| Author | Message | ||
     jesse a henning (Darw_n) New Member Username: Darw_n Post Number: 13 Registered: 06-2003 |
for the DII. | ||
| Steve Andrews (Sillybus) Member Username: Sillybus Post Number: 240 Registered: 08-2002 |
Hannibal is the company I believe you are looking for. http://www.hannibalusa.com/disco2.htm | ||
| Robbie Donaldson (Robbie) Senior Member Username: Robbie Post Number: 385 Registered: 02-2002 |
These are another option, without buying a separate rack: http://www.loftyshelters.com/IndexFrame.htm A dweb member with one: http://www.discoweb.org/robhamilton/index.htm | ||
| dareDVL (Daredvl) Member Username: Daredvl Post Number: 54 Registered: 03-2003 |
Can the roof really withstand a 100 pound tent plus 300-400 pounds worth of people on it? | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 600 Registered: 09-2002 |
As long as you're not doing the la vida loca on there, you're probably fine.  The idea of it seems fine but the possibility of knocking yourself unconcious because dropped your ass 6'+ to the ground for a midnight pee run doesn't really appeal to me. | ||
| Jack Edwards (Olered) Senior Member Username: Olered Post Number: 354 Registered: 04-2002 |
Are there any rooftop tents under/around $500? I've seen tents from $950-$4000 for vehilces. | ||
| Brent Fox (Bfox) Member Username: Bfox Post Number: 72 Registered: 10-2002 |
I've had about 750lbs (rack, tent, gear, people, etc..) on my roof with no problem. | ||
| Nathan Hindman (Nathanh) Member Username: Nathanh Post Number: 56 Registered: 07-2002 |
It's really no problem having a 100lb tent and 300-400 lbs of additional weight (people and gear) on the rack provided its static weight. It's once your vehicle is moving that the weight becomes a problem (partially raised CG, partially roof rail support). Thanks, Nathan Hindman http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com | ||
| jesse a henning (Darw_n) New Member Username: Darw_n Post Number: 14 Registered: 06-2003 |
do you need to have an additional hannible rack to use the basic hannible tent? it looks like it has a metal floor already. | ||
| Peter J. Kelly (Pjkbrit) New Member Username: Pjkbrit Post Number: 20 Registered: 05-2003 |
Pontiac.....called the Aztec ain't it..... | ||
| Mark & Bev Preston (Markp) Member Username: Markp Post Number: 207 Registered: 02-2002 |
I believe that LROI had an article on roof rack tents in the last several months. I'm at work right now so don't know what issue it was. Seems like there were about 10 different suppliers. The primary issue will be which roof rack you have and what works for it. - Mark | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Senior Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 389 Registered: 10-2002 |
Alright, I'll finally bite, why is it that everyone seems to think they need a rooftop tent. I know that it's sort of a landy tradition, but seriously people, how likely is it that you are going to get trampled by a rhinoceros in north america? I can't think of a single good reason to put all that weight up on the roof other than for coolness purposes. Just pitch your tent on the ground or sleep inside your truck if you can manage it. I'm not trying to be hostile, just want to get some ideas. This has had me wondering for a while. | ||
| One_Bad_Metro (Koby) Senior Member Username: Koby Post Number: 404 Registered: 02-2002 |
Jack, when I was in Arizona, I was acutely aware of two things that crawl on the ground there: Rattlesnakes Scorpions Now, I kept my tent on the ground and zipped shut, but the thought still was there in the back of my mind. I know that I would have slept even better knowing I was up and away from all of the nocturnal creepy-crawlies. | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Senior Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 390 Registered: 10-2002 |
I suppose that's true, but I've grown up in the SW and do most of my landying and camping in the desert and am yet to cuddle up with either of those types of critters. What about aliens? They don't care if you're in a tent or on the ground. That's why I sleep in the truck with the alarm on. Those tall skinny guys will have to abduct the whole damn truck to get me. Where's my gun right now anyways? | ||
| One_Bad_Metro (Koby) Senior Member Username: Koby Post Number: 405 Registered: 02-2002 |
Jack- I haven't and didn't cuddle up with either of those critters either. All I was saying was that I definitely would have slept better up and away from them. I'm not advocating Hannibals or Maggiolinas either. I think they're hideously ugly and take up valuable storage area. I do like the idea however, of sleeping on the roof. I forgot about the aliens. Why don't you get a UK case large enough to sleep in that will keep you protected from the anal-probing aliens? | ||
| DARRELL (Puppywhopper) New Member Username: Puppywhopper Post Number: 12 Registered: 06-2003 |
the roof sleeps fine without all that stuff | ||
| Brian Goodner (Bluewater) Member Username: Bluewater Post Number: 141 Registered: 03-2003 |
you can't buy a decent tent hardly for less than 500 bucks | ||
| jesse a henning (Darw_n) New Member Username: Darw_n Post Number: 15 Registered: 06-2003 |
to be honest, i have to say im interested in it for the "cool" factor. I could sleep on the ground, but the concept of sleeping high up, on my baby (the truck) is appealing. kinda like tree-houses or bunk beds. plus, once I get up some skill level with *real* camping, i want to be able to park the DII anywhere, and know I can sleep comfortable | ||
| Brent Fox (Bfox) Member Username: Bfox Post Number: 73 Registered: 10-2002 |
Jack There are several other reasons I like my roof top tent besides the coolness factor. It sets up in 20 seconds. It also provides a perfectly flat sleeping surface, a nice foam pad and it folds up with all my bedding and clothes inside. Brent | ||
| Brian Goodner (Bluewater) Member Username: Bluewater Post Number: 146 Registered: 03-2003 |
jesse, i'm with you it is a cool thought | ||
| Zach Jaggers (Mountenn) Member Username: Mountenn Post Number: 233 Registered: 03-2003 |
It may be cool, but still way too expensive for me to buy to up the cool factor. IMHO, it takes up too much space on the top. Buy a tent or sleep in the driver's seat--it's more comfortable than you think. | ||
| Rob Davison (Pokerob) Senior Member Username: Pokerob Post Number: 1756 Registered: 02-2002 |
brian plenty of good tent can be had for under $500 just check out sierratradingpost.com | ||
| Zach Jaggers (Mountenn) Member Username: Mountenn Post Number: 250 Registered: 03-2003 |
and www.campmor.com | ||
| Brian Goodner (Bluewater) Member Username: Bluewater Post Number: 153 Registered: 03-2003 |
yea i kno i have a marmot tent and it was rite around 450 | ||
| Brian Goodner (Bluewater) Member Username: Bluewater Post Number: 154 Registered: 03-2003 |
yea i said they were cool but i'm never gona get one...a guess if i had a couple extra grand lying around with nothin better to do with it i might consider it | ||
| Brent Fox (Bfox) Member Username: Bfox Post Number: 74 Registered: 10-2002 |
I paid $400 for my roof top tent. Check around, there are some deals out there. | ||
| Brian Goodner (Bluewater) Member Username: Bluewater Post Number: 168 Registered: 03-2003 |
really? where did you get it? | ||
| Brent Fox (Bfox) Member Username: Bfox Post Number: 75 Registered: 10-2002 |
I bought mine used but at the time a website was running them for the same price plus shipping. The site was cartoptents or tentontop or something like that. My friend bought one and it was a little nicer than mine. Check out my gallery; I think there are a few pics there. | ||
| Brian Goodner (Bluewater) Member Username: Bluewater Post Number: 171 Registered: 03-2003 |
alrite thanx...it looks nice | ||
| Erik Olson (Jon) Senior Member Username: Jon Post Number: 393 Registered: 02-2002 |
Brian, In my experience, a rooftop tent is really quite useful and convenient. In September, we had plenty of scorpions in our camps, and I rested much better up top with my shoes stowed inside as well. As far as the aliens go, I think they tend to like having their quarry up off the ground for easy access, so if that is a concern... Mine is about as cheap as they come, sleeping two in a pinch and weighing in at just under ten pounds. Sets up just like the mfg. tents in about a minute. Ask any of the users here about any version of a rooftop tent, and they'll all say that setting up on the ground after using one is total agony. I'm ten minutes into making dinner while those using conventional tents are putting the finishing touches on the tent poles and rainflies. The base is a 4 x 4' x 1/2" piece of shop birch, hinged at the rise on the roof rack. The tent in my gallery is a two / three season "bivy-style" number from TexSport. It retails for $22, and is a real thin piece of ***t. However, it does have micronet screens - no mosquitos! - and a rainfly that comes off if you are guaranteed good weather. It performs nicely in the rain (with said fly installed) and I've used it for one season (15 consecutive days). The article in LROI April 03 reviews the top manufacturer's tents and the racks they will work with. If you're handy, inventive and have a grand laying around, you can easily get a decent tent and rack up there that will weather a good couple of seasons. e | ||
| KJ (Karen) Senior Member Username: Karen Post Number: 136 Registered: 02-2002 |
Jesus you guys, do I HAVE to say it??????? CHICKS DIG 'EM! Do you REALLY need another reason? Karen | ||
| Steve Andrews (Sillybus) Senior Member Username: Sillybus Post Number: 253 Registered: 08-2002 |
Here's a good one... The most practical reason I can think of (other than the critter barrier) is when you have to camp in very wet weather with lots of rain and mud. If there is no high ground or poor drainage where you end up for the night, it would be nice to help keep everything dry. That said, Its probably going to rain for 4 of the 5 days I'm going to be camping this week. "Rain, rain go away.... we are sick of this s!@t" | ||
| KJ (Karen) Senior Member Username: Karen Post Number: 137 Registered: 02-2002 |
Steve, OT, but here we are, so I'll ask. How hateful is the bridge back-up heading back to the Western shore on Sundays? I know that's the drive-through side (toll paid on the way over), but we want to day-trip on the Shore. David is a little leary of the beach traffic coming home. Worst time(s) would be about....? Thanks for any help. Karen | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Senior Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 392 Registered: 10-2002 |
dang. my last posted never showed up. anyways... Koby, I have to take all of my UKs out of the truck to sleep in it with the alarm on so even though the aliens can't get me, I'm up all night paranoid that they are going to make off with my UKs. As for tents, I have a North Face mountain 25 summit tent so if I ever get it on my roof I'll be able to strap down the stake loops and drive along at 80mph without it collapsing. That comes in REALLY handy let me tell you. I think I had the disco up to 80 mph once... | ||
| Rob Soetewey (Robbert) New Member Username: Robbert Post Number: 12 Registered: 01-2003 |
It's not only 'cool', but also cool... . I've a Maggiolina, and with the tent high up on the car, you can leave the doors open, have nice breeze in the tent, and no one able to look in site. Hangovers are much milder since I have this tent, because I can stay in it till noon, while in previous tent's it got so unbearably hot that you had to get out it at indecent hours. An other advantage is that the coffee is ready by the time I get out of it, because the ground sleeping friends could not longer manage it in their tents, had to get up, lit the fire, and brew some coffee, ... . | ||
| Barry (Barry) New Member Username: Barry Post Number: 16 Registered: 02-2003 |
Erik, Interesting rack you have. I was seriously considering a Hannibal or Maggiolina...but decided a solution like yours was more practical. Will your set-up sleep two adults? How well can it handle strong wind....noisy flapping make it hard to sleep? -Barry | ||
| Erik Olson (Jon) Senior Member Username: Jon Post Number: 396 Registered: 02-2002 |
Barry, A little bit on the rack below. http://expeditionfilmpartners.com/adventures/expamericas/mexcan/disco1.html I was surprised how well two skinny people can sleep in a 4' wide area! Unless you are very much in love with your travel companion, I'd recommend mummy bags. The tent is noisy like a tin roof in the rain, but the wind wasn't an issue on our trip. Now, wind and rain, that might have been a different thing altogether... e |
