For our (AutoHome) tents two cross bars are standard and adequate to support the tent. The platform is very rigid and strong. Additional bars are not required to support the tent, but they do help to evenly distribute the weight on the roof top. This is especially important in rugged driving conditions.
Other tents may require that more crossbars be used to support the tent where the platform requires it. You should discuss this issue with the manufacturer.
Not necessarily a roof-top tent. But here is our new hacienda. We've only used it twice. First time in the blowing snow, rain, and sleet of the SW Oregon desert. It was nice to be able to fit a table and chairs inside out of the weather. Second time was still windy, but sunny...the awnings are very nice for shade, and having one on either side allows you to escape the wind and/or rain regardless of the direction you set up camp.
It's basically like a wall-tent except mounted on the trailer. It's a Bushwakka from South Africa.
Looks like the country around Three Forks. Nice tent, too. What is the set up time for it? wht does it weigh? Iit looks a little BIG -- maybe a good thing.
Looks like the country around Three Forks. Nice tent, too. What is the set up time for it? wht does it weigh? Iit looks a little BIG -- maybe a good thing.
Very near Three Forks. That's just above Jarbidge, Nv, probably 100 miles as the crow flies to Jordan Valley, Or.
If you don't deploy the awnings, it takes about 15 minutes. You just need to put those two corner poles up and drive in two stakes. It has an internal frame so that helps. It weighs 200 pounds.
I love that country. From Sheldon and Hart Mountain to the Jarbridge and north past Alvord and Steens. takes in SE OR, NW NV, and SW ID. Lot of nobody there available. Some pretty nice bird ground, too.
I love that country. From Sheldon and Hart Mountain to the Jarbridge and north past Alvord and Steens. takes in SE OR, NW NV, and SW ID. Lot of nobody there available. Some pretty nice bird ground, too.
Our first outing with this was the Alvord, just above the hotsprings at the base of the Steens. We saw six bighorn sheep about a half mile above our camp.
I love that area too, least densely populated part of the lower 48.
Hey Scott (ExpedWest):
I'm very close to purchasing a rooftop tent, but simply trying to decide which one.
A couple of questions for ya:
1) How hard is the Eezi-awn to take on and off the vehicle? (I'll likely have to store it in my garage between uses)
2) How would you compare the Mombasa tent to the Eezi-awn? Is the Eezi-awn worth the extra money?
Thanks, James
Hey Scott (ExpedWest):
I'm very close to purchasing a rooftop tent, but simply trying to decide which one.
A couple of questions for ya:
1) How hard is the Eezi-awn to take on and off the vehicle? (I'll likely have to store it in my garage between uses)
The Eezi-Awn is simple to remove, but as with all roof-tents it is a bit awkward for one person. With two people it takes just a few minutes.
The Eezi-Awn has one of the most robust mounting configurations I have seen. Two large, extruded aluminum support beams run under the tent and a mating bracket slides into the extrusions. No rattle or movement.
moosehog said:
2) How would you compare the Mombasa tent to the Eezi-awn? Is the Eezi-awn worth the extra money?
I have a roof tent that I bought a little over a year ago. Quick story, I was looking at a catalog of roof tents (Autotent) I think, and debating whether it is worth it or not. The same day I was going to the DMV and next to the DMV was a garage sell. I thought I saw a roof tent, I drove around the block and sure enough here there it was. I was ready to haggle and I asked the price. The guy said that every one wants one of these and he would not go down less than $180. He helped me load it and I was off. Sweet ha? I have been very happy with it in all weather conditions.
Here is a problem that I have..How the heck do you load and unload it on the top. I have an 80 and I am not able to load it until I have some friends come over. Is there anyone out there who has a system of loading it on and off with ease? If so please explain, pics would help it you have a contraption.
Thanks
that's waht i was going to suggest. Or you could erect a couple of posts and connect them with a beam, pull your rig under it and have pullys set up to lift the tent off the top. I was going to do something like that for my ARB rack since it makes using my sunroof crappy, so some times i'll take it off to wax the roof and to enjoy the sunroof. It's awkward as heck even with two people trying to lift something that heavy off the roof of a truck that tall.
I use a chain-hoist and some adjustable straps with hooks. Hang the hoist from a tree-branch (white-trash and proud of it), attach the straps to 4 corners, adjust them so the rack is hanging fairly level, then pull under and drop it on. I think you can get both the hoist and the straps at Harbor Freight for less than $40.00. It's a one-ton hoist, so it's handy to have around for other things too.
I've tried the 'get your buddy-wife-neighbor to help' thing and it doesn't work, especially with lifted vehicle.
A lot of roof top tent owners have the problem of removal and storage singlehanded. We sell the Harken ceiling lift which makes it quick and simple to mount or remove the tent - rack and all if you like.
4 of us put DesertDudes Maggiolina back up on his Cruiser in Moab. It was not as heavy or as hard as I thought it might be. I don't think that would make or break a rooftop tent decision for me. Just for the record, I thought the mounting system was easy and straightforward.
I also have a collegue who has a Maggiolina on top of his Suburban that he uses for attending Jazz festivals. I've never seen it off the top and he parks outside every day. It holds up very well. He's had it at least 5 years and maybe more.
I really like the concept of a rooftop tent. but as long as my spouse shows no interest in Cruiser trips, I can't really justify it just for me.
Continuing Cruiserdrew's thought - I usually leave my tent on the roof pf the truck. It is gelcoated like a boat hull, and holds up in the sun without ptoblems. Many Maggiolina owners, as Andrew noted, just leave them on the roof all the time. The wind resistance is minimal.
When I do take it off, it is a two person job without the lift. Takes about 10 minutes to mount or demount the tent. It can be stored leaning up against the wall in the garage.
