Autohome Overcamp RTT

[JMyerz]

Hi everyone,

We're running out of room in our truck, something that I thought would NEVER happen but with a wife, kid and a dog I guess space fills up quick. I'm not interested in towing anything at this point so am looking into a RTT solution. Seems like a logical step in trying to keep setup / breakdown quick and the truck self contained. Our biggest "problem" is bringing along our 9+ ft longboards on those summer swells with a RTT.

I did some research and found the Autohome Overcamp that sleeps 3 and takes up only half of my roof width wise. Wondering if anyone has had long term experience with these and how they do in a windy situation? Also, if you have any experience fitting a RTT and surfboards on the roof all ideas are appreciated.

Thanks!

Justin

 

[calicamper]

Hey Myerz have you seen this?
Very respected builder in the US good stuff
Seems to be down the same path your headed. Your racking long boards or hulls over a tent issue is one that came up recently in the camp trailer thread and there have been some really cool ideas that surfaced. I could see some of the ideas possibly working for your on truck needs for the boards.
http://www.jumpingjacktrailers.com/x4-trailer.php

 

[Lemsteraak]

Justin

OverCamp tents are pretty rare, you may have to talk AutoHome out of one, and prove you are worthy. What makes them good also makes them bad, not bad really, but bad for the consumer market. First thing you will notice is that the tent is open on the sides, great for ventilation in the tropics but possible for someone to roll out of the tent if they forgot to zip up the net. So, it isn't a consumer tent. Second thing you will notice is that it is heavy, the medium (which is really large) is something like 135 pounds, old school rugged materials and simple rugged design. The problem here is that in the US, most all bar manufacturers warrant their bars for only 165 pounds on the roof. So that only gives you 30 pounds for bedding, longboards, kayaks or whatever else you wish to have up there. If there is a problem, everyone would point their fingers at the roof tent manufacturer.

So, It is an expedition tent. I used the OverCamp that Frenchie has in Mexican backcountry for about a month on back country "roads". It was on his lightly loaded trailer with really beats up anything in or on the trailer so it was a good test. It lived, sheared off some hinge bolts if I remember right, but on the whole, an excellent tent. One thing it has that I don't know why no one else has copied is it has a zipper integrated into the seam over the door so you can zip an awning or whatever you have right into the tent.

So, bottom line, an excellent tent but not designed or intended for the US market so they are quite rare and may be quite expensive if you find one. Should suit your needs well but you will probably have to contact AutoHome in Italy to get a new one.

Rich

 

[Yuman Desert Rat]

I have one on my Land Cruiser so that I can have a RTT and bring along my Kayak at the same time. Its mounteed on an Eezi Awn K9 rack so the weight isnt an issue at all. I've yet to have any problems with it. Its cozy for two and I have more than enough room by myself. The ladder leaves a little to be desired so I made some modifications to mine. As far a a great tent that laves you options on roof rack real estate it has the market cornered. I'm surprised that other manufacturers havent done something similar.