rooftop tents

[rayroc]

I have a tin top 90 westy and was wondering if anyone could reccomend a rooftop tent setup I want to stay in the $1000- range and there seems to be quite a few out there ,

[IdahoDoug]

I purchased a Cabelas Deluxe Tent Cot in the largest double size on sale. It's bombproof, essentially a waterproof sleeping pod for two that folds up and has its own integrated steel frame. It's designed to sit on the ground on folding legs. Then I made a plywood platform that attaches to any roof rack crossbars, so it stands on that like a rooftop tent does. A pair of U bolts hold it and the ladder up there while you drive.

Park, pull down the ladder, go up the ladder and unfold it in four motions, and you are ready to crawl in. It weighs half what a rooftop tent does, meaning I can put it up there alone (check the weights of even a light RTT). Including a pair of really sweet self inflating mattresses, a pair of aluminum ladders, plywood, marine paint and hardware, this came in under $500. One of the best projects I have pulled off in years.

My son and I have slept a half dozen nights in it atop the Cruiser while my wife and daughter slept inside the Cruiser. We will be using it in the exact way on the Vanagon. Plenty of room for two, including two doors with screens, two screened windows, a "skylight", semi rigid cupholders, an overhead hook for a light and other design thoughts. I set it up so each person has their own ladder to go up and down opposite sides of the roof, which is great if my son retires early and I hang at the campfire. As a bonus, when you get up there, under the floor is 10" of sheltered space - perfect to keep dirty shoes out, stow a pee bottle, leave a big flashlight in easy reach from the door, etc which a RTT doesn't offer.

On the down side, some RTTs are much bigger inside, and I have not yet figured a way to deploy the awnings over the doors. This Springs challenge I guess....
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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

[pnwkayaker]

[IdahoDoug]

Yeah will post one in a bit.
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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

[bjrogers86auto]

I have looked at those tent/cots at Cabela's and thought they looked like a great idea. Nice to hear a real world review. I thought it would be an option for the growing family. The bonus is off the ground and self contained.

I am presently working on my hammock set up as an option as well.

Waiting with a coffee on pics...

Brian
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86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.

[joetiger]

[IdahoDoug]

Brilliant! thanks - forgot about that post. thats pretty comprehensive and has my pics.
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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

[rayroc]

nice setup !!

[Jake de Villiers]

[rayroc]

I found the front top luggage area from a westfalia today I thought it would look nice on the front with maybe a yakima basket rack with a rooftop tent setup have to make sure there room but don't think thats an issue

[vanagonjr]

I think a side tent might be better for housing a kid or 2 (I assume that's why you need the extra sleep space), and is functional in other ways for camping as well.

Just throwing it out there.
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John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
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[rayroc]

too much hassle to set up for me at least

[IdahoDoug]

Same for me - too much hassle n storage space. Also, I found the simple joy of the 'treehouse' sleeping up high feeling adds an outsize dose of adventure and a hard to describe fun factor. Man, I can't wait for camping season now!!!!
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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

[rayroc]

yea I hear ya I always called the upper bunk in my westy first, just like the feel of it up there not too mention the views the simplicity factor is the icing on the cake. I've been scouring craigslist thinking maybe someone was an impulsive gift giver without trying it out.

[DeezUU]

As soon as I sign my name on the line for the tin top I'm looking at, I'm ordering a Tepui so I can toss my yutes on the roof. My boys are growing like weeds and did not fit well in my Riviera pop-top. Tepui has a small 2 man tent called the Ayer for $745 and I believe shipping is a flat $150 which is well within your range. I've only talked to 1 person with a Tepui but they seemed to love it.

Tepui Ayer

A few peeps have asked why in the heezy I'm getting a tin top passenger instead of a pop top >> the roof tents give WAY more space upstairs and with a passenger van, I get a full width Zbed, a pop out camp sofa, and after seat swivels are installed I should have a ton of room inside. BOOM!
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1964 Beetle

[syncrodoka]

I have seen a good amount of Tepui RTT on the road trips in CA, OR and WA.
I have only recently found out that they are local to me by the Home Depot on 41st. They get good reviews for their product and customer service on 4x4 forums, I have no experience with them though.

I have had my RTT for a few years and have used it many times, they are great. More comfortable than sleeping inside(which isn't bad), lots of room, better ventilation, nice treehouse/fort vibe for the kids and a better vantage point to see great sunrises and sunsets.
BTW, every kid in the area will want to come by and check it out.

Unfortunately the company that sold mine is no longer in business so I have no current purchasing input.

[DASMULE]

[Jake de Villiers]

[DASMULE]

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MULE Expedition Outfitters
Specializing in Overland Equipment & Accessories
www.dasmule.com

[DeezUU]

Put mine on a few days ago... just got to pop it open today.

1 word... LOVEIT!!! Takes a few extra minutes to setup over a built in pop-top, but the extra room is well worth the effort.
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1964 Beetle