Roof Weight Limit

[klrevo]

just wondering what the go is with the rated load limit for a 94 NJ Shorty??? read somewhere that for the gen 1 series shorty it was 100kg. I take this is nojt simply static weight but the weight that could be tied to the roof and exert pressure on the roof?

just asking because were seriously considering a rooftop tent now instead of a trailer for our trip round aus. Weve got our bigger tent for more permanent stays, and are thinking the rooftop for short overnight stays or those stays which have some of those locals with big teeth. Understand the fors and againsts of rooftops just wondering about fitting one to the shorty and the weight limits???

also is there a way to mount a third crossbar at the front of the cabin too??? i have seen two bars used one at the back where i already have one and one at the front where i propose to have one. This way would be able to utilise the whole roof for one of the longer (about 2m) style tents off the side. Otherwise something like a flip over unit such as eezi awn/howling moon/dingo doza will be the go. Is it as easy as mounting another track pop rivet syle like two i already have and getting a crossbar that has a higher rise to counter the drop in roof height over the front seats??? this is what im thinking of doing, just throwing around ideas. Mostly due to the smaller outlay of cash in the first place and the much higher return of that cash for resale value, being that rooftop tents hold their value very well compared to a fully custom trailer.



Any help would be great,

dean

[-Scott-]

A subject near to my heart.

Other things for you to consider:

Fuel.

Shorty doesn't carry much.

Roof top tent will bugger your consumption. So will a trailer.

Trailer will make it easier to carry more fuel. Roof top tent won't.

Have a look at Blackwolf Turbo Tents. The Compact or 210 Model should fit crosswise in a shorty (but you'll need to plan your packing ) they're quick and easy to set up, none of the inconvenience of climbing up a ladder after the customary nightcap (or three.)

They don't protect you from the buggers with the big teeth.

I've also heard complaints from a bloke who tours with groups a fair bit, that the roof-top tenters are often the last to be ready to leave in the morning - but I don't understand how that works.

[klrevo]

yeh well thats pretty much it. Before we commit to anything money wise we just wanna make sure were doing the right thing for we need. The money is in the bank pretty much, its a matter of spending it on the right thing. Whether or not a trailer is the right choice or a rooftop tent nt sure. Thought youd be one to answer scott, knowing youve done a bit of travelling in the shorty. Last time we went down south and the shorty was packed sweet. Fridge worked really really well on the slide and made packing a shiteload easier.

As far as carrying fuel, thats a good idea, and not one weve thought about. Long ranger tank may be on the list, but not too sure. Gues it would have to be with a rooftop tent.

I like the maggiolina, http://www.fastfitbullbars.com.au/rooftop_tents.htm, rooftop tents for the aero factor alone. Theyre not as heavy, really quick and easy, and they have a good profile for driving conditions, wehreas the eezi awn/howling/dingo doza do not. The one thing the maggiolina does have though is the price tag. You start talking $4000 for a rooftop tent and the trailer starts looking good.

Dunno, just throwing ideas round and seeing what comes of it. The trailer is a lot of money that would be very hard to get back. The rooftops are half to 1/4 the price were talking for a trailer and have excellent resale value. Theres quite a few rooftops around second hand also, in good nick and good savings.

who knows, we need somewhere to sleep,

On a side note, what is the prevalence of crocs and sleeping really like. Is it that big of a deal to have set up a tent and be worrying all night that crocs going to eat you. Up nth queensland and NT, and nth WA, cos we wanna go everywhere, but are conscious of the crocs. Are they that big of a problem to warrant the rooftop??? especially when thatll be the only time we use it. The rest will be camping in a ground tent.

dean

[GREGGO]

Hey klrevo,

I've been running three Rino Utility bars for a while. I usually only have ladders, timber, quickshade etc up top. I usually kneel on the rear bar to wash the front roof area and lights and have never found the roof to feel dodgy. The mounts for these bars are pop-riveted into the roof and seem secure.

My olds took a camper trailer up through the top end and thought it was great. Not as great as a caravan but more convienient. Tow vehicle was a 4.5p 80's.

Hope you get sorted ok. It's a hard decision to make, and live with if you get it wrong.

Greggo

[klrevo]

thanks greggo, yeh definitely dont wanna get it wrong. lot of moneys to be throwing away.

thats what i was thinkin about running three crossbars for the roof. Just another track system that pop rivets t the roof like i alread have and prob just a crossbar with a bit more height to make them level.

are all of your crossbars the same height there greggo? just cos the roof pitch drops a bit over the cabin area compared to the rear section.

on a side note, yeh iv stood on my roof and bars beofre and it feels ok, jst thinking with two people up there wasnt sure. I guess the old horizontal sandbar will have to wait till were back on solid earth too.

thanks for the help,

dean

[Shorti]

I think i'm going the camper trailer for my trip around oz. I like the ideo of carrying more petrol and more storage space...

[-Scott-]

On a side note, what is the prevalence of crocs and sleeping really like. Is it that big of a deal to have set up a tent and be worrying all night that crocs going to eat you. Up nth queensland and NT, and nth WA, cos we wanna go everywhere, but are conscious of the crocs. Are they that big of a problem to warrant the rooftop???

I don't believe so, no.

We were at Cape Melville at the same time as another group were "returning" one year after one of their group had been dragged from his tent by a croc. When we found out who they were, it sorta scared the crap out of us!

Later in the trip, we spoke to a ranger who made us feel a little better.

Crocs only attack live animals at the water's edge. Lunge, grab, roll, eat. They don't chase live prey across land.

They WILL leave the water to chase a scent - a blood scent. According to the ranger, the Cape Melville "victim" had been cleaning his day's catch of fish, right beside his tent. He cleaned the last fish, buried the frames/guts etc. in the sand beside his tent, and crawled into his bed.

The croc followed the scent of blood, found something which smelled the same, grabbed it and attempted to return to the water.

Grandma heard the noise and tripped over the croc in the dark - she didn't "leap onto its back" to "save the baby."

Another member of the group shot the croc with a handgun - highly illegal to have it there, surprisingly suppressed by the media.

So, in my opinion, if you're sensible about where you camp, you'll be fine. Worst case, zip up your tent - I don't believe a croc would break into a tent.

Cheers,

Scott

[Shorti]

But if by any chance a croc does come into your tent make sure you wrestle it and get the missus to get some photos and post them up here

[klrevo]

yeh just trying to work it out. I dont believe that it is essential we camp off the ground. Like scott has said, they will attack if provoked, in that way by the guy burrying his catch next to tent, what a fool

im pretty sure we would be very conscious and asses the situation appropriately concerning crocs.

Worst comes to worse, iv always got my whacking stick, a blank axe handle. Fits very well in the palm of ones hand

Maybe see what the consensus is amongst the board in general chit chat.

Id be happy with just one tent, black wolf style, or touring canvas style with no centre pole/.

dean

[GREGGO]

Hey there klrevo.

I've just got some of the genuine packing spacers under the bars/above the roof mounts. I set it up so that it sits lower to the front but it's not noticeable.


Don't all wacky sticks fit in the palm of your hand???

Greggo

[Miyagi]

So, in my opinion, if you're sensible about where you camp, you'll be fine. Worst case, zip up your tent - I don't believe a croc would break into a tent.

not unless the crock had thumbs

[Miyagi]

but seriously,

go with a tourer tent with a side pole kit over a turbo tent. The tourer will set up just as fast and pack away much smaller. If you need anything come in and see me at work

[RO8M]

What about 2nd hand trailers? Would they not be a good buy, because of their quick depreciation?

That'd be my choice, i reckon. When you're doing high k trips, you don't want to be up to your eye-holes with crap in your cabin...

[klrevo]

yeh but none of the second hand campers are cheap though and to the same sp[ecs we were going to get made. None have 100x50 drawbar and 75x50 chassis, none have side access and not many have full annexe, and not many have a solid suspension setup, tregg hitch, override brakes, 1 gas bottle holder and 4 jery holders, swing out tailgate and blah blah blah. If they do then theyre up around $12,000+, our camper would only cost about $9000 all up with all of that and more.

dunno, yeh thinking just going the touring style tent with no wacky pole in the middle.

dean

[GREGGO]

Dean...

How do you differenciate between a wacky stick and a wacky pole??

Greggo

[klrevo]

probably comes down to the location and the diameter...

that would be my guess, but im no expert on the topic, miyagi might know, he works at anaconda

dean

[Miyagi]

Dean...

How do you differenciate between a wacky stick and a wacky pole??

Greggo

a wacky stick needs only one hand to use, a wacky pole nees at least two hands or even better a second person.

[4runna]

Hey Dean,

I'd have a talk to a couple of the RT tent companies, I'm not sure they'd recommend putting a tent on those types of racks at all. I think they're only suitable for the gutter style rails. the static weight would be fine, it's the shiteload of corrugations that'll do the damage.

I know some of the newer 4x4s have reinforced mounting points when they don't have gutters, not sure that the early Paj's have this.

on the tent side I went for the howling moon so that it didn't take up too much of the roof space, i then used the front area for small jerrys and wheels. plus it opens out over the back door, so gives shelter for quick cookups in the boot when raining or windy. Fuel economy and power on the highway do suffer of course, on the diesel it would be about 1.5L/100k more, so I would say the petrol would be worse again. and there is more body roll of course (do not even consider one without swaybars, it is dangerous. I broke a couple of swaybar linkages on the last trip and it wasn't pleasant)

the tent literally takes about 2>3 mins to setup, (maybe 10 mins to packup on average) all sleeping gear stays in it, is super comfy and is great for peace of mind with the oversize lizards running around.

there were some times that we would have liked a camper, but there were many more times that we loved the tent, and didn't have to worry about getting a trailer bogged or stuck, which is a big advantage when travelling by yourself.

they all have their advantages and disadvantages.

oh yeah on the 4runner i had which had the FRP roof, we welded up a bracket which mounted to chassis rails underneath the rear of the truck and looped over the roof, then had a rhino rack for the front mount via the gutters. Maybe another idea?

And think about your GVM, mine is over and that causes regular tyre failures and shock deaths. but still great. a trailer would eliminate this problem

Rob.

[klrevo]

thanks heaps rob, thanks for the time and info, not so sure at the moment still up in the air, excuse the pun, about what to do. Guess we'll wait and see what the future holds.

decisions, decisions, who knows

dean

[j-top paj]

when u doing your trip dude?

[klrevo]

was meant to leave next feb, may be postponed for 12 months. Either way, before we have a mortgage and kids and marriage.

dean