Rooftop tents - Page 5

**aviator** · 01-02-2009, 03:04 PM

According to the site it weighs 108kg which is 238.1lbs a bit heavy perhaps for the roofs of our vehicles but they showed an interesting bedtop mount on a pick-up and some trailer top mounts as well which could work.

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***Corey*** · 02-03-2009, 03:27 PM

The roof top tent concept was born in Africa from what I have read online.
Here is the first one known to man.
They even got to bring their "trunk" while on an expedition.

scuba · 02-03-2009, 04:24 PM

Good one corey..

....I just saw that blue one you posted last month, That one is really neat !!

Bagger · 02-04-2009, 11:11 PM

I own a Columbus Carbon Fiber Roof Top Tent.

Corey, I'm thinking you may have seen these shots already, but I'll add some here to add to your thread. Mine is the medium size model and was temporarily mounted onto my truck for a recent 2 week trip through the SW US, including Kofa in AZ, Anza Borrego and Death Valley in CA. It is being moved onto my FJ60 Landcruiser for future trips.

So far I'm very happy with it. Simple to set up, enough headroom to sit-up & play cards, large door for stargazing in bed and lightweight enough that the gf can help me install it onto the vehicle. The mattress is pretty comfortable and the struts held the lid up in some high winds without issue. No complaints so far.

***Corey*** · 02-05-2009, 01:55 AM

Very nice Bagger.
Roseann Hanson from Overland Journal is running a carbon fiber unit on her FJ60 too.
There is info on page two of their blog.
http://www.overlandjournal.com/blog/
She had it worked over by TLC with a new 3.0 diesel and more cool stuff, and the carbon tent.

I will add some of these to the video that I hope to work on soon too.
I am collecting RTT pics from the 'Net and making a video out of them.

Bagger · 02-05-2009, 09:21 AM

Yeah, I know the Hansons well. She was supposed to bring her 60 to the group outing in Kofa pictured above, but it was still having issues so they didn't make it. I was too cheap to drive mine from WY to AZ & CA and back.

She and I acquired our 60's at about the same time and we have been building them individually but with the same relative criteria in mind, minus the green 3.0 for me. We didn't exactly plan to build such similar vehicles but it has been fun to see we're on the same page when it came to outfitting an FJ60 for extended, self-contained remote travelling.
.

SteveyCapri · 02-07-2009, 12:23 PM

cant forget the best

***Corey*** · 02-08-2009, 11:11 AM

Interesting rig Steve, never seen one before.
I was digging around the properties for the picture, it comes from some blog.
http://mcdowellcrook.com
There is a cool radio that will pop up from there too.
http://mcdowellcrook.com/music/radio/

drfakoo · 02-08-2009, 11:31 AM

Damn , Corey !!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE TEMPTING ME !!!!!!
Stop putting so much info, about roof tents.
I must resist !!! I don´t want a shoe box hanging on top of the Toy.
I prefer to open my 3" seconds Decathlon tent (

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6PWhZ22HJE

), and pack it back when I don´t need it.
BUT, I recognize that it must be so cool... In the middle of nowhere, with the hardest rain you can imagine, and you Just open the top, and mágicaly explodes in front of you, a king size BED, even with pillows !!! AAAAaaaarrrrggggghhhhhhhh.
I also don´t want to loose my roof window ( I love it ).
But I only like the sandwich model, so here´s the dilemma ...
Cheers Folks
Facu
;-)

**aviator** · 02-08-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveyCapri

cant forget the best

Here's the full article on it

Toyota RV-2 Mini RV

Toyota RV-2

The Toyota RV-2 prototype was unveiled at the 1972 Tokyo Motor Show. This bizarre 4-person camperwagon concept car was built around a Corona Mark II chassis and drivetrain. It seems that Toyota was attempting to capitalize on the popularity of the VW camper bus, but with a vehicle small enough to fit in a standard garage and practical enough to serve as everyday transport.

Toyota RV-2

The rear clamshell roof pops open to reveal a tent-sized sleeping area, although I suspect the canvas top and side panels would be like sleeping under a $20 fabric tent equipped with a kick-ass 8-track stereo sound system. Alas, there was little interest from distributors or the public and the quirky design faded into the mists of time.

Of course, the biggest problem with this thing is that there's no way any sane parent would lend one to their teenage offspring for the evening....

Featured in Popular Science, July 1973 [via Modern Mechanix]

Posted by james on October 08, 2008 at 10:27 AM in Automobiles | Permalink

***Corey*** · 02-09-2009, 04:31 AM

Paul, thanks for the link on the Toyota.

Facu, I have camped for many a year.
one person, two person backpacking tents, three person dome tents, and family sized tents.
I also had two tent trailers with the latter one being quite luxurious.

But I never slept as well as I did in my roof top tent last summer.
Something about being up in the air like that creates a very high security type feeling.
No bugs to worry about, snakes, rain puddles, dirt being tracked into the tent, ect.

I do not think I could go back to sleeping in a regular tent again.
Plus having sheets and a down comforter like at home is so much easier to sleep for me than a sleeping bag.
It felt like I was right at home in my bed.

Very tempting I know, that is why I bit the bullet last year and took the plunge to get one and also get back into camping again.

Here are some good facts on them.
http://autohomeus.com/info/faq.php

Just a brief from the above URL.

Quote:

What advantage is there to having my tent on the roof of my vehicle?

The primary benefits in getting your tent up off the ground are…

* Your shelter is always with you and ready for a comfortable night’s sleep, which gives you a great deal of freedom
* Moving your sleeping quarters to the roof means that you have much more space in your vehicle, and no need to unpack to set up a comfortable place to sleep
* You don’t need a place to pitch your tent – so you can ‘camp’ anywhere – even RV parks that do not allow traditional tent camping.
* Fast and easy setup, even in the dark, equally fast and easy take down in the morning, even when the weather is wet and cold.
* Your vehicle stays cooler because the roof is shaded by the tent.
* Your tent also provides ready storage of your bedding and some equipment.
* AutoHome tents offer great ventilation and good view
* Fewer worries about insects, snakes, wildlife and other things that go bump in the night.
* Your tent – being up off the ground, will collect much less sand and dirt to contend with
* Sleeping on rocks or puddles is a thing of the past. Now you can camp anywhere your vehicle takes you – just park, pop open your tent, and get comfortable
* The list goes on, and you are only limited by your imagination.

xcmountain80 · 02-09-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mtn Mike

Has anyone seen these mounted to a 3rd gen 4Runner? I have a Yakima rack system and I'm a little concerned about having 400+ lbs on the base factory roof rack rails. (granted only 125lbs traveling weight). Maybe I would get a 3rd bar to destribute the weight?

Can't believe I somehow missed this thread. I use 3 cross bars but have used 2 in the past. I added another set over the driver doors for when the roof rack is on and I have a load over the sunroof. The Hannibal 1.2M tent weighs a good amount as does all the other crap that goes up here and I have never had a problem.

Aaron

xcmountain80 · 02-09-2009, 06:57 AM

Aaron

***Corey*** · 02-09-2009, 07:27 AM

Excellent pictures Aaron.
I had posted a few of yours earlier in this thread I believe.

I had taken all of the pics from this thread and had put up a video on YouTube showing all of them which looked pretty cool Saturday.
But one person who had said it was OK to use his pics changed his mind later and did not want them in the video after I had made it, so I scrapped the video.

xcmountain80 · 02-09-2009, 10:15 AM

Sheesh, I mean you didn't ask me but I guess I wouldn't have minded.

Aaron

***Corey*** · 04-27-2009, 04:33 AM

Nice...

Taken from Isaac's album coverage of the Overland Expo event.
http://picasaweb.google.com/isaact/ovexpo#

***Corey*** · 04-30-2009, 05:55 PM

My next addition coming soon, just ordered it today from Autohome.
http://autohomeus.com/accessories/awnings.php

Wish they had bigger pics.

I am going to try the awning first, then maybe later the changing room that zips onto it.
The latter can be used as a crapper/shower tent also.

This hooks to my roof top tent very easily.
I have two loops at the top of the side doors.
A pole goes through the looks, and the awning it hooked to that horizontal pole.
Then there are two upright pole with guylines that you stake out, and the bottom rear of the awning looks like it has another horizontal stiffener pole that holds it to the ground.

This awning will be over the ladder so as to protect the entrance from rain as seen by the photo.

***Corey*** · 06-10-2009, 01:30 PM

Just when I thought it was safe to camp now that my tent is up off the ground.
http://page.olesiafx.com/elephant.html

Bye bye tent

**aviator** · 06-10-2009, 04:50 PM

That'll teach 'im to leave the garbage hangin' on the mirror... lol
if it ain't bears its hefalumps... they probably had honey out... wonder if they got out of there before any woozles showed up...

pray4surf · 06-12-2009, 12:08 PM

Newcomer to the RTT world. Me, not the brand/style

Tent Manufacturer: CampingLab
Tent Model: 55"x94"
Accessories: Changing Room

To mount this to my 98 XtraCab tacoma, I had a custom bed rack fabricated
Requirements included retaining 'access'/'use' of the truck bed, but still keep it low enough so I can pull my truck into my garage and also keep the stowed tent out of the airstream (as much as possible)

My wife can stand upright under the tent, but I have to stoop a bit (I'm 5'9")
But the changing room is fairly spacious and provides a nice privacy shelter for her to do her 'things'...

Tent is quite cozy and the mattress very comfortable. Although with nighttime temps dropping to 32, we were a bit chilled in our 'slumber party' sleeping bags (zipped together). (Not that I expected the tent to keep us warm. Didn't encounter any high winds nor rain on our initial outing, so I cannot comment on that)

**aviator** · 06-12-2009, 09:49 PM

Good looking rack surf... you could probably fit one of those rail and roller tonneau covers to the bed and have some nice dry, secure storage...

slumber party bags Gracie?... me thinks if you keep that up you'll need that pup tent in the back ground before too long

...
BTW welcome to the family...

***Corey*** · 08-20-2009, 10:01 AM

Couple of cool roof top tent videos I saw linked from my vids page.
Both play in HD mode and full screen very well.

YouTube Video

Love the accent on the reporter below.

YouTube Video

02-03-2009, 03:27 PM	#102 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	The roof top tent concept was born in Africa from what I have read online. Here is the first one known to man. They even got to bring their "trunk" while on an expedition. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

02-03-2009, 04:24 PM	#103 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Temecula, Or on the rocks Posts: 6,968	Good one corey.. ....I just saw that blue one you posted last month, That one is really neat !! __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

02-04-2009, 11:11 PM	#104 (permalink)
Bagger Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wyoming Posts: 281	I own a Columbus Carbon Fiber Roof Top Tent. Corey, I'm thinking you may have seen these shots already, but I'll add some here to add to your thread. Mine is the medium size model and was temporarily mounted onto my truck for a recent 2 week trip through the SW US, including Kofa in AZ, Anza Borrego and Death Valley in CA. It is being moved onto my FJ60 Landcruiser for future trips. So far I'm very happy with it. Simple to set up, enough headroom to sit-up & play cards, large door for stargazing in bed and lightweight enough that the gf can help me install it onto the vehicle. The mattress is pretty comfortable and the struts held the lid up in some high winds without issue. No complaints so far. __________________ '97 T100 ~ TRD SC ~ ARB ~ FWC '85 FJ6O ~ 4E9 ~ locked ~ 33's '87 Turbo 4Runner ~ sold

02-05-2009, 01:55 AM	#105 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Very nice Bagger. Roseann Hanson from Overland Journal is running a carbon fiber unit on her FJ60 too. There is info on page two of their blog. http://www.overlandjournal.com/blog/ She had it worked over by TLC with a new 3.0 diesel and more cool stuff, and the carbon tent. I will add some of these to the video that I hope to work on soon too. I am collecting RTT pics from the 'Net and making a video out of them. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

02-05-2009, 09:21 AM	#106 (permalink)
Bagger Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wyoming Posts: 281	Yeah, I know the Hansons well. She was supposed to bring her 60 to the group outing in Kofa pictured above, but it was still having issues so they didn't make it. I was too cheap to drive mine from WY to AZ & CA and back. She and I acquired our 60's at about the same time and we have been building them individually but with the same relative criteria in mind, minus the green 3.0 for me. We didn't exactly plan to build such similar vehicles but it has been fun to see we're on the same page when it came to outfitting an FJ60 for extended, self-contained remote travelling. . __________________ '97 T100 ~ TRD SC ~ ARB ~ FWC '85 FJ6O ~ 4E9 ~ locked ~ 33's '87 Turbo 4Runner ~ sold

02-07-2009, 12:23 PM	#107 (permalink)
SteveyCapri Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Manchester, NH Posts: 110	cant forget the best

02-08-2009, 11:11 AM	#108 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Interesting rig Steve, never seen one before. I was digging around the properties for the picture, it comes from some blog. http://mcdowellcrook.com There is a cool radio that will pop up from there too. http://mcdowellcrook.com/music/radio/ __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

02-09-2009, 06:57 AM	#113 (permalink)
xcmountain80 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 1,880	Aaron

02-09-2009, 07:27 AM	#114 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Excellent pictures Aaron. I had posted a few of yours earlier in this thread I believe. I had taken all of the pics from this thread and had put up a video on YouTube showing all of them which looked pretty cool Saturday. But one person who had said it was OK to use his pics changed his mind later and did not want them in the video after I had made it, so I scrapped the video. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

02-09-2009, 10:15 AM	#115 (permalink)
xcmountain80 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 1,880	Sheesh, I mean you didn't ask me but I guess I wouldn't have minded. Aaron

04-27-2009, 04:33 AM	#116 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Nice... Taken from Isaac's album coverage of the Overland Expo event. http://picasaweb.google.com/isaact/ovexpo# __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

04-30-2009, 05:55 PM	#117 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	My next addition coming soon, just ordered it today from Autohome. http://autohomeus.com/accessories/awnings.php Wish they had bigger pics. I am going to try the awning first, then maybe later the changing room that zips onto it. The latter can be used as a crapper/shower tent also. This hooks to my roof top tent very easily. I have two loops at the top of the side doors. A pole goes through the looks, and the awning it hooked to that horizontal pole. Then there are two upright pole with guylines that you stake out, and the bottom rear of the awning looks like it has another horizontal stiffener pole that holds it to the ground. This awning will be over the ladder so as to protect the entrance from rain as seen by the photo. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

06-10-2009, 01:30 PM	#118 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Just when I thought it was safe to camp now that my tent is up off the ground. http://page.olesiafx.com/elephant.html Bye bye tent __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

06-10-2009, 04:50 PM	#119 (permalink)
aviator Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: COTKU,Ontario,Canada Posts: 7,472	That'll teach 'im to leave the garbage hangin' on the mirror... lol if it ain't bears its hefalumps... they probably had honey out... wonder if they got out of there before any woozles showed up... __________________ Silver 1994 Hilux Xtra cab 4x4 3.0 K&N cone filter, ported MAF, advanced timing, oversize exhaust, free flow cat, "rumble" muffler custom covered SR5 seats, map lights, factory AC tv4184 style black interior conversion started mods to come... header, custom centre console, stereo upgrade tinted windows Founding member 1972TLC fan club - Get well soon Mary Toyota Hilux... Get in or Get out of the way. Last edited by aviator; 06-10-2009 at 04:53 PM.

06-12-2009, 12:08 PM	#120 (permalink)
pray4surf Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 39	Newcomer to the RTT world. Me, not the brand/style Tent Manufacturer: CampingLab Tent Model: 55"x94" Accessories: Changing Room To mount this to my 98 XtraCab tacoma, I had a custom bed rack fabricated Requirements included retaining 'access'/'use' of the truck bed, but still keep it low enough so I can pull my truck into my garage and also keep the stowed tent out of the airstream (as much as possible) My wife can stand upright under the tent, but I have to stoop a bit (I'm 5'9") But the changing room is fairly spacious and provides a nice privacy shelter for her to do her 'things'... Tent is quite cozy and the mattress very comfortable. Although with nighttime temps dropping to 32, we were a bit chilled in our 'slumber party' sleeping bags (zipped together). (Not that I expected the tent to keep us warm. Didn't encounter any high winds nor rain on our initial outing, so I cannot comment on that) __________________ 1998 Tacoma Ext Cab prerunner -> 4wd conversion

06-12-2009, 09:49 PM	#121 (permalink)
aviator Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: COTKU,Ontario,Canada Posts: 7,472	Good looking rack surf... you could probably fit one of those rail and roller tonneau covers to the bed and have some nice dry, secure storage... slumber party bags Gracie?... me thinks if you keep that up you'll need that pup tent in the back ground before too long ... BTW welcome to the family... __________________ Silver 1994 Hilux Xtra cab 4x4 3.0 K&N cone filter, ported MAF, advanced timing, oversize exhaust, free flow cat, "rumble" muffler custom covered SR5 seats, map lights, factory AC tv4184 style black interior conversion started mods to come... header, custom centre console, stereo upgrade tinted windows Founding member 1972TLC fan club - Get well soon Mary Toyota Hilux... Get in or Get out of the way.

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