another rooftop tent Q

[jeffryscott]

Anybody know anything about these rooftop tents?

http://www.racktents.com/Tents.html

Lightweight would be good for the smaller vehicles like mine.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[60seriesguy]

For that price, I'd be tempted to get one of the true expedition tents and spend a little more. Don't get me wrong, it's a good option, but one of the things I like best about my roof tent is the heavy-duty build, I fully expect to get a couple dozen years out of mine!

 

[jeffryscott]

I know the price isn't much better, but was curious as to build-quality, how easy it is to work, etc ... The weight factor is a real plus, but certainly not at the expense useability and quality.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[cruiseroutfit]

They are made by Oasis (http://www.oasis-tents.com/). I can't remember exactly but I think they have only been here in the US for ~ 1 year. The owner/manager? of Oasis at one time was an ARB employee up in WA as I recall.

Lots of options out there, at last count I knew of ~10 rooftop manufactures...:ylsmoke:

 

[+ d]

it appears* to be an expensive version of the Tent Cot...?

the double retails for like $200...there's a lot of potential in that cost difference of 800 clams!




*this observation based solely on tiny website pictures of course!

 

[+ d]

here's a thread on the tent cot as well...

 

[Scott Brady]

I talked with a Wrangler owner who used one of rack tents. Actually had good results, but complained about comfort. I guess the tent uses material tension to hold up the legs and head, which causes you to sleep like \_/

There is also no pad as I remember.

For that price, the Car-top-tent is a better option. Big space and thick pad.

 

[Brian McVickers]

Scott,
Is this your Tacoma in the picture?
I can just barely make out what looks like "Expeditions West"

How did you like this tent compared to the EZ Awn you have now?

http://www.car-top-tent.com/default.asp

 

[Scott Brady]

Brian,

I did some consulting for Car-Top-Tent. They shipped me one of their first Discovery units, which arrived from China in August of 2005.

I mounted it on the Trooper and Tacoma and used it on several trails in AZ and spent a night in it in Sedona.

When it matters, the unit is actually pretty good (bow structure, pad, etc.); however, it is a "fair" weather roof tent. The material is regular tent material and the rain fly provides minimal coverage. The ladder design is also marginal, and actually takes longer to set up than the tent itself. The tent cover is the biggest downside. It is not waterproof and is single stitched in the corners. But, the tent does have good bones, and wont fall apart on you.

Just know, it is a fair weather solution only.

 

[Brian McVickers]

Thanks:wavey:

 

[Hltoppr]

Price seems to be the main sticking point for most on the roof top tents. My wife and I were the same way when we found ours. After two weeks in Baja in the tent, after many years of ground tent camping...we were convinced that the $$ was well spent.

I guess what I'm saying is that it would be worthwhile to spend the time to save for one of the good quality roof top tents, such as the Eazi Awn, Hannibal or Magnolina.... if you do a lot of camping...the comfort and ease of use is fantastic!

-H-

 

[pangaea]

Scott,
Is this your Tacoma in the picture?
I can just barely make out what looks like "Expeditions West"

How did you like this tent compared to the EZ Awn you have now?

http://www.car-top-tent.com/default.asp

Sorry to bring this up, but what a ********** rip off. Anybody else notice the graphic design similarities between that site:

http://www.car-top-tent.com

And this one:

http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com

Since I designed and run Pangaea, I think that I know which one came first....

Sorry but that kind of stuff just pisses me off. It wouldn't bother me if they asked, but just to rip it off blatently like that....

 

[Brian McVickers]

Another good reason not to buy a tent from them! That's a pretty blatant copy!

Nathan, did you get my PM?

 

[pangaea]

They are made by Oasis (http://www.oasis-tents.com/). I can't remember exactly but I think they have only been here in the US for ~ 1 year. The owner/manager? of Oasis at one time was an ARB employee up in WA as I recall.

Lots of options out there, at last count I knew of ~10 rooftop manufactures...:ylsmoke:

You're correct, the guy who runs Oasis used to be one of the sales guys at ARB and ran Hannibal USA for a year or two as well. VERY knowledgable guy and one of the nicest folks you'll meet.

 

[Mlachica]

Sorry to bring this up, but what a ********** rip off. Anybody else notice the graphic design similarities between that site:

http://www.car-top-tent.com

And this one:

http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com

Since I designed and run Pangaea, I think that I know which one came first....

Sorry but that kind of stuff just pisses me off. It wouldn't bother me if they asked, but just to rip it off blatently like that....

Try to look at it as a compliment, yours is nicer/cleaner anyways...