Roof tents...

[silverbullet]

Not strictly a syncro subject, but there are a few here with direct experience who won't be found in the "camping" pages, who's opinion I'd value...

I've been getting the hots for a Maggiolina for a while now (see the Autohomes and BOAB sites) with it's hard shell and low-profile. Now there's even a superlight CFRP shelled one that's only 40kg but costs £3500

Cheaper than a Westy conversion and sleeps 3 upstairs?



What puts me off ones like the Hannibal is the weight and the brick-like profile when packed, which still relies on a PVC tarp bag to protect it from the elements.



No apologies for the Solihull heaps, it was that or Hi-Luxes

This one's a cracker but not seen it anywhere else:

[ELVIS]

Only one i have experience of is Howling Wolf. 'Kin good quality and no issues/problems. Unfortunately folds up same as Hannibal one.
Look on Nene Overland site maybe, dunno if they list anything?

[syncropaddy]

[slobbo]

I've seen similar ones for around the £600 mark on the bay. Just wait a bit and I am sure they will appear again.

I fancy an awning for the side of my van. I like the look of the Foxwing but they come in far more expensive than a Fiamma and aren't quite as convenient.

[Russel]

The biggest thing with a roof tent is : you get wot you pay for. Anything under £1000 is on the cheaper side and will have the quality to match.
But if you use it 3,4 times a year then maybe the cheaper one is suitable.
Russel

[jes*b]

the lads in the recent drive around africa thread look to have something interesting strapped on top

[..lee..]

Can see a roof tent being ideal in the dryer months and would love one but I'd be concerned with packing away wet. At least the Westy one drys out with the heater on full blast.

Solid shell style takes up more roof space so limits roof carrying capacity compared to the fold out type.

[syncropaddy]

Roof tents are very useful but as Russell says you get what you pay for. I have used mine no more than a dozen times, its cosy and warm, doesn't leak in the rain and is easily dried off afterwards. Packing it away each morning is a bit tiresome and at Syncro25 I had to bring a little step ladder with me otherwise it would have been impossible. Disadvantages are few, the main one being going for a wizz in the middle of the night and forgetting that you are 6 foot up! Mine cost me €500 off German e bay and its an American make. The quality is ok and is ideal for the amount of use it gets but if you need to make a quick getaway in the morning get the type that folds into a roof box in a matter of seconds. I couldn't justify the expense of that type when I was buying mine.

[silverbullet]

Thanks gents, all good food for thought.

Paying for quality is not something I would ever complain about, I've spent too little on outdoor gear in the distant past and almost always regretted it. I know from my Scouting days what big canvas costs when buying new (and what they weigh!) and when cared for, how long they can last (e.g. 20 years of documented use and abuse)

I have seen a Maggiolina copy for sale online at about £1300 but I can see that it's just that - an unbranded copy. The last thing I want on holiday is wet kids or a tent shredded by a summer storm on the continent, now that I may now be winning the battle of persuasion with the mem'sahib Re: the outdoor life... I can see the pros and cons for both the hard-shells and the more "traditional" type, I do like the way that a fold-out tent creates an awning and have porches for the doors (on the well designed ones) but do they all use or need guy ropes?

The big driver on this one is that I want to get both SA buses a/c fixed and working properly; having looked into removeable duct sections or re-working it behind the headlining to accommodate a hatch, I've decided that I really don't want to take a jigsaw to a perfectly good tin-top!

Maybe a quality fold-out with some kind of fairing is the answer for this particular pedantic and uncompromising engineer?

[Mick & Tracey]

Not sure if it would fit your requirements but have you seen / considered a camplet trailer tent? Fold out in seconds with two comfortable double beds, built in kitchen, very light and easy to tow with roof rack on top of trailer for bikes etc.

We've used a roof tent, and then a couple of campers when we had kids, but are now converted to the trailer tent as our best family camping set-up (pulled by by either of vans). Best thing for us is the living space that it gives and ability not to have to put all the bedding away when we go out for day in the van. Downside is that they aren't an offroad trailer but that may not be important. If you want a nice "offroading" tent, Oztents are a cool option

[silverbullet]

We had thought about a trailer tent but there's always the storage problem when not in use, plus I'm not a fan of towing anything if I can avoid it!
Like so many, I'm searching for my camping panacea: sleeping 5 in a T3 without weighing it down unnecessarily. And not going diesel

Things have been rather messed up by mem'sahib catching sight of Ian's extremely desireable Holdsworth syncro today...

[jebiga41]

We had thought about a trailer tent but there's always the storage problem when not in use, plus I'm not a fan of towing anything if I can avoid it!
Like so many, I'm searching for my camping panacea: sleeping 5 in a T3 without weighing it down unnecessarily. And not going diesel

Things have been rather messed up by mem'sahib catching sight of Ian's extremely desireable Holdsworth syncro today...

Viking conversion ? Prob need a diesel to pull it tho

[bikermike87]

[/quote]

Does anyone know where we could buy these from?!?

I've been looking at the Maggiolina, they rarely come onto ebay. If they do, they fetch good money.
The idea of me cutting a hole in a panel van for a pop top and then looking to convert it fully is daunting and would take up way too much camping time. This is expensive, but these are the reasons I'm selling it to myself:

It’s not too heavy

Removable, I’m a young city boy and most of the shoe box sized apartments have height restrictions on the parking. I can just about squeeze in now.

No holes, no leaks, no potential rust.

No time needed to fit it / remove it.

Keep my RHD panel van as it is and it can be removed for when I buy another van.

[silverbullet]

Viking conversion ? Prob need a diesel to pull it tho

I bought a Viking rolling shell about 18 months ago to strip the roof off, but it wasn't in quite as good condition as I'd hoped for (cracking around front hinge and canopy a bit grim) then when it came for the big lift...
Blimey it was heavy! Soggy chipboard and angle iron? Sod that, never mind chopping the bus to fit it...sold it on to "Jiffies" here who had a leaky Autohomes top. He was happy and I was glad to be shot of it.

Roof tent it is then, just need to decide which type!

[syncropaddy]

Sell you mine for €400 .....