I've got mine for sale for well below $1,000!! Rack too
Why do I want a roof top tent?
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RTT VALUE
I know there are cheaper solutions out there (and ConcretJungle drop me an iM on the details), i am just stumped on the price/value ratio of the clamshell units. I have no problem spending money when I see the value in it. I spent $20K on a 40 year old FJ40! But what I was curious about is why are these clamshell designs so friggin expensive and do the owners of these units believe they are getting a true bang for the buck.
Thanks,
Blake
I know there are cheaper solutions out there (and ConcretJungle drop me an iM on the details), i am just stumped on the price/value ratio of the clamshell units. I have no problem spending money when I see the value in it. I spent $20K on a 40 year old FJ40! But what I was curious about is why are these clamshell designs so friggin expensive and do the owners of these units believe they are getting a true bang for the buck.
Thanks,
Blake
cboyd
GOLD Star
Maybe they factor in the gas you'll save from the enhanced profile... And take it up front!
A few reasons they are more:
Imported direct from Italy where they are made
They do get better gas mileage
They last a long time, very resistant to UV and any weather
Mine has been on my roof outdoors 24/7 since spring of 2008, and it looks brand new still.
I wax it once a year with Meguiars boat wax, and when I wash the winter gunk off, it looks like the day I bought it.
I would rather spend my $$$ once instead of many times over.
Imported direct from Italy where they are made
They do get better gas mileage
They last a long time, very resistant to UV and any weather
Mine has been on my roof outdoors 24/7 since spring of 2008, and it looks brand new still.
I wax it once a year with Meguiars boat wax, and when I wash the winter gunk off, it looks like the day I bought it.
I would rather spend my $$$ once instead of many times over.
I hated on my RTT mostly because I was always worried about damage and clearance issues. I have since upgraded and now I have no worries.
For me its not so much about the cost of the euro fiberglass RTTs, although I'm all for saving a buck, but the general lack of refinement; especially given they've (Autohome) been at it for more than 50-years!
If Autohome would hire someone, since they appear to be mostly ambivalent about doing it themselves, capable of field testing and incorporate the resulting real world design and materials feedback (fabric side of the equation)...they could intro a product truly worth what they're asking.
If Autohome would hire someone, since they appear to be mostly ambivalent about doing it themselves, capable of field testing and incorporate the resulting real world design and materials feedback (fabric side of the equation)...they could intro a product truly worth what they're asking.
my tent moved to my hilux project:
Gonna have some issues getting it out of the garage when its finished though. The box is full of RHD dash and heater parts, and it's gonna require some paint where Ive cut and pasted the wheel well arches.
Gonna have some issues getting it out of the garage when its finished though. The box is full of RHD dash and heater parts, and it's gonna require some paint where Ive cut and pasted the wheel well arches.
They have an excellent tester here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYN_wbeNkvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXVmZQFqoAs
I do not know, I am perfectly happy with mine, I do not really think it needs any improvement.
It does what it is suppose to do, and it does it well.
Even in rain when unzipping the side door to get out the rain stays out and off the bed.
Not sure why, it just works very well.
Cruising down the highway I never even think twice that it is up there unless I see someone gawking at the rig when they pull up next to me.
About the only thing I think that would help would be to install one of these in the end.
What would you have them improve?
I hear they have had a few snags with the AirTop lifting system, that is why I am sticking with their tried and true scissors lift system which has been around since '58.
I had a Maggi GT and a couple improvements would have made it bitch proof for me: 1) Move the door/windows over from the Airtop to increase utility, versatility and airflow in hot/humid climes. 2) Either a simple nylon shoe tensioner or simple plates/washers outside of each drive sprocket to make it impervious to derails...a known and exacerbating issue. 3) Although not huge gripe but bond the vinyl trim surround to the fiberglass...so I don't have to do it myself. 4) See ladder bitch below.
Current Columbus: 1) Fabric noise is atrocious in >15mph wind; not sure about you but it seems most nights we camp in >15mph wind; must be calm all over Italy. 2) The triple rear door affair is about as goofy as it gets...gimme a break. 3) Ladders that rest on the lower clam of the shell; gimme another break. 3) In a rain water ingress via no fabric overlap of the lower shell is real; must not rain in Italy. 4) The ladder was probably a smart design in 1950...not so much today. 4) The bug screens velcro in place from the INSIDE of the fabric walls makes for middle of the night crawlouts in skeeterville a bigger PITA (they're already a PITA when fully awake); Make them with zips ala Maggi and put them on the outer wall...
Eyelid style (simple) mini-awnings over the doors would be nice...could leave the door/windows open for ventilation when camping in rain/warm conditions...
Current Columbus: 1) Fabric noise is atrocious in >15mph wind; not sure about you but it seems most nights we camp in >15mph wind; must be calm all over Italy. 2) The triple rear door affair is about as goofy as it gets...gimme a break. 3) Ladders that rest on the lower clam of the shell; gimme another break. 3) In a rain water ingress via no fabric overlap of the lower shell is real; must not rain in Italy. 4) The ladder was probably a smart design in 1950...not so much today. 4) The bug screens velcro in place from the INSIDE of the fabric walls makes for middle of the night crawlouts in skeeterville a bigger PITA (they're already a PITA when fully awake); Make them with zips ala Maggi and put them on the outer wall...
Eyelid style (simple) mini-awnings over the doors would be nice...could leave the door/windows open for ventilation when camping in rain/warm conditions...
The two main reasons i want one of the clam shell units is, 1. they set up and take down quicker (i know that's pretty lazy) but 2. the main reason is in the east we have tight trails with a lot of tree branches. They will reach out and tear at the travel cover, so a fiberglass clam shell design will be more durable on east coast trails.
I have had a maggi extreme two years now . Love it in all conditions . Even my female trail partners have enjoyed it .
And honestly worth every penny to have a comfortable nights sleep everywhere I go . When you have used one you will agree .
I have been in thunderstorms with high winds and other tents blowing away , flooding ever an issue . Tent always dry .
I camp in negative temps and snow happily with my home made liner . Comfy mattress with fitted sheets and a duvet and nice pillows . spare clothes kept dry and clean .
Only complaint is I have the old bug screens and I have a local boat canvas shop changing it out to noseum netting .
Carried a load up top when I needed to , mileage is not great with it up on my bj60 but seriously not an issue . It is big on the trail in the bush but not crazy .
Was thinking of selling to finance a newer truck but just can't bear to part with it . hooked .
Previous owner of my tent drove across Canada down the west coast to central America and back . 2 years old when I got it .$2000 is what I paid . No regrets used it more than 100 nights .
Mike,moose
And honestly worth every penny to have a comfortable nights sleep everywhere I go . When you have used one you will agree .
I have been in thunderstorms with high winds and other tents blowing away , flooding ever an issue . Tent always dry .
I camp in negative temps and snow happily with my home made liner . Comfy mattress with fitted sheets and a duvet and nice pillows . spare clothes kept dry and clean .
Only complaint is I have the old bug screens and I have a local boat canvas shop changing it out to noseum netting .
Carried a load up top when I needed to , mileage is not great with it up on my bj60 but seriously not an issue . It is big on the trail in the bush but not crazy .
Was thinking of selling to finance a newer truck but just can't bear to part with it . hooked .
Previous owner of my tent drove across Canada down the west coast to central America and back . 2 years old when I got it .$2000 is what I paid . No regrets used it more than 100 nights .
Mike,moose
Great testimony Mike, you are getting your monies worth out of it for sure.
