Roof Tents ~

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
David Nimrod

David Nimrod

Member
Posts
72
Location
N E Lincs.
I've been looking on eBay, trying to find a s/h or reasonably priced roof tent... still can't work out why they're so expensive :confused:

Anyway, there's some brands I'm not familiar with, and I'm looking for advice I guess...

Any pointers would be great, 'cos I don't want to buy a crappy tent!
 
Foundary 4x4 are doing a couple (£600 and £750), then there's the Kanga one (never heard of 'em either) at £750, there's someone in Cobham with some South African ones at about the same price.

How do you tell if they're any good :confused:
 
I've done a bit of homework here, many of the tents now seem to be made in the same factory in China. China Tent. Kunshan Trading Company, Importer, Exporter, Buying Office I have noticed that some of well known South African brands have removed "made in SA" from their websites.

I looked at as many tents as I could at Billing, and with the exception of the Hannibal (which clearly was in a class of it's own) all the others seemed pretty much the same, they had slightly different fabrics and bases, but generally the same.

While some sellers rebadge the Chinese tents, and try and sell them as brand names for big money, there are a couple of sellers that sell them for a lot less eg: that German place on ebay, and 2-3 Roof Tent which is where I will buy mine.

My logic is that for an Africa trip where it is warm I can have a cheap tent, and if I do a Russia trip then I'll fork out for a Hannibal. There is always a chance that a roof tent gets destroyed by a low branch, underground car park etc, so why have more than you immediately need.

Another option if you are very very desperate to save a buck is approach the factory in China, and say you have a shop and are wanting to stock there tents and you need some samples. You'll get them at cost, plus FOB shipping which you will need to arrange, I have the name of my old shipping agent somewhere. They may want to see proof of your shop, but that can easily be blagged. It's a big mission, and I would rather just pay the extra money.
 
Last edited:
Booger said:
I've done a bit of homework here, many of the tents now seem to be made in the same factory in China. China Tent. Kunshan Trading Company, Importer, Exporter, Buying Office I have noticed that some of well known South African brands have removed "made in SA" from their websites.

I looked at as many tents as I could at Billing, and with the exception of the Hannibal (which clearly was in a class of it's own) all the others seemed pretty much the same, they had slightly different fabrics and bases, but generally the same.

While some sellers rebadge the Chinese tents, and try and sell them as brand names for big money, there are a couple of sellers that sell them for a lot less eg: that German place on ebay, and 2-3 Roof Tent which is where I will buy mine.
Click to expand...


Very interesting info... I was thinking that most of these tents now originate in China, like a lot of gear does these days.

I certainly don't have the money for a Hannibal or similar (way over a grand!!!) so a 'generic' tent is the way I'll go.

Which of the tents at the 2-3 Roof Tent site will you get..?
 
i got one of the german built prime-teck tents from ebay solidly built very strong and very comfortable due to the thickness of the matress
i got mine brand new for a bid £241.00 + postage at the time it was £70.00

you can buy it now for £500.00
if you pm me your email i will send you a couple of photos
 
i am also in your dilema with all the variants around,
as roof tops are very limited here in ireland i have been torn between howling moon and eziawn, the howling moon comes highly recomended by my old club in south africa which has been used in all conditions,yes even snow in the drakensberg,and then desert conditions in the same year in namibia,they have said eziawn has performed just as good but the howling moon has a better feel to it.
i know they are more expensive but then look at how long and how many times youll be using it to justify the amount youre spending.
save up a little more
 
i'm thinking of fitting two tents on my roof, does anyone have any experiences to share on this, realize i will probably have to extend roof rack but figure that will act as a sun shade.any thoughts anyone? LEE
 
David Nimrod said:
Very interesting info... I was thinking that most of these tents now originate in China, like a lot of gear does these days.

I certainly don't have the money for a Hannibal or similar (way over a grand!!!) so a 'generic' tent is the way I'll go.

Which of the tents at the 2-3 Roof Tent site will you get..?
Click to expand...

Hey David Nimrod (or can we call you Nimrod :D) I'm just going to get the small one, I don't need the extra space/covered ladder etc. I'm going to side mount it, so it protrudes out the drivers side just behind the door, then mount my shower underneath. Awning on the other side of the vehicle !

Johnny, I think Howling Moon tents are made in China now, so make sure you actually see them before you buy, cause there is a fine line between paying for quality and getting ripped off ;)

And the Pime Tech tents are same as the 2-3 Roof Tent site, if anyone was confused. Cheaper at the 2-3 Roof Tent site.
 
I agree with you booger dont just pay for a name but im sure that even if howling moon is made in china now they should still have the same quality control. Mine seems to be well made, none of this parachute material stuff. best to take a look and decide for yourself johnny.
 
Hey Nimrod
Another person in the same boat! I've been looking around for a while now trying to find something affordable and suitable for the weather in UK & northern Europe.
I looked at the Kanga one on ebay but to me it's downsides were 1. It didn't appear to have any 'flysheet' & I was worried about the possible condensation issues on a single skin tent & 2. The max height for the one with the rear awning was 2.03m. My Landy's only got standard suspension but it's 2.14m to the base of the roofrack.
I would prefer one that has an enclosed underside so I can shut the dogs inside for the night & not worry they're off on some nocturnal exploration whilst I snooze.
I tried a Khyam rear annex thing that attatches to the back but found the joining tunnel doesn't touch the floor.
I quite like the look of the ones on the safari-equip website.
Wonder if anyone would do a discount for multibuys?
Mark
 
Markwilliamson37 said:
I quite like the look of the ones on the safari-equip website.

Wonder if anyone would do a discount for multibuys?
Click to expand...

Good idea!

I'm sure the guy could do a deal if there's a few of us wanting to buy.

Regarding the annexe part, I'd really like a sewn in groundsheet,

But of course that'd gives problems with different vehicle heights!
 
A word of advice, if you are thinking of mounting a roof tent so the entrance is on the side - the only way on a Freelander - then the "hinge" of the cover will be on the opposite side. This hinge is supposed to face the front as it is the only side that is totally waterproof, at 70mph in a down pour. In my case a couple of bungee chords helped to keep the lip down, as does slowing down I suppose.
 
Andy131 said:
A word of advice, if you are thinking of mounting a roof tent so the entrance is on the side - the only way on a Freelander - then the "hinge" of the cover will be on the opposite side. This hinge is supposed to face the front as it is the only side that is totally waterproof, at 70mph in a down pour. In my case a couple of bungee chords helped to keep the lip down, as does slowing down I suppose.
Click to expand...

What kind of tent do you have ? Most tents are mounted off the back of defenders and therefore the hinge would be at the back, are you saying they are not waterproof :rolleyes:
 
David Nimrod said:
Good idea!

I'm sure the guy could do a deal if there's a few of us wanting to buy.

Regarding the annexe part, I'd really like a sewn in groundsheet,

But of course that'd gives problems with different vehicle heights!
Click to expand...


Put me down for a potential group buy, the Safari Tents are also from that Chinese place, the fabrics might be slightly different though, worth looking into that. Has anyone got a price from Safari, they aren't usually that cheap from my experience.
 
The one with the intergral awning was £785 + VAT from memory & the side awnings about £160 + VAT.
I did make enquiries direct from the chinese manufacturers earlier in the year regarding importing them direct myself through work. I got as far as making enquiries with shipping agencies etc regarding importing costs but it's quite a complicated procedure with lots of potential to go wrong. If anyone has experience of importing goods there might be potential to import a container for forum members?
If not, then if those of us that want one can agree on a spec & supplier, lets see if we can negotiate!
 
Last edited:
I've got the eezi- awn 1.6 series 3 i'm 6ft and there is still plenty of room

I bought it second hand with the shower curtain attachment for £450 delivered

You can get brand new parachute material ones for this price (ish) but I prefer the canvas quite alot, we travel with a duvet and pillows in moderate weather - its like waking up in your own bed!

It's nice and dark and doesnt hold the heat like most tents, I have not noticed any condensation as yet.

really easy to set up (all the bedding stays inside the tent all the time) packing away takes a little to get the hang of but no real issues.

other tents I looked into but didn't go for.

hannibal - Great!..... but costly, even 2nd hand

Maggiolina - I didn't like the design,good for traveling and aerodynamic just not my cup o tea - they do one called overland but way too much ££ autohome

myway - very good - not bad price 2nd hand

echo - cheap @ £550 non canvas

prime tech (the ebay one and the one on that landroverrooftent website)- cheap and look well built (but didn't inspect closer) non canvas


hope this helps

I'm portsmouth based and my tent is still on the roof, if you ever come this way, you are welcome to have a look
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

V
Freelander 2 (LR2) New lad.
2
Replies
20
Views
2K
Vossy
V
N
Rear diff issues
Replies
5
Views
857
niko-h
N
O
L322 2005 4.2l with LPG - Cylinder Head
Replies
19
Views
3K
onebounce
O
J
Freelander 1 Buying a Freelander - question on MOT advisories
2
Replies
22
Views
2K
Dar ran Dar ran
Dar ran Dar ran
Blob
L322 Range Rover SOLD - 2008 3.6 TDV8 Vogue SE
Replies
1
Views
2K
scoots
S
Back
Top