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syoung
Guest
The one I've got was $2K. The Extreme is only available in a small form factor. There are others in the same line from $1899 to $2500. The Columbus is similar, but is hinged on one end and opens faster- just has a little less room inside and it's about $1750-$2200 depending on size. The Overland is like the traditional Hannibal type (but FAR nicer) and is cheaper, but I went for the 4 season rated Extreme- I never liked the all fabric tents in wind or rain.
I use a 2.4m Howling Moon Tourer. (It's mounted on a CampaATT trailer, not my truck.) The Howling Moon is very comfortable, and exceptionally easy to set up. Setup time is also reduced by having all your bedding completely ready to go in the tent. The mattress is nicer than anything you'd ever use in a ground tent. The 2.4 size has two mattresses, so I keep one side set up with regular sheets, blanket and comforter (for temperate nights), and a sleeping bag on the other (in case it gets chilly). I can be set up and comfy in bed while campmates are still unpacking their tents poles.
The Howling Moon design is very old school. It's made of very thick impregnated canvas. So compared to a higher-tech traditional tent, it's much heavier, better insulated, much more susceptible to wind (less aerodynamic, more flapping bits, plus higher off the ground obviously), and not quite as intelligently designed for rain. (It's design relies more on waterproofing than efficient shedding of rain.) Cross-ventilation is good, with large windows on all sides. Plus the window awnings are a nice touch.
The Howling Moon design is very old school. It's made of very thick impregnated canvas. So compared to a higher-tech traditional tent, it's much heavier, better insulated, much more susceptible to wind (less aerodynamic, more flapping bits, plus higher off the ground obviously), and not quite as intelligently designed for rain. (It's design relies more on waterproofing than efficient shedding of rain.) Cross-ventilation is good, with large windows on all sides. Plus the window awnings are a nice touch.
Anyone know of a solution that works with a D2 NWP safari rack? (very similar to an SD rack).
I was looking at a used hannibal but it was too wide for the rack, which measures exactly 48" accross. It was not worth modifying the hannibal platform to make it work...
This seems to be the only downside of having chosen an SD style rack....
Thx.
P
I was looking at a used hannibal but it was too wide for the rack, which measures exactly 48" accross. It was not worth modifying the hannibal platform to make it work...
This seems to be the only downside of having chosen an SD style rack....
Thx.
P
Just finished installing a roof top tent on a Range Rover P38 with a SD rack. I bought the rack before i had even thought about a roof top tent. Quick fix using 2x4 and U Bolts because i want to use it over this weekend for a quick overnight trip to The Mojave Desert. Waiting for Fed Ex to deliver some clamp on roof bars for a more elegant solution. Base of tent also supported by the SD rack top bars. Large tent which i needed for 2 adults, child and dog but when folded is aprox same dimensions as the SD rack. Can't wait to try it out.
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I have had the Eezi-Awn mounted on my Disco for about two years now. The tent is awesome and I have no complaints about it. However, the cover is cumbersome to put on and take off and has not held up very well to the weather(it stays parked outside because I don't have covered parking 
. I mounted mine on the front to the bullbar as suggested already. The ladder folds out onto the hood when setting up. To avoid scratches, I bought some large rubber feet meant to go on a table leg from Ace Hardware. They fit nice and snug. I then simply cut a small square hole in the bottom of each one to allow the U-shaped adapter to slide in so it will attach to the bullbar. The ladder is then secured to the bullbar with a tiedown. I bought my tent from Nathan Hindman of Pangaea Expeditions in Colorado and you just tell him how you want to mount it. He sent the adapters for the bull bar with the tent.
This tent is so thick, when you have the windows and doors zipped closed, as in colder climates, you can sleep past sunrise, which is very unusual for me
Now let me see if I can attach a pic of it for you...
. I mounted mine on the front to the bullbar as suggested already. The ladder folds out onto the hood when setting up. To avoid scratches, I bought some large rubber feet meant to go on a table leg from Ace Hardware. They fit nice and snug. I then simply cut a small square hole in the bottom of each one to allow the U-shaped adapter to slide in so it will attach to the bullbar. The ladder is then secured to the bullbar with a tiedown. I bought my tent from Nathan Hindman of Pangaea Expeditions in Colorado and you just tell him how you want to mount it. He sent the adapters for the bull bar with the tent. This tent is so thick, when you have the windows and doors zipped closed, as in colder climates, you can sleep past sunrise, which is very unusual for me
Now let me see if I can attach a pic of it for you...
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Yeah, I had the same dilemma when looking at racks. I actually had a SD rack(that was free), but I was in a rush for a trip, and did not have the time to work out the details on modifying the SD to fit the tent. So I went with the hannibal rack, which looks like a plumbers rack, but it is functional. I actually prefer the way the Hannibal has a bar running the length of the drip rail to more evenly distribute the weight, but you need to make it work since you already have the SD.
Good luck.
JG
Good luck.
JG
I have a SD rack. My thought was to modify the front so it's like a Hannibal. Wouldn't take to much to cut the front bar off, then bend the side ones down on an angle like a Hannibal and re-weld them. I've been thinking about a rooftop tent, too. Good interesting info in this thread, thanks all.
Very interesting pros and cons of all tents. I went with an Autohome as well and am currently the sales rep for Ontario, Canada. The hardshell tents - Maggiolina & Columbus - allow you to leave all your bedding, etc inside the tent, a great space saving solution. They are also very aerodynamic and with the price of gas, this in now a prime consideration. I did not notice a difference in gas mileage running this tent on my roof all last summer. The photo attached shows the Columbus, my most popular model because of ease of setup - 5 seconds - and the huge rear screen/door. I am using a Maggiolina this year as my Columbus was sold during a trade show we were showing at in February. Some of the Maggiolinas allow you to carry additional items on the tent roof - the Adventure and Extreme but not having to store a tent/sleeping bags/thermarests/pillows/etc inside the vehicle gives you way more interior space. I used the Thule racks and mounted it to the factory slots in the roof. If anyone in Ontario (I'm located about an hour outside the GTA) wants to see them tents and the quality of them, please pm me. At present I have all models available at my location for viewing.
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Colin,
What rack are you using? Looks like Thule bars?
Can I get away with mounting a Maggiolina on three Yakima bars mounted to the gutters?
What rack are you using? Looks like Thule bars?
Can I get away with mounting a Maggiolina on three Yakima bars mounted to the gutters?
FWIW, I have the high-rise thule bars on my Disco. They hold up a surco rack. The thules flex a little when I lean over it to ratchet stuff down, etc. The surco is super light and would not hold my 180 lbs. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable having the thules support the weight, but I heaven't tried it yet either.
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cvestal
Guest
Camping Lab
We ended up getting a Camping Lab. Fernando is great. CL is like the Ezi-Awn just re-branded. It is less than 100# and I barley notice it is up there with OME HD springs on back. Mounted to a Thule rack. We also have the extra room that drapes below the overhang. Pictures here: LINK
We are taking it out for the first real test in UT next week. I will add some more photos and a full review. Summary to this point, very good quality. Nice zippers, stainless hardware. Horrid manual. Had issues with the shipper, but Fernando is fixing that.
I will update the thread when I get back.
We ended up getting a Camping Lab. Fernando is great. CL is like the Ezi-Awn just re-branded. It is less than 100# and I barley notice it is up there with OME HD springs on back. Mounted to a Thule rack. We also have the extra room that drapes below the overhang. Pictures here: LINK
We are taking it out for the first real test in UT next week. I will add some more photos and a full review. Summary to this point, very good quality. Nice zippers, stainless hardware. Horrid manual. Had issues with the shipper, but Fernando is fixing that.
I will update the thread when I get back.
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syoung said:
wow, that looks like a crazy easy setup... can't have been cheap! I really dig the design tho... how much room inside?
C
cvestal
Guest
Rooftop Tents & trailer
Update of my "Adventure Trailer" and rooftop tent.
Very balanced. Plan on shortening the neck a couple feet. Still have to add ramps for our motorcycles, spare tire mount and fenders. Plan on doors that flip down for counter top.
Taking it out this weekend for the first test.
Update of my "Adventure Trailer" and rooftop tent.
Very balanced. Plan on shortening the neck a couple feet. Still have to add ramps for our motorcycles, spare tire mount and fenders. Plan on doors that flip down for counter top.
Taking it out this weekend for the first test.
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Baja Racks makes a nice RTT compatible rack. An Oasis tent works well with an SD rack... and no, the construction of an Oasis is nothing at all like a cheaply made tentcot.
An Oasis is also lighter (40lbs) and smaller making it much easier to put on/off and store. It sits in further from the gutters, so it rarely gets snagged on trees. It doesn't have the Safari look, but functionally it is a great tent... especially if you run trails.
An Oasis is also lighter (40lbs) and smaller making it much easier to put on/off and store. It sits in further from the gutters, so it rarely gets snagged on trees. It doesn't have the Safari look, but functionally it is a great tent... especially if you run trails.