roof top tent

[titanandjake]

Hi All

looking at purchasing a roof top tent for my gu
anyone got any idea on whats good and whats rubbish seems to be a few brands
out there now
looking for a good quality one that dont leak or the misses will shoot me
any help would be grateful

cheers
shane

[jack]

Hi Shane,

Go for Howling Moon, best in the market and leaves the others for dead.

Cheers

[threedogs]

stay away from the cheap chineses stuff, it will only end in tears
Look for quality YKK zips, no see'em mesh and quality stitching, at least
8 stitches per inch. IMO

[Cuppa]

Shippshape are good too although are now made offshore. Look at the design to see what suits best. Some you can remove the ladder, some need the ladder for support. Some provide an awning/undercover 'privacy area, some don't. Check out my build up thread for pics of a (2nd hand) Shippshape. They don't command high 2nd hand prices for no reason, but they are a bit heavier than some.

Cuppa

[macca]

Been looking for a good RTT for a while.

Shippshape was on the top of the list for a fold out but were expensive, $2100 for a 6year old Bush Hut. That was the market from what I could work out.

James Baroud was the pick for a hardshell. Maggiolinas are similar but the opening mechanism are at the ends and I'm 6'1" and we also need rear access as the pod makes side access difficult. Still they were expensive and as the Boroud had only been available in Aus a short time 2nd hand were rare.

We lucked on a good priced 3month old Baroud that I think the seller had trouble packing away, the struts are strong!.

Used it over the Christmas break and are very happy with it. Fitting a tarp I use for other jobs (multi tasking, great!!) as an awning, getting in & out in rain would be a pain without one.

As previously stated keep away from the cheap ones if you want to get good use from your purchase.

[twisty]

We got an Ironman rooftop and annex (http://www.ironman4x4.com/html/rooftop_tent.html) and it sits on a Rhino platform with hoop and rail. Opensky awning. Pics are here (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/album.php?albumid=207).

I couldn't justify the extra expence of a Hannibal (over $3k) and prefered the Ironman "verandah" over the entrance to the OpenSky with no "verandah" (http://www.bushranger.com.au/rooftop_tents.php#.TqSUnLJ4DvY).

I chose the Rhino Rack Platform (http://www.rhinorack.com.au/AccSubCategory_Pioneer-Alloy-Platform-Racks_Page_1_Accessory_Pioneer-Alloy-Platform-Rack_491_68.aspx) with hoop and rail (http://www.rhinorack.com.au/AccSubCategory_Pioneer-Alloy-Platform-Rail-Options_Page_1_Accessory_Pioneer-Platform-Front-and-Side-Rail-Kit_506_69.aspx) after much research. I considered the "Powerful4x4" rack. It finally came down to convenience for me. Luckily I've found a 4x4 supplier close by that is prepared to look after me :thumbup: They supplied and fitted EVERYTHING. I wasn't happy with the idea of lifting some 50kg steel rack on as well as a tent of similar weight.

Hope this helps some ...

[Safari Njema]

I have the Ironman Roof Top Tent and swear by it.

[Stropp]

Hannibal or howling moon both South African and both well made units, I have a Hannibal and its great, strong and thick and has a jumbo fly so the ladder is under the fly for when its raining.