A westy and a roof top tent?

[Rocky Mountain Westy]

Has anyone ever seen a roof top tent mounted to a westy? There are some creative folks out there. I really would like to figure this out. My girlfriend and I camp with two kids and two dogs. The Westy just ends up being packed tight and we need to set up a tent outside. Makes for a lot of work. I haven't really thought through it much other. I was checking out all the cool roof top tents they make. You can buy a really nice one under $2k. Is it just me or could others use something like this?
_________________
Rocky Mountain Westy Inc.
www.rockymountainwesty.com
970-310-3441
[email protected]

The Splitzgauer build (when I have time to work on it and update the thread)

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=497133

[danfromsyr]

besides the weight load issues..
how would you keep from falling out of a RTT when the westy roof is popped at an angle?
or an I just missing the question?

take the girlfriend upstairs with you. leave the 2 kids & 2 dogs to figure it out below..
_________________

[Rocky Mountain Westy]

[0to60in6min]

I have roof top tent on my tintop. I am not sure about a roof top tent on a westy... it would defeat the purpose of the poptop

[WestyWanter]

I have a few ideas in my head of how it could work... but it would probably be more costly and a pain than what its worth, + the extra weight on an already under power van. I've seen some people pull small trailers behind their vans like the motorcycle ones but that van wasn't a westy.

[Rocky Mountain Westy]

[0to60in6min]

you can have a roof top tent on your poptop but you can't use both at the same time that's for sure...

an alternative solution is a roof top tent on a small trailer... a DIY solution...

or this... quite $ $ $

https://www.sylvansport.com/go/#lg=1&slide=0

[tgraham]

Potentially you could do something custom over the luggage rack, but it would take some thought. I would think it would extend out over the windshield and would need to be supported on the ground. Like the Flip-Pack (http://www.flippac.com). Weight would be a consideration.


You could always Stretch

_________________
1990 Multivan/Weekender Auto 3.27 R&P SAH 1.8T

[3dig]

I think this would work nicely. It would require a custom alum top...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=575530&highlight=

Plus the benefit of separation between tent/van occupants!

[newfisher]

Pull a light weight adventure box trailer with the RTT on top of it.

[IdahoDoug]

So, I have a rooftop tent that is actually a double Guide Cot from Cabela's. I made a simple platform it bolts to, and the platform works on any of my vehicles roofs - Vanagon, Cruisers, Mitsu.

I also found that the whole thing fits in the cargo space of the Vanagon as if it were designed to. The reason I mention it is it is a snap to set up vs a tent (2 minutes), and it has its own steel framed floor and was originally designed to sit on the ground. It's raised off the ground by its frame/folding legs. So you could pull this bad boy out, unfold it on the ground in 5 minutes and you've got a bomber 4 season sleeping pod for two, complete with their own entrances, windows, cup holders and yes, a sunroof. What's nice for two kids is there is a steel bar down the center that kinda separates and keeps one from flopping over on the other.

Or, if you're particularly clever (that would be you), I bet you could find a way to use it on the roof over the cargo box and fold off to the side, or forward.

Doug
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[lovine]

If someone can make something like this work, it would be very interesting. Instead of just popping the top at an angle, go the full 180* and basically double up on space:
http://expeditionportal.com/news-at-overland-announces-new-tacoma-habitat/

That idea might not clear the rear hatch, so this might be better:
https://expeditionportal.com/featured-vehicle-jon-burtts-toyota-tacoma/

Bonus points for the Westfalia stickers on the taco

Here it is photochopped. Not to scale, and it should probably sit more forward so the hinge is right at the B pillar, but the idea is there:

_________________
1979 Bay Window 2.0 FI
1990 Adventurewagen GWM 1.8T
lovine.com

[djkeev]

I'll play!
IMHO.......

It seems like a lot of work for a poor solution.

You have the bedding you need already, "suck it up kids..... you can spend a night or two cramped together", Honestly you simply need to bring less stuff...... the 10lbs of sugar in a 5 lb bag issue.

I personally hate trailers but there are some really nice light weight "trail" trailers on the market today. Designed for both sleeping and lugging that extra 5 lbs of sugar that you feel must come along.

The reality is that the 12 year old will soon be opting out of going on the family weekend trips.
Parents are about to become a major source of embarrassment and the root cause of deep shame to him/her.

You're looking for a 3-4 year solution..... buy the trailer. It is Ready made and easily resold. If you choose brands wisely you'll sell it for darn near what you paid for it.

The only downside is power to pull it, but I'm guessing you are NOT being pushed along by a WBX!

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[Rocky Mountain Westy]

I love the ideas. The flip over is pretty interesting.

Doug, do you have a link to the Cabella's thing your talking about?

Dave, I agree the timeline is short for this need for my situation . I just like the idea though. RTT's are kind of the new rage and if we can figure out how to incorporate them into a Westy. I won't be the only one that is interested.
_________________
Rocky Mountain Westy Inc.
www.rockymountainwesty.com
970-310-3441
[email protected]

The Splitzgauer build (when I have time to work on it and update the thread)

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=497133

[pnwkayaker]

Can you try to mount a small 2-person roof top tent sideways over the front carrier such that you deploy it forward? I've seen some Defender 90 using a similar solution. You might have to remove the carrier for an easier fit.

Tepui tents have several 2-person tents that might fit (there're many other similar brands).

http://tepuitents.com/collections/2-person-rooftop-tents
_________________
87 Syncro Westy EJ25 ("Tardis")

Seattle Meetup at Marymoor (link)
A collection of Simple Useful Mods (SUM) (link)

[djkeev]

I don't see a roof top tenting being much less, if any less, work then a ground based tent?

I do see other advantages though, water, rodents, small mammals and reptiles.....
No dogs either.......

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[Terry Kay]

Boy, I have seen some folks trying to squeeze more oura less, this is a little crazy.

Park the minivan, think Prevost till Jr. doesn't want to attend any longer.
Sell the Prevost, go back to the Westy.

A buddy of mine has a Prevost, I can't see why anyone would want to venture out in anything else.

Plus---at 40' long it'll roll down the highway of life at 90--plus.
I took it down to Fla. last fall for him, driving it back in May.

Impressive comfort.

Pretty neat ride.

Too much work , the top of a westy is limiting.
Pull a Coleman camper behind you.
Hook up and go.
_________________
T.K.

[0to60in6min]

@ OP...

so your goal is getting a 3rd bed for the kids... in my opinion putting a roof top tent with the poptop is quite hard to do but it can be done involving braces and supports etc etc..

some other options are:
- roof top tent on a small trailer
- a high top w. 2 beds in it

or this modified/extended poptop w. 2 beds... (from Howesight )
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6849793

[kamzcab86]

Doesn't the Westy come equipped with a roof-top tent?

This seems like a lot of work for what amounts to a short-term solution. I'd just throw the boy in one of these:

My dad prefers sleeping on a cot. I bought the Teton Sports cot tent for him, which is compact, lightweight, and quick to deploy. Can use the tent on any oversized cot, or on the ground. It's come in quite handy.

[joetiger]

We need a bit more room ourselves. I'm offering the ARB awning room and a cot for anybody who doesn't appreciate my snoring.

Oh wait, I said that wrong: The ARB room and cot are where I'll be sleeping.
_________________
Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com