rooftop camping?

[bachse]

Has anyone used a rooftop tent setup before? I met a family that was using one and they seem amazing. Does anyone else know anything about them? Or know anything about any companies?

[NYCgrrl]

Re: rooftop camping?

I can't say I have (would need my own car instead of a rental to do that :D) yet must say it sounds intriguing for certain locales.

[bachse]

Re: rooftop camping?

Its supposed to shorten tent set up time significantly.

[renodesertfox]

Re: rooftop camping?

A roof tent is an accessory which may be fitted to the roof of a motor vehicle which allows the users to sleep in relative safety and comfort above the vehicle, and leaves the internal load-space free. The first example of roof-tents appeared in Western Europe in the 1930s. [1]
Roof tents are particularly seen on expedition-prepared four wheel drive vehicles such as Land Rovers, but can be fitted to almost any vehicle. Generally they will mount to a vehicles roof rack or aftermarket roof bars. They are particularly popular in Italy and one manufacturer advertises them using photographs of their devices fitted to cars as small as the Fiat Panda.
Roof tents have traditionally taken the form of a conventional ridge-pole tent which can be folded into a compact package, resting on marine ply wood, and mounted on a roof rack. Beginning in 1958, more modern tent designs appeared - housed in a waterproof, moulded fiberglass or carbon fibre box, and are erected and taken down more quickly using a simple crank-operated cantilever arrangement or gas rams that automatically erect the tent when the latches are released. In 2003 a French manufacturer introduced another design of simple and lightweight tents, resembling modern sprung-pole types of ground tent.


Here's a couple of links, if interested:


http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/ind...ct_detail&p=14

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHd77e7PbIE

I do not own one but my review is as follows: Great for dispersed camping, or an organized cg. But in a parking lot - no way. Other campers could be coming and going during all hours of quiet times opening and shutting their vehicles to get stuff out. Or starting their engines, coming and going resulting in a restless sleep.

[LITTLEfish]

Re: rooftop camping?

I'd be afraid to roll off the side of the thing! But from what I gather you just unfold the 'floor' and the tent unfolds with it so all you have to do is put in the polls and you're done!

[bachse]

Re: rooftop camping?

I've never heard of anyone falling out of one. Although, I do imagine that they wouldn't be the best idea for sleep walkers (or a similar situation).

[NYCgrrl]

Re: rooftop camping?

After reading the start of the thread, I googled and found several youtubes on roof top tents.
Ingenious uses of space.....did anyone see the Swiss red boxes which isn't a top of the car unit but sure is incredible:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cy3g...eature=related

If they made the lounging chairs and table higher, my interest would peak that much more.

[surmisez]

Re: rooftop camping?

I would love to have a swissRoomBox!

[bachse]

Re: rooftop camping?

Rooftop tents do look really cool to set up (and are almost comical when watched in a fast forward time speed):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZh3g15QHdE

[kristinalouise]

Re: rooftop camping?

Hi! I just got a Tepui brand roof-top tent. I live in Santa Cruz and they are made here. I got curious when I saw someone with one at the beach. I stopped to talk to them and now that I have mine, people stop me to talk to me. I got the smaller model, it's called an Ayer. I don't even have a very "tough" car (a Nissan Altima) but, I'm super happy with it. Here is the web page: www.tepuitents.com

[jhat]

Re: rooftop camping?

Maybe someone can help here. What I do not understand is that most vehicles on the road today have a rack limit of 150 pounds or so. Two people are dramatically over that before the tent so, what am I missing here. I find the concept interesting but I do not understand the weight issue.

[Bigdog57]

Re: rooftop camping?

The weight limit would be for loads carried with the vehicle in motion - you don't want 600 pounds up there while barreling down the highway and making moving turns. At rest in a campground is a different matter.

[jhat]

Re: rooftop camping?

The static verses dynamic loads makes sense, has anybody caused issues with rack damage from two people on a normal road vehicle (not an expedition type of vehicle)? I have a minivan (Honda Odyssey) and this idea interests me as long as I do not end up damaging either the rack, factory side rails or the roof from the load of two people.