New Autohome Maggiolina/Columbus tent, the AirTop

[BIGdaddy]

Come over to the dark side! :elkgrin: You don't want all that weight permanently on your roof! And more storage space too...

(BTW, how DO you currently get 5 people and camping gear in an XJ?)

not too bad actually. We're pretty low maintenance.

firewood, campchairs, camp table and tent up on roof.

Cooler, dry food, luggable loo, sleeping bags in rear load area (with spare tire currently, that'll be gone soon).

-Small clothing bags in passenger footwells

-recovery gear/small tool set fits in two ammo cans currently...



To be honest, Rob, it takes VERY careful packing and limits us to short trips, simply due to the amount of food, water, propane, firewood, etc. that we can take with us.

Roof tents solve many issues for sure, but they do in fact create their own special ones, too, like lack of roof storage and high COG...I just checked on a kamperoo like XJmike has, and to be honest, I don't think we'd fit in one of those either. Its basically a queen bed with floor space next to it. I'd have to NOT step on my children to get out of bed to pee..haha!

I like the idea of two overcamp side-by-sides cuz you have your tent and bedding always sorted, as well as being able to put a bit of gear in front or behind the tents. (maybe two zarges cases with recovery gear and kitchen box, each)

Brian <-----still searching.

-B

 

[Mike S]

I have a small Maggiolina Air Top on my FZJ80, on a new, purpose built rack that Sergio at Baja Rack has started to build for us. This is a totally new, awesome tent, and has a number of very cool features. I have not had a chance to wring it out yet. Planning an 8 day jaunt through the Owyhee to 'field test' after the OX in Tucson. More reports and pictures to come... photo session later this week. I am trying to catch up on the website update, but please be patient...

Here is the AirTop Carbon - the standard offering from AutoHomeUSA will have a white top and carbon grey fabric. Otherwise the same.

 

[Mike S]

Brian -- We do not have a tent that will comfortably accommodate 5 people together. best option might be a Medium Maggiolina (2 adults, one child) with the side verandah and a couple beds for the two older children in the verandah.

Mike

 

[BIGdaddy]

Brian -- We do not have a tent that will comfortably accommodate 5 people together. best option might be a Medium Maggiolina (2 adults, one child) with the side verandah and a couple beds for the two older children in the verandah.

Mike

good suggestion. thanks Mike! I'll run it past the boss.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

why is the maggiolina line the top of the line design? I always seem to be attracted to the Columbus for more headroom and simple, lighter design.

Is there some inherent advantage to the maggiolina that i am missing? Magg seems to be the most popular though I would have thought the Columbus would be.

Just curious...

 

[Mike S]

why is the maggiolina line the top of the line design? I always seem to be attracted to the Columbus for more headroom and simple, lighter design.

Is there some inherent advantage to the maggiolina that i am missing? Magg seems to be the most popular though I would have thought the Columbus would be.

Just curious...

It just a 'horses for courses' thing. The Columbus is also very popular. IMO, the Maggiolina is a slightly better all weather tent and really shines in poor weather and cold conditions, while serving well in warmer weather. The Columbus is slightly better in warmer climates due to the available ventilation options. Overall, we sell slightly more Maggiolina than Columbus models, but they are both popular solutions... with the Columbus being a bit lighter.

The new Air Top is a 'crossover' tent - configured like the Maggiolina, but with convenience and additional room of the Columbus.

 

[Casper]

It just a 'horses for courses' thing. The Columbus is also very popular. IMO, the Maggiolina is a slightly better all weather tent and really shines in poor weather and cold conditions, while serving well in warmer weather. The Columbus is slightly better in warmer climates due to the available ventilation options. Overall, we sell slightly more Maggiolina than Columbus models, but they are both popular solutions... with the Columbus being a bit lighter.

The new Air Top is a 'crossover' tent - configured like the Maggiolina, but with convenience and additional room of the Columbus.

Hey Mike,
Not sure if you saw my first post, so I figured I would post again. I was wanting to get an extreme, but now that I see this one I am thinking I like it better. Both because of the set up, and because of the bigger end windows. That said, I could not find specs on teh size, wieght and cost of this new one. Can you get that? Also, what the waiting time would be if ordered.

Thanks,

Josh
&
Porthos
:smiley_drive:

 

[Mike S]

Hey Mike,
Not sure if you saw my first post, so I figured I would post again. I was wanting to get an extreme, but now that I see this one I am thinking I like it better. Both because of the set up, and because of the bigger end windows. That said, I could not find specs on teh size, wieght and cost of this new one. Can you get that? Also, what the waiting time would be if ordered.

Thanks,

Josh
&
Porthos
:smiley_drive:

I have a container of product being built now. A number of Maggiolinas, including Air Tops are on order. I will have an Air Top on my 80 at OX10. Call me for details at 888-852-2359, or e-mail mike@autohomeus.com. Sizes and prices are similar to a standard Maggiolina.

 

[Bugspray]

I guy I know here in town just got an airtop, its the bee's knees.

 

[Casper]

Cool, thanks Mike. I will give you a call tomorrow. Thanks.

Cheers,
Josh
&
Porthos
:smiley_drive:

 

[ProwlerDriver]

this is the nicest rtt ive seen. Im going to put one on my 60. whats are the odds of getting a carbon top with a the safari color sides?
Im trying to think of my options and the associated costs.
Is the carbon special order?
Is the white top paintable?

 

[Mike S]

this is the nicest rtt ive seen. Im going to put one on my 60. whats are the odds of getting a carbon top with a the safari color sides?
Im trying to think of my options and the associated costs.
Is the carbon special order?
Is the white top paintable?

PD --

I think I could order a black top with safari (tan) fabric. Call me?

I do not encourage people to buy the black top because:

- It costs about $100 more than the standard white top
- In sunny weather it will get a lot hotter inside the tent.

But we aim to please!:victory:

Carbon is the standard white top with dark grey fabric. It will be a standard inventory item.

Tops are paintable like any marine grade fiberglass. Prep and correct paint will be important to the resulting quality.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Mike, what would be the proper paint and prep? I've been thinking of painting mine to match the trailer. I'm not too worried about heat as it's cooler up here anyway, and I'm usually camped in the shade anyway.

 

[Lemsteraak]

Guys,

Please be careful if you decide to paint your tent a dark color. I think the heat generated by a dark color needs to be taken into account. You could turn your tent into an oven.

I don't know what AutoHome uses for a fastening and bonding adhesive, so this may be off base. The standard adhesive used with fiberglass composites is epoxy resin, a wonder compound that has one drawback. It will soften and liquify in very high heat. Boatbuilding, if you make a mistake bonding with epoxy, you just take out a heat gun and turn the epoxy to goo and scrape the offending blob off.

My concern is this, you take a tent with a white top, paint it black and leave it in the desert sun, it may get hot enough to soften epoxy bonds. You can use high temperature epoxy but it is more exacting and costs a lot more. I suspect this is why AutoHome is charging more for the new "Black Storm" version.

 

[Mike S]

Mike, what would be the proper paint and prep? I've been thinking of painting mine to match the trailer. I'm not too worried about heat as it's cooler up here anyway, and I'm usually camped in the shade anyway.

With the caveats about dark tents in mind... use a marine fiberglass prep procedure to prepare for primer, prime with a fiberglass primer, and shoot the top coat with a paint from the same mfgr as the primer. Please bear in mind that I have never painted a tent, but have painted boats. The Maggiolina and Columbus fiberglass is much like the material used in boats, so marine topside painting procedures should work very well.

I will see if I can get a few more stickers for the rear of the tent.