Scott Brady
Founder
Great feedback Graham. Thanks
The experiences with the Technitop were relayed from Robin with newcruiser.ca
The experiences with the Technitop were relayed from Robin with newcruiser.ca
Roof Top Tents
- Thread starter flyingwil
- Start date
OverlandZJ
Expedition Leader
Mike S said:
Mike, where on the East Coast is this warehouse located? If at all possible i'd like to see an Overland model setup. I'v been following this thread with great interest and plan to purchase a rooftop tent in the near future.
I'm currently considering the EA, Hannibal and AutoHome products.
Thanks
Mike S
Sponsor - AutoHomeUSA
John B said:
John,
Our warehouse in Newark, NJ and is strictly a warehouse and delivery point, not a showroom. We do have some customers who do not mind showing their tents to prospective customers. If you e-mail us with contact info and location, I will see if I can find a customer or dealer near you. E-mail is info@autohomeus.com or phone us at 888-852-2359
I know that it is difficult to buy something sight unseen. To ensure that customers get what they are expecting, AutoHomeUSA offers a 'no questions asked' return policy. If you buy the tent, you may return it for any reason, or no reason, within 30 days of purchase. You need only pay shipping. Believe me, I don't make any money on this - since the returned tent would be sold as 'used'. Since we started business we have had only one tent returned. The buyer changed his expedition plans.
We also provide a 5 year warranty on materials and workmanship.
Mike
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paulj
Expedition Leader
Here's a picture of a roof top tent that I saw on a van in a British Columbia provincial park. I suspect there is a mattress in the overhanging lid, and that it is accessible from inside the van. If so, it is like the Wildernest campertop that I had on my S10 pickup.
paulj
paulj
Attachments
Scott Brady
Founder
Wow, very nice find Paul. That just might do the trick for alot of the guys.
By any chance, did you see a brand of the roof? It looks much newer than the van.
By any chance, did you see a brand of the roof? It looks much newer than the van.
paulj
Expedition Leader
No I didn't get in close enough to see any brand names. I walked by early in the morning before anyone was up.
When I had the Wildernest on my pickup, I had my share of visitors, asking 'does it open up inside?' etc.
If you aren't familiar with the Wildernest, here's a good picture:
http://forums.vmag.com/RVTentCampers/messages/1371.html
http://www.stuver.com/wildernest.html
The distinctive bobtail back end was used to fit a 6' long sleeping area on top of a 6' long pickup bed. The versions for 8' pickups had a more conventional appearance.
They are no longer in production, but if you can find a used one in good condition (i.e. stored in dry conditions, garage in Colorado, So Cal, etc), and it fits your pickup, check it out. Outside parking in the Pacific NW eventually damaged mine.
Maybe I should elaborate on ways moisture can be a problem with a vehicle mounted tent:
- leakage through seams, and around the tent-frame joint while in use
- packing a tent while still wet (hard to avoid this on wet traveling days)
- leakage around the gaskets when the tent is closed up
- damage to those gaskets with use
- condensation inside the packed tent during damp weather.
Mildew does not damage nylon fabric directly, but can stain it, and damage the waterproof coatings. Wet warm storage is the worst. Wet storage can also damage structural components - the frame, hinges, and support cables. These were all problems that I encountered with the Wildernest. They may be less of a problem with a roof top tent, especially if it can be stored inside between trips.
Also if using such a tent in an area where rain is common, consider using a rain fly that can be stored, and dried, separately from the main tent body. With the Wildernest, I eventually started throwing a large poly tarp over the whole thing if I expected much rain. I had to tie it to bamboo poles to make it manageable.
paulj
When I had the Wildernest on my pickup, I had my share of visitors, asking 'does it open up inside?' etc.
If you aren't familiar with the Wildernest, here's a good picture:
http://forums.vmag.com/RVTentCampers/messages/1371.html
http://www.stuver.com/wildernest.html
The distinctive bobtail back end was used to fit a 6' long sleeping area on top of a 6' long pickup bed. The versions for 8' pickups had a more conventional appearance.
They are no longer in production, but if you can find a used one in good condition (i.e. stored in dry conditions, garage in Colorado, So Cal, etc), and it fits your pickup, check it out. Outside parking in the Pacific NW eventually damaged mine.
Maybe I should elaborate on ways moisture can be a problem with a vehicle mounted tent:
- leakage through seams, and around the tent-frame joint while in use
- packing a tent while still wet (hard to avoid this on wet traveling days)
- leakage around the gaskets when the tent is closed up
- damage to those gaskets with use
- condensation inside the packed tent during damp weather.
Mildew does not damage nylon fabric directly, but can stain it, and damage the waterproof coatings. Wet warm storage is the worst. Wet storage can also damage structural components - the frame, hinges, and support cables. These were all problems that I encountered with the Wildernest. They may be less of a problem with a roof top tent, especially if it can be stored inside between trips.
Also if using such a tent in an area where rain is common, consider using a rain fly that can be stored, and dried, separately from the main tent body. With the Wildernest, I eventually started throwing a large poly tarp over the whole thing if I expected much rain. I had to tie it to bamboo poles to make it manageable.
paulj
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cshontz
Supporting Sponsor
ARB Touring
I was flipping through an ARB 2006 wall calendar yesterday, and happened upon this picture. (always carry digicam)
The tent is branded "ARB Touring", and I don't recall it being mentioned here. I'm assuming ARB just put their label on someone else's tent, but I'm not savvy enough to recognize the original manufacturer.
As a result of some quick Googling, I found this pdf:
http://www.arbusa.com/New_Product_Advices/Touring.pdf
This pdf also has an informative blurb on the product:
http://www.4wdlinks.com.au/4wheelingSA/4WheelingSAwinter2005 01-10.pdf
Do you guys have more info or opinions on this tent?
I was flipping through an ARB 2006 wall calendar yesterday, and happened upon this picture. (always carry digicam)
The tent is branded "ARB Touring", and I don't recall it being mentioned here. I'm assuming ARB just put their label on someone else's tent, but I'm not savvy enough to recognize the original manufacturer.
As a result of some quick Googling, I found this pdf:
http://www.arbusa.com/New_Product_Advices/Touring.pdf
This pdf also has an informative blurb on the product:
http://www.4wdlinks.com.au/4wheelingSA/4WheelingSAwinter2005 01-10.pdf
Do you guys have more info or opinions on this tent?
Mike S
Sponsor - AutoHomeUSA
I have not seen the ARB tent so I cannot comment on quality. Nice looking tent, average size.
1.4m X 2.4m X 1.3m = 55" X 94" X 52" Weight is Pilbara, 124 lbs., Simpson 132 Lbs. Downside is, like the old Hannibal units, it seems to require an ARB rack system for mounting. This adds weight and cost. Seems to have a nice mattress for a folding fabric tent - 2.5" thick. I believe that it is probably an ARB branded tent built by one of the Australian makers.
It is my understanding (not confirmed with ARB) that they are not importing this tent to the US market. If this is true, WHY? My guess is that they are concerned about:
1. Dynamic roof top load limits on vehicles sold in the US. They are LOWER in the US than most places. The typical ExVehicle sold in the USA (Jeep Cherokee, Toyota Landcruiser) is dynamic load limited to 165 lbs. on the roof. The ARB tent is 125 or 132 lbs. Add the ARB roof rack (75 to 100lbs.?), so the total is well over the 165 lb. limit. In addition, they show space for cargo on the new product advisory. Add a couple of gas cans... The total load will be far over the allowable dynamic load limits for anything but a Hummer H1 (which is 400 lbs.).
2. Lawyers, see above. The risk of litigation would easily negate any possible gains from sales.
3. There is a 10% duty on tents imported to the US from non-NAFTA countries. Freight is fairly costly. Not a huge consideration, but it adds to the cost. There is a limit of tolerance for cost on fabric tents (all tents, actually) in the US market. At some point many people will opt for the less expensive (and less comfortable) solution of pitching a tent on the ground.
That's my take on what's going on with this product vis-a-vis the US market.
Mike
1.4m X 2.4m X 1.3m = 55" X 94" X 52" Weight is Pilbara, 124 lbs., Simpson 132 Lbs. Downside is, like the old Hannibal units, it seems to require an ARB rack system for mounting. This adds weight and cost. Seems to have a nice mattress for a folding fabric tent - 2.5" thick. I believe that it is probably an ARB branded tent built by one of the Australian makers.
It is my understanding (not confirmed with ARB) that they are not importing this tent to the US market. If this is true, WHY? My guess is that they are concerned about:
1. Dynamic roof top load limits on vehicles sold in the US. They are LOWER in the US than most places. The typical ExVehicle sold in the USA (Jeep Cherokee, Toyota Landcruiser) is dynamic load limited to 165 lbs. on the roof. The ARB tent is 125 or 132 lbs. Add the ARB roof rack (75 to 100lbs.?), so the total is well over the 165 lb. limit. In addition, they show space for cargo on the new product advisory. Add a couple of gas cans... The total load will be far over the allowable dynamic load limits for anything but a Hummer H1 (which is 400 lbs.).
2. Lawyers, see above. The risk of litigation would easily negate any possible gains from sales.
3. There is a 10% duty on tents imported to the US from non-NAFTA countries. Freight is fairly costly. Not a huge consideration, but it adds to the cost. There is a limit of tolerance for cost on fabric tents (all tents, actually) in the US market. At some point many people will opt for the less expensive (and less comfortable) solution of pitching a tent on the ground.
That's my take on what's going on with this product vis-a-vis the US market.
Mike
Last edited:
Merits of Rooftents
Will,
Maybe I can help shed a little insight on this subject. It seems we are bringing in brands and such when we should be talking about design and what you plan to do with the tent and whatconditions you plan to encounter, and maybe and a little what your budget is. Let me give you some thoughts.
If you are looking at a rooftent, it means you generally are going into rugged conditions, most all rooftents are four season, they have to be. I've found that a rooftent will allow me to go places and do things I wouldn't be able to do without one. I prefer a rooftent over something like a Westphalia because they can be moved to many vehicles and tend to be designed for one purpose, to protect you from the elements and allow you get a good night's sleep. If you can't sleep, you are worthless for an expedition, and its no fun, comfort is critical.
Cold weather, this is where a rooftent comes into its own. Smaller tents tend to be more comfortable, think alpine tents. less area to heat up, low roofline to keep the heat down low. Insulation is critical, the hard shelled tents are great here, fiberglass is excellent because it can be made into insulating composites. ABS plastic and metals don't insulate, so probably not the best material. Even fiberglass needs added insulation because water will condense inside the roof and drip on you or worse, condense under your mattress and you sleep in a puddle. The outside fabrics have to be engineered to let out a lot of moisture to keep you dry but still keep out the rain and not allow water to condense, Goretex, Airtex or something like this is what you are looking for. Waterproof fabric is not good when you have the tent closed up and cotton canvas can wick.
Hot weather, again, a rooftent excells. Trying to sleep when everything is 90 degrees is ugly. The nice thing is air cools off first, the ground may be 85 and radiating heat but the air up high will be much cooler. Also, up high you get a breeze. Look for a tent that opens up well, windows or doors on all sides to catch the wind. There are a couple tents that are triangular and are designed to actually direct the wind. One other neat feature of rooftents is that they will shade your vehicle's roof during the day keeping you much cooler when you are driving. When it rains in tropics or sub-tropics, it really rains, unbelieveable, I've seen over four inches an hour. Again, you need breathable fabric because you will be closed up when this happens, high winds usually accompanies.
The folding tents are good when you need a big tent, or one that will fold up small. Again, look for strong breathable fabric, the fabrics need to be much thicker because they take more abuse. The ridge poles need to be insulated for condensation and if you can get one with a winter hood for cold conditions, it is a plus. Check the ladder system, some of the ones on expedition tents are designed for dirt and slide on pavement, not good.
Weight, expedition tents tend to be heavy. Probably the best rooftent in the world is designed in Italy but made in Germany. Incredible design but you can't get it here in the US, weighs over 250 pounds. Light is good, rooftents help, because you pack your light fluffy stuff like bedding up high. I like the rugged African expedition look with the integrated expedition basket but don't think it is practical here in the US. You first have to mount the basket, 75 - 135 pounds, then the rooftent, 100 -150 pounds. You can seriously overload your vehicle. Land Rover Discovery has a specification for 165 pounds on the roof, but their engineers recommend 140-145 pounds. Look for rooftents with an integrated subframe so they can use sport bars like the ones for Thule ski racks. My rooftent weighs about 115 pounds and is mounted on Thule bars but we have had five people up there without a problem. I don't notice the tent's up there.
Summary, think about what you plan to do, and rather than get a tent because someone says, Oh, brand X is good, sweat the details and you will be really happy you got a rooftent. I've had several and used them in Europe and North America, from Alpine snow blizzards to tropical heat, none of them have let me down.
Cheers,
Rich
Will,
Maybe I can help shed a little insight on this subject. It seems we are bringing in brands and such when we should be talking about design and what you plan to do with the tent and whatconditions you plan to encounter, and maybe and a little what your budget is. Let me give you some thoughts.
If you are looking at a rooftent, it means you generally are going into rugged conditions, most all rooftents are four season, they have to be. I've found that a rooftent will allow me to go places and do things I wouldn't be able to do without one. I prefer a rooftent over something like a Westphalia because they can be moved to many vehicles and tend to be designed for one purpose, to protect you from the elements and allow you get a good night's sleep. If you can't sleep, you are worthless for an expedition, and its no fun, comfort is critical.
Cold weather, this is where a rooftent comes into its own. Smaller tents tend to be more comfortable, think alpine tents. less area to heat up, low roofline to keep the heat down low. Insulation is critical, the hard shelled tents are great here, fiberglass is excellent because it can be made into insulating composites. ABS plastic and metals don't insulate, so probably not the best material. Even fiberglass needs added insulation because water will condense inside the roof and drip on you or worse, condense under your mattress and you sleep in a puddle. The outside fabrics have to be engineered to let out a lot of moisture to keep you dry but still keep out the rain and not allow water to condense, Goretex, Airtex or something like this is what you are looking for. Waterproof fabric is not good when you have the tent closed up and cotton canvas can wick.
Hot weather, again, a rooftent excells. Trying to sleep when everything is 90 degrees is ugly. The nice thing is air cools off first, the ground may be 85 and radiating heat but the air up high will be much cooler. Also, up high you get a breeze. Look for a tent that opens up well, windows or doors on all sides to catch the wind. There are a couple tents that are triangular and are designed to actually direct the wind. One other neat feature of rooftents is that they will shade your vehicle's roof during the day keeping you much cooler when you are driving. When it rains in tropics or sub-tropics, it really rains, unbelieveable, I've seen over four inches an hour. Again, you need breathable fabric because you will be closed up when this happens, high winds usually accompanies.
The folding tents are good when you need a big tent, or one that will fold up small. Again, look for strong breathable fabric, the fabrics need to be much thicker because they take more abuse. The ridge poles need to be insulated for condensation and if you can get one with a winter hood for cold conditions, it is a plus. Check the ladder system, some of the ones on expedition tents are designed for dirt and slide on pavement, not good.
Weight, expedition tents tend to be heavy. Probably the best rooftent in the world is designed in Italy but made in Germany. Incredible design but you can't get it here in the US, weighs over 250 pounds. Light is good, rooftents help, because you pack your light fluffy stuff like bedding up high. I like the rugged African expedition look with the integrated expedition basket but don't think it is practical here in the US. You first have to mount the basket, 75 - 135 pounds, then the rooftent, 100 -150 pounds. You can seriously overload your vehicle. Land Rover Discovery has a specification for 165 pounds on the roof, but their engineers recommend 140-145 pounds. Look for rooftents with an integrated subframe so they can use sport bars like the ones for Thule ski racks. My rooftent weighs about 115 pounds and is mounted on Thule bars but we have had five people up there without a problem. I don't notice the tent's up there.
Summary, think about what you plan to do, and rather than get a tent because someone says, Oh, brand X is good, sweat the details and you will be really happy you got a rooftent. I've had several and used them in Europe and North America, from Alpine snow blizzards to tropical heat, none of them have let me down.
Cheers,
Rich
strap22
Observer
I just bought a a Car-Top-Tent and I am looking forward to trying it. It was not the one I really wanted but it was a agreat buy and the are headquatered in Arlington, Tx. I plan on putting it on a Custom trailer. If anyone has one and can tell me the pros/cons of this tent please post up.
cruiseroutfit
Supporting Sponsor: Cruiser Outfitters
cshontz said:I was flipping through an ARB 2006 wall calendar yesterday, and happened upon this picture. (always carry digicam)
I have spoke with ARB USA several times about the Touring Tent, they don't anticipate it making it to the US unless a "special order" of them is placed. Pricing was reasonable... in Australia.
They actually referred me to the Oasis Roof tops tents...
cshontz
Supporting Sponsor
I like the Oasis tent concept. While it isn't necessarily a harsh environment tent, I really like the light weight, and something like that seems like it would be great for weekend outings.
I don't really like how tall it stands on top of the vehicle when it is folded up. I'd want something with a much lower profile for off-road travel. Its hard to judge without seeing it in person.
Edit: Held on by wire ties?
I don't really like how tall it stands on top of the vehicle when it is folded up. I'd want something with a much lower profile for off-road travel. Its hard to judge without seeing it in person.
Edit: Held on by wire ties?
flyingwil
Supporting Sponsor - Sierra Expeditions
cruiseroutfit said:I have spoke with ARB USA several times about the Touring Tent, they don't anticipate it making it to the US unless a "special order" of them is placed. Pricing was reasonable... in Australia.
They actually referred me to the Oasis Roof tops tents...
Kurt- They told me the same too...not in the US. I wonder why?
Rich said:
Rich- What tent are you refering to?
cruiseroutfit
Supporting Sponsor: Cruiser Outfitters
flyingwil said:
Shipping is very cost prohibitive, when you take a fairly expensive product, and add the cost of shipping (though ARB brings containers over every month), it just isn't worth it to them. They will bring anything over special order, but that gets expensive and takes time. If they started getting orders (not random requests??) they may start bringing them over. They have brought in alot of different things over the years and stopped stocking them for one reason or another (Long range tanks, roof racks, etc).