Roof tent location?

jonkem · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:27 pm Post subject: Roof tent location?

Strange title I know but I'm trying to think of the pros and cons of mounting my roof tent on my trailer rather than on the roof. The tent won't be modified so it will still be able to be roof mounted if the need arises.

My aim is to reduce the weight of the car and lower the centre of gravity.

The trailer will be built to give access from sides & back rather than top when tent is fitted, similar to some OZ trailers and it will be on 31" tyres so it can be dragged pretty much anywhere I want to go.

It will still be folded out to overhang in the same way as when roof mounted.

Does anyone have any good reasons why this isn't a sensible & do-able idea?

Also, has anyone tried offroad trailers and have an opinion as to using a pin hitch or ball hitch? ie. which will allow better articulation but remain stable at speed.

leeds · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:01 pm Post subject:

May I suggest you go onto the Australian foum www.aulro.com and ask on there.

They have some great trailers with many different versions of tents on their trailers.

The hitches they use are different to those commonly available in Europe. The vehicle mounted hitch can rotate in the vertical plane. (Similar to a NATO hitch) but is more of a ball type (IIRC)

They typically tow at 50-70mph on their corrugated roads. Also they do cope with extremely sharp changes of angles.

HTH

Regards

Leeds

terence · Guest

I have done both roof and trailer and to be hones the trailer is a pain.

it however has one serious advantage.. you can leave camp in the vehichle and not have to strike camp...

for me its the roof for an expedition the trailer for poodling around. the trailer costs more on ferries etc too...

and its easily nicked...

Nightbar · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject:

I got my merlin trailer from these guys with a rack on it for a roof tent. Haven't got the tent yet though Laughing

http://www.douglassmotors.co.uk/

Let Luce · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:43 pm Post subject:

The South Africans all seem to use big camp trailers, with a roof tent type arrangement that folds out. We watched a few setting up camp, for a one night stop and they spent about 6 hours unpacking everything, utter madness.