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leeds Just got MTs
Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Odometer: 244 Location: Leeds
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Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 8:16 am Post subject: Roof Tents
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Am doing a bit of research into roof tents.
They seem to vary an awful lot in price from cheapo ebay ones to about £2,000.
Some roof tents have a hard shell and seem easier to 'erect' and put away in comparison to fold over tents. Some fold over tents have what appears to me fussy poles for windows etc.
So I am looking for recommendations on tent makes/models. Good points and bad points to look out for.
What roof tents have you used and what do you like/dislike about yours.
Brendan
__________________________________ www.4x4overlander.com
2008 Trip Report Here
Asturias, North Spain 2009 |
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SimonWH Guest
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Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 8:54 am Post subject:
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I've watched a couple of different ones being erected and put away. the Magiolina clamshel types are easier to put up but not so easy to put away. As the top section is lowered you have to keep running around the vehicle pushing the fabric into the shell
I watched a Howling Moon one being erected and it took approx 40 minutes in total and seemed to be overly fiddly. It was no quicker putting it away either.
Although I do prefer the fold-over types as they can provide a neat rear porch area. The MyWay range seem to be particularly well made and come in a range of sizes (www.mywayrooftents.co.uk)
I love my teepee, Just one big pole, peg the groundsheet down , shove he pole up the middle and you're in. 10 minutes tops. And it'll easily sleep 6 people.
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CarpeDiem Just got MTs
Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Odometer: 297
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 8:11 pm Post subject:
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Simon's right about Howling Moon's about being a bit fiddily, but I got my down to 15mins to erect and about 20mins to take down.
Being designed in SA, they also suffer from condensation in the colder European climates, but isn't generally a problem afetr a good airing.
__________________________________ "For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." -- Robert Louis Stevenson |
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Jimmy Just got MTs
Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Odometer: 307 Location: Wirral, Cheshire
1992 Toyota Landcruiser
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:26 pm Post subject:
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I currently have one of the "cheepo" ebay Prime Tech fold over tents, and aside from some poor stitching on the travel cover I'm very impressed. Taking the travel cover off and putting it on is the biggest part of setting it up/putting it away. In total including using the sprung stays for the windows and doors it has a setup time of about 6-8mins and a close down time of about 10-15 mins. Much faster still if there's two of you at it. It does suffer from condensation on cold days, I will try to combat this by making an inner flysheet out of curtain liner which should also help keep it warmer. I definately prefer the foldover type as it gives a porch area when open and also leaves more space on the roof for other items.
__________________________________ Reality is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there |
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JST Just got MTs
Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Odometer: 146 Location: Taunton, Somerset
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 2:04 pm Post subject:
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Maggi is the only way to go in my opinion, get a second hand one from Ebay, you dont get much discount on a new one if any and they go for about £600-£750ish for one in good condition 2nd hand.
__________________________________ Cheers
James
www.4x4adventures.co.uk |
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Damian Mud Obsessed
Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Odometer: 8838 Location: Bolton, a town far, far away....
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 3:26 pm Post subject:
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I came across this website the other day... and although we don't get many elephants wandering around here much, I think I'd rather sleep inside!!!
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=526670
__________________________________ The Difflock 3 are safe..... but you can still send cheques..!
Fetch me a coffee & no one gets hurt. |
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Ricardo Articulating
Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Odometer: 797 Location: North Wales
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Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 8:27 pm Post subject:
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I had the Prime tech, E bay one , was great. Previous owner had made a new cover as he said the original was flimsy, but tent was great.
R
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CarpeDiem Just got MTs
Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Odometer: 297
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Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:13 pm Post subject:
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My mate's brand new Hannibal leaked when we went camping in the IOW in late Nov, but the weather was seriously bad, 30/40+ winds and driving rain, all night. So he was not best pleased.
My older Howling Moon held up though.
__________________________________ "For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." -- Robert Louis Stevenson |
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sarah Just got MTs
Joined: 17 Jun 2002 Odometer: 466
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:48 pm Post subject:
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Simon,
Is that a Tentipi you have? If so do you have a heater of any sort for it as I'm trying to work out the best option. Here's mine in Norway November...
__________________________________ Do you know the way to Tuk'? I do...Drive up the Mackenzie River until you get to the Arctic Ocean and turn right... |
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sarah Just got MTs
Joined: 17 Jun 2002 Odometer: 466
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 12:40 pm Post subject:
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Simon,
10 mins to put a Tentipi... with how many beers? Our guys reckon they go up in 3!
__________________________________ Do you know the way to Tuk'? I do...Drive up the Mackenzie River until you get to the Arctic Ocean and turn right... |
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frostie Winch Assistant
Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Odometer: 94 Location: wisbech, cambs
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 1:17 pm Post subject:
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what about the ones from landiebox?..ive not got one but its on my "to buy list"
__________________________________ I love A frames, there so handy and easy to use! but ive sold mine as i was breaking the law! |
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simon holland Gate Opener
Joined: 02 Aug 2008 Odometer: 44 Location: shifnal
1996 Land Rover Discovery
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 7:10 pm Post subject:
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the main problems i had with roof tents was the price i bought a arb simpson 2 from devon 4x4 at about £1000 added alot of weight to the disco, ive also got a khyam g4 ground tent which cost £100 the khyam is a lot quicker to put up and put down theres no chace of falling of the roof either,
ok so you dont have the same posing appeal but unless your going to do a proper experdition theres not much point to a roof tent
but thats just my opinion but i have had most sorts of tents
__________________________________ west midlands 4x4 response group
1969 series 2a awaiting resteration
1972 series 3 swb 2.25 diesel
1996 discovery 300 tdi
1970 moggy travaller new 4x4 project |
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CarpeDiem Just got MTs
Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Odometer: 297
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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 8:19 pm Post subject:
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"unless your going to do a proper experdition theres not much point to a roof tent"
Valid point, agree. However I have put up the roof tent in a French service station. Also I believe on certain ferries you can put them up, so yes agree with you, but sometimes they're handy, unless you can sleep comfortably inside the vehicle.
__________________________________ "For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." -- Robert Louis Stevenson |
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Hillbilly Raider Just got MTs
Joined: 08 Mar 2007 Odometer: 175 Location: WEST SUSSEX/THE ALPS
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 3:01 pm Post subject:
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i like my oz tent,.... reasons.. i have a bad knee and climbing up and down the ladder is no fun, and i dont feel seasick in high winds.
__________________________________ WWW.ALPINEROVERS.COM
COME AND ROVER IN A ROVER |
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jonkem Just got MTs
Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Odometer: 389 Location: Bedfordshire, UK
1989 Isuzu Trooper
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 4:10 pm Post subject:
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Prime Tech is well worth the money and as said before, quick & easy to erect & fold.
If you're interested, identify the German ebayer selling them and watch for him listings in other European countries with low start prices. I saved shed loads on one listed on French Ebay
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