Roof Top Tents
- Thread starter flyingwil
- Start date
xcmountain80
Expedition Leader
blupaddler said:
I rebuilt a Hannibal tent that I purchased second hand. I drilled throught the floor, so that is could attach via u-bolts to my Yakima cross bars. I opted for an additional cross bar for load distribution worked very well.
Aaron
Charger92
New member
sleeoffroad said:
Sleeoffroad is where I purchased my Technitop from. Christo is the person I dealt with and I was very impressed with the service. The tent came nicely packaged, no dings, scratchs, or parts missing etc. He and I had talked on the phone a few times with all my questions ansewered and he catered to my shipping request since I live in Canada. I will definitly be ordering more goodies from him.
My wife and I did a bit of reaserch when we started to look at RTT's. Over the period of 2yrs we had tried a friends Hannibal RRT and did not like the slope of the roof at your head when you lay down. The wood floor would not be my first pick for a floor since I live in a very moist part of the country.
The other thing was the side windows. The over hang blocks the outter view and I noticed just as much moisture on the inside with the windows open and one door as a regular ground tent.
We checked out an Ezi Awn at a 4wd event, someone had one at a booth. In the wind the fly was blowing around on the ends and the side window was leaned over. When they packed up I stuck around, the fighting they had to put it away and with the cover over it after was not looking like fun. With a similar design to the Hannibal we kind of put those aside and kept looking.
We had tried an old Technitop. In the heat of the summer the side windows were again small like the other 2 or the view was limited and we were thinking that all RTT's must have this simmilar design. We did like the slope away from your head when you sleep and it felt more roomy in it. The 2 layer poly floor is very durable, water will not harm it either and if you want you could drill a hole in the inside and fill it with foam peanuts for winter travel. If you do not leave the end doors open along with the sidewindows in the heat, it gets hot.
I have a 4seasons convertable Sierra designs ground tent. If I did leave the doors closed with only a slight opening it would have condensation over night too. The thing with the ground tent, mine has 2 big sky vents, with them open and doors half up it is very breazy. This is what I was looking for in a RTT but with all the benifits of an RTT.
I had seen on the web the Magnolia but did not want my whole roof taken up. Also looking at it if you do not have some sort of fly over the door in the rain it would get wet inside, kind of like some other designs of RTT. Can't say for sure but it looks like it could.
I had heard that Technitop did a roof vent and really wanted to see this so I emailed the company. They had sent me some photos and I really liked the big airy side windows and moon roof. They gave me Christo Slee from Sleeoffrod as a contact. Just to make sure that is what we wanted I talked to a guy that use to run Offroad Academy and got a low down on the tents. You can see some pic's here of the originals. The shop has closed but he was very nice to shed some info. One thing he told me was he sat in the door way with no ladder for support (225lbs), hanging off the back of his rig and the hinge holds up just fine. He wanted to test it for sales purpose and compare to others.
http://www.offroadacademy.com/
or here
http://www.offroadacademy.com/gear.php
The second generation had larger windows then the first and now the 3rd generation even bigger along with the moon roof.
There was also an old one being sold near by so I went to take a look at it just to be sure of my first experiance. It was in very nice shape but the pictures of the new one had my name on it.
So I gave Slee a call and placed an order. He had a container that was being packed and there were a couple being put on. I placed my order for part payment to hold one and he ball parked the cost of it as shipping could vary with brokrage on the shippment. The rest was just the waiting time for the boat.
I see now they have a full shower/change area that extends past the door.
I have an older change area that fits on since the design had not changed for the attachment of it. It had not sold from Offroad Academy before they closed and he gave me a deal on it. I will have to weigh the differance in getting the new larger one that covers the door though.
Only cons I have with it is:
1. The ladder is 2 pieces, tubes that fit in the end of the other. This only gives you one length when fully extended and if your rig is tall or short you have to cut the pipe to get the right length. Not a problem if you only keep it on one rig. If you lift the rig or put it on a different rig down the road it will have to be cut or lengthened again. Mine Is a bit short so I made a block for the base. It works good but I will be lifting this spring.
I will be getting a telescopic ladder so I can use it at any height and even use it away from the tent if need be.
2. Like the other tents, the mesh of the windows and doors let no-see-ums in. My buddy had the same problem with the Hannibal and the 4wd guy said he experanced the same thing with his Ezi-awn.
I guess they don't have them in Africa and don't need the fine fine mesh. The heavy mosquito screen is very heay though.
We are just going to tack stitch a fine mesh on the inside of the windows and doors to eliminate them biting. We have only had them once in the time that we used it but that was enough. Winter project.
Other than that it is very easy to set up, very durable materials, nice and airy, Easy to pack up and extremely comfort able.
Me likey alot.
Scott Brady
Founder
Congrats on the Technitop. Do you know the weight? Are they still using the fiberglass window and awning poles?
Looking forward to seeing it mounted to your rig.
Looking forward to seeing it mounted to your rig.
Charger92
New member
expeditionswest said:
Thanks, We have had it for almost a year now and used it about 17 times so far.
The weight as per it standing on the bathroom scale sideways was 132lbs.
This is with the aluminum T-channel and T bolts that now come attached to the floor for easy mounting.
The poles are still fiberglass but I do carry an aluminum sleeve for a repair if I need.
If I find they fail I will just get all aluminum Easton poles.
I also plan on perminantly putting some led lights inside the tent and a poarch light led at the ladder area of the penthouse.
My friends have this on the back of there SUV and when ever we go out it's always the westwing and penthouse setup.
http://napierenterprises.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=32
As for pics on the rig I have more at home but seem to be logged on more at work so I'm limited to what I can post for now. Here are a few.
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Here is a big discussion ont RTT over on a landi forum.
http://www.landroveraddict.com/smf/index.php?topic=348283.0
http://www.landroveraddict.com/smf/index.php?topic=348283.0
Open Sky Tents
http://www.bushranger.com.au/rooftop_tents.php
Mr. Swagman
http://www.mrswagman.com.au/rooftoptents/tent_design.shtml
Another tent:
http://www.bonteboktents.co.za/rooftop.htm
One more:
http://www.oppositelock.com.au/redes...58&itemID=RT80
They list it as the OL Featherlite.
http://www.bushranger.com.au/rooftop_tents.php
Mr. Swagman
http://www.mrswagman.com.au/rooftoptents/tent_design.shtml
Another tent:
http://www.bonteboktents.co.za/rooftop.htm
One more:
http://www.oppositelock.com.au/redes...58&itemID=RT80
They list it as the OL Featherlite.
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kodiak1232003
Adventurer
expeditionswest said:
i agree on the goods...:26_7_2:
as for the not so goods...
i've travelled for over 2500 miles (one trip) with our maggiolina. rough terrain, highway speeeds, etc. no problems with the mounting hardware.:camping: ours has the older square u-bolt setup though, might be different now. we've had ours for five years now, and our tent material is not worn from "shell rattling"....
....do the newer maggiolina's have the two front latch, one rear latch set up? .......if so, its still like our older one and we didn't experience rattling.the material does let in some light, but its much better than say... a traditional tent. i guess one could wear eye covers if there was a big problem....lol.... but we tended to sleep in till about 8 or 9 in the morning in ours (6am sunrise) without having it bother us....
as for the people not liking it cuz it takes the whole roof, definitely true. though, i would say that most who use them, put them on an suv or pickup, so storage doesn't seem to be an issue.
i personally like that they cover the roof for the simple reason that completely shades the vehicle. on long drives, we've travelled through very hot areas, without having to run the a/c, because the temp. never increased due to the metal roof radiating heat into the pass. compartment. very nice, important side effect in our travels.'
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great discussion, by the way.
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kodiak1232003
Adventurer
cpg said:
maggiolina in VERY high wind area....(glacier national park)
our rig gently rocked us to sleep. no flapping, no nothing. nice.:clapsmile
Mike S
Sponsor - AutoHomeUSA
A little factual information
Originally Posted by expeditionswest
To the 'Not so Good' comments that Scott has made...
Mounting hardware - AutoHome mounting hardware has been proven for years in the most extreme conditions on five continents. We have now sold well over 700 AutoHome tents in North America, and there has never been a single mounting hardware failure - or ANY reported problems. Desert Dude (Pasquale) has done some pretty extreme overlanding with his Maggilina with no problems. Gary Kardum took his tent over the Rubicon trail (twice, so far) on top of his F45 trayback and had nothing but good thanns to report. I suppose that if you wanted an over-engineered solution, you could simply use the same mounting plates (1/8" thick steel) and substitute larger diameter bolts - but is is not necessary.
The Maggiolina shells employ three adjustable stainless draw latches. If they are adjusted to draw the latch properly the shells do NOT rattle. Nor do they admit dust or water while driving.
Light transmission - the design provides for some light to come through the Dralon fabric that is used on the Maggiolina. It is not excessive. There is no need for Bat Cave interior lighting levels in a tent - in fact, when you are in the tent, you might like to have a LITTLE light so that you can find your socks in the morning. All Maggiolina models have a 12V electric light for use at night.
Door position and the 'view' - all the Maggiolinas that we sell have two large doors that open completely and are out of the way of the view when secured. In addition, there are triangular windows in each end of the tent. The Columbus Variant model has THREE doors - one on each side and a large door at the rear - with a window.
As for the issue of wind tolerance, the Maggiolina is better in the wind than any other tent, and does not present a large sail area. The structure is extremely strong. I have slept in my Maggiolina in winds well in excess of 50 MPH with no problems at all.
We guarantee customer satisfaction - with 30 day return privledges for any reason. We offer a 5 year warranty. We stock spare parts and can usually ship them within a day of receiving a request. We stand behind our product 100%, and will do everything possible to ensure customer satisfaction with the product and our service.
These are not traditional canvas ground tents adapted for use on the roof of a vehicle. They are the finest roof top shelters in the world, continuously manufactured and evolved since 1958.
Originally Posted by expeditionswest
To the 'Not so Good' comments that Scott has made...
Mounting hardware - AutoHome mounting hardware has been proven for years in the most extreme conditions on five continents. We have now sold well over 700 AutoHome tents in North America, and there has never been a single mounting hardware failure - or ANY reported problems. Desert Dude (Pasquale) has done some pretty extreme overlanding with his Maggilina with no problems. Gary Kardum took his tent over the Rubicon trail (twice, so far) on top of his F45 trayback and had nothing but good thanns to report. I suppose that if you wanted an over-engineered solution, you could simply use the same mounting plates (1/8" thick steel) and substitute larger diameter bolts - but is is not necessary.
The Maggiolina shells employ three adjustable stainless draw latches. If they are adjusted to draw the latch properly the shells do NOT rattle. Nor do they admit dust or water while driving.
Light transmission - the design provides for some light to come through the Dralon fabric that is used on the Maggiolina. It is not excessive. There is no need for Bat Cave interior lighting levels in a tent - in fact, when you are in the tent, you might like to have a LITTLE light so that you can find your socks in the morning. All Maggiolina models have a 12V electric light for use at night.
Door position and the 'view' - all the Maggiolinas that we sell have two large doors that open completely and are out of the way of the view when secured. In addition, there are triangular windows in each end of the tent. The Columbus Variant model has THREE doors - one on each side and a large door at the rear - with a window.
As for the issue of wind tolerance, the Maggiolina is better in the wind than any other tent, and does not present a large sail area. The structure is extremely strong. I have slept in my Maggiolina in winds well in excess of 50 MPH with no problems at all.
We guarantee customer satisfaction - with 30 day return privledges for any reason. We offer a 5 year warranty. We stock spare parts and can usually ship them within a day of receiving a request. We stand behind our product 100%, and will do everything possible to ensure customer satisfaction with the product and our service.
These are not traditional canvas ground tents adapted for use on the roof of a vehicle. They are the finest roof top shelters in the world, continuously manufactured and evolved since 1958.
DaktariEd
2005, 2006 Tech Course Champion: Expedition Trophy
I'll throw in my experience with my Maggiollina mounts and high wind.
About 3 years ago, before my FJ40 and Horizon Adventure Trailer, I had my Maggiollina Airland mounted to the roof rack of my Sequoia. On my way to the White Mountains I hit an awesome, very powerful summer thunderstorm along the San Pedro Valley.
The wind and rain was horrendous, visibilty dropped to a few feet, the wind and rain blew first horizontally left to right, then a lull, then right to left horizontally! I had driven right through a microburst! On the drive back home a couple of days later I found work crews replacing about a dozen powerpoles that had been snapped off a few feet above the ground about 30 feet off the side where I had encountered the microburst.
Bottom line is...I still had my Maggiollina on top, it was as solidly anchored as before, and everything inside dry and secure.
I haven't encountered a microburst with it mounted on the trailer, but it's never given me trouble so far...
Just my dos centavos!
:sombrero:
About 3 years ago, before my FJ40 and Horizon Adventure Trailer, I had my Maggiollina Airland mounted to the roof rack of my Sequoia. On my way to the White Mountains I hit an awesome, very powerful summer thunderstorm along the San Pedro Valley.
The wind and rain was horrendous, visibilty dropped to a few feet, the wind and rain blew first horizontally left to right, then a lull, then right to left horizontally! I had driven right through a microburst! On the drive back home a couple of days later I found work crews replacing about a dozen powerpoles that had been snapped off a few feet above the ground about 30 feet off the side where I had encountered the microburst.
Bottom line is...I still had my Maggiollina on top, it was as solidly anchored as before, and everything inside dry and secure.
I haven't encountered a microburst with it mounted on the trailer, but it's never given me trouble so far...
Just my dos centavos!
:sombrero:
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cruiseroutfit
Supporting Sponsor: Cruiser Outfitters
Just to toss another option out there... ARB's tent (and accessories) will be available in the US in late May. If anyone wants some pics I can get them uploaded
Andrew Walcker
Mod Emeritus
Yes please:exclaim: