Roof top tent.

Ok so I know this has probably been covered plenty but on the search I can’t find the answer I’m looking for.

so me and my girlfriend have just bought our Land Rover 90 defender and this one had a roof rack now we’d like to put a roof tent on it for going to rallys and exploring the uk and potentially further. I’ve attached a picture of the roof rack I was planning on turning it around so the opening is at the back to allow the roof tent to open over the rear door making a little cover for working out the back.

I’ve only used a roof tent a handful of times in Australia but I don’t exactly remember the make but it was pretty awesome got a feeling it was a arb roof tent. Is there any make/brand people would use or recommend?

Also with putting on a roof tent is there any handy things people have added to make life a little bit easier? And should I look at changing the suspension it’s a 61 plate defender if that makes much difference.

cheers Tom

Hi Tom
You could turn your roof rack round so its open at the back then the tent will fold down flat.
Then there's the option of an annex to go down the back ect here's my set up from direct 4x4

That roof rack will work best with a soft type of roof tent - the kind where you remove a cover and then open the folded tent out so it overhangs the vehicle. As previously stated you will need to turn the rack around.
The advantage of these are that they are generally cheaper and take up less area on the roof and so leave some space free on a roof rack. They downside is that they can be a faff to put up and down and are noisy in strong winds. Hardshell tents are usually more robust and less flappy in the wind. They are also very quick to put up. The downsides are the price and that on a 90 they will need the entire roof, making roof bars a sensible choice compared to a roof rack. My son is attaching a hardshell tent directly to a roll cage on his 90.
There are cheap tents on the market, but you are better off going with a reputable maker whose tents will have been well tested. There are lots of good tents out there and this is not an exhaustive list, but the ones that spring to mind for soft top tents would be the likes of Eezi-Awn, ARB, Front Runner, Howling Moon, Darche or Tuff-Trek own brand, for hard tops, Alu-Cab, Bundutec (as pictured on my D2), James Baroud and again Tuff-Trek own brand are all worth considering, and if you need lots of space have a look at iKamper. Visit sites like Tuff-Trek, Trekoverland, Expedition-equipment, Flatdog and Devon 4x4 to see what is available.
For living space you will likely want some kind of awning. As well as looking at the usual 4X4 awnings which give quick sun shade, but take time to give good rain protection and have to be taken down everytime you want to move the LR, for the UK consider a drive-away awning of the type favoured by camper vans. They take a bit more time to put up but provide great rain protection and can be left up while you drive to the shops. We use a Vango Hexaway with inflatable poles.

There is also Autohome from Italy. Very quick to put up and lighter than most. Expensive though.

I was thinking more along the lines of getting a fold out tent just down to the fact that being a 90 I’m limited on space inside, and having abit of room on top next to the tent I can keep some essentials that aren’t required to be kept inside.

Cheers for the suggestions of companies to look at Si click plenty of things to read and look up

Kevstar you awning looks impressive where did you get that to and is it much hassle to put up?

Toms820 said:

I was thinking more along the lines of getting a fold out tent just down to the fact that being a 90 I’m limited on space inside, and having abit of room on top next to the tent I can keep some essentials that aren’t required to be kept inside.

Cheers for the suggestions of companies to look at Si click plenty of things to read and look up

Kevstar you awning looks impressive where did you get that to and is it much hassle to put up?

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Hi Bud here's a link.....https://direct4x4.co.uk/ Under expedition gear.
Unzips & pulls out in under a minute the sides take a few mins to sort. £1150 quid including the sides.
Takes a bit longer to put away.

Got this on my Disco

What make of tent is that and how does it fair up in our lovely British weather?

ShaunPDisco said:

Got this on my DiscoView attachment 202949

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Looking brill

Toms820 said:

What make of tent is that and how does it fair up in our lovely British weather?

Click to expand...

My mate runs Gloucester Landrover in Ashleworth. He had a batch manufactured to suit his slightly larger frame. My daughter who is now 7 loves the roof top tent and it spends the summer in our garden next to the pool on top of the Range Rover Classic!
Line the roof with a towel to absorb moisture that causes condensation. Plenty of good advice/blogs around to see how people get on with them. Biggest downside is if you are camping in same place it is a pain if you want to go somewhere in the car. If moving every day or two no problem.

ShaunPDisco said:

Biggest downside is if you are camping in same place it is a pain if you want to go somewhere in the car. If moving every day or two no problem.

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Hence why we went for the rig we have. 30 secs to disconnect the awning from the car, 20 secs to lower and secure the tent and you are away. I will probably add conventional awning as well as there are days when we just stop overnight and just want to open up a 270 overhead shelter rather than erect the Vango.

For an awning I use a cheap tarp from Machine Mart https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-6ft-x-8ft-approx-blue-silver-polyet/
A couple of old tent poles + guy ropes. Keeps the rain off and takes a moment to set and strike.