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Thread: Let's talk Rooftop Tents

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  1. #11
    Breadmaker Shaker Plasnart's Avatar
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    Here's mine:

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    Here's some from previous owner. Gas struts are knackered so canvas not pulled tight.

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    When I was looking for RTTs I didn't want the huge wind resistance that standard RTTs have, being at least 300mm high when packed. I also didn't want 80kg sitting up high for cross-gradient stability reasons. When I saw a guy with a Maggiolina unit on his roof one day I knew that was the kind of thing I wanted, but the Maggiolina's are expensive and also heavy. I found this one on ebay about 5-6 years ago and went to have a look at it.

    Folded and welded aluminium checkerplate, approx 130mm high when closed. Very heavy canvas and zips. Excellent screens. The person (or people) who made this unit knew their stuff and made it well. I lined it inside (top and bottom) with marine carpet to combat condensation build up and thermal insulation. When travelling I have my mattress, bottom sheet, doona, blanket, pillow up there. Make the bed as I get out in the morning and it packs down with everything left in place. Gas struts both sides so just unclip the latches (1 each side, 2 at rear) and push it up. Takes 30 seconds and bed is ready. Pack up about 1 minute by pulling roof down, folding canvas inboard and expelling air as it comes down. Latch it up and away you go.

    It's light, can pick it up and put it on the roof myself (although bulky and a bit of a struggle). But weight wise, it's probably about 30kg empty. Has not ladder, but step onto rear bumper, knee on top of spare and hoik in you go! An empty large-neck bottle required for night pees!

    Cons: Not much room inside. Getting dressed/undressed is in sitting position and cumbersome. Night pees mean getting up on knees to perform the action. Not great. The "clam-shell" design doesn't leave much room for big feet when in bed (roof slopes down to hinge at front/foot end).

    All up I'm very happy with it, but the older I get the less luxurious it is. For touring it's fantastic. For extended camping I'd prefer something easier to access/exit and more comfy.


    Gong him Red!!

  2. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Plasnart For This Useful Post:

    Hodge (9th November 2017), MB (9th November 2017), threedogs (13th November 2017)

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