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  1. Mike S

    Roof Tent Mounting Options

    Will I am not suggesting that you carry 450 lbs up high while driving - you'd just have the tent up there - maybe 100 to 135 pounds, depending on what tent you choose. But once parked you could put a LOT of weight up there without any concerns. As you know, a good rule for top loads is heavy...
  2. Mike S

    Edward Abbey

    I've read most of what was published by Abbey. Desert Solitaire and Beyond the Wall are the best, IMO. He is articulate. He is sometimes arrogant. And he was and elitist in a strange sort of way. Read it, at least. You'll form yourown opinions. Mike
  3. Mike S

    Roof Top Tents

    Tent materials A word or two of caution. Tents that are made of coated or 'waterproof' materials will not breathe well, and are subject to condensation as the outside temperature cools below the dew point. Even in desert climates, the water vapor inside the tent will condense on walls and on...
  4. Mike S

    Roof Tent Mounting Options

    I think a fairing would help a lot. Mounting a single bar forward of the tent, you could also use it to carry your driving lights. M
  5. Mike S

    Roof Tent Mounting Options

    How about this... The absolute ideal expedition rig would, in my opinion, be a camper shell that has side lockable side openings (like those that tradesmen use), and a bed-mounted exo-frame of DOM tubing at each end of the bed, joined by tubing lengthwise on the top above the shell, with three...
  6. Mike S

    Roof Tent Mounting Options

    Yes we have mounted tents on this type of set up, and they are generally strong. I would DEFINITELY check with the shell manufacturer as to their top load limits. They could be unwilling to comment on any load on their campers ofr liability reasons, but it is worth a try. I don't know what shell...
  7. Mike S

    Been to the STEENS?

    Steens I have been through that country a number of times. There is a lot of BLM but the front of the Steens on the Alvord desert side has sosme private ranches. There are a couple of campgrounds in this area, and a hot springs right near the road (look for the hippies camping). Fabulous site...
  8. Mike S

    Paint Job

    Cute. Reminds me of Christo's 'school bus' 80. M
  9. Mike S

    '97 FZJ-80 1yr exped. prep advice

    Just a thought Repack the front wheel bearings and double check the pre-load. Check rears as well. Add a 12V fan inside the truck. In addition to the other items mentioned, carry a sat phone and numbers to call in various possible emergencies. I added a large dual inlet/outlet fuel filter on...
  10. Mike S

    Roof Top Tent WEIGHT

    Condensation in tents is a key factor in selecting materials. Primary is the breahability of the fabric, second is interior surfaces where condensation may take place. Our OverLand tent platforms are encapsulated marine plywood, and the poles/hoops are fitted with fabric sleeves to eliminate...
  11. Mike S

    GPS Receiver and Software Quandary

    Free solution Google USAphotomaps. This allows Terraserver sat photo downloads, NOAA map overlays, GPS waypoints and tracking. It's free. If your like it, send a contribution to Doug Cox, the author. M
  12. Mike S

    Got Trash, How do you pack it out?

    Regarding trash, another perspective... One way to significantly reduce trash is to re-package foods and other consumable stuff prior to your trip. Coffee, sugar, flour, pasta, frozen foods prepared ahead of time - just about anything can be re-packaged in zip lock bags, which are easy to clean...
  13. Mike S

    Roof Top Tent WEIGHT

    Wil - Yes, we have been importing them, and are getting them up on the website very soon. We were impressed with the carbon fiber prototype we saw in Italy last year, and ordered some. They were sold before they arrived. Ordered more - they sold out too. So more are coming. Currently, the only...
  14. Mike S

    Roof Top Tent WEIGHT

    MCV Our Maggiolina and Columbus tents are more like Pullman berths than ground tents, and are made of fiberglass composite, a couple of new models are carbon fiber composite. These tents weigh from 71 lbs to 152 lbs depending on material, size and options. Much of the weight of a roof tent is...
  15. Mike S

    1600 Eezi-Awn for the Family? Honestly.

    The OverLand OLC/03 is 71"W X 87"L X 49"H. The doors are on the 71" side, and there are adjustable end vents with guttering. Here is an OLC/03 on an Adventure trailer...
  16. Mike S

    1600 Eezi-Awn for the Family? Honestly.

    Scott: I am uncertain of the exact dimensions of the Ezi-Awn when folded, but the Overland is just 43-1/2" wide when folded. If you're using 58" load bars, you have about 14" on the hinge side of the tent. You could fab a long narrow basket and use this for all kinds of stuff - Gas cans...
  17. Mike S

    Out West (May 2007)

    THREE states? Seems like you're going to be driving through a number of states, Steve, on your way to and from your destination. I guess the areas that you would enjoy the most would be NW and SE Idaho, Western Montana, Western Wyoming. I think that would drive up to central Montana and head...
  18. Mike S

    Safari Quality Chairs, Table and Basin?

    What I use For tables, I have one I bought at Sears (!!), which is aluminum, and the top detaches and rolls up. This has held up very well over the past few years, and shows no signs of wearing out. STiff, sturdy, and big enough for bith my stove and a wash basin for doshes, faces, etc. The...
  19. Mike S

    1600 Eezi-Awn for the Family? Honestly.

    Scott The rear opening tents are nice, but have a couple of disadvantages... 1. They can only be as wide as your vehicle. The average off road tyoe vehicle is probably about 55" wide, so that means a farily small tent - good for two people, but impossible for a family trip. 2. They can...
  20. Mike S

    1600 Eezi-Awn for the Family? Honestly.

    A 1.6m tent is going to be 63" wide - good for two adults and one child, or two adults and two really small children. Beware! Children grow up fast. I would go with a 1.8m tent - 71" wide. I have a lot of customers using this size tent for family camping. Works out very well.
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