Roof Top Tents, what is all the hype about?
- Thread starter bcrez
- Start date
upcruiser
Perpetual Transient
Just curious how you load the kayaks with that setup?
Lemsteraak
Adventurer
Simplicity is key. Years ago I set up a woman with a small OverCamp. She was really excited about it and had done a ton of research. Turns out it was a really poor choice because she was 5 foot 2 inch tall and had a lifted Explorer. She physically couldn't open the tent. A small Columbus was perfect for her because of the ease of opening and closing, so the added cost was justified.
Let's look at the OverCamp in detail, it is a good example of design compromise. It does work well, and is a good solution if you want to load kayaks or bicycles with you up on the racks. The limitations stem from its heritage, it was designed as an expedition tent. It is designed rugged and to be easy to repair in the field. The frame and ladder for example are made of steel, cheap and easy to repair and modify, but heavy. The ridgepoles are also steel, but if you break one, you can repair easily with parts from a plumbing store. The deck is multiply, a very high density plywood that is sheathed with a laminate for easy cleaning. Again, very heavy but dimensionally stable, strong and adds good insulation ability. The result is that a US spec small OverCamp is something like 120 pounds, very heavy and a pain to get off and on your truck.
If you want to make a nice light OverCamp, you would start with an alloy frame and ladder, a composite foam cored deck and nice light fiberglass ridgepoles and high tech tent fabric. Add light inflatable mattress pads and the whole package would be half the weight and be just as functional, maybe more. It would hold up well on a passenger car but last about ten minutes if you mountedt it on an offroad trailer on dirt roads. So the designers have to spec the tent to the higher weight and durability knowing that someone will use it off road.
I think as the concept of RTT gets more traction there will be more niche tents. AutoHome for example has gone from something like three tent designs 20 years ago to like 30 now. I think the new carbon fiber tents are an attempt to shed the weight but still keep the comfort and durability.
Rich
Let's look at the OverCamp in detail, it is a good example of design compromise. It does work well, and is a good solution if you want to load kayaks or bicycles with you up on the racks. The limitations stem from its heritage, it was designed as an expedition tent. It is designed rugged and to be easy to repair in the field. The frame and ladder for example are made of steel, cheap and easy to repair and modify, but heavy. The ridgepoles are also steel, but if you break one, you can repair easily with parts from a plumbing store. The deck is multiply, a very high density plywood that is sheathed with a laminate for easy cleaning. Again, very heavy but dimensionally stable, strong and adds good insulation ability. The result is that a US spec small OverCamp is something like 120 pounds, very heavy and a pain to get off and on your truck.
If you want to make a nice light OverCamp, you would start with an alloy frame and ladder, a composite foam cored deck and nice light fiberglass ridgepoles and high tech tent fabric. Add light inflatable mattress pads and the whole package would be half the weight and be just as functional, maybe more. It would hold up well on a passenger car but last about ten minutes if you mountedt it on an offroad trailer on dirt roads. So the designers have to spec the tent to the higher weight and durability knowing that someone will use it off road.
I think as the concept of RTT gets more traction there will be more niche tents. AutoHome for example has gone from something like three tent designs 20 years ago to like 30 now. I think the new carbon fiber tents are an attempt to shed the weight but still keep the comfort and durability.
Rich
bcrez
Adventurer
$1700! for a halfzies. Its just SOOOO expensive. Thats 607 gallons of gas, new suspension for my truck, or a new front bumper, or Sliders/Skids combo. I guess I'm just too cheap. But all valid points. Thanks so much for your feedback guys. I am much more confident in the structural integrity, and weatherproofing of these tents than before.
Flounder, I think the tent that Graham runs sounds like it would work almost for you.
It is one of the only tents that sits off to the side allowing you 1/2 of your rack open to load up bikes and other gear on top.
compactcamping
Explorer
Ok, when this thread came back to life, I just couldn't leave it alone
:sombrero:
:sombrero:
Jim K in PA
Adventurer
Scott - put that on a T-shirt and I'll buy a couple . . . :victory:
compactcamping
Explorer
Jim, Funny you should mention t-shirts, when I did this design that's what I had in mind for it, I'll let you know.
Jim K in PA
Adventurer
If you could C&P a Jeep in place of the Zuk, THEN it would be PERFECT . . . :wings::wings:
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
Look on WWW.autohomeus.com for the specs on the mattress sizes available for each model.
FYI... The Overzone spec is not correct, it's 2" thick not 3". You may also find it quite soft if your a lard *** like me, so, I'm looking into different options on foam density for a replacement matress.
Cody1771
Explorer
Hey Andy, go to a foam shop and ask to try out the foam they use for boat cushions, they are mold resistant and tend to be higher density.
compactcamping
Explorer
Jim, I might be able to make another version when I have some spare time with a Jeep. Maybe a Jeep image like this with some cleanup
