Desert Tents

[phxtlc]

Ok so what I really want is one of the Eezi-Awn's but when you add up all the cost...Wow! $1300 + $1200 for a rack! Seems like over kill when backpackers are out there every day with a $250 tent so I'm asking myself can I kill 2 birds with one stone?

What I like about the roof tents the most is the fact that I'm up off the rocks away from all the Arizona native fauna, which if you are unfamiliar all bite and all are poisionous. What I don't like is the expense, the further reduction of what little aerodynamics the truck has, weight increase that reduces gas mileage, and adding more weight in the worst location (roof) which is a shot to my center of gravity.

So I'm stuck in Phoenix traffic wondering why I couldn't build a lightwight folding platform that I could then set a typical backpacking tent to. This would seem to give me the best of both worlds. I could use it on top of the truck or if I wanted to hike in a bit set the tent up on the ground. The cheapest way would be marine grade plywood and some type of support frame. The coolest way would be to use some type of polycarnbonite or "honeycomb" panel as it would weigh almost nothing and be "uberstrong" As I'm brainstorming this out I have a few questions:

1. would a 3 bar layout from Thule or Yakima be strong enough to hold 2 adults?

2. being new to the SW any feedback on a good desert tent would be appreciated. I've done some camping in the east and some in Montana (with a Bibler) but really don't see "weatherproof" being as a big of a deal. Of course I don't want crap but I also don't need the other extreme.

3. guys with roof top units, do you see any advantages of side folding vs. rear?

any other feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Heffenoche]

For the roof rack you may want to search under "moose" in the 80 section. There was a guy that bulits a rack out of 4x4 atv ramps. May be a good option for you.

 

[phxtlc]

For the roof rack you may want to search under "moose" in the 80 section. There was a guy that bulits a rack out of 4x4 atv ramps. May be a good option for you.

saw that, looked like a original solution.

 

[2mbb]

I made a roof rack from aluminium with a floor from aluminum diamond plate. I sized it so it would fit the black diamond lighthouse/bibler ahwahnee tent. I picked that tent because of it's single wall construction and side entry. The picture below is with the roof rack, but with an REI tent on top (I hadn't purchased the BD tent, yet). Unfortunately, my 110V mig welder couldn't do a good job with the aluminum, and some of the welds have since started to break...It was OK sleeping on top, but a pain to get up in the middle of the night because of a full bladder.

If it's just two of you, what about building a platform in the back of the truck with storage underneath, and sleeping in the back. That's living in style...

Here's a link to more pictures of my homemade roof rack. http://new.photos.yahoo.com/2mbb@sbcglobal.net/album/576460762310066530

edit: A lot of my friends are into the inflating air mattress. These are relatively inexpensive and you can find ones with integral battery operated air pumps. It's a solution for the rocks, but maybe not the cirtters.

 

[e9999]

just get one of those tents on a cot things?

 

[80jay]

I have a two bar yakima layout with the budget rtt that have been selling and holds two adults no problem.

 

[phxtlc]

I have a two bar yakima layout with the budget rtt that have been selling and holds two adults no problem.

Thanks man, got to ask a question though...where'd you get that 3 foot ome lift?

 

[rusty_tlc]

I grew up in Las Vegas, spent many nights camping with nothing more than a ground cloth, and a sleeping bag liner. I was never stung, bitten or otherwise molested by the local fauna.

IMHO a para sail tarp is a better option in the desert than a tent for most of the year. Better ventalation and a good shady place to retreat to during the day.

In the summer the temps drop as much as 10° just three feet off the desert floor. A good option might be a Tarp Tent, on a roof platform?

 

[phxtlc]

I grew up in Las Vegas, spent many nights camping with nothing more than a ground cloth, and a sleeping bag liner. I was never stung, bitten or otherwise molested by the local fauna.

IMHO a para sail tarp is a better option in the desert than a tent for most of the year. Better ventalation and a good shady place to retreat to during the day.

In the summer the temps drop as much as 10° just three feet off the desert floor. A good option might be a Tarp Tent, on a roof platform?

The Tarp Tent looks pretty slick. My cohort will be my 7 year old son who's never camped so being somewhat enclosed will give him more of a sense of comfort.

 

[esh]

To answer an above question, I've never noticed a desire to have the roof tent mounted off the side. I think mine would still clear the doors if it did. The disadvantage I see is needing to use the full length of ladder once I get it moved to the front of the rack, instead of using half the ladder attached to a bullbar. For two tents on top it wouldn't matter either. I have seen dual tents both flipped to either side or one front and one off the back.

For the broader discussion, one reason to go with the spendier tents and racks is you get a 4 season tent. Not particularly ideal in Arizona, but on a mountain in a storm I've felt pretty secure. If you're not looking for that aspect of it, you're probably headed in the right direction with your current thinking.

 

[Mace]

I grew up in Las Vegas, spent many nights camping with nothing more than a ground cloth, and a sleeping bag liner. I was never stung, bitten or otherwise molested by the local fauna.

IMHO a para sail tarp is a better option in the desert than a tent for most of the year. Better ventalation and a good shady place to retreat to during the day.

In the summer the temps drop as much as 10° just three feet off the desert floor. A good option might be a Tarp Tent, on a roof platform?

Yep..

 

[Dusty 66]

Here is our desert accommodation's

..........Dusty

 

[phxtlc]

Here is our desert accommodation's

..........Dusty

sweet, is the "T" canvas?

 

[Dusty 66]

Si ! 10 OZ cotten duct​

And over 18 years Old ! Just Like me and good Scotch.....Dusty

 

[tltaylor22]

I love the "t". All you need is some telescoping aluminum poles and you would be set.

 

[Dusty 66]

I love the "t". All you need is some telescoping aluminum poles and you would be set.

Aluminum Lightning rods ! Lodge pole pine works fine for me.

On one hunting trip in the TOQUIMA range (central Nevada) a lightning strike hit a Cottonwood tree next to the Tipi ran a bolt through the Tipi and knocked out my Coleman Lantern hanging on a wire center of the Tipi !

NO body wanted to git up to shut off the lantern spewing gas !

We was scared !........Dusty

 

[sirenmoses]

para sail x2. spent plenty of time at a helibase hooched up in the shade of same in Tucson in June. put a cot under that and it's almost heaven.

lived in SW many years, camped out in the dirt on wildfires and never got bugged by the bugs or other biting scritching stinging critters.

 

[82-40]

I like your t/p
Set up a tarp to get you out of the sun/rain and throw one of these under it.

 

[TinBox]

Nice Cheyenne Tipi 16ft?

 

[Mike S]

The roof rack systems by Yakima and Thule will hold your weight. Do your truck a favor, and use three cross bars.

We sell a lot of Columbus tents to people who camp in Baja, American deserts, etc. It's a very good tent for any conditions you'll meet in the desert.

The simplest answer, though, might be the Expedition Wing by MSR. Go to MSRcorp.com and look under 'tents'. We sell these products because we are convinced that they are high quality. I have used them in wind and rain. No leaking, no flapping in the wind. If you set up the 'wing' next to (or attached to) you truck, you can simply get a cot to sleep on. Pretty simple solution.

M