Why are these so expensive?

I would love a roof tent like this. But It baffles me why these are so expensive? They're just a bit of molded fibre glass a mattress and some canvas? Cant see the reason why they are any more than £500 for this type.

ROOF TENT FOR CARS AND VANS SUV JEEP SMALL EXTREME MAGGIOLINA MG/05 | eBay

Well if it is so simple why don't you set up your own business making roof tents and retailing them in the UK for less then £500?

Out of that £500, assuming your business is successful you will be charging VAT so that takes your price down to £417.

I am sure that you would have people queueing at your door if you could supply a rooftent off the Autohome quality legally for £500.

I wonder how much money you would lose?

Did you notice the cost of transporting just one roof tent from Italy? A mere £640


Brendan

leeds said:

Well if it is so simple why don't you set up your own business making roof tents and retailing them in the UK for less then £500?

Out of that £500, assuming your business is successful you will be charging VAT so that takes your price down to £417.

I am sure that you would have people queueing at your door if you could supply a rooftent off the Autohome quality legally for £500.

I wonder how much money you would lose?

Did you notice the cost of transporting just one roof tent from Italy? A mere £640


Brendan

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Lots and lots of roof tents out there fore less than 500 quid, you just need to stop looking for rip off land rover ''expedition'' related tents. A roof tent from Italy will cost nowhere bear 640 quid, I've sent gearboxes to Australia for way way less than that.
The real question is why would you want one? They are heavy, take up valuable roof space, they are cramped compared to ground tents, they leave you immobilised, they cost a lot for what they are and you have to climb a ladder to get into the damn thing.
Oh but hey , yeah , they look cool like you are on safari, especially when you are parked up in Tescos car park.

nobber said:

Lots and lots of roof tents out there fore less than 500 quid, you just need to stop looking for rip off land rover ''expedition'' related tents. A roof tent from Italy will cost nowhere bear 640 quid, I've sent gearboxes to Australia for way way less than that.
The real question is why would you want one? They are heavy, take up valuable roof space, they are cramped compared to ground tents, they leave you immobilised, they cost a lot for what they are and you have to climb a ladder to get into the damn thing.
Oh but hey , yeah , they look cool like you are on safari, especially when you are parked up in Tescos car park.

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I wouldn't have it on unless I was doing a trip as that's the only time I put my roof rack on. They're just alot easier and comfortable than a tent.

If I had the resources I certainly would be starting a company

units very similar to the maggiolina pictured can be purchased from ting tong for about £400 per unit. You would have to buy a bunch though to fill a container. Then there is import tax etc but there is no particular reason for them to cost that much other than it is what people are willing to pay thus they can charge that much.

vilguy said:

units very similar to the maggiolina pictured can be purchased from ting tong for about £400 per unit. You would have to buy a bunch though to fill a container. Then there is import tax etc but there is no particular reason for them to cost that much other than it is what people are willing to pay thus they can charge that much.

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Ive seen them on Alibaba.com for very little money.
A geezer in Germany was flogging them for little money on gay bay a few years back.

I bought my 110 and it came with a RTT fitted. Lovely piece of kit, so easy and comfortable. BUT... I'd never buy one. For the price of sturdy model you could buy some seriously swanky camping tent and gear and have more space for less weight. more set up time maybe, but price for price a ground tent for the same price as a RTT would be bigger / much lighter.

Having said that. I love my roof top tent.

Yes it is pretty much definite I will be replacing my small ground tent with a another slightly larger one due to cost but just wanted a roof tent for convenience. The prices are daft.

The rtt's do look the dogs I admit, and I will take people's word that they are comfy and quick to set up. Personally however my nights camping usually end up with me going/crawling to bed a bit worse for wear! And with a bladder the size of teaspoon when drinking, I honestly think I'd break my neck going for a **** in the night!

I had a lovely old canvas tent on my last trip away.





That was lovely.

chris mcc said:

The rtt's do look the dogs I admit, and I will take people's word that they are comfy and quick to set up. Personally however my nights camping usually end up with me going/crawling to bed a bit worse for wear! And with a bladder the size of teaspoon when drinking, I honestly think I'd break my neck going for a **** in the night!

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ive had a wizz out of the tent opening on my defender when it was so cold outside i didnt want to get down.

also they arent that convinient.... proper ballache packing it away when its dark and raining.

nobber said:

I had a lovely old canvas tent on my last trip away.

That was lovely.

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Looks a bit crowded for me mate

Roof tent works for me

To be honest I cant see the point.
Its a lot of money for a tent, if you really want to sleep on the roof just pitch a normal tent on a sheet of play and secure to the roof rack, simple and cheap!

Well, to me they aren't worth the money that they are, hence I'm getting a normal tent.

chris mcc said:

Looks a bit crowded for me mate

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Me too ,I couldn't get any peace at all.

Before my landy owner adventures I cycle toured a lot and did trips in europe and the states. Now I have the RTT I realise how much time I spent looking for a suitable piece of ground to camp. Water, rocks, uneven all being problems.

I live in a rocky desert and it's so lovely to have no worries about what condition the ground is in. RTT is a winner there.

But... still won't pay the price for one.

NiallRussell said:

Before my landy owner adventures I cycle toured a lot and did trips in europe and the states. Now I have the RTT I realise how much time I spent looking for a suitable piece of ground to camp. Water, rocks, uneven all being problems.

I live in a rocky desert and it's so lovely to have no worries about what condition the ground is in. RTT is a winner there.

But... still won't pay the price for one.

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Yes I travelled across the Sahara to Tamanrassett and very often the ground was very hard and rocky, so hard I couldn't knock pegs in. A roof tent would of been a god send. also one night what sounded like a lion was wandering around the camp, can't say what it was I didn't stick me head out for a look see.