Personal review of the Maggiolina roof top tent.

[Christian P.]

One thing I was really looking forward on this latest trip was to try to Autohome Maggiolina roof top that we installed on the Land Cruiser.

Getting a proper setup for sleeping is one of our biggest requirements and I think it would be appropriate to share a bit more about it.

I have used several traditional roof top tents before I was always curious to compare them to the Autohome.

Each model/brand have their advantage and inconvenient but I must admin that personally, I am now a big fan of the Autohome models.

There was a couple things I was looking forward/expecting:

-faster set-up
-lighter/better weight distribution
-permanent bed and possibility to leave your bedding inside.

On all counts, the Maggiolina delivers as promised. The lower profile is really a big advantage too - better fuel economy, less noise and better chances to fit in a garage.

The tent is also super easy to mount to conventional Thule bars - which means you save several pounds compare to a big steel rack.

It was also interesting to compare with the Columbus that Dave/Ann are using on their trip. The Overland had a couple advantages over the Maggiolina - even faster to deploy (cranking up the Maggiolina is a bit more work), more headroom and smaller/lighter. And I believe less expensive.

One thing that I did not notice is that it was a bit darker inside - which may or may not be a good thing, depending on how early you want to wake up.

I suppose that they only real downside is the price - like everything in life, you get what you pay for...

 

[Corey]

Good review, and you are right, you get what you pay for.
Have had mine on the roof since March of 2008.

I have the same model, glad you like it.
Yes, darker inside, but I like that.
You can sleep in a little easier if you desire it.

I hardly lost any fuel economy with it mounted to the roof, and even before when it was up a lot higher on the stock rack.

I only have slept in my model, so I have no others to compare it too, but I sleep longer in it than I do sleeping in my bed at home.

There be graffiti in your garage

 

[Redline]

Isn't it great how sleeping in camp can be better than sleeping at home

I've enjoyed using Eezi-Awn tents but would like to try an Auto Home and do some of my back-to-back MPG testing.

...snip... but I sleep longer in it than I do sleeping in my bed at home.

There be graffiti in your garage

 

[WASURF63]

Had a Magg on our '00 Tundra and a Columbus on our '08 Tacoma.
Loved them both. Very few dislikes with either. Both very comfortable and convenient. Very little mpg loss with either. :sombrero:

 

[Mike S]

Christian -- thanks for the positive review. The reason we started this company is that Rich and I both love the product!

 

[CSG]

I LOVE the idea of these for my Cruiser. But I still can't get past the ladder. If I could, I could sell my camping van and save a fortune.

 

[INSAYN]

Question about the Maggiolina in the rain.

Since the windows on the Maggiolina does'nt have pop out shields like many of the flip out RTT's, how do you go about window ventilation during a near sideways rain storm in the summer?

 

[Corey]

I LOVE the idea of these for my Cruiser. But I still can't get past the ladder. If I could, I could sell my camping van and save a fortune.

The ladder is not bad once you have gone up/down a few times.
When you exit, you go out backwards and feel with your foot for a rung.
Piece of cake

PS, by backwards I meant sticking your butt out the door.
You can then steady one hand on the mattress, the other hand grabbing the top of the ladder, then you stick one of your legs out and feel for a rung.
It will not be the top rung, but a few below.
Once you found it you can then put all of your weight on it and make your decent.

Question about the Maggiolina in the rain.

Since the windows on the Maggiolina does'nt have pop out shields like many of the flip out RTT's, how do you go about window ventilation during a near sideways rain storm in the summer?

I have never gotten any rain in mine in a rain storm except for a few drops when entering it when you unzip the mesh and the canvas door.

I sleep with booth the triangular windows at the end down a few inches, and the side doors/windows unzip from the bottom, not the top.
This way no rain enters if you have them up a bit to get a cross flow of air in.

AutoHome really thought it through with the design of their hardshell tents.
That is why I spent the extra money on one of these, they are worth it.

 

[PDragon]

Hi all, I realize that this thread is a few years old, just wondering how’s been the experience over time? Have the tents survived the test of time?

Thanks!

 

[155mm]

haha, I was just reading this thread a few days ago, while trying to see how low profile of a RTT I could find. The thinnest seems to be 12 inches, plus another couple inches for the support racks. Looks like they would increase vehicle height significantly, but save lots of setup/teardown time.

 

[Corey]

Still have mine and it is serving me just fine.
Looks brand new after being all washed up.

 

[PDragon]

Thanks Corey!

Another question: Knowing what you know know now about Autohome RTTs, which model would you choose if you have to do this again: the Columbus or the Magg?

 

[Corey]

You are welcome.
I would still go for the Maggiolina one, more room inside evenly.

 

[enzo]

Hey Cory, what are you using to wash/wax your Maggi?

 

[Corey]

Hey Cory, what are you using to wash/wax your Maggi?

Griots car wash that I have used for years on the whole rig, and for the tent I use Meguiars Boat Wax since it is for fiberglass.
Keeps the UV light at bay.

I also use the Porter Cable orbital when I use the wax on the Airlander.