Rooftop tents... what do you think??

[metalonmetal]

I saw this on an overland expdition site and thought that it was an interesting thought, not that I would do it, but that if was creative. I wonder how much work it was. (If I can remember where I got it, I will give the owners credit.) I assume that it would be like the clamshell tent that Mike offers, except that you enter from inside your vehicle.... I know that in one of these tent threads someone was wondering if you could set a tent up that way... anyway, enjoy.

Blue 60

On a side note, has anyone ever used a Westfalla camper van??? Whats it like in wet or cold weather? (Just rambling...)

looks like it fits well with the lines of the body, heck, those camper tops are proven, i don't see anything wrong with them being used on a cruiser.

 

[matt 105]

Howdy.
This has worked very well for us, and is on its second lap of Australia. This pic is from about 2001.
The racks come off to transfer the tent to the 80srs. There is also a 6 foot long fully enclosable annex out the back of the trailer, but we only zip that on if we're staying put for a week or so.
Those with a keen eye may recognise the trailer as being a 75 srs ute tub, with the ends swaped - to put the long end at the front. It also has land cruiser springs, shocks, sway bar, hubs and disk brakes.
Good luck and happy tenting.
Matt

 

[Snook]

looks like it fits well with the lines of the body, heck, those camper tops are proven, i don't see anything wrong with them being used on a cruiser.

If can fit 100 and 80 series roofline, it mean four can sleep inside, two adult in the wagon and two kids up in roof bed. Sound good.

The photo seems to show that it is a reverse set-up, isn't it? The logo Westfalia is ussualy seen in the back. And is it from older VW van, not the newer one?

Cheers,

 

[karoja]

Well, I am extremely happy! Tried out my Overland for 4 people on the slopes of the Pacaya Volcanoe in Guatemala. It was great! Thanks Mike!

 

[Skillet]

here is mine...

 

[swixtt]

Hannibal mounted on load bars.

for those with these tents... how did you guys mount them to load bars? any pics of your fastening systems?

thanks

 

[karoja]

The Overland comes with rails and hardware similar to the ones you use for a basket...

 

[letus]

nice tents guys...
check thi one like skillet"s tent

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...m=330019394984&ih=014&sspagename=STRK:MESE:IT

 

[FirstToy]

letus, it is on sale- like over 50% off
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=106564

 

[letus]

doesnt sound right im a distributor for this tents ,,,i will check this monday am and repost info.

 

[Crruisercharlie]

I would love to have one if the price wasn't so steep. Getting to old to lay on the ground anymore.

What e said;p ;p

 

[dmede808]

anybody got a price on the Hannibal Impi tents? Very similar to the Columbus.

http://www.hannibal.ca/images/tents/DSCF0135.JPG

dave

 

[runner999]

Autohomeus

I get an Autohomeus RTT before 8 mounts.These roof top tents are very low and I feel like in the coffin. Can you making high roof tent ?

 

[Mike S]

I get an Autohomeus RTT before 8 mounts.These roof top tents are very low and I feel like in the coffin. Can you making high roof tent ?

The Maggiolina is designed with a top that is from 35" to 38-1/2" from the mattress for two reasons..

1. To retain body heat in cold climates - like a mountain tent - snug and warm.

2. To reduce the sail profile - better in high winds.

If you like a hard top tent that has more ceiling height, check out the Columbus...

AutoHome Columbus ­ the roof top car tent for any vehicle

Mike

 

[sandcruiser]

Kevin, just weld up a spinning mount of some sort. You can re-orient the tent to the position that you want. Done.

an easier alternative: we got really good at climbng into the tent by stepping up on the bumper, then onto the top of the rear tire, then simply hopping up onto the roof rack and into the tent.

you can also step on the sill of the rear window, but probably not a great idea to mount all your weight there.

A better, easier, way to get in would be to mount one of those flip-down steps that you see on big rigs. They look like a little T. Put that on the C pillar and just step from rear tire to C pillar step and into the tent.

All of that would require some sort of grab handle on the rack holding the tent, which I suggest anyway

Hey Mike,
I would buy one of the Magiollina's if you could enter it from the front or back rather than from the side.
Can you do that?

I think that, for what they are, the price is reasonable but I don't like the ladder sticking out to the side. If the entrance were on the end of the tent you could gain access by way of a bumper or lift gate ladder. It would be one less part to carry and you could still camp in Wal-mart parking lots and other such less than ideal camp sites where you are only allowed your vehicles footprint.

 

[Corey]

Good reading, just got done catching up on this thread.

I have the Maggiolina AirLand in the medium size.
Very nice tent, and I feel it is worth every penny.
Construction is top notch.

Ordered it locally through Yakima and Thule Racks - Truck & Car Racks, Trailer Hitches and Rentals, Car Roof Racks, Bike Racks Kayak Canoe and Ski Snowboard Racks. who gets them in from Mike and Rich at Welcome to AutoHomeUSA - Suppliers of Roof Top Tent Campers for SUVs, vans, trucks, or cars

Will be getting lots of use out of this for several years.
Will probably move it to a Chaser type trailer in the future when I move to a place that has a garage to store it in.

Here is more info too on the install, links, and more.
We ended up using four crossbars to support the tent on the factory FJ Cruisers rack.

 

[Skillet]

sweet.

 

[LandCruisers4Life]

Maggiolina is the RTT on my list, when it comes to that point in time. The price is of course high, but then have a look at Coreys photo above on his FJ. The inside is great.... it's just like having a ROOM on top of your Cruiser.

Second, a lot of people complain about weight on the roof. However if you think of it, the weight is about the size of a medium sized woman on your roof rack. Doesn't sound that bad to me.

 

[FloridaFJ80]

here is my Anacando RTT.. its from Venezuela... Its a sweet tent..

 

[TX80Fan]

I don't know which one is best...but I did just plunk down some change for the new generation Mombassa with changing room...can't wait. I pick it up here in TX on Saturday...I'm rigging a 5' x 12' utility trailer with a 5' x 5' platform 56" above the deck at front of trailer to mount the tent to and haul (2) 4-wheelers underneath. It's my budget off-road / ATV hauler trailer...should be able to park it in the garage fully loaded and waiting in the garage for every new expedition...