Corey

iTrader: (1)

This was posted earlier in July '08 in the Camping/Expedition Gear section.
For the full review on all of my gear i took on my trip, click below.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f172...ws-ton-151694/

For the tent though since there seems to be an increasing interest as of late, here is the review on it.

Maggiolina AirLand Roof Top Tent (my penthouse)
Contruction/Technical

Maggiolina AirLand Roof Top Tent (my penthouse)

This root top tent rocks!
I slept nine hours almost both night in it.
Way more sleep than I get at home.
The nice thing about the AirLand is it sets up much like a tent trailer does by inserting a crank to deploy the roof.

Simply undo three latches on the roof, insert the crank handle, and crank it up.
The whole tent is setup in less than one minute.
After the roof is raised, you reach inside and pull out the adjustable aluminum ladder.
Set the ladder up against the tent with the hooks on the top, and you are all set to climb inside for a good nights sleep on the 3.1” mattress, or for a quick nap.

All the bedding is already setup if you packed it away that way.
I have the medium size AirLand, and it takes full sheets.
I am using fitted flannel sheets.
The down comforter is a twin size.
The brand I got is cut larger than most comforters, so even a twin is a little big, but it works out very well.
It came with three pillows too, and with the sheets and comforter setup, you would swear you were at home in your bed instead of out camping.
It is extremely comfortable.

Mine is mounted to four Yakima crossbars on my FJ Cruisers roof rack, and it is very stable.

Also since you are up in the air, you do not have to worry about tracking dirt or water into your tent.
Your sleeping quarters stay a lot cleaner than if in a tent on the ground.

These same tents are used around the world on expeditions, and they do very well in rain and windy situations.

While some campers next to me were cold when they got up, I was toasty.
I slept in my undies, and was not cold at all.
I did touch the comforter top a few times early in the morning, and it was very cold.
It gets cold early in the morning before the sun comes up at Mt. Rainier.
However, I was toasty under the covers.

I give it two thumbs up

Pros:
* Hard shell design with insulated roof.
* 12v light inside.
* Cranks up like a tent trailer, see a video I made setting it up at my home.
[youtube]rHd77e7PbIE[/youtube]
* Tent material is pretty much water proof from reading other reviews online.
* Very comfortable.
* Having all the bedding setup is so cool.
* If you like to gab a lot with other campers, surprise, you are in for showing many what the tent is all about.

Cons:
* The price may scare a few off, but like most fine things in life, you get what you pay for with this AutoHome tent.
* I was constantly bugged my whole trip by curious campers.
They would drive by my site, even walk by, and everyone just had to ask me what it was, and how did I like it.
Being the good camping ambassador that I am, I obliged and answered all of their questions, I even let some go up the ladder to take a peak inside.
Be prepared if you get one and are in a public campground, you will draw lots of attention.