D.I.Y roof top tent

How do you get up to put the poles through the sleeves? & what do you tie it to stop it blowing off the roof rack in a big blow because it will tear away where attached to ply.

Hmmm, novice or idiot?

Hi Synergist,
Sounds like Monkey Cunning to meeeeeeee.
Good Luck,
Jeffrey (AKA JD)

I was gunna reply
but I'm not

Doh!!!!
Squashed tent
Doh!!!!

Hi Synergist, I had a fleeting thought on this a while ago. Couple of things came to mind. Maybe there are other tents more suited than the dome type? Another thought was to use a dome or whatever and throw the poles away and knock up a frame that was on the outside of the tent and then attach/hang the tent from that? Maybe a combination of outside framework and some of the poles? could also use the frame for attaching a fly. The other idea I had was to use a "Poptop"from a campervan and fix it to a base. Might be a bit big for you?
Let us know what you come up with.
Cheers,
Wayne

Depending on how big the dome tent is these things can be mongrels to put up when they are on the ground let alone 6 foot in the air! I have a 6 man version and getting the poles into the clips can be awkward by ones self. You need to be able to reach all sides of it and standing on the tailgate may only let you reach half the job.

I am thinking of getting a Howling Moon onto the Prado to use for sleeping and then using the dome for living and as a base camp when staying for more tha just a sleep stop. The dome is big enough to walk around in and is good when it rains etc. The dome cost $200. Anyone know the price of a basic MH to fit a 120 Prado???

Your idea sounds good in theory and there is certainly nought to stop you trying it. Love to hear the results if you give it a go. If you have a workshop and some time then why not!

Best of British to you!!!!!

Steven

Why bother? Just buy this one :-)

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4124450155&category=36120&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

Hi Synergist,

I'm in the final stages of making my roof top tent. After having knocked around different ideas for a while (and posted on here too) I settled on a design that I think is the easiest as it requires the minimum amount of intricate canvas work.

I've scraped the idea of doing a full canvas tent and gone for something that is similar in design to the the LoftyShelter Columbus

http://www.loftyshelters.com/ColumbusENG.htm

Basically it is big wooden box made from plywood that hinges at the front and I've used gas struts off an old van to make it lift and hold itself open. Then all you need is a simple bit of canvas with the doors and windows in it to cover the remaing three sides. Of course there are a few more issues to sort out such as getting the two halves of the box to seal properly against the 100kmh winds on your roof. My biggest concern was weight but at the moment I can still lift the whole lot on my own, the commercial ones are about 50kg so as long as I come in under that I'm happy.

If you can wait long enough I'll keep you posted on how the final stages progress ... and then what happens when it rains on it!!

Cheers,

Chris

Hi,

We have just ordered a howling moon tourer tent with roof rack. We're about to trek to Cape York. We thought that this was the best option for us and hope that we're right. Yes you are right that they seem pricey when compared to a normal tent but hopefully it will return in one piece and we will at least be comfortable and kept out of the wet and bulldust. Fingers crossed we've done the right thing.