M101 CDN Build

[reffug]

Well done Nolen..............

 

[wngrog]

The tent is a Montango or something like that. They are for sell in the vendor section last time I checked anywhere from $250-$400. They are kinda cheap, but they are comfortable and I think it will last me a long time as little as I use it.

The rubber thingies that hold the shovel and axe are Quick Fists. DO a search, there is a MUD vendor for those too.

I just got back from Phoenix on a buggy run. Instead of leaving the trailer behind, I decided to load the entire trailer up on the gooseneck with my forklift.

I towed it without the jack in the front raised and used the parking brake and ratchet straps to secure it to the trailer.

Jimbro set up his OZ tent in the rear of the trailer and we had all the cooking stuff set up in the middle.

The trailer was perfect, kept us out of the rocks and cactus.

 

[REZARF]

A trailer on a trailer!

 

[gavman]

A trailer on a trailer!

 

[Correus]

Hello!

I am not normally a member of this forum, but a friend suggested I take a look at your trailer.

I have a '63 SIIa 88 SW Deluxe Land Rover and I am wanting to build a trailer like yours.

Could you tell me what type of trailer it is and where I might could find one?

Just in case I do not get back to this thread soon, PLEASE e-mail me!

You can send to correus at yahoo.com

Thanks!
Larry in Kansas

 

[Bypass]

I have the same setup as you. An M101 CDN trailer and I mounted a Mombasa tent like yours. I also used Yakima Hi-Rise mounts and Yakima bars and the mounts on the tent do not fit correctly. The mounts seem to made for square Thule bars since the retaining pin will not fit with the Yakima bars. (the bottom of the round bar blocks the hole) I wanted to use the round Yakima bars so I could pull the rear pins and lift the tent if I needed to load something large into the trailer (like a cooler)

How did you get yours to fit on the round bars? From the pic I see you have a u-bolt mounted beside the tent mount but I can't make out the way you got the hole to line up.

Could you post a closeup pic of your mount or explain how you got it to work? Right now I just have it mounted with ratchet straps and it looks awful

 

[wngrog]

My u-brackets were deep enough to fit on my round bars. The ubolt thing came with it to keep it from side-to-side.

As for where I got the trailer....on this board. Check out the for-sale forum. Mine came out of New Jersey. It was about $1000 after shipping.

 

[TJDIV]

You're the man.

 

[wngrog]

You're the man.

Thanks....I think

 

[wngrog]

Headed to the Razorback Ramble!

 

[wngrog]

The El-Cheapo rooftop tent finally let me down....of course, it was the only time I have camped in it and it rained. And boy did it ever rain. We got a 2" downpour and the crappy fly could not handle it.

We had gone wheeling in the rain, so we were not tendingt he tent to keep the pooling from ocuring, but it took 2-3 gallons per side.

Inside was soaked.

Time to save pennies for a Technitop from Slee.....

 

[Herbert]

Before you spend any more money on a rooftop tent, I will let you ion on a secret. This is my own experience, and you can believe me or not, I don't care. I know that many people will disagree with me on here.
I camped all over the world in places few people ever reach with downpours and winds beyond believe for days.

My experience: No rooftop tent on the market will keep you dry in a real downpour. Keep what you have for light camping, and spend your money on a REAL GOOD ground based tent, that you pitch in conditions like you described. BTW: A good ground based tent is not cheap and can set you back $1000 or more. (Which is still far cheaper then what the roof tents cost)

Check into the tents from Hilleberg or VauDe. Himalaya expeditions use them for a reason.

http://www.hilleberg.com/
http://www.vaude.de/hps/client/vaude/public/hxfront/index.hbs

The El-Cheapo rooftop tent finally let me down....of course, it was the only time I have camped in it and it rained. And boy did it ever rain. We got a 2" downpour and the crappy fly could not handle it.

We had gone wheeling in the rain, so we were not tendingt he tent to keep the pooling from ocuring, but it took 2-3 gallons per side.

Inside was soaked.

Time to save pennies for a Technitop from Slee.....

 

[wngrog]

Before you spend any more money on a rooftop tent, I will let you ion on a secret. This is my own experience, and you can believe me or not, I don't care. I know that many people will disagree with me on here.
I camped all over the world in places few people ever reach with downpours and winds beyond believe for days.

My experience: No rooftop tent on the market will keep you dry in a real downpour. Keep what you have for light camping, and spend your money on a REAL GOOD ground based tent, that you pitch in conditions like you described. BTW: A good ground based tent is not cheap and can set you back $1000 or more. (Which is still far cheaper then what the roof tents cost)

Check into the tents from Hilleberg or VauDe. Himalaya expeditions use them for a reason.

http://www.hilleberg.com/
http://www.vaude.de/hps/client/vaude/public/hxfront/index.hbs

Good advice. I already have a very nice $1000 OZ tent. I think I will just take it along on my next big trip. It is very nice to have it too to change clothes.

In the past few trips we have taken both so the kids can play in the OZ tent and we sleep in the Rooftop.

Here is a picture on my gooseneck.

 

[Exiled]

Before you spend any more money on a rooftop tent, I will let you ion on a secret. This is my own experience, and you can believe me or not, I don't care. I know that many people will disagree with me on here.
I camped all over the world in places few people ever reach with downpours and winds beyond believe for days.

My experience: No rooftop tent on the market will keep you dry in a real downpour. Keep what you have for light camping, and spend your money on a REAL GOOD ground based tent, that you pitch in conditions like you described. BTW: A good ground based tent is not cheap and can set you back $1000 or more. (Which is still far cheaper then what the roof tents cost)

Check into the tents from Hilleberg or VauDe. Himalaya expeditions use them for a reason.

http://www.hilleberg.com/
http://www.vaude.de/hps/client/vaude/public/hxfront/index.hbs

I beg to differ. I've had a MARES rooftop tent made in Venezuela (where the rainy season is like the big guy above opened a faucet) and have camped in heavy downpour without getting any moisture inside the tent. Not all tents are built equal.

 

[Grouseman]

Lid Hinge

Buggy Boy,

Nice write up. Where did you get your 72" stainless steel hinges? I am starting my project now and think that may be the way to go.

Thanks
Steve

 

[Spud]

Reading about the water issues with tents etc., I am confused....

I have two tents. One is a Kelty that is about 10 yrs. old. The other I cant remember the brand but it is a common type available from REI of EMS, it is about 8yrs old. Both were around $100 give or take. Neither has ever been treated with anything for water proofing etc. Just stock, (both are really faded too).

I have used these for camping, many many times in heavy rain. I had both of them set up for about 9mos. straight, spring through fall in NH. We had a lot of heavy rain and never got wet once.

I used one for myself, spouse and 2 dogs and one for all the tools & gear for building our cabin.

So I am confused that it is necessary to spend so much for a water resistant tent. Just get one with a decent rain fly.

wngrog, looks like there is no rain fly on your tent???

So what is the difference between a roof top tent and a regular ground tent? Cant you all just adapt a ground tent to the platform?

Wngrog...The trailer & setup with all acoutrements looks cool and I wish I had that...Cool. Just work out the tent and you are stylin. Good luck.

 

[wngrog]

The fly on my tent is crap. I have the first generation version of the China el-cheapo rooftop tent, supposedly they fixed it on the new models. That said, I have used it about 15 times this year and this is the only time I have had to deal with rain.

I am going to keep it until it gets torn up......it won't be much longer, it is pretty flimsy. When I do, I am going to replace it with a TechniTop from SleeOffRoad.

In the mean time, i am going to get a 10x5 GSMTR soft-top (blue tarp) and suppliment the crappy fly and bring along my RV series Oz Tent. I can strap it to the Yakima on the trailer and use it if the weather looks bad.

The best part of a ground tent to me is the fact that you can stand up in it (if it is big enough) and get dressed. Hard to do with a rooftop...

 

[wngrog]

Buggy Boy,

Nice write up. Where did you get your 72" stainless steel hinges? I am starting my project now and think that may be the way to go.

Thanks
Steve

Desertdude sent me a link to all the stuff I used and I cannot find it. I got the stuff....the hinge, and the struts from the same place.

 

[lx450landcruiser]

Before you spend any more money on a rooftop tent, I will let you ion on a secret. This is my own experience, and you can believe me or not, I don't care. I know that many people will disagree with me on here.
I camped all over the world in places few people ever reach with downpours and winds beyond believe for days.

My experience: No rooftop tent on the market will keep you dry in a real downpour. Keep what you have for light camping, and spend your money on a REAL GOOD ground based tent, that you pitch in conditions like you described. BTW: A good ground based tent is not cheap and can set you back $1000 or more. (Which is still far cheaper then what the roof tents cost)

Check into the tents from Hilleberg or VauDe. Himalaya expeditions use them for a reason.

http://www.hilleberg.com/
http://www.vaude.de/hps/client/vaude/public/hxfront/index.hbs

I am curious to hear what roof top tents you used?
I have been in pooring rain that lasted 2 days and all night and never got wet in my ezzi awn?

 

[Herbert]

IMHO the problem with roof top tents is the general construction. The design of most of the roof top tents is straight out of the 50s. (The house tent type style) Exception is the Maggiolina, which is in my opinion a better one of the bunch.
I personally used the Autocamp (very similar to your Ezi Awn), the Maggiolina and a friend of mine has the Hannibal roof top tent.

The "house type" tents work reasonably well if it rains straight down. Add a little wind to the mix and you get a wet experience quick. If you are unlucky, it rains a few days and the tent has to be folded down to move the vehicle. That compromises the weatherproofing and everything will be wet from now on.

Good modern (ground based) tents are are almost all dome or tunnel shaped. That has a reason. Dome shaped tents are much more resiliant to winds and have a stronger construction. I have yet to see a rooftop tent that has specially sealed seams, like the professional expedition tents.

VauDe tents e.g. have a feature that the inner skin of the tent can be disasembled from inside the tent while it's pouring rain outside. That way your inner tent and your stuff stays dry even if you move the tent in the rain.

On top of everything, I find roof top tents extremely overpriced compared to the professional ground based tents. I admit, they look cool and adventurous, but in the end they are just a tent on a roofrack with several annoyances.
1. You can't move your vehicle while your tent is pitched
2. You have to climb down a ladder to pee. It sucks especially when it is dark, raining and the steps are slippery. Been there...
3. You can't move your vehicle in a hurry.
4. They are heavy.

Don't get me wrong. Basically I like the idea of a rooftent for certain types of camping/expeditions. In dry areas with snakes and scorpions etc. on the ground, they are excellent. However they are not for everybody and before one spends thousands of $$, one should check out the ground based alternatives.

I am curious to hear what roof top tents you used?
I have been in pooring rain that lasted 2 days and all night and never got wet in my ezzi awn?