting it done. Is it as easy to put back together and secure properly as it is to deploy?

Ed

Takes about twice as long to pack, but still Very very fast.

Come out to the Sonic Cruise in Tempe in October and I'll bring mine out for you to give the once over.

I'll be in my 40 for the Sept meet or I'd bring it then.

 

[NorCalDoug]

Some good points. I'm trying to get critical opinions because I hate to miss a good deal on anything, and this looks like a screamin deal for the RTT. If I can justify needing it, I'd probably buy it.

Not sure I'm agreeing with the weather argument. If it's raining, it's raining while you're taking your sleeping bags and gear out of the RTT, just like it's raining on me while I'm moving it from my tent to the vehicle. Fold up time of the RTT would be quicker, but you're still out in the elements while getting it done. Is it as easy to put back together and secure properly as it is to deploy?

Ed

I'm not sure if it's the case with this particular brand of RTT, but with most others I've seen, the bedding remains in the RTT. There's no need to move sleeping bags and/or pillows from the tent to the truck when breaking camp.

I was a bit of a doubter myself of the value of the roof top tents until a recent expedition trip I was on. We spent 4 days on the trail, moving to different locations each day. Those with the roof top tents where set up and ready for bed in less than 3 minutes...those of use without were busy looking for a place to set up...free of rocks/brush/etc. Same with breaking camp -- their tents were folded/locked and ready to roll, before I was even done putting the sleeping bags away...they were enjoying their coffee while I was working on my tent.


It's like having an ARB/Engel fridge on a trip vs. having an ice chest...sure you can usually find ice somewhere...but it's most excellent to know that you don't need to worry about running out of ice or dealing with wet/soggy food...it makes the experience SO much better. Similarly, it's difficult to appreciate the difference until you see it for yourself.

 

[SLOwag]

OK, some good pros and cons on whether or not this is the right tent for you.

Who has used a car top tent in cold and or windy conditions? I've slept in the back of a truck with a shell and it was at times so uncomfortably cold that I would break camp and head out to the next destination at 3am. It would have been better to sleep on the ground where there was still some heat from the day radiating back. Is it comparable or is there more insulation in the mat you sleep on with the car top tents? Thanks

 

[Skillet]

Can someone please help me understand what the advantage of owning one of these is, over a larger and just as sturdy family sized tent from REI? Is there anything more to it than the bling factor? If so, I'm missing it. I just can't see shelling out $400 for a tent that would cost $150 if it were ground based. Mix in the shipping cost ($125 or so?), plus the cost of the roof rack if you don't already have one ($300), and I just don't understand the economy of going this route.

I'm not trying to be insulting of anyone who has bought one -- I'd just like to know what I'm missing. What sold you guys on getting one of these?

Ed

Mine kicks ass. Enough said.

 

[Skillet]

OK, some good pros and cons on whether or not this is the right tent for you.

Who has used a car top tent in cold and or windy conditions? I've slept in the back of a truck with a shell and it was at times so uncomfortably cold that I would break camp and head out to the next destination at 3am. It would have been better to sleep on the ground where there was still some heat from the day radiating back. Is it comparable or is there more insulation in the mat you sleep on with the car top tents? Thanks

Here ya go...

I was at a place called Clear Creek behind Hollister, CA in March.

Snow on the ground, little rainy, very muddy and VERY cold.
The five guys who I was with along with the thirty others from the camp across the way were all wishing they were up off the snowy, muddy, cold ground like myself, snug and warm like a bug in a rug. Then, on the last night we were there, a very high wind kicked up, which lasted all night long.
When we awoke to the ground-based tent carnage the next day, my "RTT" or "CTT" was shining like a diamond.
I paid $400 for mine, they would have paid $1400 at that point.

If you look back in my previous post at my pic, you can see a ground-based man saluting my tent with a frosty beer.
That was not a pose.

My $.02.

 

[tltaylor22]

Welcome Mel,
I think this forum with all these people that will now own your tent will be a great place for a little R&D and marketing on your product. I know we are all grateful for the heads up and all the strings your pulling to get everyone a tent. If I can get the kids to bed I want to install mine on the rack tonight. Thanks again,

Hello guys, we at Car Top Tent want to thank you for choosing CAR TOP TENT as your vehicle roof top tent of choice. We do want to apologize to all of you for the delay on getting shipping quotes for the tents and for any questions that you may have asked. We have been overwhelmed with your demand for the tent and truly appreciate it. We will have enough tents for all of you. Please bare with us, we have had some trouble in getting the quotes back from our freightliners. We are running a week or two behind schedule. We do ask that if you do not hear from us via email or phone by Friday, please send us an email telling us so. We are working on your orders at this time and will be contacting you in the order that you called or emailed.
Thank you again and don’t forget to email us your pictures of your adventures using our Car Top Tent.

Kind Regards,

Mel
CAR TOP TENT
1.800.919.9013

 

[Rockrawler]

Yes Mel - Welcome. I'm now a CTT owner and cant wait to use it for the first time. Just remember us when there's another special and you need to move out product, we will be happy to accomodate!

 

[calphi27]

Mel,

Is there a limit to the number of tents you have for us. Because I know once I show mine off, you will get some more buyers. Just curious how long the price and products were going to last on this deal. Thanks again for getting us all the great deals.

 

[GeoRoss]

Who has used a car top tent in cold and or windy conditions? I've slept in the back of a truck with a shell and it was at times so uncomfortably cold that I would break camp and head out to the next destination at 3am. It would have been better to sleep on the ground where there was still some heat from the day radiating back. Is it comparable or is there more insulation in the mat you sleep on with the car top tents? Thanks

As far a cold goes a good insulating mattress/pad will fix either situation. The ground will suck heat out of you just like the back of a truck. The only differences would be local temp differences. For the record though, I have frozen my rear off in the back of a truck with a shell. I don't think I had enough insulation under me.

I think that a roof top tent would be worse in the wind than the ground tents I use.

Ross

 

[Shahram]

Got my tent today. Can't wait to try it out.

 

[Epic Ed]

Thanks for the input and opinions. Looking forward to seeing one.

Ed

 

[Jon in NC]

Hello guys, we at Car Top Tent want to thank you for choosing CAR TOP TENT as your vehicle roof top tent of choice. We do want to apologize to all of you for the delay on getting shipping quotes for the tents and for any questions that you may have asked. We have been overwhelmed with your demand for the tent and truly appreciate it. We will have enough tents for all of you. Please bare with us, we have had some trouble in getting the quotes back from our freightliners. We are running a week or two behind schedule. We do ask that if you do not hear from us via email or phone by Friday, please send us an email telling us so. We are working on your orders at this time and will be contacting you in the order that you called or emailed.
Thank you again and don’t forget to email us your pictures of your adventures using our Car Top Tent.

Kind Regards,

Mel
CAR TOP TENT
1.800.919.9013

Are there any tents left at this price?

 

[alf]

Send Mel an email. If he has one he will sell it to you.

 

[Skillet]

As far a cold goes a good insulating mattress/pad will fix either situation. The ground will suck heat out of you just like the back of a truck. The only differences would be local temp differences. For the record though, I have frozen my rear off in the back of a truck with a shell. I don't think I had enough insulation under me.

I think that a roof top tent would be worse in the wind than the ground tents I use.

Ross

This tent has a 3" thick mattress built in and my tent held up very, very well in heavy wind. Better than many ground tents that I have seen and used.
Except perhaps a Mountain Hardware Basecamp tent for Everest or somththing like that.