Tentbox

One thing ti think about is that roof tents are high up and often will exceed a vehicles roof carrying capacity. In Namibia, where they have a whole industry hiring out Toyota Hiluxs, Nissan Navarras, Ford Rangers etc all fitted with roof top tents they have a huge number of roll over type accidents. Whilst a lot of the roads are gravel, they also get a lot of accidents on tar roads.

If you are serious about adding a lot of weight up top do think about what it is doing to the handling of the vehicle and whether you need to upgrade suspension etc, or at very least drive accordingly.

ASPW has just posted this good little discussion on suspension and adding weight to a vehicle. Especially adding weight up high



Not saying don’t, indeed thinking about it myself but at least be aware.
 
One thing ti think about is that roof tents are high up and often will exceed a vehicles roof carrying capacity. In Namibia, where they have a whole industry hiring out Toyota Hiluxs, Nissan Navarras, Ford Rangers etc all fitted with roof top tents they have a huge number of roll over type accidents. Whilst a lot of the roads are gravel, they also get a lot of accidents on tar roads.

If you are serious about adding a lot of weight up top do think about what it is doing to the handling of the vehicle and whether you need to upgrade suspension etc, or at very least drive accordingly.

ASPW has just posted this good little discussion on suspension and adding weight to a vehicle. Especially adding weight up high



Not saying don’t, indeed thinking about it myself but at least be aware.

Yes I put on HD springs and ultra fat shocks. In general use you don’t really notice it I’ve driven 100,000 miles with it on. But you can’t do your landrover 40 degree side angle and things get pretty sketchy at 25 degrees. Otherwise common sense driving and your fine that’s been my experience
 
Hi

Who makes the storage bag hanger for the spare wheel?

Thanks

K
One of these
 
One of these
Had it about 10 years still going strong
 
Not worth the money if you ask me. I'd much prefer a 200 quid standalone tent beside the jeep as than to pay 1200 just to have it on the roof...

I wanted one, I've tried to make it make sense but just cant justify the price
 
Not worth the money if you ask me. I'd much prefer a 200 quid standalone tent beside the jeep as than to pay 1200 just to have it on the roof...

I wanted one, I've tried to make it make sense but just cant justify the price
Well it’s much more comfy than a tent at least mine is it has a 7” mattress and it is quicker to set up and saves a fortune in b&b’s. But each to his own
 
bit of camo netting round truck and you have deluxe high seat or fox job waiting area
It's pretty handy like that. In addition to the door you can open either of the sides, or the back, giving yourself four potential shooting directions. You can lie comfortably, full length, with rifle on bipod. In fact, no need to even get out of bed.
Not worth the money if you ask me. I'd much prefer a 200 quid standalone tent beside the jeep as than to pay 1200 just to have it on the roof...

I wanted one, I've tried to make it make sense but just cant justify the price
I used to think that. In fact, I often didn't even bother with a tent - just slept under the stars on a little camp bed. However, the difference in comfort and quality of sleep provided by the roof tent is way beyond my expectations.
Also, I think there's a primeval instinct that stems from our tree-dwelling origins that makes us feel a lot safer sleeping off the ground.
Well it’s much more comfy than a tent at least mine is it has a 7” mattress and it is quicker to set up and saves a fortune in b&b’s. But each to his own
Indeed.
My wife gets paid an overnight allowance when she has to be away from home for meetings and events. Previously, this would have been spent on b&b or hotel. Now she just pitches up in the roof tent and pockets the cash. So that at least partially justifies the purchase of the tent.
 
Just a thought...... why not try hiring one for a week or even a weekend and see how you feel after that. There was a company at last years Scottish Game Fair doing a stand and me and the boss were almost tempted to try one. Can't remember the name, but Roof Tent Escape popped up on the web, but I'm sure there must be a few companies that offer different vehicles/types of roof tent.
 
Just a thought...... why not try hiring one for a week or even a weekend and see how you feel after that. There was a company at last years Scottish Game Fair doing a stand and me and the boss were almost tempted to try one. Can't remember the name, but Roof Tent Escape popped up on the web, but I'm sure there must be a few companies that offer different vehicles/types of roof tent.
Very good to test run a roof tent. You do need to somewhat agile to get in and out. Climbing down the ladder can be somewhat challenging and plenty of nasty accidents have happened. Roof tents are not cheap.

There is a sense that roof tents protect you from wild animals.

Not convinced by this argument. Puff Adders a fat lazy snakes that like warmth, and will crawl into a nice warm sleeping bag on the ground. They won’t get into a roof tent. However mambas, boomslangs, most cobras etc are very very adept at climbing trees so would no problem climbing up into a roof tent. Ones I have used in Namibia get plenty of gaps around the hinges that will easily let in a snake etc. same for spiders, scorpions etc.

As for bigger animals. Lions can easily hop up onto bonnet and roof of a land rover, so to can a leopard. Baboons and monkeys. No problem at all and they too can be a real nuisance. A grumpy buffalo, rhino or elephant. Think a tin can and your boot.

But realistically any camping in the wild with big wild animals you just have to be careful. Keep food seperate. Make a bit of noise and let animals know that you are there. In the past I have spent nights with wild elephants coming into my camp and being just a few yards away. They came to me out of their own free will, and I just chatted to them and they rumbled back.

To be honest the most problematic were jackals and hyenas as they always try to steal food. Once had a hyena pick up the cold box full of beer and run off with it.

In the UK, biggest danger is probably ****ed up NEDs or Chavs, along with midges, ticks and clegs / horseflies. A lot of roof tents I have seen have screens that will be perfectly good for mosquitoes and bigger, but far too large a mesh for Scottish Midges. Worth checking before parting with your cash.
 
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