Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Are they feasable in offroad conditions? At the moment I camp with heavy duty tarps, but since getting married would like to refine some more.

I am tossing up between a camper trailer or a rooftop tent arrangement.

What do you peoples reckon? Pro's Cons

how would you like to have to climb down that ladder in the middle of the night to take a piss.....or even just early in the morning while ya half asleep. id go the camper trailer, but i supose it depends where ya like camping. I wouldnt like the trailor to limit your accesability.

I've slept on my home made luggage rack, with a tarp over tht top, and i rekon with a minimal amount of fabrication, if you know what your doing, you could make a simple frame that folds down onto the rack, and when erected u just need a good tarp over the top. Maybe even a tent fly so you have the zippers and such... that way its really not going to affect 4x4 much, but still alot more comfortable than just a tarp. Depends on HOW comfy u/wife want it i guess

Thanks Rocky thats actually not a bad idea

Worst I can do is piss the missus off and waste some steel

as long as you don't get wasted and piss on the missus

The rooftop tents can be fine but it really comes done to what sort of wheeling you will be doing whilst the tent is on. They cann be a god send in trying to get the missus to go on a trip where there might be crocs or other nasties.

One big problem with them is that if are the type to stay in one place for a couple of days it makes it a real pain to have to put it all away if you want to go for a day drive or go get firewood etc. you also loose the ability to carry stuff on the roofrack (although this could be a good thing too).

Another advantage is the ease of setting up camp if you are touring and have just done a long days driving.

Either way rooftops and trailers have there pros and cons. Maybe hire one for a weekend and see how you like it.

Heres the best i could come up with in 5 mins in paint , i'm am SURE anyone could design something better and better looking but i will do that when it comes time for me to make one, happy with tarp atm.
It gives u an idea (maybe of what not to do ), but atleast with this the poles r on the side and can fold down so u can still carry junk on top just not when u sleepin on it. And all you need is a tarp and/or fly. I rekon i'd design the position of poles to suit the fly, maybe even put 2 in the middle on each end, instead of 4 at the sides.

Roof top tents are not limited to the roof top.

On trips where you do a lot of travelling with only overnight stops, or where trailers are not practical - use the tent on the roof top.

On other trips, where you plan to set up camps for several days and want the 4x4 to explore etc, then mount the roof top tent on top of a trailer.

Edit to add "not" to correct the 2nd paragraph.

Bush65 wrote:Roof top tents are not limited to the roof top.

On trips where you do a lot of travelling with only overnight stops, or where trailers are practical - use the tent on the roof top.

On other trips, where you plan to set up camps for several days and want the 4x4 to explore etc, then mount the roof top tent on top of a trailer.

this is very true and something im thinking about

but we have had our roof top tent for ages now and have only had one problem so far and that was a wanker speeding on a dirt road tat ran us into a fallen gum and ripped the side cover. i was very supprised at how much force it takes to rip them. we keep ours mounted permenently on the landie now but when on the lux i made up a rack so it could be lowered to below roof height while driving and when stoped either set up at that height or if we wanted to use the down stairs (ladder) bit i could just raise it up

it will also be one of the best night sleeps you will have in the bush

Also worth considering the effect of anything up to 50-60kg on the roof, and the effect that will have on the CoG and handling.

Trailers may be harder to drag around, but give you the benefit of lower CoG and ability to leave the tent up during the day.

You might need to get the fly and ladder extended to suit the 5"lift...

watch that first step if you want a wee at 3am and your pist...

if you need to go for a drive for any reason you have to packup camp.

Normal tent works better IMHO.

redlux1 wrote:

Bush65 wrote:Roof top tents are not limited to the roof top.

On trips where you do a lot of travelling with only overnight stops, or where trailers are practical - use the tent on the roof top.

On other trips, where you plan to set up camps for several days and want the 4x4 to explore etc, then mount the roof top tent on top of a trailer.

this is very true and something im thinking about

but we have had our roof top tent for ages now and have only had one problem so far and that was a wanker speeding on a dirt road tat ran us into a fallen gum and ripped the side cover. i was very supprised at how much force it takes to rip them. we keep ours mounted permenently on the landie now but when on the lux i made up a rack so it could be lowered to below roof height while driving and when stoped either set up at that height or if we wanted to use the down stairs (ladder) bit i could just raise it up

it will also be one of the best night sleeps you will have in the bush

i want your tent.... ive been chasing one of these second hand for ages...

you would think someone would be over it by now and piss it off for a reasonable price....

im going to mount it onto a sierra trailer that i have.. its the perfect size...
ps... i hate setting up tents now...

mud4b wrote:you would think someone would be over it by now and piss it off for a reasonable price....

most wont sell them off because they make setting up camp so easy and quick that you use them a lot. in warmer weather we use ours an average of every second weekend and when it cools down we still use ours about 1 in 4 weekends. they keep in the warmth in winter and stay cooler in summer than most tents. its so easy that you can set it up in the dark.

yeah i know...

but im still banking on this happening....