Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => All Other Gear => Topic started by: griffin on August 20, 2018, 04:09:58 AM

Title: Roof tent
Post by: griffin on August 20, 2018, 04:09:58 AM: Hi everyone, what do you folks think of such a tent (https://www.carid.com/smittybilt/smittybilt-overlander-coyote-roof-tent-174094098.html)? Is it worth its money? Any experience with these tents?
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Timberstalker on August 20, 2018, 05:31:06 AM: What’s the point of that setup?
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: jagermiester on August 20, 2018, 05:59:50 AM: Quote from: Timberstalker on August 20, 2018, 05:31:06 AM
What’s the point of that setup?

Seriously??
I mean..... I personally don’t want one but look at that. First of all it looks cool. Second no rocks or spiders.
I don’t know why else it would be cool.

Downside is if you wanna drive anywhere you have to break it all down. Also would you keep it on the truck year round. If not that’s a pretty big thing to store for just a tent.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Slenk on August 20, 2018, 06:01:14 AM: One of my Son's and DIL have a setup like that different brand and they love it.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: yakimanoob on August 20, 2018, 01:48:13 PM: There will always be spiders.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Rubenation1981 on August 20, 2018, 02:48:24 PM: Everyone know that Chupacabras cannot climb ladders... So there's peace of mind there.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Bigshooter on August 20, 2018, 03:04:36 PM: I saw Nate Simmons using one on western hunter the other day.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Alchase on August 20, 2018, 03:21:37 PM: I always thought these were cool, but I never understood for practicality?
I can set my tent and Popup and all my camp up in an hour by myself. And my vehicle is ready to go wherever I need to go.
With this you have to break down everytime you need your vehicle. Might as well use a tent and have more room?
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: gaddy on August 20, 2018, 03:49:28 PM: Saw a guy with a set up like that on the back of his Pu. The framework made his bed useless above the bed rails. My thought was that I could set up a tent from a little bag tossed into the bed with all my other stuff in less time. A tent that size wouldn't take up any more space than a lawn chair when folded up.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: KB88 on August 20, 2018, 03:59:33 PM: My buddy uses one for camping and as mentioned you just break it down every day if you plan on driving. I know one other thing he's not too keen on is the ladder. He has kids too so it just isn't quite practical with family.

I just picked up a $300 tent trailer on offer up....best option I could think of.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: jackelope on August 20, 2018, 04:25:48 PM: Quote from: Timberstalker on August 20, 2018, 05:31:06 AM
What’s the point of that setup?

Keeps you safe from the lions.

Sorry, that's all I can think of when I see one, and it seems to be a new trend over here. Tactical offroad assault FDE Toyota Tacoma's with rooftop tents.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Fl0und3rz on August 20, 2018, 04:34:39 PM: The kids are calling it "overland" camping, these days.

I can see the appeal, for example, if mama doesn't want to sleep on the ground, keeps you out of the mud in wet weather, etc.

Not for me, I think.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Timberstalker on August 20, 2018, 07:04:37 PM: Quote from: jackelope on August 20, 2018, 04:25:48 PM
Quote from: Timberstalker on August 20, 2018, 05:31:06 AM
What’s the point of that setup?

Keeps you safe from the lions.

Sorry, that's all I can think of when I see one, and it seems to be a new trend over here. Tactical offroad assault FDE Toyota Tacoma's with rooftop tents.

Thanks for the clarification!!!
It all makes sense now
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Bigshooter on August 20, 2018, 07:29:55 PM: Quote from: jackelope on August 20, 2018, 04:25:48 PM
Quote from: Timberstalker on August 20, 2018, 05:31:06 AM
What’s the point of that setup?

Keeps you safe from the lions.

Sorry, that's all I can think of when I see one, and it seems to be a new trend over here. Tactical offroad assault FDE Toyota Tacoma's with rooftop tents.

I actually thought it might be a good idea in grizzly country. The one Nate Simmons had setup in seconds.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: ghosthunter on August 20, 2018, 07:53:05 PM: I think they are more popular in areas with more creepy crawlers than we have.

Wouldn’t want to be in it in the wind.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: j_h_nimrod on August 20, 2018, 08:35:29 PM: These have been mainstream in the “overland” crowd for a number of years (~10-15). Prices have come down to a reasonable ~$2000 or so :chuckle: and they look cool on the roof while cruising down the interstate. On the way back from Corvallis yesterday there were an easy 20 we passed. The premise of the overlanders is to drive trails from one spot to another, they typically don’t plan to set up camp and then drive around. I have 3 kids n a small cargo trailer I have set up for camping and a tent like this would be great on the roof of it when all 5 of the family go out n don’t want to take the toy hauler. I have been plenty of places with crappy tent spots where I can park that would make this convenient. Not sure if it is worth a couple thousand $ though...
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: NW SURVEYOR on August 20, 2018, 08:42:44 PM: Don't leave the keys in the ignition.
Can you imagine someone taking you and your family for a joy ride while you're all asleep in the back.
With all the trigger happy cops we have things might get a little hairy/scary.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: BUCKHUNT on August 20, 2018, 08:52:51 PM: I have a setup like that on my truck that I take out for Elk camp. I think I paid ~$850 for it a few years ago; I've been impressed with it so far.

It depends on what type of use you want out of it, but for driving into NF roads and setting up basecamp it's great. Takes about 5 minutes to set up and maybe 10 min to pack it up if you need to drive somewhere. It's sturdy, and has a few inches of memory foam that make it comfortable to sleep in.

Last season, my brother (6'4" and 280lb) and myself camped out for 5 days. We had plenty of room, and takes up way less space around the campsite.

Obviously not practical for all kinds of camping, but perfect for what I need out of it.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: griffin on August 21, 2018, 01:01:46 AM: I was looking at this tent just because I have certain health problems that do not allow me to sleep on the ground, you see. That's why I thought of such a setup as an alternative to the regular tent. But as I said, I posted here just to know some real opinions of people who slept in such tents, before I go and spend around $1K for it.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: huntnnw on August 21, 2018, 01:19:15 AM: no thanks! pain in the butt. Unless you don't plan on leaving or tow atvs down. The price I could by a much nicer tent with a stove
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Skyvalhunter on August 21, 2018, 05:19:55 AM: :yeah:
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: jagermiester on August 21, 2018, 06:20:18 AM: Quote from: griffin on August 21, 2018, 01:01:46 AM
I was looking at this tent just because I have certain health problems that do not allow me to sleep on the ground, you see. That's why I thought of such a setup as an alternative to the regular tent. But as I said, I posted here just to know some real opinions of people who slept in such tents, before I go and spend around $1K for it.

Dude now I’m intrigued. What health issue prevents you from sleeping on the ground?

As far as what it’s like to sleep on a plywood base with a 2 foam topper. I’d imagine it’s a lot like sleeping on the living room floor.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Knocker of rocks on August 21, 2018, 07:45:47 AM: These are the cool ones:

http://www.autohomeus.com/roof-top-tents/maggiolina-tent/
https://roofnest.com

The dog would hate it
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Bofire on August 21, 2018, 04:07:26 PM: How would it help in Grizzly country? they can reach it. its not tall enough to hide your scent. If you need it for medical reasons go for it!! they seem to have real well made ones and some not so.

Carl
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Fl0und3rz on August 21, 2018, 04:55:31 PM: Meals on wheels.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Alchase on August 21, 2018, 06:18:05 PM: I would hate to have to get up and pee in the middle of the night! :yike:
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Rob on August 21, 2018, 06:35:40 PM: Looks cold. The ground is a pretty good insulator.
Title: Re: Roof tent
Post by: Ridgeratt on August 21, 2018, 07:26:54 PM: I would be curious as to the weight limits on how it's mounted and load limits on the vehicle. If I remember the rails on my expedition were like 150 lbs. Looking at the amount that's hung off the side of the rig should be a pretty good torque on the mounts. :dunno: