Rooftop campers

cheers Garth i will purchase a copy this may help.

Paul.

Yeah,
I found out why they are called shippshape.
Unless everything is tied down all shipshape you would reckon that you are on a ship if there is a cross wind at night.
Will admit to it being a good few years ago and the roof topper was on the canopy/rack of an old (even then) FJ ute.

Seriously they were quite good quality and a well designed unit even then, but a bit of a bugger to get out of in a hurry (ie, a belly full of beer).

Pommy 4wd mags (Land Rover International etc) often carry pretty thorough write ups on roof toppers and I'm aware that there are some available from South Africa as well.
Might be worth a google

Cheers

Disco

OT

Thanks for the info our friends have a magi works well for them as there is only 2 of them they can put all there gear in the car as we have a child makes it a bit hard we need a bit of room up on top.

There is a few options to think about.

Regards Paul.

Sounds interesting. Do you have any photos?

Jeff

Sorry, Jeff. No pics of the roofrack handy. Basically it was a shallow box and, as it was only about four feet long the floor was hinged and folded out to make it about 6 feet six. (A lot simpler if you have a larger vehicle which will take a six foot plus roof rack.) Sides were hinged and folded down on the floor. When lifted up these sides were hinged in the middle to open out to be the same length as the fold out floor. A panel which sat on top of the rear wall sides and floor was loose and slid over the lower part of the box which sloped towards the feet. That section of the lower roof had edges so that the rear floor and sides fitted inside that and held in place with simple ties. The roof of the box became the roof of the fold up. This was also edged to hold the sides and back in place and also held with simple ties. It had perspex windows either side with a door to get out onto the ladder. One could kneel up inside with a bit of extra head space. Bedding could be left in side. Anyway, it worked quite well even in strong winds or rain and I had it for some years until the Lada rusted out. It meants I could stop at night without being concerned about rocks or ant nests and it didn't matter if the ground were muddy. Get a shoe box and play around and maybe make something out of cardboard. That is if the idea interests you. As you work out each bit you can visualise the methods for keeping the bits in place.
Harry

Ooops!! make that www.hannibalsafari.com.au

Hiya Kaos,,
I have a Simpson rooftop tent and the jury is still out on what i think...
The first time i used it was in the rain,,,, and trying to pack it up wet was a pain.... You need to throw a tarp over the mattress because it seems to soak the water through once it has been folded wet all day...
If you try and fold up extra bedding in there it doesnt fold well,,,(sleeping bag and quilt)....
Bonuses are,, up away from creepys.....can camp next to croc waters...
They are on special at arb at the mo for about $1800....