Rooftop Tent Design

[motas]

Hey all,

Have recently bought a rooftop tent secondhand off eBay. It is just a no name brand hard shell where the lid winds straight up. I love the theory of it, but not the execution. Looking at new ones I cannot justify $2000+ for a new one thats decent and even the one I have costs about $1400 new. I can see where the money goes in the one I have with the joints and mechanisms and everything, but I would prefer a much simpler design, where the cost goes seems unnecessary. Considering the top will probably weigh less than 30kg I have no problem lifting that without a screw mechanism. There are also other things I don't like such as the bottom of the door not being sealed against the bottom shell and some other canvas issues.

So luckily I am an engineer and have started designing a new rooftop tent:


I am still playing around so at this point the design is primitive. So far my outside dimensions are 2100x1330x120. To stiffen the top and also to allow for mounting racks or solar panels to the top there are two channels for aluminium box tube to attach into. The bottom of my current tent has similar rails to this in the bottom but I am opting to leave this out of the bottom. Instead rails will be bolted on externally and cut to go around whatever rack it is mounted on. Which makes it sit lower. Instead of winding it up I have also just drawn a simple leg that flips up, but thinking I might change that out for gas struts. The hinge does add a bit of extra length but I think it is a very robust design and should be completely waterproof. The extra space I was thinking could be used for a small battery and charge controller to power lights, phone chargers etc.

So does anyone have any constructive criticism? Ideas? Anything? Would really like to perfect the design before I make a mold. I'd especially like to hear about things you like or dislike about your roof top tent or wish the engineer though of when they designed it.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Mitch502]

Looks like you have a good base going. Excited to see where this goes. I originally had thought about making this style, and decided on a flipout instead for more room.

Following close!

 

[NatersXJ6]

Longer

I would go longer if I were you. My #1 complaint about my RTT and all similar units is that they don't seem well proportioned in sleeping area length and width. At 2100 outside, you are probably lucky to clear 2000 in useable inside sleeping length. That means that the foot of your bag is always rubbing the tent wall or you have little to no space above your head for arms, pillow, bag of clothes, etc...

If I ever got motivated and crazy enough to try and build a tent, it would be something like 7'6" long so you could sleep tall people lengthwise.

 

[motas]

Do you think a lengthier rooftop tent would cause any issues? I suppose no vehicle roof is going to be shorter than that anyway. Doesn't add any wind resistance and next to no weight to lengthen it. I haven't done the maths for how much usable sleeping space there is yet I was basing it off the standard mattress size from clark rubber that is slightly bigger than my current RTT mattress but havent taken into account wedge shape and feet height yet. How I've drawn it its really easy to change outside dimensions though.

I've thought about the flip out style but I don't see a huge advantage to it, it takes just as long as setting up a ground tent and have to open and close it whenever you move. I really like the idea of something less than 30 seconds from stopping to having a bed. Plus with a dual cab ute I don't really have a shortage of space and do nothing but sleep in it.

The only thing I like about the flip outs is the option of an annex, with the ladder inside. Think I might try and add provisions for that into mine but the annex roof is going to be VERY high up which is an issue. Would give me a nice room with the tailgate as a table for cooking, getting changed etc. Not sure how to make it quick and easy to setup though.

Cheers!

 

[mezmochill]

Why not use a ground tent? More adaptable and bigger.

 

[mezmochill]

Btw good luck on your design if decide to do it.

 

[motas]

The main advantage for me over a ground tent is the speed of setting up, and having all of my sleeping equipment up on top and ready to go. This design should go from parked to ready to sleep in under a minute.

Other advantages are not having to find flat ground, less chance for bugs and animals to get in and more comfortable. Probably a few other I'm forgetting but the main advantage for me is speed.

When car camping I tend not to spend much time inside the tent anyway, even in bad weather, it is just for sleeping. For shelter at the campsite I plan to use an awning over the back of the ute where I can cook etc. Working on a design for this to complement the roof top tent at the moment.

Cheers!

 

[motas]

Okay so I have a basic design for an awning done:

I like it a lot so far, it'd be pretty quick to setup just unzip it from a cover, pull it out and flip it up over the top, and there would be a latch to keep it in position. If you don't want to use it it doesn't have to be setup with the tent the ladder could just go over the top of it. Plus it would be really easy to add sides to it so it goes all the way to the ground for an enclosed room. Another option is to add an awning to the side and a wedge between them to create a massive undercover/enclosed area along the side and back of the vehicle.
Haven't drawn it yet but I'd use an aerodynamic cover for the side parts while its packed up and moving so it doesn't whistle or anything, and a piece of canvas would wrap around the end part of it keeping it nicely bundled up and clean.

Any thoughts?

Cheers.

 

[motas]

Hey guys,
Working on attaching the canvas to the body. Does anybody know if something similar to this exists in a flexible extrusion? Would ideally glue or rivet it to the lip of the bottom part of the body. I am familiar with sail rail but none of what I can find suits correctly and they all have the flange and have to go either inside or outside the edge which isn't ideal. Sail rail would work perfect for the top part however though as the canvas will mount inside higher up.

Otherwise is there a good alternative way to mount the canvas? What I am liking about sail rail is it is very easy for me to do most of the work and just have any canvas place make up the net shape with zippers etc and I can install it. Saving cost.
Thanks.

 

[kdj]

Seem's like a good design. I have been thinking about trying to do one myself. What material are you planing to build the top and bottom out of? I was thinking about fiberglass over foam core. I like you hinge design. Do you have a more detailed sketch? Looking forward to your build.

 

[toyotech]

Holes top and bottom for electrical stuff.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[motas]

Seem's like a good design. I have been thinking about trying to do one myself. What material are you planing to build the top and bottom out of? I was thinking about fiberglass over foam core. I like you hinge design. Do you have a more detailed sketch? Looking forward to your build.

Cheers mate. Undecided on material yet, fiberglass over foam core would work especially well for the bottom due to its stiffness but its expensive and hard to work with.
At this point I actually haven't modeled the hinge but will post up some drawings when I have. It's pretty simple though a aluminum ring will be moulded into the top and a bung will be molded into the bottom and a bolt works as the hinge point.

 

[1store]

I will be looking on .Planing to do something with a kit. Working to go a little deeper .So I can use as rooftop storage.