Roof top tent or conventional tent?

[redrock]

Hi everyone, just thinking about getting a rooftop tent. Are they worth it? Or is it an unnecessary expense. I am a single father with two small boys an want to take them out camping. I have a 94 paj well set up for off road

[peter92]

i have 2 girls and when we went camping i found the tent better
i supose it depends on where you going
regards peter

[redrock]

Thanks Peter

[my.paj]

Me to, dad with 2 boys, I used a roof tent and the only 2 problems where condensation in the colder months and getting the car level, that tent was on the back of a dual cab the problem I see now would be the height of my roof rack on the Pajero would make it a bugger to pack it up, a smaller tent on the ground would be a great start I think.
Rick

[Brownie]

Rooftop tents are a specialist touring setup - they are best where you need to setup camp at a different location each night. They are typically used when you're on the road for weeks not days, and you need a simple, easy, and comfortable camp.

Tent works best when you have a base camp, and can afford a little time to get comfortable. For most weekend trips, a tent will be more flexible.

So what's best? Well its horses for courses. Maybe you need both - what sort of trips are you planning?

[redrock]

Hi I am planning weekend get always at first as I am new to the 4 we'd scene, but want to do some long trips as well in the not too distant future. I have a nj with lift kit, arb bull bar warn winch long rang tank , snorkel , air bag rear suspension , nolathane bushes , I have just done the ball joints and tie rod ends and new pads all round , has a fresh mtr 75 k ago , I am wanting to fit spot lights , a UHF , sat nav prob a hema , and starting to look at camping gear, generator fridge tent etc

[Brownie]

Sounds like your getting the vehicle sorted. Have you considered joining a 4wd club - don't forget the vehicle is only as good as the driver, and the club will provide opportunities to improve your skills in a safe and controlled manner. You will also get the chance to have a look at what other people use for camping gear.

A tent is probably the most logical choice, but don't rush out and spend up big - perhaps a smaller more basic tent is all you need. Borrowing a tent may even be an option as this could give you a bit of time to work out what you really need.

For touring type trips, have you considered sleeping in the Paj. One adult and two small children might just fit, at least for the first trip.

Don't let decisions about gear stop you getting out there - the kids will not care what they are sleeping in.

[LanaB]

as brownie said, its horses for courses.
I have both, a rooftop and oztent, each take time to pack up, each has pro's and cons.
I think you really have answered your own question, saying you have 2 children. The rooftop is fine with 2 people, not 3 and the toilet break in the middle of the night can be a pain.
If budget is a concern, try getting a good canvas tent with a fly secondhand, its often a better choice than a cheap one which damages easily. All tents have condensation without a fly, but canvas is definately better, neither of mine have condensation when i set up the fly. I bought my oztent at almost half new price from Brisbane and only cost me $100 door to door delivery and I live in rural SA.

[MSF]

The biggest reason that stopped us getting a roof-top tent as that once the tent is set up, then the vehicle has to stay put. If you want to go and collect firewood with the car, or go for a drive to explore the area etc after you have set up, then you need to pack up and then re-set up when you are done..

[TC.Barky]

We used a tent (a great big mother of a tent mind you) for a 3 week trip to central aus earlier this year. It was a pain. Particularly because the people we were travelling with had an offroad camper. For those kinds of trips (travelling days and then set up for a night) we would love a rooftop tent. However for weekenders where you set up a base camp and do tracks and then come back a tent wins hands down imo. When we get our rooftop (one day sigh) and go touring with it I reckon we will always carry a small dome for times when we want to settle in for a couple days but keep the car mobile.

My ultimate setup would be a rooftop tent with an enclosed room and awnings that cover all the way around the back and opposite side of the car (like those batwing units or whatever they were). Nice to dream isn't it?

No idea if you can do it, but it may be worth looking into hiring a rooftop for a small trip to get a feel for it and see if you like them. I know you can do it with campers, may well be somewhere that hires out rooftops as well? (just a thought)

[lewis84]

We used a tent for 6 years mate and loved it (3 kids). It always kept us dry and warm. 6 months ago we upgraded to the camper, but that was more a change in financial circumstance than a necessaty. My vote would be on The OzTent RV5. Set up in 30 seconds, though pricey (1100 ish @bcf). Our tent wasnt canvas though, it was an oz trail sea view 9+3 and it never leaked, ripped or let us down in a storm. Not bad, 6 years worth of accommodation for under $500
Cheers, Chris

[lewis84]

For touring type trips, have you considered sleeping in the Paj. One adult and two small children might just fit, at least for the first trip.

Don't let decisions about gear stop you getting out there - the kids will not care what they are sleeping in.

Arrrrgggggg, don't do it!!!!!!!!!!!! Haha, I took my two boys out hunting a few weeks ago. We took swags but the Bugs were crazy so I folded the seats away and we attempted to sleep in the paj. It doesn't work, I was too long and the paj is to narrow, so I slept on the roof rack in my swag. How old are your boys? Swags and stretchers are always fun, my kids have one each, and even when we are in the camper they use the swags as beds,
Cheers, Chris

[Burt88]

As has been said the biggest thing to consider with the roof top is that once you get to camp and get setup, your vehicle is stuck. I much prefer having the tent and setting up a base camp and then I'm free to explore/hunt firewood etc.

Having said that though if you're going touring the roof top is great, my parents had one when we did cape york and as we were staying somewhere new every night and stopping for the night, it was perfect. (I just had a bed setup in my old 60 series which was all too easy!)

[BrisVegas]

I'd vote for a tent. I can't sit still, so being stuck in one spot would drive me nuts.

We've got a cheapie oztrail touring tent, Tourer 9 Plus to be specific. It goes up in about 1 minute flat and is dead easy to put up and pack up. Cost me $200 on ebay. I think brand new they're only $350 ish. My brother bought the 10 Plus after seeing how easy mine was to put up.

We've got two young kids and they fit ok with us. The 10 Plus would be better if your kids were taller.

[redrock]

Sounds like your getting the vehicle sorted. Have you considered joining a 4wd club - don't forget the vehicle is only as good as the driver, and the club will provide opportunities to improve your skills in a safe and controlled manner. You will also get the chance to have a look at what other people use for camping gear.

A tent is probably the most logical choice, but don't rush out and spend up big - perhaps a smaller more basic tent is all you need. Borrowing a tent may even be an option as this could give you a bit of time to work out what you really need.

For touring type trips, have you considered sleeping in the Paj. One adult and two small children might just fit, at least for the first trip.

Don't let decisions about gear stop you getting out there - the kids will not care what they are sleeping in.

hi brownie , i want to join a club, are you in the pajero club?