rooftop tent

They all have their plus' and minus'. We have a Shippshape and prefer it to the others because of build quality, ease of erection, ruggedness, great airflow, roominess and others. Negatives are possibly cost and bulk size on the roof. I think shippshape possibly hire out. They are based in Sydney somewhere.
Personally, I find the others a bit claustophobic.

They all have their minus' and plus'. We have two EeziAwns and prefer them to the others because of build quality, ease of erection, ruggedness, great airflow, smaller pack size and lighter roof weight. Positives are possibly cost and smaller size on the roof. I think OpenSky possibly hire out. They are based in Sydney somewhere.
Personally, I find the others a bit bulky and cumbersome.

I have two for sale in the Trader section under Camping Gear. I don't hire out, sorry :)

I bought my Shipp Shape from this very Forum.
I got it at a very good price and it included the side walls.
Very comfortable, easy to erect and with the awning setup its reasonably rain proof. I secure a tarp to the windward side ropes and it is very comfortable.

The only downside of these things is if you are camped for a few days and you want to explore by car, you have to break camp and pack up so you can drive, but if you are a bushwalker type then its perfect.......

We bought our Shippshape from this forum too, has the side walls as well which are rarely used.
When I was doing my research I realised that the Shippshape had a few things the others didn't, the tonneau cover is right way up at all times and covers the unit as it is closed, some others throw the tonneau either upside down over the bonnet or off to the side. The Shippshape design keeps it right way up and also use it as awall which gives privacy. Stops the 'inside' getting wet.
The design also give you dry access to the bed, others don't.
Vertical end and side walls minimise wet canvas and provide greater space inside.
Can be fitted with an innerspring mattress!!!

Chips, I have a car topper, and have had it for about 20 years. Not used too much unfortunately, but I want to use it more in the not too distant future.
Drawbacks, not too convenient if you want to stay in an area for a few days to have a look around, maybe a particular town. Then you have to pack up to go anywhere.
Another drawback. I cannot get my car in the garage with a rear wheel carrier on my car, but I can't put an extra spare wheel on the roof. Conundrum!
My car topper ,unknown brand, is similar to most camper trailers the way it comes out with an annexe on the side. It extends about 7 ft from the car and is a touch over 6 ft long. Plenty of room if the weather is crook, and privacy for dressing, washing etc.
I think I will get a smaller tent to take with me for the occasions where we want to spend a few days touring around a particular area in the car. That way I can sleep in the tent, and still get at all the normal camping gear we have in the car.
We normally keep our sleeping bags all set up all the time on the bed on the roof, and after a 2 - 3 minute job folding the tent back on top of the car, I put the foldup table and chairs on top and the clip the cover down over everything. Easy. I have made clips for the ladder to attach to the Rhino Rack, and we can be gone in a very short space of time.
But, there is no such thing as the perfect setup. Hire one if you can before you buy.
Dave