RTT: Autohome Overland Vs James Baroud Vision

[rycardo]

Hello everyone,
I'm looking for a RTT (Root Top Tent) that fits my Jeep Wrangler JK. Since I'm based in Europe, I been looking for European models. I'm in doubt between these two models: AutoHome Overland Small and the James the Baroud Vision 150. I was looking for a comparative test between them, but I didn't find anything.

They both have the same price tag in Europe (around 2500 euros), and they have more or less the same size. For me, the James Baroud Vision with its big windows has a greater look, however I could not take my decision just based on a “good look”.

I would like to know your opinion about these two RTT models:
Fabric quality?
How they handle the condensation, rain and wind?
How easy to set-up?
How comfortable they are (mattress)?
How reliable they are?
How they handle hot and cold weather?
Other stuffs you think are important.

Please, let me know your inputs about both models, if you already tested both, would be perfect to read your feedback.

 

[Lemsteraak]

I might be able to give you a little insight into the "OverLand"

History
This is one of the first what we call "roof top tents", you will find it in the Whole Earth Catalog. Dates back to the early 50's. It is simply the Italian Air Camping tent with some modern advances in another color. If you want the original colors, get the Air Camping tent, they still make it on special order.

Fabric, it is a propriatary 50/50 polyester/cotton canvas. Pretty old school, the cotton swells so breathes and naturally water resistant, the poly is color fast and add strength. I've heard it is sourced from a factory that makes canvas for North Sea fishing boats.

Setup, pretty much standard, it is the standard. The design is a bit fiddly but there are a couple differences that haven't been copied. One is the cover, a real pain when it is cold and wet. To fold, scrape the ice off the top, fold the tent, it will be a big mush ball and not fold well, throw the cover on but only attach the bungie cord to a couple hooks. Drive and them when warm go and attach more hooks and the tent will compress down, It isn't a fussy tent.

One thing in setup that I really have to mention, the ladder system. I don't know why AutoHome doesn't promote their ladders. They are by far the best. On other tents you have to somehow support the ladder on hard ground so it doesn't slip. The ladder on the Overland has a clutch mechanism on the hinge so it only will open to a point and then develops more resistance. It will not slip, huge safety advance.

Comfort, they all suck at first. Folding tents have thin mattresses, and this tent is the same. I forget how thick it is but it is barely OK and certainly not good in cold weather. You need to add their anti-condensation mesh under the mattress. It acts like a box spring. Also add a nice mattress protector and your wife will thank you,

The base is different than many of their competitors. It is old school wood, a marine grade multi-lam ply, super dense and strong. I've broken the hinges on this tent but the anchor points were fine so I was able to get new re-designed hinges from the Italian factory.

Reliability - this tent is old-school. Everything on the tent can be replace anywhere in the world. The hoops use plumbing fittings, seriously, you break one go to the local hardware store and get a replacement. The ladder is held together by screws, bend a section, take it apart and fix it, no welding. Designed to be repaired in the field.

Yeah, I like the tent. I told the owner of AutoHome USA that they are idiots for not stocking them.

Oh, one last thing, if you are looking for a tent with gadgets, this isn't your tent. It will grow old gracefully with you.

 

[rycardo]

Thanks for your great feedback.
And there someone with experience on both tents?

 

[Gazza_C]

Thanks for your great feedback.
And there someone with experience on both tents?

Hey Rycardo. Did you manage to choose between the two in the end?

 

[rycardo]

I'm more inclinated to the James Baround, but didn't take my final decision yet.

 

[Gazza_C]

I'm more inclinated to the James Baround, but didn't take my final decision yet.

Fair. Pretty big decision. The craftmanship of the Autohome models are pretty great from what I've seen.

What factors are most important to you though? Set up time? Materials, size? Weight? Carrying sports equipment on top? Attach awnings?

 

[rycardo]

Describing them on the preference order:
1) Setup time
2) Comfort
3) Customer support and warranty
3) Breathable materials to avoid condensation
4) Quality
5) Storage capacity (when closed, able to carry pillows, mattress and sheets)

 

[Gazza_C]

@rycardo

1) Setup time -
I don't think there is much between the two as they are both soft-shells with the same opening mechanism. Hard-shell roof tents can set up in 30 seconds. And are made of much better quality which would help solve number 4.
Example - Look at the set up for this hard-shell rooftop tent

2) Comfort -
I think Autohome for this just based off of their description (Autohome® mattresses ae of the highest quality and density of 25-30 kg/m³. )

3) Customer support and warranty
Not sure about this so best to look at reviews

3) Breathable materials to avoid condensation
The difficulty here is that more breathable materials means less water resistance. So best to go with a tent that has larger or more windows for air flow to avoid condensation

4) Quality
Autohome in my opinion

5) Storage capacity (when closed, able to carry pillows, mattress and sheets)
Only Autohome mentions this (Depending on the type of tent, two, three or four pillows are provided, which are stored inside the tent when closed.) But maybe ask the team at James Baroud

 

[DCH109]

I think the other questions have been answered. While I have mainly had the Autohome hard shell models they are built to last. Most of the ones I have owned have been used and over 10 years old (still 100% functional).
Couple of years back I was looking at a Overland model as I liked that is packed up to about 1/2 of the roof rack. That unit was well used and about 7 or 8 years old and while the cover was beat up it was solid.

Customer support and warranty. Both US and the Italian support have been phenomenal. When I contacted the factory about some new accessories they were bringing out and if they would be available in the US, the questions were answered quickly. I also had a question on an older Adventure series on the scissor mechanism and they answered that no problem. I have not had to get any parts from them as, well like I said above they hard shell models are built to last forever.

I looked at the JB models and ultimatly went with Autohome. Never regretted it.

 

[Gazza_C]

I think the other questions have been answered. While I have mainly had the Autohome hard shell models they are built to last. Most of the ones I have owned have been used and over 10 years old (still 100% functional).
Couple of years back I was looking at a Overland model as I liked that is packed up to about 1/2 of the roof rack. That unit was well used and about 7 or 8 years old and while the cover was beat up it was solid.

Customer support and warranty. Both US and the Italian support have been phenomenal. When I contacted the factory about some new accessories they were bringing out and if they would be available in the US, the questions were answered quickly. I also had a question on an older Adventure series on the scissor mechanism and they answered that no problem. I have not had to get any parts from them as, well like I said above they hard shell models are built to last forever.

I looked at the JB models and ultimatly went with Autohome. Never regretted it.

Do you just contact Autohome via email or do they have US customer service?

 

[DCH109]

Do you just contact Autohome via email or do they have US customer service?

Contact Us

Information and Guaranteed Support at the Autohome Call Center : Tel: 0039 0376 99590 from Monday to Friday 9:00 / 17.30 local time. email: info@autohome.it

www.autohomeus.com

Note sure if he is sill there but I talked to, I think it was Gary who imported the first ones into the US.

 

[concretejungle]

I had a different JB RTT and I think the fabric they use is the best out there. It's reflective for heat and very waterproof.