Hey all, finally decided to post a project my gf and I did last season in Colorado as a way to avoid buying a $1k+ roof top tent. I researched it for a few weeks and took some ideas from all the great DIY builds I've seen on this forum.
As you all know, the prefab ones all have a pretty small footprint (usually 4x8) so we decided to use a 7x7 tent and build a platform around it. We used 19/32 plywood from HD, 2x3's as some structural support, lightweight aluminum tubing (~7lbs total), outdoor gate hinges (3 for the tent and 2 for the ladder), and 2-6ft of steel braided wire for extra support. I feel like we did over built this thing with the materials because we didn't fully trust how strong plywood is; we'll be rebuilding this season for it to be lighter (This weighed ~120lbs).
Instead of semi permanently attaching the platform to the roof of my vehicle, we decided to use 1000lb rated ratchet straps which worked perfectly and made it easy to remove at the end of a trip to wash the Rav4. The ladder was purchased through Amazon and probably the most expensive part; we attached it using outdoor gate hinges and electrical conduit clamps (they worked great). Once it was completed, we painted it with outdoor paint to make it look somewhat less homemade.
We used it 8 times last season and never had a problem, lots of compliments and a few people asking what company I bought it through (that was the best feeling).
Yes it does take a bit longer to set up camp than the prefab ones probably did, but I was able to fold out the platform and my gf made the tent which was secured to the platform by carabiners. When we wanted to go on an adventure, we took the whole tent (including queen inflatable mattress) off the platform to stake it in the ground, folded the platform (secured with a strap around the entire thing), and headed out for the day. The 4x4's on the side are used to add more tension to the 800lb rated steel braided wire. Total cost with tent ~$150
So here it is:
As you all know, the prefab ones all have a pretty small footprint (usually 4x8) so we decided to use a 7x7 tent and build a platform around it. We used 19/32 plywood from HD, 2x3's as some structural support, lightweight aluminum tubing (~7lbs total), outdoor gate hinges (3 for the tent and 2 for the ladder), and 2-6ft of steel braided wire for extra support. I feel like we did over built this thing with the materials because we didn't fully trust how strong plywood is; we'll be rebuilding this season for it to be lighter (This weighed ~120lbs).
Instead of semi permanently attaching the platform to the roof of my vehicle, we decided to use 1000lb rated ratchet straps which worked perfectly and made it easy to remove at the end of a trip to wash the Rav4. The ladder was purchased through Amazon and probably the most expensive part; we attached it using outdoor gate hinges and electrical conduit clamps (they worked great). Once it was completed, we painted it with outdoor paint to make it look somewhat less homemade.
We used it 8 times last season and never had a problem, lots of compliments and a few people asking what company I bought it through (that was the best feeling).
Yes it does take a bit longer to set up camp than the prefab ones probably did, but I was able to fold out the platform and my gf made the tent which was secured to the platform by carabiners. When we wanted to go on an adventure, we took the whole tent (including queen inflatable mattress) off the platform to stake it in the ground, folded the platform (secured with a strap around the entire thing), and headed out for the day. The 4x4's on the side are used to add more tension to the 800lb rated steel braided wire. Total cost with tent ~$150
So here it is:
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