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A tent on top of your car


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Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)
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  • #3459241
    BlackHatGuy
    Spectator

    @sleeping

    Locale: The Cascades

    I was in REI yesterday and saw a Yakima Skyrise. I’m not criticizing it, nor those who want/have one, I just don’t get it. What issue does this solve? Seems easier to just set up a tent on the ground. After all, bears can climb stairs.

    Just curious to hear from anyone who wants/has one, or thinks it’s a great idea, and why. Again, not belittling, just curious.

    #3459244
    jimmy b
    BPL Member

    @jimmyb

    These have actually been around for a while in different configurations. The only thing I could come up with for a problem that this solves is camping in low land areas during monsoon like rains. I would think this would absolutely peak the interest of any curious bear or other critter.

    On the other hand I have seen some really neat pop up refits for vans and mini vans mirroring the ones that came in the VW campers of years gone by. Traveled thousands of miles as a kid in the back of one or those :)

    #3459249
    Matthew / BPL
    Moderator

    @matthewkphx

    They unfold and pop up instantly. I can sort of see why it would be nice in a long off-road expedition but that’s not really my thing.

    I’m guessing they give people a sense of security.

    #3459253
    Franco Darioli
    Spectator

    @franco

    Locale: Gauche, CU.

    They are relatively popular in Australia, mostly to avoid creeping insects or soggy ground but also good for areas where pitching a tent close to the car may not be easy.

    This article explains some of the good and bad points :

    https://gearjunkie.com/why-rooftop-car-top-tents-explained

     

    #3459256
    Jeff Patrick
    BPL Member

    @callmeammo

    My understanding is they are for overlanding. And they make a lot of sense for that activity. My friend just taled his dad into getting one on kickstarter that has a king size bed.

    If you are just driving into a numbered campsite I bet you’d feel pretty goofy when the rv pulls up one over.

    #3459261
    David Thomas
    BPL Member

    @davidinkenai

    Locale: North Woods. Far North.

    My wife went camping with another doc in Zimbabwe and they used a Range Rover-top tent.  The local felt it was safer from lions and hyenas than a tent on the ground.

    Also, you know your floor is going to be flat with no gopher holes (Meerkat holes?), rocks, grass tussocks, etc.

    #3459268
    BlackHatGuy
    Spectator

    @sleeping

    Locale: The Cascades

    Good article Franco.

    Okay, I’m sold. Will buy one tomorrow for my Rav4, then drive around the country for a bit.

    #3459833
    Ricky Ng
    Spectator

    @dummey

    I have been shopping for one for the past year and just ordered one with my REI discount. I travel for races and events that like to start super early. And being able to comfortable camp wherever the start of the races/events would provide me with much more sleep.

    The other benefit for me is that this allows me to more easily drive out to a trail head friday night when there is less traffic.

    #3459877
    Jeffs Eleven
    BPL Member

    @woodenwizard

    Locale: NePo

    It pops up ‘instantly’?

    if not i see no benifit, save monsoons and heyenas. Neither of which are a prob in oregon. Ok… maybe monsoons, but my 6-woman tent keeps me dry in bs weather. If its standing water i move on, but that is rare….  well…. pretty rare.

    #3460453
    Ito Jakuchu
    BPL Member

    @jakuchu

    Locale: Japan

    When I was a boy a friend of my father made a system like that for on top of their land cruiser. They went touring through the African continent and it was easy to set up, out of the way of snakes and insects if not bigger animals. I thought it was the coolest thing.

    #3460769
    Brian
    Spectator

    @beber

    Google “overland tent”, they are very popular in the offroad world.

    Most of the tents offer a solid floor with some sort of real mattress.  People tend to think they are safer from animals, the cold wet ground, etc.  Most of these style tents are made from heavy canvas materials.  Yakima went a different route with using the standard nylon material to make a light weight tent.

    I think the reason most folks buy them is because its one more cool toy to bolt onto their trucks.

     

     

     

    #3460795
    Simon McGuire
    BPL Member

    @simonm

    Locale: Tasmania

    Rooftop tents are popular in Australia for touring due to being quick to setup, and your bedding is already in place. If you are covering long distances and setting up at the end of each day its a good option.

    #3460839
    Roger Caffin
    BPL Member

    @rcaffin

    Locale: Wollemi & Kosciusko NPs, Europe

    They are also immune to Drop Bears.

    Cheers

    #3460858
    Franco Darioli
    Spectator

    @franco

    Locale: Gauche, CU.

    They are also immune to Drop Bears.
    I read a report today that some have learned to unzip the fly.
    Not as cute as some think :

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