ARB roof top tent

[TheBigBoy]

Borrowed a mates arb roof top tent for my last trip. Absolutely bloody terrible. First night it leaked like a siv from the zippers, stitching and even coming straight through the canvas and dripping on me. Dried it out and sprayed it with canvas water proofing wich stopped the leaks (for a while). Then woke up with cramps and very very sore back. That matress ontop of a ply floor is worse than nails. After that I gave up and stayed in cabin. I really wanted to buy 1. But if I had spent a few grand and got that for my troubles. I would be soo peeved off. Good thing I didnt.

Im going a camper trailer now.

Anyone else experience this or other problems?

[mick80]

I was gonna buy one but not now cheers 4 the info
Cheers mick

[RUFF]

Ive got one of the original Sahara Roof Tops. Never had a problem with it at all. And its never leaked. I also find it comfortable to sleep in. Maybe your just Soft

[TheBigBoy]

The idea and concept is awsome. Although it only took 3 minutes to set up in the rain. You seriously couldnt go anywhere in your 4bie after that. Its a walk job everywhere. That matress is soooo sh#t its not funny my self inflaiting matress is way way better and what I would use if I was going to go down this track. I was just about to buy 1 when I got the offer from my mate. I would rather build a tuff as camper trailer and skull drag through anything that the roof top tent. On another note for those wanting to buy 1. Didnt affect fuel eco at all. Did make it a little top heavy with a 6" lift. Total weight up top spare 35, roof top tent roof rack and roof top tent = 120kg

ps. Im not soft . Id just rather sleep on dirt than that hard bloody thing

[pigletracing]

I have the TJM ROOF TOP TENT, really great, quicker & easer to set up than 2 swags & a tarp. & heaps more comfortable .
I also put it on a frame on my box trailer when Im going to somewhere like D/I point for a week.
& they are only $ 1590 RRP for the large & $1400 for the smaller.
& if you want a better price come & see me at TJM COOPERS PLAINS (briz)
I do forum members special pricing.
IAN MCclenahan "piglet"
TJM COOPERS PLAINS (briz)
07-32778255
piglet@4x4megastore.com.au

[chunks]

I'm thinking about getting an Oztent as the mrs says she wants a bit more "privacy" than just our swags

[rowenb]

Can't go past a southern cross tent with the center pole. 4 pegs and one pole to set up and i've seen them mounted as a roof topper as well!

[mick80]

I'm thinking about getting an Oztent as the mrs says she wants a bit more "privacy" than just our swags

That's what I was thinking you can add to them as well
The weight thing has me wondering
Never had anything on my roof b4 and currently I'm 5 inch 80 with 35s soon to be 6 with 37s
What sort of light roof racks doe you'd recommend
Don't mean to hijack big boy just curious
Cheers Mick

[pigletracing]

I'm thinking about getting an Oztent as the mrs says she wants a bit more "privacy" than just our swags

That's what I was thinking you can add to them as well
The weight thing has me wondering
Never had anything on my roof b4 and currently I'm 5 inch 80 with 35s soon to be 6 with 37s
What sort of light roof racks doe you'd recommend
Don't mean to hijack big boy just curious
Cheers Mick

any of the light weight rhino or pro rack can handle 50kg per rack, the more H/D racks from those brands will handle 100kg per bar.
cheers "piggy"

[pigletracing]

I'm thinking about getting an Oztent as the mrs says she wants a bit more "privacy" than just our swags

The OZ TENT also makes the FOX WING AWNING, so the OZ TENT will zip onto the side of a FOX WING.

cheers "piggy"

[mick80]

I'm thinking about getting an Oztent as the mrs says she wants a bit more "privacy" than just our swags

The OZ TENT also makes the FOX WING AWNING, so the OZ TENT will zip onto the side of a FOX WING.

cheers "piggy"

That was my thinking piggy I will give u a call when I'm ready and c how Ur prices r
Cheers mick

[bru21]

I bought the arb and am yet to sleep in it, and I am disappointed when I set it up - it is b grade.

My old man came home with a black wolf turbo tent and I want to go this route.
You can hardly park anywhere with the tent on and its too hard to remove - 8 fiddley nuts - so its will stay up there until winter.
The worst part is you can't put surfboards up top - thus defeating the purpose of the roof rack.
I guess for cape trips etc it would be Ideal - we drove all the hard tracks last year with one on and its never in the way.

Probably not the best place but - If anyone here is looking for a new arb tent (never slept in) they can have it for $1500 with annexe and roll out awning.

[TheBigBoy]

I bought the arb and am yet to sleep in it, and I am disappointed when I set it up - it is b grade.

My old man came home with a black wolf turbo tent and I want to go this route.
You can hardly park anywhere with the tent on and its too hard to remove - 8 fiddley nuts - so its will stay up there until winter.
The worst part is you can't put surfboards up top - thus defeating the purpose of the roof rack.
I guess for cape trips etc it would be Ideal - we drove all the hard tracks last year with one on and its never in the way.

Probably not the best place but - If anyone here is looking for a new arb tent (never slept in) they can have it for $1500 with annexe and roll out awning.

And I have the roof rack for it.

[Bingham]

http://www.aussietraveller.com.au/pages ... /33/deluxe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This deluxe one is the on i have. Snagged for $1000 2nd hand & spent few bucks getting base deepend for the lift and has been a great thing.

Have used a huge amount and very happy with it. Looking at $3200-$3500 new from memory but am told few 2nd ones pop up on ebay occasionaly for $1500 ish

I have set it up in 2mins before but normally 5 mins and prob 10-15 to pack it up. Certainly longer than the ARB type one but for extra comfort space and privacy i am happy to spend the extra minutes.

Just an option for you between the 'arb type and a camper trailer. They do take up 3/4 of your roof rack as opposed to 1/2 but we generally then strap other swags etc on top of it.

I struggle to see how the ladder carries part the weight of those campers with 2 large adults little own any co-corricular activities happening

Just a suggestion

[HUSSLN]

There cheap crap made in china. Take it back on a warranty claim keep up the pressure and you will get your money back because there all the same.

[scuba steve 22]

scored this one real cheap. chinese, yes but im real happy with it

cheers steve

[HUSSLN]

Whats the difference between that and just a freestanding large tent. Whats the advantage of having it hanging off the car so you can't drive anywhere while it's setup?

[scuba steve 22]

Whats the difference between that and just a freestanding large tent.
it takes 30 seconds to set up, real easy to do
keeps you off the ground


Whats the advantage of having it hanging off the car so you can't drive anywhere while it's setup?

your right there, that's why i now have it mounted on a trailer, but i can also put it back on the roof if i so wish
not everyone's cup of tea, but it suits me

cheers steve

[Bingham]

advantages would be-
- its always with you if the need arises
-i have never heard of crocs climbing into a roof top camper but many tent attacks.
-Space- height- changing room.
-I can assure you when camped at punsand bay up the cape (humid and hot as hell) that the extra height gained sleeping on roof- the slight enough breeze gained made sleeping possible- so they cooler.

slept in aussie traveler twice last week and is a good thing. I run 2 layers of those foam matts from BCF to soften it further

[pigletracing]

(TJM) Ive been selling alot to the dirt bike & jet ski crowds, cause when they tow their trailers for bikes or skis they cant tow a camper trailer, a simple frame over their dirt bike trailer put the roof top tent on it & they have a comfy base camp, then put an awning off the other side & you have a luxury base camp.
The same with Jet Ski trailers, & the more organised ski blokes have the addition of a little fold up trolly/axxel-wheel-handle trailer thingie to hand move their ski short distance's from water to camp.
& then if there eva do-in to the cape ect they can still put it on their car.

[crankycruiser]

I recently put a ebay rooftopper on my 80 (opensky) and a mate put a Gordigear one on his 105 (wouldnt mind betting they both come out of the same factory) and I was a bit dubious at first but i really dont mind it.

The down side is havin to pack up if u want to go anywhere but it literally takes 5 mins so its no big deal. If u like a hard mattress then u can live with the one that it comes with, but if u like it soft then u best get another mattress made.

[grimbo]

The idea and concept is awsome. Although it only took 3 minutes to set up in the rain. You seriously couldnt go anywhere in your 4bie after that. Its a walk job everywhere. That matress is soooo sh#t its not funny my self inflaiting matress is way way better and what I would use if I was going to go down this track. I was just about to buy 1 when I got the offer from my mate. I would rather build a tuff as camper trailer and skull drag through anything that the roof top tent. On another note for those wanting to buy 1. Didnt affect fuel eco at all. Did make it a little top heavy with a 6" lift. Total weight up top spare 35, roof top tent roof rack and roof top tent = 120kg

ps. Im not soft . Id just rather sleep on dirt than that hard bloody thing

Why not just get another mattress that suits you? Not often you can make a mattress that will suit everyone.

Another pro with them is they are off the ground which when you are in the desert or tropics is a bonus in remaining cool

[brooksy]

Hey Ray , how much was the ebay (Opensky) I am looking at doing a rooftop on my trailer (8x5) with annexe, etc & making a removable kitchen on the tailgate. The wife likes the idea & the kids can sleep in the trailer so evryone is off the ground. Even going a bit overboard I reckon you could get a very quick comfortable set-up cheaper than a lot of camper trailers with a lot more versatility.
My only issue that I can see with a lot of designs is the ladder seems to leave you exposed to the weather or with annexe looks like it would be a prick to get on the ladder.

This one looks great but you can see what I mean about the ladder.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-ROOF-TOP-TEN ... 35aefba7ee" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;





brooksy

[crankycruiser]

Hey Ray , how much was the ebay (Opensky) I am looking at doing a rooftop on my trailer (8x5) with annexe, etc & making a removable kitchen on the tailgate. The wife likes the idea & the kids can sleep in the trailer so evryone is off the ground. Even going a bit overboard I reckon you could get a very quick comfortable set-up cheaper than a lot of camper trailers with a lot more versatility.
My only issue that I can see with a lot of designs is the ladder seems to leave you exposed to the weather or with annexe looks like it would be a prick to get on the ladder.

This one looks great but you can see what I mean about the ladder.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-ROOF-TOP-TEN ... 35aefba7ee" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;





brooksy

Hey Brooksy, Mine ended up costing the best part of 1k once i got it delivered, that included the room under the tent as well.

this is the one i bought http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... K:MEWNX:IT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . It doesnt have the cover over the ladder like my mates one on the 105, and in hindsight i wish i had of got the cover as the only extra part to setting it up is the two guy ropes.

If u got one like my mates setup, and got the annex, it has a room that goes all around the ladder.

he got this one http://www.gordigear.com/roof_tents/ext_skirt.php?l=en" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[brooksy]

You're a champion Ray .... cheers. Will investigate some more.



brooksy