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Going to the Kimberley next June, Getting my Prado set up for the trip. I will be back in America from March until the end of May, then the trip in June. Would love the members to comment on the best roof top tent that they have found. Ease of set up and put away. Thank you.
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We took a Roof Top Tent to the Cape this year. We have sold it and will be purchasing an Oztent 30 second tent.
My reasons.
1. Climbing up and down to set it up and pack away.
2. The dust that ended up on the RTT cover ended up on me when reaching across to zip and unzip.
3. 30 Second tent is much quicker.
4. When you have other stuff on the roof rack you have to move it to open up the RTT.
5. Thicker mattress would be much better.
6. If you stay for a couple of nights you have to pack it up to go exploring.
We had 6 cars, 2 RTT, 2 Oztent 30 second tents, 1 Jet tent style and 1 Hiking tent.
We were very impressed with the Oztent 30 second tent even though there were a couple of times it took Richo 32 second to set it up. My battle now is working out whether to get an RV5 or 2 RV3's with the kids.Last edited by Brains; 28-09-2013, 02:39 PM.[SIZE=2]Black 2009 150 Series D4D GXL Prado, [B]TG150[/B] Transfer Case & Actuator Guard, TJM T13 bar, TJM 9.5lb Winch, Airtec Snorkel, TJM steel sidesteps and sidebars, TJM Underbody Protection, TJM XGS Gold Suspension, Tinted, ARB Fridge Freezer, Couplertec System, Foxwing Awning, 80AH Dual battery, 8" indash GPS, Wet Seat seatcovers, GME TX3540, TX3110 & TX680, [B][COLOR=#ff6633]Maxtrax[/COLOR][/B], Kaymar Dual Wheel Carrier, Breathers, Federal MT's.[/SIZE] -
Timely thread.
I have been interested, yet wary of roof top tents for the very reasons you mentioned.
I have never been a fan the vehicle being home and transport.
I'm seriously considering one of the Black Wolf fast tents. I'm guessing theres a few brands offering this style now.Comment
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Researched pretty thoroughly a few months ago as I was keen on the idea, howling moon was a nice setup, Tigerz11 and others seem similar, borrowed 1 for a 2 week camping trip, never again, The clearance meant had to occasionally park miles away from busy shopping centres, or reverse the wrong way out of underground car parks, got caught and ripped on countless tree limbs, and the noise was terrible, especially at 100 on the highway, wind drag and used a noticeable amount more of fuel. Also found out what a PITA they are when you are half cut and getting up and down all night to wee, reckon Ill look at the surrounds that come off the side awning now for a quick setup, But if I was going to get 1, I,d buy a cheap 2nd hand 1 from gumtree, Then re-sell after my trip, like anything I spose, theory is 1 thing, To live with on a daily basis is a whole other issue.
cheersComment
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We have had a Shippshape roof top tent for about 8 years now. Best investment we ever made. So much easier having the bed made up all the time. We can pull up at a site and have it opened, chairs out and beers in hand before others have their tent out of its bag. No problems ever with clearance in bush or car parks (we know its height and do not enter car parks that are too low - most are okay). It is also not a hassle to have to pack it up if doing a day trip. Too bad the Shippshapes are no longer available. We have many friends who have roof top tents, all love them.Michael and Kelly
[SIZE=1]1999 Prado Snowy 3.4L petrol, Ultimate Suspension 50mm lift (2013)[/SIZE][SIZE=1], BFG A/T, bull bar, winch, Twine hot water shower, home made rear drawers, Shippshape car top tent, UHF radio, tablet GPS & Navman GPS (both running OziExplorer)[/SIZE][SIZE=1], Spot 1, solar panel, second battery, inverter, Engel fridge and more[/SIZE]Comment
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We have had a GordiGear RTT for about 3 years now and love it. We even went on our honeymoon in it!
It only takes us a couple of minutes to unpack, and probably 10 minutes absolute max to pack up again, plus it has the bonus of not having to pack up the sleeping bag, etc each day and store them in the cabin.
The mattress is comfy enough that there are mornings that I wake up and think that if I wasn't in a sleeping bag I'd forget that we are hundreds of km's from anywhere.
Whilst you can get cheaper ones, the key to it all is to get one with a decent mattress, as otherwise you wont get a good nights sleep, and end up hating the idea of RTT's. We spend a while researching, and a mate went as far as spending 2 months researching and testing, to the point that they even drove to QLD to test the Gordigear before they purchased it.
We've been on Kangaroo Island and spent the night in gale force winds, and whilst the car swayed, the tent stayed put, and we still had a good nights sleep.
The Gordigear gear is great, and their customer service is excellent as well.Comment
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Thank you for the info folk......would appreciate some more input from others though.Comment
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Anyone have the ARB sky-dome swag?Comment
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I did a lot or research on these (also went to the camping show in Brisbane in June this year) and one thing you need is a thicker mattress, 60mm minimum. Overall I did like the Hannibal safari tent however where the annex (where the ladder is) attaches to the tent there is gaps. They use hooks and eyelets and not a zip. Thus allowing mozzies and midges to get in.
I think ARB was going to be my second choice but with a thicker mattress.
Winston.Winston.
White 2009 120 Series D4D GXL manual.Comment
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Thanks Winston. I was also looking at ARB's Skydome swag. Easy set up and take down.........just set it up under the awningComment
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Send a pm to JPH he has a single and a double sky dome, I'm sure he will give you some feedback.Originally posted by outback7 View Post
Cheers MattBlue storm 150GXL auto TD with tjm steel bulbar, Xgs gold lift with polyairs, airtec etc..Comment
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Check this out...
Hannibal Tourer RTT HJT16
http://hannibalsafari.com.au/index.p...er-canvas-tent
About 10 mins to completely set up and about the same to pack up.
Very well made.
Cheers,[SIZE=3]Jeff[/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]2012 | VX | D4D | Auto | Crystal Pearl | LightForce Genesis 50W HID's | ARB UVP | TJM Bar | Tow Bar | Rhino Pioneer Rack | Outback Ideas Points | Airtec Snorkel | Diff Breathers | Uniden UH7760NB UHF | Uniden UH076SX-NB UHF | Bilstein B6 Offroad Shocks | XGS Springs | TG150 | ARB Compressor | Redarc Trailer Brake | Projecta Anderson Plug | Hannibal RTT |[/SIZE]Comment
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I use to have a pinniacle wholesale roof top tent it was the old style arb tent which most the cheap ones are based on, possibly even still come from same factory.
my wife and I lived in it for a 5 week cape York trip loved it, the only reason we sold it is we now have kids and a camper trailer is better suited.
a simple solution with the mattress is to buy one of those egg shell overlays I was so impressed I now have one in my swag as well!
I agree the 30 sec tents go up quicker but how long does it take to set up your bed? with the roof top we left our bed made up.
tent or roof top a lot depends on the type of trip your doing if your mainly doing overnight stays then moving on I would get a roof top tent. if your planning regular longer stays at a base camp with day trips packing up every day would get annoying.
which brand depends on your budget all the cheap ones look the same as the one I use to have and the quality of mine was good just needed the egg shell matress overlay and all was good.
good luck peteComment
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Originally posted by pete8205 View Post
Great pic's Pete......thanks for the input. Will take it on board.......Just want to do the right thing before spending the bucks.Comment
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