RoofTop Tent on the top a Frame on a Box-Trailer.... Questions?

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

Guys....


Looking at making a Frame for the top of my 7x4 Box Trailer but I heard various stories about "ease or speed" of setting them up and then the water proofness of them, especially when packed away wet and how your bedding can be wet when u setup again that night....

Not knowing much about RoofTop Tents, I was hoping more experienced users can give me some better insights into them....

Here's some of the questions that I'm seeking answers to:

• When touring out wet on the dusty roads, how do people find them in setting & packing up as in themselves not getting covered in dirt/dust?
• Obviously when touring/moving daily, the RoofTop Tent may need to be packed up while still wet - How does this effect the interior when u go to set up again?
• I know this may very, depending on type/brand, etc, but what is the average Setup and Packup Times that I can expect?
• Height off the Ground - I've seen some plans where the manufacturer has given a height variance of 1750 - 2100mm, How does that go if u get one with an enclosed annexe?
• Obviously, one that has the ladder "Under-Cover" would be better than one where the ladder is out in the weather?
• The awnings over the windows - Do these awnings ver the windows always need to have the braces installed everytime u set up
• Durability - I know this will come down to "You get what you Pay for" so-to-speak, but how durable are these Tents really?
• Weight - I've seen some can vary a fair bit (ie: 40kgs > 78kgs is what I've seen), but what's average weight & the heavier ones, does that include the underneath Annexeas well?
• Is that annexe that attaches underneath, is this usually packed seperately to the RoofTop Tent? (ie: U need to find room elsewhere to pack it away)
• Brands - Is there any one brand to "stay away" from?
• I'm looking to spend no more than I need to, but I also want to get value for my $$$, so what it an average price that I should expect to pay? I certainly don't really want to go over $1800 (that includes the annexe as well, but if people reckon it's not really needed, then I'm happy to save some $$$ that way......
• Removal / Installation - How to people "Remove & Install" these Tents when Required? (What's the best way if u have to do it yourself?)
• Maintenance - What Sort of Maintenance is required ?
• If I was to Look for "Secondhand" ones, what sort of things do I need to keep an eye out for?

If anyone with experience with Rooftop Tent can shed some light on some of the above questions, that would be greatly appreciated....


Here's some photos of some:








Dimensions of one....




cheers....
rob

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

The first pic makes it look like it floats on air. Is it really that sturdy with that design?

Just a question, Like you I know next to nothing about these tents.

[Sambeak Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Sambeak]

The first pic makes it look like it floats on air. Is it really that sturdy with that design?

Just a question, Like you I know next to nothing about these tents.

Yes I too worry about the overhang and what the weight, with me included, does to the roof rack.

[TopCat Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close TopCat]

A good resource for RTT is www.expeditionportal.com - look in the trailer section.
Maybe check out www.myswag.org for Aus experiences / brands.
Cheers
TC

[Guest Close Guest]

When a RTT opens out the ladder becomes the support for the cantilevered end. The roof of the Prado has no issues handling the weight of people sleeping in the tent. With the annexe deployed you can use it to store your stuff or more sleeping area. The annexe is fully enclosed, including a bucket floor.

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

Yes I too worry about the overhang and what the weight, with me included, does to the roof rack.

Guys.... The photos are purely meant to show the type of RTT I'm considering..... it's not going on the car, it's going on a trailer.....

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

A good resource for RTT is www.expeditionportal.com - look in the trailer section.
Maybe check out www.myswag.org for Aus experiences / brands.
Cheers
TC

Cheers for that TopCat.... I'll check those sites out

[MYT150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close MYT150]

We tried a roof top tent on a custom built trailer, 7X4, and it worked ok but not great/ We had the Hannibal roof top tent on the trailer sitting about 1600mm off the ground. no problem with the concept or deployment, but if we are going to tow we decided on a Tvan, and have not looked back since.

The tent on the trailer was ok but still restricted you in space, and limited room to get dressed, and you were still towing. The tvan while you are towing there is still amply room when set up, and quicker set up and pack up for quick over night stops.

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

Thanks for that & I know that the Tvan would be good, but u also missed one other thing..... you're also an extra $30-$40k out-of-pocket too

We tried a roof top tent on a custom built trailer, 7X4, and it worked ok but not great/ We had the Hannibal roof top tent on the trailer sitting about 1600mm off the ground. no problem with the concept or deployment, but if we are going to tow we decided on a Tvan, and have not looked back since.

The tent on the trailer was ok but still restricted you in space, and limited room to get dressed, and you were still towing. The tvan while you are towing there is still amply room when set up, and quicker set up and pack up for quick over night stops.

[derek11 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close derek11]

A friend of mine had a RTT on a offroad trailer set up by Southern Cross Trailers, it was quite good he also had a boat loader over the tent for his tinny that flipped over to the side to deploy the tent. I almost considered going down the same path after I saw it being used on our Kimberley Trek last year. I see if I can find some photos of it on my hard drive to show you.

Cheers Derek

[derek11 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close derek11]

Here are some photos





Not a good one of it set up but you get the idea



Cheers Derek

[Guest Close Guest]

That looks good, Derek.

I just remembered that Drifta has a tent on a trailer product.
http://www.drifta.com.au/offroad-tourer/

[sparksy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sparksy]

Heres a link to when I fitted a roof top tent onto my bike trailer. Not quite same type you are looking at but shows how the annex is adjustable for height to suit. Mine is a queensize bed base and annex is then about 1 and half times that size on ground.

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topi...59675#msg59675

Check out the Myswag forum. Theres quite a lot of info on what you are intending.

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

We have toured with a rooftop tent for years now and love the fact I don't have to tow anything.

On dusty roads the rooftop bag does get quite dirty, just like to outside of the car. I usually keep a "set up" shirt for the trip and change my shirt before starting set up, once set up change back. Same goes for pack up. Once you have done it a few times you get to know how to do it without getting so dirty.

We quite often have to pack it up damp/wet, the bedding does get a little damp sometimes, but if you set up the tent at about 3 and open all the windows up it is usually dry come bed time. If the tent is very wet we take the bedding out and just wedge it in the car somewhere, but that really doesn't happen all that often.

We have ours set up, the awning set up, chairs out and first drinks made about 10mins after parking the car. Pack up takes about 15mins. The first few times will take you a bit longer. With it on the trailer hopefully it would be a bit lower to the ground which would make pack up even quicker not having to climb up and down all the time.

We have an enclosed annex and have used it a grand total of one night. The bucket style floor does allow for some adjustment in height but they always never quite sit right.

We have the ARB rooftop with the ladder under cover, it is good when it's raining.

It's up to you if you set the window covers up or not. Setting them up takes 30secs per window tops and allows the air to flow through quite nicely. If it's cold leaving them pinned down does keep the tent warmer.

We have found the ARB tent to be quite durable, just remember to undo the velcro straps that hold the tent closed before swinging on the ladder to open it up, otherwise you will break the ladder.

Our annex is packed seperately, it is about the same size as a sleeping bag.

As far as brands, you get what you pay for. On our recent Cape trip we all had rooftops. The two ARB rooftops were the most dust proof and easiest to set up. The roo systems one and adventure kings were next, they were ok, not as dust proof, the zips weren't as good quality and they took a bit longer to set up. The worst was a eBay brand one, it was cheap and it showed. The seams were weak, the cover wasn't even close to waterproof and the zips were crap. Other thing is I had a Powerful 4x4 one for a week, the seams on it all started ripping the first time I set it up. They were good and gave me a full refund and assured me it was a batch problem, but yeah.

The best way to remove it is with a friend. If you have to do it yourself it can be done. Remove all the bedding and the mattress, the mattress is 1/3 the weight.

The maintenance is the same as a canvas tent. Wash it and let it throughly dry before storing.

If you do go down the path of second hand check all the zips and seams, check for major mould and make sure all the parts are there. Make sure you buy something you can get spare parts for in the future.

If something happened to ours I wouldn't hesitate replacing it. I would look at the really good ones next time (Hannibal, Howling Moon, etc.) but in saying that I'm quite happy with our ARB tent.

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

Thanks Andy for that.... much appreciated

The main reason for looking at just installing on our box trailer is the flexibility of being able to move the car still when setup, storage a Tent for the 3 Kids and a little bit of "light" gear. The aim is to keep is simple & LIGHT as it's just your basic box trailer. I remember chatting to a bloke many, many years ago on the original Gunburrel Hw'y who was just towing his trailers 2000 type of box trailer. He only had what he needed and kept it very light - he said he's been over alot of the tough remote tracks w/o breaking anything - He said - "Keep it light & u won't have an issue if u drive sensibly" That's always been stuck in my memory....

We have toured with a rooftop tent for years now and love the fact I don't have to tow anything.

On dusty roads the rooftop bag does get quite dirty, just like to outside of the car. I usually keep a "set up" shirt for the trip and change my shirt before starting set up, once set up change back. Same goes for pack up. Once you have done it a few times you get to know how to do it without getting so dirty.

We quite often have to pack it up damp/wet, the bedding does get a little damp sometimes, but if you set up the tent at about 3 and open all the windows up it is usually dry come bed time. If the tent is very wet we take the bedding out and just wedge it in the car somewhere, but that really doesn't happen all that often.

We have ours set up, the awning set up, chairs out and first drinks made about 10mins after parking the car. Pack up takes about 15mins. The first few times will take you a bit longer. With it on the trailer hopefully it would be a bit lower to the ground which would make pack up even quicker not having to climb up and down all the time.

We have an enclosed annex and have used it a grand total of one night. The bucket style floor does allow for some adjustment in height but they always never quite sit right.

We have the ARB rooftop with the ladder under cover, it is good when it's raining.

It's up to you if you set the window covers up or not. Setting them up takes 30secs per window tops and allows the air to flow through quite nicely. If it's cold leaving them pinned down does keep the tent warmer.

We have found the ARB tent to be quite durable, just remember to undo the velcro straps that hold the tent closed before swinging on the ladder to open it up, otherwise you will break the ladder.

Our annex is packed seperately, it is about the same size as a sleeping bag.

As far as brands, you get what you pay for. On our recent Cape trip we all had rooftops. The two ARB rooftops were the most dust proof and easiest to set up. The roo systems one and adventure kings were next, they were ok, not as dust proof, the zips weren't as good quality and they took a bit longer to set up. The worst was a eBay brand one, it was cheap and it showed. The seams were weak, the cover wasn't even close to waterproof and the zips were crap. Other thing is I had a Powerful 4x4 one for a week, the seams on it all started ripping the first time I set it up. They were good and gave me a full refund and assured me it was a batch problem, but yeah.

The best way to remove it is with a friend. If you have to do it yourself it can be done. Remove all the bedding and the mattress, the mattress is 1/3 the weight.

The maintenance is the same as a canvas tent. Wash it and let it throughly dry before storing.

If you do go down the path of second hand check all the zips and seams, check for major mould and make sure all the parts are there. Make sure you buy something you can get spare parts for in the future.

If something happened to ours I wouldn't hesitate replacing it. I would look at the really good ones next time (Hannibal, Howling Moon, etc.) but in saying that I'm quite happy with our ARB tent.