Roof Top Tents, what is all the hype about?

[bobDog]

I almost cringe at the thought of how many possible opinions there are for roof top tents

One of the key benefits of roof tents in general - that is, not brand or style specific - is nailed right here:

A roof top tent is a bed.

And for that, they win points with the ladies . . .



Good point about the protection from elements. Here's our current set up:

There is some good and some bad. It's really nice to have a place to stand up to change clothes, to climb up and down "indoors," to have private area for showering, and to get in from the wind. This Hannibal version of that lower private room, by the way, has a nice heavy floor and 4 sides. Not all brands have that -- without the 4th side and the floor, wind will kick in dust and bugs will still come in for a visit. That's an important difference between the brands.

On the downside of this set up, it takes more time, naturally. There's also a lot of nylon which makes is noisy in the wind unless you're positioned in a particular way.

The house next door to mine a few years back burned down during the night.....the pumper parked in the driveway next to mine and the next morning I came out and then went back in to ask why the house next door wasn't there. I really doubt a little nylon flapping will bother me. I always have a dog for safety.
I want a cloth RTT....the ones w/ plastic tops feel small and coffin like. I know sounds weird but hey! The tent like models seem to have loads of room and give you a shelter above what ever you want, cooking or otherwise.:1888fbbd:

Edit: Meant to tell you how totally useful you system looked. I have traveled all over Co., NM. UT. North Mex and Mid west. but always with substandard equip. Hoping that in my old age I get to "Comfort Down" as it were! Hope to revisit my youthful explorations on the roof!
Go with a canvas RTT!

 

[Corey]

I want a cloth RTT....the ones w/ plastic tops feel small and coffin like. I know sounds weird but hey! The tent like models seem to have loads of room and give you a shelter above what ever you want, cooking or otherwise.:1888fbbd:

I have never felt like I was in a coffin in mine.
And they do make awnings for these to cook under, and complete side shelters as well.

I have the awning on the left side of the picture, but have not used it yet.

They also make a room that can be used to sleep in, cook in, shower in, setup a porta potty in.
It can also be used to cover the entrance all the way over the ladder so you are not getting wet from rain when climbing into the tent.

 

[bobDog]

Hadn't seen those. would sure help.
Thanks for show them. I'm still looking at cloth tho.:sombrero:

 

[Christophe Noel]

Flounder, what more do you want in a roof top tent?

As far as light weight fabrics go, check out Martyn's writeup.
The lighter weight ones do not breathe as well as the heavier cotton canvas type ones, and the synthetic ones require waterproofing where as the canvas ones do not.
.

What I would want in a RTT is something that isn't 90+ pounds and so bulky it takes up my entire roof. Current RTTs are just modernized renditions of what was available 30 years ago, if not more. And modern fabrics are pretty amazing. If current manufacturers can make tents breathable enough to withstand the brutal environments of mountaineering, it's a synch to get them to meet the demands of overlanding, which are tame by comparison. Todd Tex by Bibler is a great example. No cotton tent fabric could ever rival the performance of Todd Tex. No way. Even Nemo's breathable fabric is pretty amazing.

So, in my mind an RTT doesn't need a foam mattress, elaborate frame pieces that fold open all presto-magico, or clunky canvas walls. It could be made of more sophisticated fabrics, use inflatable mattresses (which are pretty sweet these days) and be erected using conventional tent poles or air beams like the Nemo tents. I'd sacrifice 5 minutes of set up for a RTT that's under 50 pounds and the size of a small cargo box.

You wait. It'll happen.

 

[Corey]

What I would want in a RTT is something that isn't 90+ pounds and so bulky it takes up my entire roof. Current RTTs are just modernized renditions of what was available 30 years ago, if not more. And modern fabrics are pretty amazing. If current manufacturers can make tents breathable enough to withstand the brutal environments of mountaineering, it's a synch to get them to meet the demands of overlanding, which are tame by comparison. Todd Tex by Bibler is a great example. No cotton tent fabric could ever rival the performance of Todd Tex. No way. Even Nemo's breathable fabric is pretty amazing.

So, in my mind an RTT doesn't need a foam mattress, elaborate frame pieces that fold open all presto-magico, or clunky canvas walls. It could be made of more sophisticated fabrics, use inflatable mattresses (which are pretty sweet these days) and be erected using conventional tent poles or air beams like the Nemo tents. I'd sacrifice 5 minutes of set up for a RTT that's under 50 pounds and the size of a small cargo box.

You wait. It'll happen.

I am sure it will happen, but these Autohome tents like mine have been proven time after time again in the field to stand up to whatever mother nature can throw at them.

I guess I am nostalgic too, I like canvas.
Do not get me wrong, I have a big collection too of nice nylon tents from my backpacking days that are light weight, but to me that is for backpacking.

Car camping on the other hand you have the room to bring a nice waterproof tent like the OzTent or the other famous one like a Springbar that is made out of canvas.
And I feel the canvas is a very good material used in roof top tents these days due to its waterproofing and breathability.

Maybe some of these light weight tent makers should check into your idea.

Nylon is also going to rot easier in direct sun if I am not mistaken, and will not hold up as well as canvas.
Things may have changed somewhat with nylon though, I have not kept up on it.
I just know what works for me right now.

A good person to ask how the canvas holds up on these too is Frenchy.
I have read here he camps an awful lot in one of these Maggiolina models most of the year.

 

[1leglance]

the biggest issue I see with making a smaller lighter RTT is how to make a base that is strong & wide enough for 2-3 people.
Currently we see marine grade plywood and some aluminum frames & composite.
Maybe if you use the same stuff Adventure Trailers uses for their drawers?
Combine that with newer fabrics and air bladder poles by NEMO and you might get something interesting.

One thing to consider if you get rid of the 3" foam mat is that you will need something to sleep on and you will simply be moving that item into the vehicle interior for storage...but if you are using a ground tent then you are used to that.

 

[mountainsoul]

Guys, is there a Maggiolina or Columbus hard top tent that would accommodate 2 adults and 2 small children comfortably?

 

[Corey]

Guys, is there a Maggiolina or Columbus hard top tent that would accommodate 2 adults and 2 small children comfortably?

My model in a large, or any of the other large Maggiolinas.
AirLander
http://autohomeus.com/rooftop/maggiolinaAirlander.php
Awfully cozy looking though with the four of htem snuggled in there.

The Grand Tour also comes in the large size.
http://autohomeus.com/rooftop/maggiolinaGrandTour.php

 

[mountainsoul]

Thanks Corey. Much appreciated.

 

[ThomD]

I have never felt like I was in a coffin in mine.
And they do make awnings for these to cook under, and complete side shelters as well.

I have the awning on the left side of the picture, but have not used it yet.

They also make a room that can be used to sleep in, cook in, shower in, setup a porta potty in.
It can also be used to cover the entrance all the way over the ladder so you are not getting wet from rain when climbing into the tent.

Cool. I had not been able to find picts of the "new" autohome room, so thanks for those.

 

[Christophe Noel]

the biggest issue I see with making a smaller lighter RTT is how to make a base that is strong & wide enough for 2-3 people.
Currently we see marine grade plywood and some aluminum frames & composite.
Maybe if you use the same stuff Adventure Trailers uses for their drawers?
Combine that with newer fabrics and air bladder poles by NEMO and you might get something interesting.

One thing to consider if you get rid of the 3" foam mat is that you will need something to sleep on and you will simply be moving that item into the vehicle interior for storage...but if you are using a ground tent then you are used to that.

I saw a guy at a bike race who made a platform out of rolled slats of bamboo flooring. Much like those slat aluminum tables. The platform was the base for a simple Black Diamond tent. The whole thing rolled up and went into a PVC tube. That part was beyond crude, but his tent and platform were pretty crafty. It's those ideas outside the normal box that will yield the next gen roof tents.

Sleeping pads are a no brainer. Ditch the foam pad and you could use any number of exotic and comfy inflatable pads. They're so small they could be stored inside the tent.

 

[Corey]

Cool. I had not been able to find picts of the "new" autohome room, so thanks for those.

You are welcome.
They are on the mothership site, the one in Italy.
http://www.autohome.it/

I would imagine these are special order from Mike at the US site, www.autohomeus.com

I think he had to special order my awning too, I forget.

 

[grahamfitter]

... So, in my mind an RTT doesn't need a foam mattress, elaborate frame pieces that fold open all presto-magico, or clunky canvas walls. It could be made of more sophisticated fabrics, use inflatable mattresses (which are pretty sweet these days) and be erected using conventional tent poles or air beams like the Nemo tents. I'd sacrifice 5 minutes of set up for a RTT that's under 50 pounds and the size of a small cargo box. ...

In contrary, I want a palatial and luxurious RTT that weighs next to nothing, is almost invisible on my roof and materializes in seconds!

Cheers,
Graham

 

[Christophe Noel]

In contrary, I want a palatial and luxurious RTT that weighs next to nothing, is almost invisible on my roof and materializes in seconds!

Cheers,
Graham

Snarky. Fun.

Maybe there aren't any revolutionary designs in RTTs because everyone assumes the design achieved 40+ years ago is as good as it gets?

 

[Lemsteraak]

Yeah, points well taken.

OK, so let's say a rooftop tent company takes your advice and builds a tent for you, call it the Floundertent

$650.00 Tent - Bibler Ahwahnee 2 man 4 season tent (great tent)
$200.00 Mattress - 2 Thermarest TrailPro self inflating
$800.00 Case - Thule Boxter

Great equipment, and let's say you can get them all to fit together and work as a rooftent.

Now let's say you could buy a rooftent that would work just about as good for $800 but is a little heavier.

Which would you buy?