Ute Based Camper
Submitted: Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 18:08
ThreadID:
77430
Views:
4683
Replies:
7
FollowUps:
1
This Thread has been Archived
Synnie
Hi all,
new chum around here and have been spending time looking around the net for a ute based
camp tent.There are heaps around so far but very pricey for someone who is only going to use it half a dozen times a year.Im looking at basically a camper trailer style tent which will be 1500mm from ground level where as all the trailer units are 1000-1200mm.Planning on having fuel and water tanks, kitchen and other camping equipment in a box mounted under the tent unit, with the tent big enough to contain a queen size inner spring mattress.Getting to old to rough it too much these days and sleep is number one on the list...lol.Will be mounted on a 2005 club cab triton with a big tray.
Has anyone seen or heard of a company in NSW which is prepared to make a tent to suit?Most of the companies i have contacted have said they wont do a custom modification to their units, but $10,000 plus for ones which will build me one is a bit high.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help
Graeme
Reply By: _gmd_pps - Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 18:27
Reply By: Member - John - Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 18:37
Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 18:37
Graeme, may be easier to cut down the sides of the annexe of a roof top tent, or dispense with it completely.
AnswerID:
411546
Follow Up By: Synnie - Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 18:54
Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 18:54
Thanks gmd and
John,
tentsontrucks looks US based so bit of the track for me.Gave me something to think about.The roof top tent though looks to be the way to go,possibly be able to modify the sides to pull up to still keep the doorway on the annex.Looking around now for one which will be big enough to hold a queen mattress now
Thanks again
Graeme
FollowupID:
681606
Reply By: Synnie - Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 19:43
Saturday, Apr 03, 2010 at 19:43
Looking around a bit more at roof top tents and the mattress side of them are a disappointment.keep looking though and maybe see if there are any camper trailer designs which will accomadate a high sided vehicle
Cheers Graeme
AnswerID:
411550
Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Sunday, Apr 04, 2010 at 10:48
Sunday, Apr 04, 2010 at 10:48
G'day Graeme, it appears you need about a 30 cm extension all around the sections of tent that reach the ground, that is the vinyl on the trailer side & the
canvas on the other three. I suggest a saddler or upholterer may be able to do
that job at reasonable cost. That is adding the extra to the bottom of a standard
camper top & reattaching the floor, although I suspect they might add the extra
above floor level as a sleeve, if you get my drift. I put an Oztrail 9 top on a trailer I purchased & it has been fine. Chinese, yes, but no quality issues. I do tarp it mostly to keep it dry & clean, so no leaking issues either. My point is that
it cost about $2k to buy. I estimate the alterations shouldnt cost much more than
half that & a good silver tarp less than $100. See if you can get a quote for the
alterations first & do the sums from there. cheers....oldbaz.
AnswerID:
411590
Reply By: Member - Barnesy - Sunday, Apr 04, 2010 at 12:16
Sunday, Apr 04, 2010 at 12:16
I'm not sure if I fully understand your question. Are you saying when the tent is opened it won't touch the ground? If that's the case it shouldn't be hard to get any camper trailer tent you want and take it to a canvas place who will be able to extend the bottom drop down section. Surely the poles won't need much alteration.
Many CT manufacturers sell just the tent without a trailer. Usually cost around $3g. Roof top tents don't have much floor space. A normal CT tent with a lengthened drop down would do the trick.
I looked into this. My CT tent is set up for 31" wheels, I put on 16" split rims with high profile tyres which are about 2-3" larger diameter. The tent now won't reach the ground properly.
AnswerID:
411606
Reply By: Synnie - Sunday, Apr 04, 2010 at 17:29
Sunday, Apr 04, 2010 at 17:29
Thanks for the replies guys,i have thought of the idea of buying one of the cheaper style of tents and doing extensions, but to find a GOOD upholsterer around here is a bit that i would have the trouble with.Im not too worried about the initial cost of the tent as it isnt going to be used every weekend sort of thing.Even the overall size isnt a concern, room to sleep and get out of the weather if it rains and maybe an awning.Have seen the prices for the chinese imports and they seem ok, with the reports around the forums being very positive.It would be good if i could find a tent manufacturer who could make the open section like a roof top tent, with walls that can attach to suit different heights from the ground...(any manufacturers reading????).i have the ideas in my head but putting to practice is another thing
Cheers Graeme
AnswerID:
411640
Reply By: tas130 - Monday, Apr 05, 2010 at 07:49
Monday, Apr 05, 2010 at 07:49
give 3dogs a call up at byron bay
http://www.3dogcamping.com/index.htm
i have no affiliations with them but have heard nothing but good reports about them.
i personaly have ben using for close to 10 years now a howling moon rooftop tent with zip a zip on room that we can set up 3
camp cots and still have room to move around and get changed in. i would highly recomend these as
well.
AnswerID:
411674