Autohome Overland vs Overcamp
- Thread starter EricGagne
- Start date
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
I'd only go for the Overcamp if you need the storage on your rack for bikes or a rocket box. It's a slightly cramped tent in any of the sizes, and part of the benefit of a roof top tent is the interior space it affords.
If you do decide on one of the less expensive RTT's one of the major things you give up is breathability of the fabrics.
If you do decide on one of the less expensive RTT's one of the major things you give up is breathability of the fabrics.
EricGagne
Adventurer
I have the choice of putting it on the top or on my M101CND trailer. I agree the overcamp is a bit small, if I went for that one I'd have to take the medium one which is allmost the same price as the small Overland....hence my dilemma.
What I like in the Overcamp is the 2 big doors/windows. Must be nice to open both in the morning and watch nature as you try to get out of bed.
What I like in the Overcamp is the 2 big doors/windows. Must be nice to open both in the morning and watch nature as you try to get out of bed.
Lemsteraak
Adventurer
Hi Eric,
Maybe I can help, I've used both the OverLand and OverCamp, they are very different tents. They are similar, both being made by AutoHome (Zifer) in Italy.
First, putting the rooftent on a trailer or vehicle. A lot depends on the trailer. If your trailer has shock absorbers, then it is OK. Many offroad trailers have really basic suspension that is brutal to anything in or on the trailer when you are on rough roads.
The most obvious difference between the tents is that the OverCamp opens like a book while the OverLand opens like a wallet. If you are carrying things like kayaks, boards, bicycles or hang gliders, the OverCamp is the obvious choice, designed to share the load bars.
The OverLand is designed to be lighter with extensive use of alloys, where the OverCamp is designed to be more basic with plated steel for supports, so the OverLand is lighter overall. Even though the fabrics are the same the OverLand compensates by using a thicker weave. The drawback is the fabric is really expensive, I asked for some for a boat cover and was horrified by the price and went with a sunbrella acrylic, not nearly as good. The fabric is a polyester acrylic and cotton blend and seems to have the best of both, the cotton swells making the fabric water repellant, but still breathes. The polyester helps to wick water so the fabric is rot resistant and holds up well in the sun.
The OverLand is much more sophisticated, being made since the 50's. The OverCamp is newer, more basic and heavy. I think they are both equally rugged and durable.
Maybe I can help, I've used both the OverLand and OverCamp, they are very different tents. They are similar, both being made by AutoHome (Zifer) in Italy.
First, putting the rooftent on a trailer or vehicle. A lot depends on the trailer. If your trailer has shock absorbers, then it is OK. Many offroad trailers have really basic suspension that is brutal to anything in or on the trailer when you are on rough roads.
The most obvious difference between the tents is that the OverCamp opens like a book while the OverLand opens like a wallet. If you are carrying things like kayaks, boards, bicycles or hang gliders, the OverCamp is the obvious choice, designed to share the load bars.
The OverLand is designed to be lighter with extensive use of alloys, where the OverCamp is designed to be more basic with plated steel for supports, so the OverLand is lighter overall. Even though the fabrics are the same the OverLand compensates by using a thicker weave. The drawback is the fabric is really expensive, I asked for some for a boat cover and was horrified by the price and went with a sunbrella acrylic, not nearly as good. The fabric is a polyester acrylic and cotton blend and seems to have the best of both, the cotton swells making the fabric water repellant, but still breathes. The polyester helps to wick water so the fabric is rot resistant and holds up well in the sun.
The OverLand is much more sophisticated, being made since the 50's. The OverCamp is newer, more basic and heavy. I think they are both equally rugged and durable.
craig
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
I dont believe that is true anymore. The RTT tents sold by racktents.com are now available in either the heavier fabric or a new more breathable fabric.
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
I've checked them, and none of the less expensive tents is breathable to a point where a "close" micro climate is not created within the tent. I make it my business to check the market every six months or so.
I'd love to be able to carry a less expensive tent as part of our inventory, but there are enough issues with them that I can not. Breathability is a big one.
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
Yes, that would be two of them. The atmosphere is caused by the breathing and sweat of the occupants. There is a certain scent I associate with nylon hiking tents that I can pick up within minutes of being inside RTT's that don't breath well.
A breathable tent doesn't have this issue. My reasoning behind keeping the bar high when it comes to RTT's is that, they are all expensive pieces of equipment, and I expect the best from them. I expect them to be made from exceptional materials and be exceptionally well crafted. Maybe more important than that I'm very fussy about what I buy for myself and what I sell to other people
I look at a RTT as a 20-year investment so quality is paramount. The price of the tent can then be spread over its lifetime, rather than looking at it as a high or low initial price tag. I’ve used this quote before, I paraphrase, one of our customers said, “ I have to buy the best, as I can’t afford to repeat the process again”.
Lemsteraak
Adventurer
I'll second Martyn's response. I've had rooftents for at least 20 years now and can say if you buy a quality tent, you don't lose money.
Land Rover put on a show up in Portland about five years ago and asked for an OverCamp. I knew of a used one for sale so I picked it up for them. It was about three years old, used a lot but in great shape and turns out I paid $100 more than the owner paid for it new. There seems to be an especially strong market for quality used folders as they ship relatively well and as Martyn said, last a long time.
It is sometimes mere details that differentiate quality rooftents. Many years ago, I was disappointed in one of the really high end folders from South Africa. Their climate is really nice so they don't get cold weather. The ridgepoles in their tent were not sheathed or insulated. The owner I talked to was upset because even though they used a good breatheable fabric, water would condense on the ridgepoles, and drip all night long inside the tent in very cold weather and keep him awake.
You are also right about some of the more blatant knock-offs. Yes, you can buy what looks to be a brand new 10 year old OverCamp from "Sun Lion". The even advertise the same specifications and fabric as the OverCamp, go so far to even use a picture of one of my old trucks in their advertising. I talked with Zifer in Italy about making a tent in China, years ago, and they were horrified. Their answer was, how can they build a rooftent! They don't use them, point well taken.
Rich H
Land Rover put on a show up in Portland about five years ago and asked for an OverCamp. I knew of a used one for sale so I picked it up for them. It was about three years old, used a lot but in great shape and turns out I paid $100 more than the owner paid for it new. There seems to be an especially strong market for quality used folders as they ship relatively well and as Martyn said, last a long time.
It is sometimes mere details that differentiate quality rooftents. Many years ago, I was disappointed in one of the really high end folders from South Africa. Their climate is really nice so they don't get cold weather. The ridgepoles in their tent were not sheathed or insulated. The owner I talked to was upset because even though they used a good breatheable fabric, water would condense on the ridgepoles, and drip all night long inside the tent in very cold weather and keep him awake.
You are also right about some of the more blatant knock-offs. Yes, you can buy what looks to be a brand new 10 year old OverCamp from "Sun Lion". The even advertise the same specifications and fabric as the OverCamp, go so far to even use a picture of one of my old trucks in their advertising. I talked with Zifer in Italy about making a tent in China, years ago, and they were horrified. Their answer was, how can they build a rooftent! They don't use them, point well taken.
Rich H
craig
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
Really? You've tested the new Yellow tents from RTT or the ARB touring tents and don't find them breathable?
I've been winter camping (worst possible conditions for breathability) with my RTT with the old fabric and with a friend with the new fabric. The new RTT fabric was significantly more breathable. The new fabric on a 4 day trip was significantly more comfortable for it's occupants. I'd encourage anyone on here to take a look at the RTTs with the Yellow fabric and the ARB touring tents for themselves before making a decision.
Craig
I've been winter camping (worst possible conditions for breathability) with my RTT with the old fabric and with a friend with the new fabric. The new RTT fabric was significantly more breathable. The new fabric on a 4 day trip was significantly more comfortable for it's occupants. I'd encourage anyone on here to take a look at the RTTs with the Yellow fabric and the ARB touring tents for themselves before making a decision.
Craig
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Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
Craig, I'd agree with you people need to test the tents before purchasing them.
An easy way to do it is to get up into the tent and close all the doors and windows and sit in there for 15 minutes. If the fabric has problem breath you'll start to sense it. Of course you should do this with multiple brands to get a good sampling.
I can not specify which tents I have tested and which I have not. I have done reports for manufacturers on their tents in an effort to assist them in future development and improvement of their product. The understanding has always been the reports, opinions, and recommendations remain confidential.
I do carry Eezi Awn tents, and while they have reached the level of my bar, I am not inferring that all the rest have not.
Lemsteraak
Adventurer
Craig,
Martyn is in a great position to see all the rooftents as they come through. If I'm not mistaken, you can spec whatever tent you want on their trailers. I know there are a ton of their trailers with OverLand tents on them. If you go to their website you will see a bunch, I'd say he is pretty impartial.
I also think all these tents are improving. I just broke my OverCamp recently, a hinge failed from stress after spending a month in the Copper Canyon. In it's defense, it was riding on an ancient 4x4 trailer, and spent the whole time airborne, brutal would be an understatement. I got a new set of hinges from Italy with a revised bolt pattern, pretty simple fix, and now all the new OverCamps should be a little bit stronger. I know Martyn had some similar issues with some of the first OverLands they fitted. AT would swap out the alloy attachment bars and replace with steel ones. Expedition trailers apparently aren't used much in Europe so this was a relatively new application for these tents. Mario was telling me a few years back that he rolled one of his first trailers with an OverLand tent demonstrating trailer use at Jeep 101. He said a fellow bought the trailer on the spot because it held up so well in that kind of abuse. Testing improves the breed.
Rich H
Martyn is in a great position to see all the rooftents as they come through. If I'm not mistaken, you can spec whatever tent you want on their trailers. I know there are a ton of their trailers with OverLand tents on them. If you go to their website you will see a bunch, I'd say he is pretty impartial.
I also think all these tents are improving. I just broke my OverCamp recently, a hinge failed from stress after spending a month in the Copper Canyon. In it's defense, it was riding on an ancient 4x4 trailer, and spent the whole time airborne, brutal would be an understatement. I got a new set of hinges from Italy with a revised bolt pattern, pretty simple fix, and now all the new OverCamps should be a little bit stronger. I know Martyn had some similar issues with some of the first OverLands they fitted. AT would swap out the alloy attachment bars and replace with steel ones. Expedition trailers apparently aren't used much in Europe so this was a relatively new application for these tents. Mario was telling me a few years back that he rolled one of his first trailers with an OverLand tent demonstrating trailer use at Jeep 101. He said a fellow bought the trailer on the spot because it held up so well in that kind of abuse. Testing improves the breed.
Rich H
craig
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
I trust that Martyn reviewed the original RTT and did so in an unbiased fashion at that time. The revised RTT tents are worth a second review.
I own one of the original RTTs, took pictures, and complained. The quality of the new tents are WAY higher. They have incorporated feedback they've received about their original tent. The covers are thicker, the straps are thicker, strap stress points are now reinforced, a breathable fabric is now an option, etc.
As far as I can tell the new fabric is identical to the ARB Simpson II tent other than color (ARB tents are also made by Mombosa).
Craig
I own one of the original RTTs, took pictures, and complained. The quality of the new tents are WAY higher. They have incorporated feedback they've received about their original tent. The covers are thicker, the straps are thicker, strap stress points are now reinforced, a breathable fabric is now an option, etc.
As far as I can tell the new fabric is identical to the ARB Simpson II tent other than color (ARB tents are also made by Mombosa).
Craig
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
It's correct that we will put any brand of RTT that our customer specifies. So we do get to see a great cross section of the available tents.
I've seen a lot of tents over the years, I first experienced RTT's in the mid 1970's and I've used them from the tropics to the sub arctic. No special skills when it comes to tents, I've just spent a lot of nights in them over the years.
When we are looking at a tent, breathability is just one of the things we look at. Fabric weight is another. The durability of a tents is directly associated with the weight of the material the tent is made of.
When the tent folds away the fabric folds onto itself. When you drive the fabric rubs against itself. The rubbing is exaggerated in the off-road environment due to the uneven trails we drive on. Lighter weight fabrics wear quicker than heavy weight fabrics.
RTT’s are complex structures made from a variety of materials. When you buy one spend some time going over all the component parts.
I've seen a lot of tents over the years, I first experienced RTT's in the mid 1970's and I've used them from the tropics to the sub arctic. No special skills when it comes to tents, I've just spent a lot of nights in them over the years.
When we are looking at a tent, breathability is just one of the things we look at. Fabric weight is another. The durability of a tents is directly associated with the weight of the material the tent is made of.
When the tent folds away the fabric folds onto itself. When you drive the fabric rubs against itself. The rubbing is exaggerated in the off-road environment due to the uneven trails we drive on. Lighter weight fabrics wear quicker than heavy weight fabrics.
RTT’s are complex structures made from a variety of materials. When you buy one spend some time going over all the component parts.
EricGagne
Adventurer
Very nice answers here.
I finally decided not to go with Autohome, the main reason is that I really don't like that the same piece of fabric does either the door or the awning and you lose one if you want the other.
Unfortunately for us Canadians the exchange rate and the duty tariffs on textile are highly prohibitive and the high-end tents would simply not be an option.
For instance, a $1650USD Eezi 1200 could cost me over $3000CAD, unfortunately I can't afford to pay that much this year (I also need one of those cool fridges
) so I'm gonna have to go with something less expensive.
After reviewing the tents and the vendors, I've set my choice on CampingLab.
Martyn,
If you've seen many different RTT's I'm curious to know what you think of the CampingLab...if you've had a chance to see it of course. I've already made my choice and I won't change it, two of my friends are also buying this one and we're gonna place the order tomorrow morning, but I'd still like to know what you thoughts.
And all 3 of us want to thank Fernando for working out a deal on shipping
I finally decided not to go with Autohome, the main reason is that I really don't like that the same piece of fabric does either the door or the awning and you lose one if you want the other.
Unfortunately for us Canadians the exchange rate and the duty tariffs on textile are highly prohibitive and the high-end tents would simply not be an option.
For instance, a $1650USD Eezi 1200 could cost me over $3000CAD, unfortunately I can't afford to pay that much this year (I also need one of those cool fridges
) so I'm gonna have to go with something less expensive.After reviewing the tents and the vendors, I've set my choice on CampingLab.
Martyn,
If you've seen many different RTT's I'm curious to know what you think of the CampingLab...if you've had a chance to see it of course. I've already made my choice and I won't change it, two of my friends are also buying this one and we're gonna place the order tomorrow morning, but I'd still like to know what you thoughts.
And all 3 of us want to thank Fernando for working out a deal on shipping