Roof top tents advice sought..Ironman or others???

[muzza01]

Hi Swaggers,
some really good friends of mine have sought advice from me on what Roof top tent package to buy. Unfortunately this is not my specialty at all. They are interested in the Ironman which is OK as the Ironman Distributor up here is a good mate of mine.

They own a Pajero and a great ski/fishing boat which is why they dont want a CT at this stage as they cant tow the boat and CT.
Basically they are trying to cut down the setup times on their family tent. They have four young kids ranging from 9 down to 3.
They know things may be a little squeazy, but can someone advise some good brands/prices and if Mum and Dad sleep upsdtairs, is there enough room for the four kids downstairs?

Help and advice appreciated. Muz

Ironman

One off ebay

[02-SR5]

Apart from the Hanable series of roof top tents, everything else is pretty much the same.

I have looked at all the ARB/Tigerz11/Ironman/Roo Systems and the are pretty much all identical.

Look at EBay, I have seen them at around the $600 mark. Half the price of the big name ones and it is identical.

[bushbandit]

Howling Moon.But I think the price is up there.

http://www.howlingmoon.com.au/

[wysiwugsc]

Hi Muzza01
We have had a ARB RTT  for about 3 years. We love it but it does have its downside.  Setting it up can be a pain if you have a Tug that is lifted or the rain has set in. I have to admit that SWMBO has the knack of setting it up and usually its done before i can get the tab off a beer. We find it really comfortable and very weather proof  but it is heavy due to the high density of the foam mattress. We have the annex and use that all the time.

We have 2 Jet ski's and the issue for us is we have to close it up to use the tug to put the ski's in the water.  The same applies if we want to go tripping around on the tracks.  don't get me wrong. Packing it up can be done smartly but is need the combined attention of both parties.

To get around this we have purchased an Oz Tent RV3 and use that.  If we are somewhere and not planing on going anywhere and the boats are in the water then all is good and up it goes.  They are a great piece of kit as they say.  Ours could easily sleep 3 small children plus 2 adults if required. the are well ventilated and there is nothing like being out of the way of big things that crawl in the night. So far getting up the ladder after a few beers has not been an issue but getting down in the middle of the night is an issue.  I wouldn't know because i am asleep.I have looked around  the shows and it appears that there are a few differences from ours.  Weight of canvas. actual size of the floor area and maybe the mattress are some points to look at.

hope this helps

wysiwuug
Pete n Jo



I have looked at different versions

 

[muzza01]

Hi Muzza01
We have had a ARB RTT  for about 3 years. We love it but it does have its downside.  Setting it up can be a pain if you have a Tug that is lifted or the rain has set in. I have to admit that SHMBO has the knack of setting it up and usually its done before i can get the tab off a beer. We find it really comfortable and very weather proof  but it is heavy due to the high density of the foam mattress. We have the annex and use that all the time.

We have 2 Jet ski's and the issue for us is we have to close it up to use the tug to put the ski's in the water.  The same applies if we want to go tripping around on the tracks.  don't get me wrong. Packing it up can be done smartly but is need the combined attention of both parties.

To get around this we have purchased an Oz Tent RV3 and use that.  If we are somewhere and not planing on going anywhere and the boats are in the water then all is good and up it goes.  They are a great piece of kit as they say.  Ours could easily sleep 3 small children plus 2 adults if required. the are well ventilated and there is nothing like being out of the way of big things that crawl in the night. So far getting up the ladder after a few beers has not been an issue but getting down in the middle of the night is an issue.  I wouldn't know because i am asleep.I have looked around  the shows and it appears that there are a few differences from ours.  Weight of canvas. actual size of the floor area and maybe the mattress are some points to look at.

hope this helps

wysiwuug
Pete n Jo

I have looked at different versions

Thanks Pete and Jo for that info; I will have a look in to it.  Cheers and thanks again

[DannyG]

We have the common type that all the retailers import from china, it leaks when the rain is sideways

Besides that it has been great.

[scarps]

Wonder if this is one of the Hannibal models.

[rodsswag]

Hi Muzza01,
When I went to last Gold Coast Camping show some one there had a roof top tent that was twice the size of a normal one.
It was like having two tent side by side. Two sleeping areas up top and a large area down below. Great for a big family.
I will find the brochure tonight and post it up for you.
 

Rod.....

[rodsswag]

I can not find the brochure to post up pics,
But I it was Austrack campers in Pialba.
I had one of their older single roof top tents we did the cape in last year.
It was good for what we wanted at the time, as before I brought the camper I had a boat I use to toe as well.
 

Rod.....

[muzza01]

No worries Rod, thanks for trying Mate.

[MarDon]

Sorry, I don't know how to link to a website, but if you search for Kulkyne Kampers, they have the large, 4 person RTT.

Dee.

[fuji]

Hi Muzza01,
When I went to last Gold Coast Camping show some one there had a roof top tent that was twice the size of a normal one.
It was like having two tent side by side. Two sleeping areas up top and a large area down below. Great for a big family.
I will find the brochure tonight and post it up for you.
 

Rod.....

Austrack have a king size one. There is one right next to us as I type. They told us it cost $2100. Kulkyne also do a double as well.
Wayne

[robmacca]

Bringing back an OLD post.......

If u would listen to the BIG RTT Brands, they would have u believe that theirs is worth more $$ because of their quality control; finish, etc..... but is this really true?

I'm in the market for a RTT (hoping more to find a good 2nd hand one though) & to date I've checked out Darche and the Kings Brand and I don't see much difference bar the price..... some $600 or more....

Other brands I'm interested in looking at (and hearing other people's opinions) are the Gordigear; Austrack; Ironman; TJM and Kulkyne .....

thanks in advance

rob

[feisty]

Have an early arb simpson. Still on the car as I had a 2 inch lift last year and it's too hard to get off.  Must get more 6.'3" mates. Good tent. Earlier ones have heavier canvas. Would go a maggiolina if I had my time again at the right price. No flappy canvas on a windy night and a low profile.

[robmacca]

Have an early arb simpson. Still on the car as I had a 2 inch lift last year and it's too hard to get off.  Must get more 6.'3" mates. Good tent. Earlier ones have heavier canvas. Would go a maggiolina if I had my time again at the right price. No flappy canvas on a windy night and a low profile.

Yeah, ours will be going on our trailer, so height shouldn't be an issue, but the flapping in the wind is a issue, but I guess u can get that with a normal tent too i suppose...

[feisty]

Yes to a degree. The killer is when you are camped by the coast and it blows all night.  Normal tents are at ground level so you can bushy plants etc or your car as a wind break. An rtt is a lot higher and you seem to cop everything. In saying they are a great thing. Mounting one at head height on a trailer would make for a really easy to set up too. No climbing up and down the monster truck 20 times.

[weeds]

Ours doesn't flap....camped on the beach in windy conditions.....