Hard Side or Soft Side Rooftop Tent?

[surferdude78]

Re the bungie cords, never use them myself since the first time we got our Ruggedized.

 

[Box Rocket]

Official word from Tepui regarding the bungees.
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Tepui has included shock cording or what others call bungees for fabric management in all tents until recently due to extensive field testing concluding that the attachment of these cords to the canopy walls introduces a weak point for possible water intrusion. In an effort to only produce tents that will stand up to the most extreme weather conditions and keep the occupants dry they have been discontinued while a new design is being refined. Tepui will introduce a better field tested fabric management system shortly but no sooner then thoroughly tested to our satisfaction.

 

[outdoornate65]

Official word from Tepui regarding the bungees.
.
Tepui has included shock cording or what others call bungees for fabric management in all tents until recently due to extensive field testing concluding that the attachment of these cords to the canopy walls introduces a weak point for possible water intrusion. In an effort to only produce tents that will stand up to the most extreme weather conditions and keep the occupants dry they have been discontinued while a new design is being refined. Tepui will introduce a better field tested fabric management system shortly but no sooner then thoroughly tested to our satisfaction.

Well said Adam.

 

[pacificloon]

I have a Tepiu Kukenam on top of a 4Runner and while it is always a little faster and easier to open and close with two people, it is eminently doable with only one. On a trailer (presumably lower and easier access all around) it should be easy. Tepui price and availability are attractive, and their customer service is well regarded.

 

[Javelinadave]

I'm going to go with a soft side tent. Either a Tepui Kukenam or an Eez Awn 1600.
A big thank you to everybody who took the time to post up. I really appreciate it!!

 

[Javelinadave]

Cool!

I considered a Kukenam but decided on an Autana Ruggedized. Aside from the more robust construction that comes with any Ruggedized version, the Autana design includes a covered entry for the tent door. Not a big deal in fair weather, but having some type of vestibule really helps keep rain & snow from from entering an open tent door.

The Autana Ruggedized also come with a fully enclosed annex that can be installed below the fold-out portion of the main tent, adding a considerable amount of space. With the annex installed, the entire ladder is covered, making the lower level an all-weather toilet & changing area. An annex is available for other models, but not all cover the ladder.

Give Adam (Box Rocket) a call if you decide on a Tepui. He answered every one of my many questions, and made ordering a simple process.

I wish the ruggedized tents came in a color other than ORANGE. I'm planning on mounting it on a trailer so I'm not sure what the minimum height would be to use the annex if I went with the Autana. Anybody have an idea on that?

 

[Box Rocket]

I wish the ruggedized tents came in a color other than ORANGE. I'm planning on mounting it on a trailer so I'm not sure what the minimum height would be to use the annex if I went with the Autana. Anybody have an idea on that?

Well lucky for you you can get the Kukenam Ruggedized as well as the Kukenam Ruggedized XL in grey as well as orange. At the end of May we will also have a new shipment of the Ruggedized Kukenam, XL and Autana that will be available in Olive green.
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As for the annex. The ideal height for the tent is between 6' and 6'8" in order to utilize the full height of the annex. It can be mounted lower but you'll have slack in the annex walls and have the pin them up shorter or have them custom "tailored" for a shorter annex, but at that point you can' walk underneath the tent.

 

[Lemsteraak]

Dave,

I know everyone is throwing solutions at you, but I think you need some perspective. Most of the big roof tent companies with their own designs like Hannibal, Baroud, AutoHome, AutoCamp and the like have both soft and hard top tents. Obviously both designs have merits, It is easy to get wrapped up in design advantages and lose perspective. I see roof tents as akin to a sleeping bag. Yes you can get bigger fancier ones but to what end? Is a bigger one better?, is it better to get one that can handle lower temperatures? maybe. I would advise looking at buying a tent the same way you buy a bag, get one that fits you and the conditions you go out in. A roof tent is a similar buy, if it fits, you will have it a lifetime and move it from vehicle to vehicle. It it doesn't fit, then it doesn't get used. The most expensive roof tent is one that doesn't get used.