pop up roof top tents; what do you have and pros and cons?

[r3run33]

hello trying to do some research before purchasing a roof top tent set up; From the recent pic in the surf and turf at pismo; I seen sevveral different types out there. If you have one please let me know what you like or dislike about the product. Thanks

 

[r3run33]

here is the pic with different types

 

[nakman]

This is probably better in the Expedition Builds section, where there's likely already a thread or two.. but here's a good read: Is a rooftop tent (RTT) for me? - RME4x4.com - Utah's Rock Crawling and Off-Road Forum

 

[BlueHZT60]

This one is going on 16 years of excellent service now. I'd have to suggest a Medium Maggiolina. Talk to Autohome, Mike knows his products and can help you.

 

[HWY22]

I have tried different full cloth/'canvas tents and enjoyed the headroom and various awning/extention options.

I have also owned and now also rent and sell the hard shell Autohome tents pictured above. Most are not familiar with the can as/cloth Autohome tents.

To me, the stability, thermal insulation, and ease of set up of the hard shell tents provides more utility to me and I am willing to give up headroom, large extensions and the tent look.

One unique feature of the hardshell model is even when camp is set up, you can still move camp for a better view or more level ground without taking it down- slowly of course.

Cloth foldup designs have bigger footprints and better headroom.

Bottomline: get one.

 

[wildsmith]

I used to have a Maggiolina Safari medium on my 100 and it was very comfy, warm, easy to put up and down, always dry inside. It was bought for family camping and after a couple of goes the family decided it didn't want to go tent camping any more (they like caravans) so I sold it to go back to ground tents for my solo trips. Having been spoilt by the Maggiolina that didn't really work out so I've bought a small Maggiolina Airtop which is perfect for 1 or cosy for 2. Goes up and down even easier than the wind up models but this weekend will be my first trip with it to test it properly You can get an awning for the Maggiolina's so the entrance is covered for inclement weather and that's easy to put up and down as well. A couple of friends have fold over roof tents and often complain of the tent having got wet inside during travel or the fly flapping in the wind at night keeping them awake.

 

[r3run33]

thanks guys just what i was looking for. much appreciation

 

[Corey]

I have an AutoHome Maggiolina AirLander I bought new in 2008.
You can read my review on it and other roof top tent related stuff on my blog, and also in a camping gear review thread on this forum.
Here is the blog.
Camping - Back Country - Overlanding Gear Reviews

FAQ on roof top tents, the text further down with the bullets is from AutoHome's website.
Camping - Back Country - Overlanding Gear Reviews: FAQ On Roof Top Tents

I like it very much, and I have never slept better in my life camping or backpacking as I have in the roof top tent.

 

[Enigma]

This one is going on 16 years of excellent service now. I'd have to suggest a Medium Maggiolina. Talk to Autohome, Mike knows his products and can help you.

16 years! That's pretty impressive. Have you had to do anything, aside from cleaning, in that time?

I really love those tents, but the price has always scared me, but factor in that longevity and it is quite reasonable.