advice on rooftop tents
Submitted: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 13:29
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Pat (vic)
Hi all
Need some advice on rooftop tents how easy are they to set up as I have a bulging disc in my neck that can’t be fixed and arthritis all through it and my spine.
I will be going to the caravan show this week to look around so I would like some advice before I get told its easy and buy one only to find I can’t use it.
The c/t is too hard to set up unless I have help although everything is the right height once set up. I don’t really want a caravan at this stage and a tent with all the other gear takes up to much space and don’t want roof racks as it will be too hard to get things off.
So could I please have advice on the rooftop tents pros and cons. I don’t know what’s out there at the moment so some advice on that will be good.
Most trips will be on my own, when the family come along I can use the c/t.
Thanks Pat.
Reply By: Member - Greg T (ACT) - Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 13:47
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 13:47
Hi Pat,
I have a ARB Simpson 2 rooftop tent. it is attache to two rhino racks. getting the tent on and off for me is quite simple, as i have set up a winch (boat trailer winch with a couple of rollers at different points to make it work)to the carport. This way i can just wind it on and off.
Pros:
gets you off the ground.
very insulated.warm in winter, cool in summer
very quick to put up
very quick to pack away
strong construction, been through hail, wind rain both driving and
set up. came out strong with no leaks.
provides shelter to the back of the 4wd for access and cooking
easy to unfold. just use the ladder to leaver open/close.
the cover is easy to put on. just tuck it up under the tent when open, and flick it back over when folded
cons:
I have a 2 inch lifted Patrol. so its high
every time you want to move you have to pack it all up. even though it takes max 5 mins. you still have to do it.
under the matress gets a fair bit of condensation. counteract this by letting it all dry off before you move on. takes about 15 mins in warm a environment.
car parks and shopping centres a no no. 2.5mtrs high all up on my rig.
use a bit more fuel, but stick to 100km/h and you wont notice it.
you pay more attention to low hanging branches.
Pics on profile
all in all, i love the tent, it is the best thing since sliced bread
hope that helps
AnswerID:
363338
Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 13:55
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 13:55
Hey Greg
Did you have troubles with your ladder not reaching the ground with the 2 inch lift?
FollowupID:
630961
Follow Up By: Member - Greg T (ACT) - Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 14:13
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 14:13
On level, i dont have any trouble. it actually sits better as the ladder isnt on so much on angle (being a light 120kg it holds my wieght on an angle as
well as near stright up and down).
It s easier to get up and down with the lift.
but when im n a reasonable uneven surface, it needs a bit of building up under the ladder.
but i have only had to do that once out of hundreds of outings, so i would say no it isnt an issue.
FollowupID:
630964
Follow Up By: Member - Effie C (NT) - Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 15:42
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 15:42
Greg
Any chance of some shots of your set up for quick removal, having just purchased and used for the first time a ARB rooftime tent (hence unable to give a true indication of ease of use as yet) I am looking at a way of removing and replacing the complete unit on the roof bars.
Thanks
John M
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Paul W- Esq (VIC) - Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 18:28
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 18:28
you can buy a "ladder extension" for the ARB and Howling Moon as they are the same. i had one on my H/Moon as it did not reach the ground without it on my 100 series
FollowupID:
631005
Follow Up By: Member - Greg T (ACT) - Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 21:11
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 21:11
John,
sure can. i will take some photos tomorrow.
Dont want to take over the post, but this
pic will do till tomorrow, when i can get the camera out.
i have a boat winch attached to the side of the carport, then at two points i have a pulley, then at the connection point, i have 4 key ring like clasps braided onto the rope which then connects to each point of the roof rack.
ill post pics tommorrow.
Image Could Not Be Found
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Greg T (ACT) - Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 21:17
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 21:17
oh yeah, i hope you like my drawing skills. so accurate in the diff location and my wipers... hopefully the pics turn out better
FollowupID:
631049
Reply By: peterjs - Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 14:30
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 14:30
Hi, we have a rooftop tent on a tradesman trailer, this works
well for us, it is slightly lower than the cruiser and we can either leave it at a
camp site all set up or do an overnight stop with it still connected to vehicle, we have made some awnings and have the skirt for it making it comfortable for longer stops, the trailer has the fridge/stove and storage also a false floor, I can't post any photos here as I am a visitor but if you would like to see what it looks like I will send some if you would like, we find the tent quite easy to put up and pack away, we are both in our 60s and my wife is, a
well whats it called today, height challenged. hope this helps, Pete.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: tim_c - Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 14:46
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 14:46
Hey Pete - I'd love to see some pics of that set-up: my username (above) at hotmail.com I've often wondered about mounting a roof-top tent on the back of a ute...
FollowupID:
630972
Reply By: tim_c - Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 14:42
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 14:42
Hi Pat,
Greg has summed it up quite
well with pros/cons. I had a Howling Moon Tourer which I used quite a lot (although I never experienced condensation under the mattress).
They are great if you're moving every day, but if you like to set up a "base camp" and do day trips (driving) you'll have to pack it up each time (I found 10min was more realistic). I always travelled with my bedding (sleeping bags, pillows) inside so I never had to pack them away separately. They don't hamper off-road ability like a CT/caravan.
If you have a bad back, you may struggle with setting it up/packing away - I found I was up and down on the rear door sills and rear-bumper/step to set it up fully (windows, awnings, etc.) or pack it away.
I found it so comfortable - I slept better in it than at
home! I sold it to go overseas but would seriously consider getting another one.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Paul W- Esq (VIC) - Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 18:30
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 18:30
The only condensation in my old H/Moon deluxe was on the roof and drips off the bars but never under the mattress either
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Roddesh - Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 17:39
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 17:39
Hi Pat,
I've had a Howling Moon for a few years now and it has been excellent. It's always warm and dry when it's cold and wet, and thanks to the window awnings the windows can be left open when it's raining and hot. packing it up wet isn't a problem either.
I have
mine on the roof of my 80 series Cruiser with a 2" lift and it is very easy to put up and down but it does require climbing on to the rear step and rear door sills.
I hurt my back while I was in
Kalumburu a couple of years ago and the only issue I had was actually crawling into to the tent, not putting it up or down.
I made ladder extensions for
mine before my first trip with it but have never used them. ( I have lived in the tent for up to 3 months at a time)
Cheers,
Rod
AnswerID:
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