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Hi all,
I'm after some feedback from those of you that have had experience with rooftop tents similar to those shown. A guy at work is keen on getting one, which started a "robust" discussion around the pro's, cons vs cost etc.
Cheers in advance.
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Attachment 170915
Looked into them a few years ago and decided nah.
Cons - Once you're set up if you want to drive anywhere you need to pack up
If you are like me and cant go the night with out a piss then it involves a lot of climbing or a bottle
No good if you dog sleeps with you.
A bit scary in high winds when set up.
Take a lot of time to dry and this can be a hassle if you pack it up wet, at some stage you are going to have to set it up to dry it out.
Really in NZ I dont think they are needed, nothings going to come along and try and eat you while you're sleeping except a few sandflies
Ive looked into them as well but came to the conclusion climbing up and down a ladder would get old pretty fast. Better idea would be mount it on a trailer?
Imagine getting out middle of night for a piss
Imagine the windy nights
Total Fad this !!
In Aussie or parts of States etc where Bear/Coyote etc - yes maybe for safety for kids etc and family with no shooter
And they sell for more than this
Attachment 170918
If 4wding, the centre of gravity will certainly shift upwards.
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@steadwah
Five naysaying blokes responding so far, none with any experience of rooftents. How's that for an answer to your question?!
I've used a rooftent for a cumulative 3½years or so, ~1250 nights. 2½years in Africa, the balance in Aus and NZ. The brand is Eeez-Awn, the original and the best. Still have it, 25 years old now.
Pros:
- Great for shagging. Bloody brilliant.
- A quality high density foam mattress with no lumps and bumps is extremely comfortable. Clean, warm, dry, no rocks / mud / dust / draughts / leaks / insects.
- All your bedding stays in the tent.
- By far the easiest option to put up / down, period. Believe me, when you are experienced with a good setup and two people, you measure the time in seconds. The wife and I could collapse that tent, tucking in the sides as it folds over, pull the cover on and tighten the strap in around 90 secs. That's very handy when there's a storm coming.
- An Eezi-Awn is robust - a quality tent uses heavy canvas, thick mozzie netting, quality zips, on a hardy base with a well made frame. It can take the punishment of long-term overlanding - heavy rain, high UV, the coldest frosts. Just vary the bedding according to the climate and you're comfy as. One of the main advantages of a quality tent is that you don't get that fucking annoying flap-flap-flap in the wind, as the heavy canvas pulls tight over the frame.
- Did I say they are great for shagging?
Cons:
- Sadly, the original Eezi-Awn design has been ripped off by lots of cheap fakes, and several of the ones they sell in Aussie these days are just utter crap. Really flimsy and lightweight. The fabric they use is just not up to it, way too thin. Flap-flap-flap. You very much get what you pay for.
- You have to collapse the tent every time you want to go somewhere with the vehicle during the day. The more you use them, the less of an issue this becomes, because you can collapse them so fast. We only put the tent up at the last minute anyway, just before bedtime usually.
- They catch the wind when the vehicle is parked perpendicular to the wind, and it can be a bit noisy and rock the vehicle a bit. However, the wind issue is overstated by non-rooftenters; anyone who has witnessed the carnage after a storm in a coastal campsite full of normal tents will know what I mean. The key thing is a quality rooftent won’t break, the wind they can take is something else.
- Rooftents don’t provide an “indoor” space in inclement weather in the same way a normal touring tent does. I hate big tents, and always end up sitting in the vehicle anyway. Horses for courses on that one.
- Your vehicle’s efficiency will take a hit. When overlanding in remote areas, this doesn’t really matter, as the average speeds are so much lower that you don’t notice it. But if you’re touring on majority bitumen at highway speeds, you will notice it. On average, my Hilux runs at +1.5L / 100km over normal driving on the state highway, which I can see on the Scangauge. In a strong headwind, more.
- Your vehicle’s height is not the same as it once was. Never, ever forget this. There are too many examples of new rooftenters driving into the garage / multi-storey carpark etc and instantly regretting it.
- If you are a night time pee pee type, as I am these days, then the up and down in the middle of the night might grate somewhat. But as youngsters, it didn’t bother us at all. I’d normally just sit on the edge and wee, bit harder for the missus to master that trick.
All tenting options have pros and cons. The rooftent is best suited to the hardcore overlanding type trip. You don’t really want to be running your vehicle with the tent on the whole time, and putting the tent on / taking it off for short trips isn’t ideal because the good ones are quite heavy.
Do not mount them on a trailer. Every person we came across that had done this in Aus was having a torrid time with bulldust ingress. NZ dirt roads are no different. Worse thing you can do.
Our rooftent was a major contributor to us enjoying our long trips. Minimum hassle, maximum comfort. Wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.
The other thing I'd add after reading Gerados comment, is take a look at how proper 4WDs are setup. Heavy duty roof racks, often carrying water / fuel and other heavy stuff. An upward shift in centre of gravity is dealt with by experience, driver skill and suspension. You do need a proper, proper roof rack, and never overloaded it.
Great for shagging. Bloody brilliant. Too old for that :-)
A quality high density foam mattress with no lumps and bumps is extremely comfortable. --- yes V good
Clean, warm, dry, no rocks / mud / dust / draughts / leaks / insects. -- Though I imagine it would develop over time - but so will any tent
All your bedding stays in the tent. --- Yes V Good too
But you cant stick it in a Hughes 500E or Jet boat :-))
Cheers guys, reinforced both the pros and cons of our discussion. However, it looks as though he is keen to push on with getting one, so I'll report back with how things turn out. Not my cup of tea, far better options and scenarios out there in my opinion. From digging around it looks like the original innovators who developed these created and durable and reliable product, which has since been "refined" by others to reduce cost by skimping on materials, to produce a product that appears to come out of the same factory which any brand can then purchase and splash their signage over and claim as their own. I'll save the rant, as it's been done to death in many a thread and forum.
What does your mate want to do with it, and what do you recommend as the alternative?Quote:
Originally Posted by steadwah
Cleaning day, Uganda, 2000.
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He's looking at it as an alternative to a tent for him and his partner to see more of the country, he doesn't really know what he wants. He and his mates have got into doing up old 4WDs Patrols, Landcruisers etc. and have been throwing ridiculous cash at them, and can see him/them throwing more cash at these without much thought. All of them are double income no kids. Which is all well and good, but it really does limit you when you get somewhere, in that once you've set up you've lost your vehicle to move around. Yes, you can take bikes or walk, depending on where you are and what you are wanting to do. But for the prices, some of these crowds are asking for their rooftop options you could buy the taj mahal of tents or if you hunt around a slower spec caravan.
theres a place at waimakau that sell them not sure what kind tho no really my thing
Ive got a Feldon Shelter to get the lady friend out and about more. Very comfy. Been down to about -2º and felt comfy. I find the mattress good. Easy and quick set up/ pack away when you've done it a few times. No bedding set up.
If you have a high shed or carport to drive under. I use a pulley block to lift it off. Made my own roof racks and brought Rhino Rack feet to match my roof racks. Very easy drive under, remove roof racks, lower tent, clip in and drive off. The rope is long enough to lower it to the ground once off the ute that way it can be opened and dried off the vehicle.
Cons: More fuel, wind noise, can't drive anywhere once set up. Levelling ramps are handy. Can condensate a little (i dry inside before packing away)
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I see a lot of these systems strapped on pumped up utes on the motorways around Ak, but I think most of them are like moas... not often seen in the bush.
Nice solution to a problem. You're an ideas man.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranal
id actually be surprised if they get used more than a couple of times...not much use parked outside a cafeQuote:
Originally Posted by steadwah
Thank you. Works really well. some 50x25x2.5 RHS with a small bit of flat bar tigged on is a lot cheaper than the rhino rack bars. And a $40 6x pulley block from M10. The rope is shit but does the job. Have one permanently set up in a shed and carry another when travelling around. Especially when we go to the south island and stay with family. Find a tree, shed or anything high enough to get under and lift it off. Once on the ground the RHS sticks out one side and i can walk it across the ground vertically on its side and clip the roof racks back in.Quote:
Originally Posted by steadwah
You might need a lie down after a soy-decaf-vegan-gluten-latte in a non-gmo potato starch cup…
I will just reiterate that there is an awful lot of naysaying in this thread from guys that have never used a roof tent. And probably never will.
The only two guys to have replied that actually own roof tents, love them.
Nothing quite like hands on experience to form an objective opinion.
Are there any guy lines to set out, or is it 100% self supporting? I’ve never used one, but think they’re probably the best option for their intended purpose. Which is extended off-seal trips. I know I’d rather be in a roof tent on the side of a track, than set up a tent on the side of a track. Your not searching around for a suitable spot to pitch, just parking up. As for not being able to drive off once you’re set up, well where are you going anyway? I’m not that keen on driving off and leaving my tent camp all set up. If it suited me, I’d not be at all concerned about increased fuel usage or noise etc, the convenience at the other end cancels that out. Can they be mounted above a flat deck flush with the roofline, or does that create dust issues?Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyblown
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I think Ranal has got the right idea, by having a setup that makes taking it off and on as easy as possible.
They are a great idea for places like Africa, where there so many nasties wanting to make your acquaintance at night. But you certainly want to have the right roofrack setup. Not sure how many 'modern' utes have several hundred kg roof rack specifications these days?
My gawd am I glad I'm not so cynical!
Just imagine all the fun you've been missing... Gentle breeze, beautiful sunset, cozy bedding, hot chick, the amazing view... scenery wasn't bad either!
Jesus I might be tempted to sell the children just to time travel back to those days. Shit did I say that out loud?
Lol yep and if you take out shagging there's not many pros for NZ use and I'm not into shagging my mates when I go away, quite happy to wait until I get home to the misses :D. I didn't need to own one to suss out they are a waste of time and money for my uses in NZ.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mohawk .308
I never used 1 myself, but I did have an alloy roof tray sorta thing on my old patrol and I used set my double swag on top of it, it worked out sweet. Bit tricky to climb up and down in middle of night if I gave the beers a nudge, but was awesome waking up in it off damp cold ground, heaps room for Mrs also, and rolled up to nothing and threw swag into back when done. Had a look at a mates roof tent, looks comfy, but is quite a big package on his Ute, and I wonder about leaving it on at a road end while hunting and getting pinched coz it’s easily undone and sits on his Ute 24/7, apart from that, I reckon they’re neat.
Jeeeze, that's pretty revealing!! Not much in the way of real useable capacity left once you venture off road:o
Now the old series land rovers a la Camel trophy style and solid 40 series LWB cruisers, yes you could stow an awful lot on top.
Now.....not so much:(
No guy lines unless you get the extended Feldon Shelter which would be nice as if its pissing with rain and you have to get out you get a wet arse. Just 8 sprung loaded poles to hold the fly out. Pretty quick to install there is a hole in the alu base and then spring into the fly. You don't need them if in a hurry but if its windy stops the flapping.
Im 1.8m tall and can comfortably sit up inside. I have found them nice and cool even in the heat with all 4 sides having windows and bug mesh.
Can be a little annoying to get level on a track but i just carry some ramps made out of decking off cuts.
Yes can be mounted on a tray above the tub. OverlandNZ on youtube and insta has a hilux set up like that. Good if you don't need the tub.
If it was just me and not the lady friend i would probably just carry a swag and stretcher, and have a bigger awning out the side so it doesn't get covered in dew or rain. But she likes the space and the comfort so thats all good.
Cheers
This is very interesting. I never really gave this too much thought. I see lots of roof top tents on top of those rhino racks. Not good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mohawk .308
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I have a rhinorack. I looked the YT videos...am I right these guys pop riveted the trays to their roof?! WTF is that about. I have 3 holders on mine that the tray attaches too. No way would I used rivets through the roof.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gerardo
The static load carrying must be ok because I greatly exceed the 75kg limit when I climb onto the rack!
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Yours is solid as anything. And incredibly, yes, rivets!
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Even I wouldn't put rivets through my roof. And hope that 7 rivets each side will hold. On that note, just got an air pop rivet gun...best tool ever.
Gesipa battery rivet gun is way better
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Yep a battery one would be handy but wanted to expand tools to run off the compressor.
Well, I certainly hope he doesn't want to shag it...I'd recommend a willing female.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyblown
Probably the best looking one seen for a while.
Night time pee's in the tent are not so big an issue. I have an opaque Nalgene bottle, a good wide mouth to drop into and fill it up.
I've suggested to the Mrs to get She-Wee so she doesn't have to go out either.
