- Thread starter
- #41
Thanks, Zander. I will contact you re: your issues with this unit.
M
M
Rooftop tents... what do you think??
- Thread starter Mike S
- Start date
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NorCalDoug
problems solved daily...
I once saw a roof-top tent outfitted with a urinalspressomon said:
The owner made "urinal" with a funnel attached to a long plastic hose. The hose left the tent and rested on the ground.
I didn't see how he had it connected inside the tent...it was cool, but I didn't want to mess with the man's urinal
Mike S said:
We have been thinking about replacing our matress with a custom made tri-fold crash pad we could also use for bouldering (short height no rope rock climbing). this would also make getting the matress out the little door easier.
Mike S said:
Just so you know the weight has not been an issue for any of the vehicles I have had mine on (Dodge pickup, BJ60, or even my BJ70). I never really noticed it.
sandcruiser
....back in the saddle again....
we used our Maggiolina (hard shell) pretty heavily for a year in Central America. Probably spent 100-200 nights in it. Loved every single comfortable moment.
Another bonus with having the rooftop tent: good place to stowe a duffel full of extra clothes or blankets. Keeps them dust and moisture free yet out of the way.
Expensive... sorta. But until you've tried one, you can't imagine how much more convenient and comfortable they are.
take a look at www.sandcruiser.com if you want some more pics of our tent setup.
The big downside is weight. Our tent is off the trucks right now, on the ground. We were getting ready to camping the other day and I finally decided to bail on putting the tent back on because it is such a hassle. Must figure out a better way to store it!
Another bonus with having the rooftop tent: good place to stowe a duffel full of extra clothes or blankets. Keeps them dust and moisture free yet out of the way.
Expensive... sorta. But until you've tried one, you can't imagine how much more convenient and comfortable they are.
take a look at www.sandcruiser.com if you want some more pics of our tent setup.
The big downside is weight. Our tent is off the trucks right now, on the ground. We were getting ready to camping the other day and I finally decided to bail on putting the tent back on because it is such a hassle. Must figure out a better way to store it!
sandcruiser
....back in the saddle again....
getting in and out is easy once you get the hang of it.... in fact, even without the ladder you can just step up onto the tire, then put your big toe onto the sill of the rear window, then step onto the roofrack, and into the tent. Of course, depending on body type and balance, this may be easier for some, harder for others. I don't like the stock ladder that comes with our tent-- big, heavy, not too comfy on the feet. I've been thinking a long time about installing two or three flipdown steps on the C pillar, but sometimes you want to use the other side.... a ladder that attaches to the tent and rests on the tire or other part of the cruiser would be better than one on the ground.
I finally got tired of wrestling the Yakima Rocketbox on and off our vehicles (and, of course, the Yak system is a whole bunch lighter in weight than your tent top) and went and bought an electric winch at Harbor Freight and rigged up a real nice hoist to raise and lower the whole Rocketbox and Yakima rack assembly onto and off the vehicles. We have 12' ceilings in our garage...obviously you need a taller garage ceiling to make this work...but if you do this set-up works really well: quick and easy.
Sandcruiser/questions on your roof top tent
Hi Sandcruiser,
Looks like the rooftop tent you went with is a good gig. A couple of questions:
-When collapsed, how much stuff (weight etc) can you travel with mounted to the top of the hard shell? Like fuel cans etc.
-I am thinking of surf boards mounted on top while traveling. How secure is the hard shell once collapsed? Will it handle the wind loads of top mounted surfboards?
-does it come with ways to mount other racks on top like thule or?(for surfboards)
-How about the fabric walls and the structure when opened? Can it handle big windy nights ok?
By the way, it's snowing here in Park City, UT. Keeps me dreaming of sunny San Diego!
Hi Sandcruiser,
Looks like the rooftop tent you went with is a good gig. A couple of questions:
-When collapsed, how much stuff (weight etc) can you travel with mounted to the top of the hard shell? Like fuel cans etc.
-I am thinking of surf boards mounted on top while traveling. How secure is the hard shell once collapsed? Will it handle the wind loads of top mounted surfboards?
-does it come with ways to mount other racks on top like thule or?(for surfboards)
-How about the fabric walls and the structure when opened? Can it handle big windy nights ok?
By the way, it's snowing here in Park City, UT. Keeps me dreaming of sunny San Diego!
- Thread starter
- #48
LtS:
I will let Steve (Sandcruiser) answer for himself, but would like to interject, if you don't mind...
AutoHome tents are designed to mount simply on a couple Thule or other aftermarket crossbars, the same as you would use to carry your canoe, kayak or surfboard. The tent is mounted with a set of sturdy U Bolts, securely bolted down, which slide in tracks on the underside of the tent - allowing front to back adjustment. The rack system transfers the weight to the structural parts of your car's roof. Like vehicles, roof racks carry a dynamic weight rating, which defines the tested limitations of the rack system when the vehicle is in motion. Most racks carry a maximum 165 pound dynamic rating, which means the rack can support 165 pounds of weight while driving down the road. AutoHome tents weigh between 95 and 155 pounds, so the rack system can easily handle the weight. When you are parked and camping, this is a "static load", much more gentle and the racks can easily handle this weight.
Every vehicle manufacturer has a specification for maximum rooftop loads while operating the vehicle. These standards may also vary by country. Always check with the manufacturer of your car and of your roof rack to determine the applicable weight limitations as they vary from vehicle to vehicle.
Several new models of the hard top tent can be rigged with a kit to carry additional loads - subject to the restrictions on total weight stated above. Surf boards should be no problem. I would not recommend putting very heavy loads (like full fuel cans) directly on the tent top. This could exceed the weight limits for the rack. Better to mount them on a swing away carrier at the rear of your vehicle.
These tents are very strong, and have been used successfully in very windy conditions.
M
I will let Steve (Sandcruiser) answer for himself, but would like to interject, if you don't mind...
AutoHome tents are designed to mount simply on a couple Thule or other aftermarket crossbars, the same as you would use to carry your canoe, kayak or surfboard. The tent is mounted with a set of sturdy U Bolts, securely bolted down, which slide in tracks on the underside of the tent - allowing front to back adjustment. The rack system transfers the weight to the structural parts of your car's roof. Like vehicles, roof racks carry a dynamic weight rating, which defines the tested limitations of the rack system when the vehicle is in motion. Most racks carry a maximum 165 pound dynamic rating, which means the rack can support 165 pounds of weight while driving down the road. AutoHome tents weigh between 95 and 155 pounds, so the rack system can easily handle the weight. When you are parked and camping, this is a "static load", much more gentle and the racks can easily handle this weight.
Every vehicle manufacturer has a specification for maximum rooftop loads while operating the vehicle. These standards may also vary by country. Always check with the manufacturer of your car and of your roof rack to determine the applicable weight limitations as they vary from vehicle to vehicle.
Several new models of the hard top tent can be rigged with a kit to carry additional loads - subject to the restrictions on total weight stated above. Surf boards should be no problem. I would not recommend putting very heavy loads (like full fuel cans) directly on the tent top. This could exceed the weight limits for the rack. Better to mount them on a swing away carrier at the rear of your vehicle.
These tents are very strong, and have been used successfully in very windy conditions.
M
I have been using a rooftop tent in Southern and East Africa since 1996. The thing has been a godsend. On my many safaris living out of it for months on end, rain storms, herds of elephants and gnus passing thru the campsite, hyenas riping anything apart smelling like food-tires too(drove over some grease), puff adders, scorpions just to name a few unsettling things. But a plus to move your tent to view sun set or sun rise. Look an elephant in the eye or even watch as lions pass by in some insane notion that they can't get to you. And bush camping where ever you want, not worrying about what the ground is like.
Just carrying on makes me start dreaming of where to go next. Makes it easy to get on a plane when theres a 4x4 sitting in Johannesburg waiting for me.
Just carrying on makes me start dreaming of where to go next. Makes it easy to get on a plane when theres a 4x4 sitting in Johannesburg waiting for me.
roof top tents
Hey gang,
Thanks fo rthe replies. One quick question: What is th story on being level? I can't imagine that one can park the rig on a level spot every time. Any opinions?
Hey gang,
Thanks fo rthe replies. One quick question: What is th story on being level? I can't imagine that one can park the rig on a level spot every time. Any opinions?
Being level is being lucky.
Most places have some sort of rocks laying around so you have to find the right rock or rocks, place them in front of the tires and drive on. A good wheel chuk is always a good idea.
Do to little options for a near level spot one time I think I had the left rear up about a foot to get level.
devo
Most places have some sort of rocks laying around so you have to find the right rock or rocks, place them in front of the tires and drive on. A good wheel chuk is always a good idea.
Do to little options for a near level spot one time I think I had the left rear up about a foot to get level.
devo
To get it close to level I use a bulb jack.
lowenbrau
SILVER Star
When I was single I slept for dozens of nights a year in my bivoak on the roof of my rig. Ocasionally in very bad weather Level is easy with a high lift. People mock me that I never sleep on the ground. These days its always in my 4 season tent on the lid of my trail trailer. Its a poor man's roof top tent. I'd love to have a roof top tent. Best one I've seen (haven't seen many up close) is the Technitop. Seems like a modern version of the old roof top standards.
http://www.technitop.co.za/
I prefer the tents that fold out to the box type. Its critical to be able to leave the bedding in the tent and not worry about it getting wet. That alone would be worth $500.
http://www.technitop.co.za/
I prefer the tents that fold out to the box type. Its critical to be able to leave the bedding in the tent and not worry about it getting wet. That alone would be worth $500.
I am building a new custom rack for my HJ60 for my rooftop tent. It mates with the gutters and the factory rack mount holes. It has a set of rollers that allows the camper to roll backward (or forward) for removal and or use as a shade structure or for leveling in the long axis.
The rack is all welded aluminum with coated steel cam followers for the rolling action. Pictures in later post in this thread...
The rack is all welded aluminum with coated steel cam followers for the rolling action. Pictures in later post in this thread...
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Zander, that's pretty freakin cool!! I like it 
- Thread starter
- #56
Nice job, Zander.
M
M
- Thread starter
- #57
Here is the Maggiolina hardtop model mounted on an fj60... this cruiser and tent was used on a 27,000 km off-road trip from Los Angeles to Darien, Panama. See www.balum.com for more.
TJDIV
UP of MI.
I like the concept of a roof top tent, but you've got to think about where you're going. What type of areas you'll be "camping" in, etc..
For those of you making LONG expeditions (of which on this board there are FEW) I can absolutely see the benefit of the roof top "quick" tent.
I almost bought one last year, but realized one very important thing:
I NEVER sleep/tent where I park.
For those of you making LONG expeditions (of which on this board there are FEW) I can absolutely see the benefit of the roof top "quick" tent.
I almost bought one last year, but realized one very important thing:
I NEVER sleep/tent where I park.
TJDIV said:
This is a concern, and one I had as well. Since having it I find it really nice to sleep where you park, even if its a bit away from the rest of the people I am camping with. All your stuff is in the truck anyway and saves from having haul it back and forth. The new rolling rail rack system I just built also makes taking it off really easy so you can leave it at a campsite if you want.
The only problem I have had is when camping at car camping sites there is nothing in your campsite when you are gone for the day, and people often ignore notes and just set up camp in your spot.
Interestingly I find it most useful for the short trips than the long trips. Mainly in that you can pull over pop it and go to sleep. No set up, no unloading the truck etc. Then in the morning you drop it and go. Great for some quick shuteye.
I see all sides of this except for the price bitchers. Look, a quality product costs what it costs. If you want a cheap product go buy one. It just so happens that the rooftop tent industry is only hi quality so you only see expensive options.
The "I have a backpacking tent that cost $500 blah blah blah " crowd is just as bad. Apples to oranges. Set your tent up for 100 days straight and see how it does.
I have had the same North Face tent for 25 years and it is still going strong. In 1980 I paid almost $700 for it! Quality costs money.
I really dont like tents on top of the truck. My main issue is weight dist and being tied to the truck. What if the truck is stuck or broken in a mud hole? I really like Henry's trailer idea also but then you have another vehicle to worry about, maintain and it limits where you can go.
No one tent is perfect for all occassions but money means nothing when you are cold and wet!
The "I have a backpacking tent that cost $500 blah blah blah " crowd is just as bad. Apples to oranges. Set your tent up for 100 days straight and see how it does.
I have had the same North Face tent for 25 years and it is still going strong. In 1980 I paid almost $700 for it! Quality costs money.
I really dont like tents on top of the truck. My main issue is weight dist and being tied to the truck. What if the truck is stuck or broken in a mud hole? I really like Henry's trailer idea also but then you have another vehicle to worry about, maintain and it limits where you can go.
No one tent is perfect for all occassions but money means nothing when you are cold and wet!
