Roof Top Tents and then some!

[Good Times]

We've all done the base camp but have any of you gone extreme by picking up a roof top tent? Though they're $$$ I am considering one of these as part of my "wish list" items. The great benefit for having a roof top tent is that they're easy to setup and everything is fully enclosed. Pop/tilt and you're all set. No need to fumble with the poles setting up camp. Also the perks of having to sleep off the ground away from wet terrain is a big plus (not that I'd ever encounter that here in Southern California!).

Downside to all of this.... your center of gravity goes out the window as you've got well over 100# sitting up there. But for the average user who is exploring more than doing the technical trails won't mind the added cog up there.

Anyway here's a small list of what I've been able to compile over time during my researching hours. If you've used any one of these, post up your reviews!

Autohome Columbus Roof Top Tent (http://autohomeus.com/products/columbus.php)

SizeWeightClosed DimensionOpen DimensionColorModel Number
Small (1.3m) 95# 130 x 210 x 30 (cm) 130 x 210 x 150 (cm) Grey CV/01
51" x 83" x 11-3/4"51" x 83" x 59"
Medium (1.45m) 108# 145 x 210 x 30 (cm)145 x 210 x 150 (cm)GreyCV/01
57" x 83" x 11-3/4"57" x 83" x 59"
Large (1.6m) 125.5# 160 x 210 x 30 (cm)160 x 210 x 150 (cm)GreyCV/01
63" x 83" x 11-3/4"63" x 83" x 59"

Autohome Maggiolina Airlander (http://autohomeus.com/products/maggiolinaAirlander.php)

SizeWeightClosed DimensionOpen DimensionColorModel Number Comments
Small (1.3m) 119 lbs. (54kg) 130 x 210 x 30 (cm)130 x 210 x 92 (cm)Grey M/09 Sleeps 2 Adults
51" x 83" x 11-3/4" 51" x 83" x 36-1/2"
Medium (1.45m)128 lbs. (58kg)145 x 210 x 30 (cm)145 x 210 x 92 (cm)GreyM/10Sleeps 2 Adults + 1 Child
57" x 83" x 11-3/4"57" x 83" x 36-1/2"
Large (1.6m)150 lbs. (68kg)160 x 215 x 92 (cm)160 x 215 x 92 (cm)GreyM/11Sleeps 2 Adults + 2 Children
63" x 85" x 11-3/4"63"x 85" x 36-1/2"


Autohome Maggiolina Extreme (http://autohomeus.com/products/maggiolinaExtreme.php)

SizeWeightClosed DimensionOpen DimensionColorModel Number Comments
Small (1.3m) 136.4 lbs. (62 kg) 130 x 210 x 33 (cm)130 x 210 x 90 (cm)Grey M/05Sleeps 2 Adults
51" x 82-3/4' x 13" 51" x 82-3/4" x 34-1/2" Permissible top load: 35 lbs.


Autohome Maggiolina Grand Tour (http://autohomeus.com/products/maggiolinaGrandTour.php)

SizeWeightClosed DimensionOpen DimensionColorModel Number Comments
Small (1.3m) 123lbs. (56 kg) 130 x 210 x 36 (cm) 130 x 210 x 96 (cm) Grey M/12Sleeps 2 Adults
td]51" x 82-3/4" x 14-1/4"51" x 82-3/4" x 37-3/4"Permissible top load: 25 lbs. inc. roof rack
Medium (1.45m)132lbs. (60 kg)145 x 210 x 36 (cm)145 x 210 x 96 (cm)GreyM/13Sleeps 2 Adults + 1 Child
td]57" x 82-3/4" x 14-1/4"57" x 82-3/4" x 37-3/4"Permissible top load: 25 lbs. inc. roof rack
Large (1.6m)154lbs. (70 kg)160 x 215 x 36 (cm)160 x 215 x 96 (cm)GreyM/13Sleeps 2 Adults + 2 Children
td]63" x 84-3/4" x 14-1/4"63" x 84-3/4" x 37-3/4"Permissible top load: 25 lbs. inc. roof rack


Autohome Overland (http://autohomeus.com/products/overland.php)

SizeWeightClosed DimensionOpen DimensionColor Model Number Comments
Small (1.3m) 95 lbs. (43 kg) 130 x 110 x 30 (cm) 130 x 220 x 125 (cm) Carbon Grey OLC/01Sleeps 2 Adults
51" x 43-1/4" x 11-3/4" 51" x 87" x 49-1/4"
Medium (1.6m) 108 lbs. (49 kg) 160 x 110 x 30 (cm) 160 x 220 x 125 (cm) Carbon Grey OLC/02Sleeps 2 Adults + 1 Child
63" x 43-1/4" x 11-3/4" 63" x 87" x 49-1/4"
Large (1.8m) 125-1/2 lbs. (57 kg) 180 x 110 x 30 (cm) 180 x 220 x 125 (cm) Carbon Grey OLC/03Sleeps 2 Adults + 2 Children
71" x 43-1/4" x 11-3/4" 71" x 87" x 49-1/4"


Eezi-Awn Series 3 Roof Top Tent (http://www.eezi-awn.co.za/rooftents.html)

Model Number DimensionWeight Comments
12001200 (w) x 2400 (l) x 1300mm (h) 115#Sleeps 2 Adults
12201220 (w) x 2440 (l) x 1300mm (h)Sleeps 2 Adults
14001400 (w) x 2440 (l) x 1300mm (h)Sleeps 2 Adults
16001600 (w) x 2440 (l) x 1300mm (h)130#Sleeps 2 Adults + 2 Children
18001800 (w) x 2440 (l) x 1300mm (h)Sleeps 2 Adults + 3 Children
22002200 (w) x 2440 (l) x 1300mm (h)150#Sleeps 4 Adults (2 dividing rooms)


Howling Moon Roof Top Tent (http://www.howlingmoon.co.za/rooftopframe.html)

Model Number WeightClosed DimensionOpen DimensionComments
DELUXE 1.2 (#972490) 48 kg 130 x 130 x 36 cm 2.4 m x 1.2 m x 1.2 m Sleeps 2 Adults
DELUXE 1.3 (#974003)52 kg140 x 130 x 36 cm2.4 m x 1.3 m x 1.2 mSleeps 2 Adults
DELUXE 1.4 (#972494)56 kg150 x 130 x 36 cm2.4 m x 1.4 m x 1.2 mSleeps 2 Adults
DELUXE 1.6 (#972580)66 kgs170 x 130 x 36 cm2.4 m x 1.6 m x 1.2 mSleeps 2 Adults
DELUXE 2.4 (#972495)96 kgs260 x 130 x 36 cm 2.4 m x 2.4 m x 1.2 mSleeps 4 Adults (2 individual rooms)


Mambosa Car Top Tent (http://www.car-top-tent.com/products.asp)
* Fabric: 420 Denier Polyester with PVC Coating
* Water Resistance: 1000mm
* Window (2) PE Mesh
* Inner Mattress: Foam 2.5in (H) x 71in (L) x 41in (W) / (x2)
* Base: Flex PVC Board Reinforced with Aluminum Frame
* Frame: Aluminum Tube 19 x 1.33mm (Self Retracting) 22 x 1.0mm
* Ladder: Adjustable Steel Tube From 39in up to 72in (H)
* Lock Pins: 20 x 20 x 1.2mm, 25.4 x 25.4 x 1.3mm
* Country of Origin: China

Oasis II Tent (http://www.oasis-tents.com/tents.html)
* Closed: 61"L x 46"W x 8"H
* Open: 85"L x 58"W x 47"H
* Weight (lbs.): 39
* Exterior fabric: 300 D Polyester with a water resistant polyurethane coating.
* Interior floor covering ? soft flannel.
* Rain/sunshade: 300 D polyester with water resistant polyurethane coating.
* Flooring: Heavy woven fabric supported by adjustable elastic weaving.
* Tent Frame: powder coated aluminum alloy construction perimeter frame.
* Ladder Specifications:
* Aluminum construction.
* Maximum Length: 110 inches
* Weight: 12 lbs.

Technitop Rooftop Tent (http://www.technitop.co.za/)
* Closed: 1.1m Length
* Open: 2.2m Length, 1.3m Width, 0.28m Height
* Weight: 52kg (no ladder)
* Canvas: high quality Riblock Acrylic Dralon. Canvas color = Light Olive
* Flysheet: permanently attached durable PVC flysheet
* Convoluted high density foam mattress with cover

[Good Times]

photos to come shortly...

[slosurfer]

Nice list Lance, you just saved some people a bunch of time, not to mention they can compare dimensions easily. I want to get an eazi awn to mount on my trailer eventually.

[Good Times]

chris i soooooo envy u!!!! when we do our summer/fall run in July, I want you to bring that trailer so I can check it out again :) Got some convincing to do to the better half ;)

[FlyingWil]

Nice summary. Hannibal and ARB also make a RTT.

Lofty Shelters

Pros: I like the idea of a plastic derived travel case. If made right, its more weather proof and durable than the PVC covers on most other tents out there. Materials and craftsmanship seems relatively decent.

Cons: Because the entire tent raises up vertically, rather than opening like a book (like most other tents) it takes up a larger footprint on the rack. This is problematic only if you need to store other gear on the rack.

Personally, l'm not a fan of the design of their Maggiolinas. It feels a bit small and closed in when open. I have one friend who equated it to sleeping in a coffin.


Hannibal Tents

Pros: Good design (same basic design as the Eezi-awn). Cool diamond plate ladders. Full u-zip windows seal up tent well. Comes with maintenance kit. U-zip on travel cover is great for keeping out weather, but a pain to zip sometimes.

Cons: u-zip windows can cause the zippers to snag or teeth to separate. Quality control issues with materials and craftsmanship (I saw a few of them with thin spots in canvas where rain would seep in, and some minor stitching issues)


Oasis

Pros: Interesting design. Nylon "hammock" flooring removes marine ply and mattress from equation, greatly decreasing the weight of the tent.

Cons: Ladder design is a bit kludgy, it kind of seems like a normal step ladder added to the package. Nylon material is not as nice as that found in most African tents. A bit over priced in my opinion.

Bottom Line: a decent tent for the occasional camper, but probably not a good option for serious expedition work.


Technitop

Pros: Clamshell design uses injection molded plastic. All the advantages of the Maggiolina, without the disadvantages. Great design, and good materials. Telescoping sides provide build in shelter when opening the doors

Cons: I feel like the hardware used inside of the tent is a bit lightweight for expedition duty. The telescoping poles could probably have been engineered for more HD use. But, Graham subjected a pair of them to HD overland use across Africa, so my concerns may be unfounded.

Bottom line: Overall, this would be my second choice for a roof top tent.


Howling Moon
Pros: tried and true classic roof top tent design. Decent materials. Aluminum flooring makes for a lighter weight tent.

Cons: Aluminum flooring means it sleeps colder than wood which has a better insulation properties. I've used these in Africa and had problems with the zippers tearing loose from the tent. Granted, these are rental tents in Africa, which is probably extreme use and abuse

Bottom Line: Decent tent. I don't love it, but I don't hate it either. No official importer that I know of, but I see them pop up here in the states from time to time.


Eezi-Awn

Pros: Great craftsmanship and materials. Good reputation among overlanders in South Africa. Travel cover is easy to take on and put off. Ladder design allows it to telescope in and out, making for easy storage. Extra vents at top of tent for added ventilation. Good mounting system to rack, so no drilling into tent is required. Straight zipped doors make the zippers more reliable.

Cons: If not put on properly, the travel cover will expose part of the canvas of the tent, allowing it to wick in a storm. One model, the AluTop, while a cool design is pretty heavy (about 130 lbs) and a bit expensive. Straight zipped doors require a bit more care to make sure they're sealed properly (see note above for trade off).

Bottom Line: My first choice of a roof top tent. We actually started selling them because I honestly thought it was the best of the bunch.


There also was a good comparison in the first issue of Overland Journal.