Explorer/Overland Roof Tents.

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When we go on our Euro tours we sleep on our roof rack in a £35 2second tent from Decathlon sport shops.
Our roof rack deck is a full 8ft by 4ft ally chequer sheet which sits inside the roof rack frame work.
The tents guy lines are simply fastened around the rack rails and for comfort we sleep on our self inflating air mattress which inflate to 7cms thick. Again, these were purchased from Decathlon sport shops.
By using this sleeping arrangement we have the following advantages:
1) We have a lower wind resistance/drag factor by having an empty rack.
2) We dont drive around all day with a 'top heavy' vehicle as our centre of gravity is nice and low - Handy for exploring off road when on travels.
3) All our kit is kept dry & safe inside the vehicle.

This arrangement works well for us and allows a very quick 'set up bed time' which means we can stop late at night, anywhere, and be washed and in bed in under 10 minutes!
Great after a long days driving or for midday naps.
 
I am investogating also and have found Specialist 4x4 Expedition Equipment - Trek Overland have Howling Moon range of Family Tourer and roof tents which I am tempted. Definately worth a look. Pricey but look worth it as they tailor make to vehicle and arrange fitting and accessories service. Also have a look at vehicle prep section 2C2K - 2CAPES2KIDS - Long Distance Charity Expedition from Cape Wrath to Cape of Good Hope - Home for idea of practical use.Or - try Rooftent, roofracks and 4x4 land rover accessories from Nene Overland, UK - think Nene Overland may have some you can go and view - based Cambs
Trekoverland are based in York but they are willing to send you CD with images and specifications about the tent. You can view examples. Claire very knowledgeable and helpful - very approachable and can ask her anything.
 
or a tent hammock each. light weight, quick to put up, comfier than a very comfy thing, and you don't have to park on level ground.

Hennessy Hammocks

That way you don't need a roofrack either - more weight / fuel / cost / chequerplate saving.

Everyone I know thats got one has never slept in anything else ever again. Ok apart from their own bed. That would be stupid.
 
Info someone kindly provided me recently on Howling Moon Roof Tents:

Tent Pro's

It only takes a few minutes to unzip the protective cover and erect the tent.
Its very well made and mozi proof.
The mattress is comfortable to sleep on
There's plenty room (we had 3 adults and 2 kids and it was fine)
It performed well in the wet
You can leave sleeping bags in the tent and it still folds away (if you lie them flat)
The zips are good quality (and they need to be - you can also order new covers if you damage one)

Tent Con's

The awning is very bulky and not worth the effort for an overnight stop
The window poles are more time consuming (another few minutes - we didn't always use all the poles)
Although mozi proof it is not sand fly or midge proof - mesh has bigger holes than the likes of Terra Nova or North Face tents (we also checked for mozi's as they are pretty determined to get in and as you have to open the door to crawl in they inevitably join you)
Folding away can be done with one person but two is best (one lifting and the other tucking in the loose stuff)
The family tourer takes up the entire roof (we strapped a roof storage bag on top which took 3 wolf boxes)
Quite noisy in high winds (flapping!)

I made some enquiries with the company that sell them in the UK - quite pricey as I said before - for a 2.4m x 2.4m (sleeps 4 adults comfortably) and has bottom awning/tent area at base rear of vehicle - circa £2,000 (£1,700 +VAT).
 
Have come to the conclusion that the Howling Moon Roof Tent has got to be "the one". Anyway, just to say that having spent the whole morning skivving and surfing the net re: roof tents - best bet is to do a google search - loads of personal overland travel website experiences and forums which list roof tent types and pros and cons etc.
 
I looked into all the options and tryed out loads with lots and lots of consideration......
Then a Howling Moon tent came up on ebay really cheap and i saw it about 10 minutes after the guy posted it so snapped up a bargain :)
Off to Morocco tomorrow so will fit it tonight.
Cheers all.
 
£350.
Looked like a bargain as i have been keeping an eye out.
Went trying it out i found that all the hinges were bent :-(
But couple of hours in the garage and all good now.
See you all in two weeks, off to Morocco now :)
 
Hi,

I have owned a couple of roof tents and used them in different terrains. My first rig was a autoacmp 2 berth canvas roof tent on a 300tdi disco. I then moved onto a hanibal roof rack frm ebay and a quetcha 2 second tent. My current rig is an autohome columbus variant on a TD5 90 from BOAB.biz. (See my pics)

Pro's & con's:

The canvas fold out roof tents have lots of room and are nice and airey in hot climates, however when wet they stay wet for a while and they are noisey in windy weather so not ideal in Europe. I used one in the alps for a month with rain every other day. It held up but was not comfortable.

The roof rack and quetcha option is cost effective and does the job but wont stand up to expedition use especialy if you are tight for space and need to use the roof rack.

The Autohome columbus is very quick to errect and seems to be comfortable in extreme weather (North Wales (Cold&wet), Spain (Hot&Dry)) I have had it on the roof for 1 year now and it has no noticable effect on the fuel economy, it also gets used by the wife and I at random times like a new years eve party or when a lot of relatives come to visit (Very handy) - The downside is that they are expensive.

In a nut shell go for the best you can afford, pitch it wisely. If you are off to africa go for one designed for african use like hanibal or easy-awn. If you are staying in Europe then the same applies, go for one designed for Europe climate.
image.php
 
See my post today 17.4.08 for update re: Howling Moon in Weight Loading Considerations for 110 CSW. Will let you know how I get on once fitted.
 
LRO May Issue No 5 2004 'Roof tents the Ultimate Guide' - anyone have a back copy they can review for me and let me know if any tips? Just looked at LRO website to see if I can get hold of a back issue and saw latest 'Spring' Issue which says 'Living In and on your LR' - anyone got a copy yet? Worth reading?
 
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