Hard shell tent - are gas struts really better?

[M.Bas]

- Closing the tent can be somewhat tedious as you have to close one end, walk around and tuck the fabric in slowly. But the closest portion of the side that you just closed the fabric can be pinched so I found myself reopening the tent so I can tuck in the fabric. This is where the crank mechanism version might be better IMO. You can close the tent almost all the way and just leave it open 2 inches or so before fully closing the tent all the way. Then walk around tuck all the tent material is inside the tent ONCE, when you are done close it. With the Airtop I found myself walking around the vehicle few times to make sure the tent material is not pinched and fully tucked in.

I own an Airtop and this is something that gets easier if you do it more often. I start on one front side and work my way around the rear to the other front side and back, that is all the walking around that is needed to pack it when you get the hang of it.

 

[photo nomad]

I have been thinking about this a lot since yesterday. The difference between the useable space in a regular shaped tent (maggio et al) and the discovery space.
The great appeal about the space is that you have more head room at one end. Easier to put clothes on etc.
But the cost is space at the other end. I didn't really consider this as much until out pointed it out. I'm really unsure what I would like most - more headroom at one end or decent headroom throughout.

In testing this yourself. What did you find you appreciated the most - more headroom at one end or the regular shaped version?

I've got the 2015 style JB Evasion Evo that has the same height all the way across and I prefer it to the other style. When using it with two people during inclement weather the full length headroom is very useful. Also, when trying to park it reasonably level, you can easily switch sides to keep your head at the higher end so less fiddling around with leveling. Finally, the new strut system is very easy to close. I'm 5'11" 165lbs and my initial usage was in the Yukon and Alaska last fall where it rained 21 out of the first 23 days - no problems whatsoever. There is also an insulation kit available for cold weather usage.
Whatever you decide, if you move camps pretty much every day like me, you will love moving to a hard shell RTT.


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[Mike S]

Generally, the Maggiolina and Air Top will have about 25% more interior room than the Columbus and much more useable floor space. The Columbus is more convenient to set up and stow away… but not by much. I think the same will be trust of other hard shell tents - the slant top models will have less interior space.

As far as gas struts (Air Top and Columbus) vs. crank up (Maggiolina), the Maggiolina has stood the test of time - well over 50 years, and many of our Maggiolinas are still functioning perfectly after more than a dozen years. The Crank allows the user to set the tension on the tent fabric with no penalty in stowaway time or effort.

The Columbus models have over 30 years in service and we VERY seldom have any requirements for replacement gas rams - maybe one pair in the last dozen years. Many of our Columbus customers would not have anything else.

 

[jacobconroy]

I have been thinking about this a lot since yesterday. The difference between the useable space in a regular shaped tent (maggio et al) and the discovery space.
The great appeal about the space is that you have more head room at one end. Easier to put clothes on etc.
But the cost is space at the other end. I didn't really consider this as much until out pointed it out. I'm really unsure what I would like most - more headroom at one end or decent headroom throughout.

In testing this yourself. What did you find you appreciated the most - more headroom at one end or the regular shaped version?

I have only used an Espace Evolution 270 and it's great. But...my one big gripe with the gain in height at the end where I choose to put my head, is that if it rains at night you will need to close the cover. Sounds like a little thing, but I sleep very warm and prefer the breeze. It's nice to see outside through the mesh too. If Baroud or anyone else would design some sort of simple little awning over the rear (maybe 30 inches in length like some of the cheap hard-shell tents) the issue would be solved for normal, light rain. I'll probably need to make something.

The height is very nice though. It's a bit of a reach to turn the light on from the mattress.

The gas shocks make it great to just get camping when you arrive. Closing was somewhat frustrating until (as another fellow posted) you discover your system. I just put it up and down in the driveway every couple of days for the first month. You will figure it out.

All in all, I will probably go for a more tradition "flat-top" model if I purchase a different tent in the future. My 2 cents.

 

[MANUCHAO]

To the OP.
Depends on who is setting up stowing away the tent...
For us, the Eazy Awn was great, but the wife was not be able to set it up or put it away on her own on our lifted rig....

Here comes the Columbus... easy peasy...she can do that all on her own...
tucking it away is easy, the tent stays open a few inches and the fabric can be tucked away making sure it does not get pinched.....
Better for some yes, better than other system... not really.. different yes...
As Mike stated above... would I want anything else.... no, not really... well maybe a pop top, but that's for another thread...

 

[Dozer Dan]

After hours and hours of reading and watching videos I have finally reached a decision.
I have ordered a James Baroud Evasion Evolution. I ordered it in black to match my truck so theres a 8-12 week lead time on it but I'm happy the decision has been made anyway.

 

[photo nomad]

Great choice, I have the exact same one!


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[umpqua]

Here's my 2cents.

I bought a JB Grand Raid XXL a couple of months ago. It sits on a lifted 60 series Land Cruiser on 33" tires so it's fairly tall. The tent itself sits on an Inti rack which provides a nice full length support for the tent. It's important to know that the rack has some rails that have been folded down and braced to support the width of the tent....otherwise the rack would have been too narrow. This left some "grab rails" on the side that can be used to hold onto and climb up on top of the tires. I'm 6'2" and weigh 230lbs so a good sized guy. With my height I needed a longer tent. I'm 56 if that matters.

I did a bit of research on roof top tents which is understandable as they are expensive ($3500 for the JB) and you sure want to get it right the first time. I knew that I wanted a hard shell tent so that pretty much limited it to JB and Autohome. I think that both of these are good tents....certainly Autohome has some history behind its name....been at this a long time. Ultimately I decided on the JB. It seems to have some updated features that the Autohome didn't have....or that was my perception. JB has a fan in the roof which doesn't seem like any big deal....it might actually be kind of useless. Nice mattress though and everything seems to be well constructed and tight. The ventilation and room view from the JB is outstanding. I can tell you that the gas struts have been absolutely no problem. There are four sturdy latches on the tent and once the last latch is released the thing goes up like magic. All your bedding is inside and all you need to do is attach the ladder and boom, you're camping. Taking it down was a trick the first couple of times but the gas struts in my opinion could be easily handled my just about anyone. Make sure that you leave a window unzipped so there is no bellows affect. You bring down the front of the tent (hood end) first, make sure the tent material is stuffed inside and latch the two latches. Back of the tent (tailgate) there is a strap that you can grab and pull the back down. If you have a partner she stuffs the tent in on both sides, lower it all the way down, latch and you're done. I can do this in less than 5 minutes. It's easy.

The only regret that I have with this tent is that I didn't buy it 10 years ago. I'm sure you could buy either an Autohome or JB and be very happy. I chose the JB. What a sweet setup.