Tents, roof, ground, etc?

Message
Author
HeadDamage
Horn Blower
Posts: 574
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 3:21 pm
Location: Calgary

Tents, roof, ground, etc?

#1 Post by HeadDamage » Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:49 pm

I'm trying to figure out what to do for sleeping accommodations when using my 90 for heavy off road trips/expeditions. I’d like a 110 do to the size but that is not in the cards for a couple of reasons so it has to be the 90. I’m talking about some heavy off roading without being able to base camp or know where I’ll be come night fall.

I’ve been thinking of getting a roof top tent and mounting it on a trailer for general use but for some trails the trailer could be a real hassle. A roof tent, mounted to the 90, seems like it might make the 90 too top heavy for off camber situations? Most of the roof tents I’ve looked at are in the 125lbs to 150lbs range.

A regular tent is nice and light and portable but often we end up stopping for the night in less than perfect places to set up a ground tent due to it being rocky, stumpy, or just wet. I’ve been wondering about making a platform on the roof of the 90 for a small ground tent or maybe using cots in a large ground tent to keep us off of the ground.

Another option that I’ve just seen is the cot tent. It can be set up on the ground, it can be used as cot in a larger ground tent, and some people have mounted them on the roofs of their trucks as small light weight (35lbs) budget roof tents.


http://store.kamprite.com/images/D/n009r660.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/t ... g/rtt2.jpg


I’m looking for input all or any of these options for off road sleeping with a Land Rover.

Thanks.

HeadDamage
Horn Blower
Posts: 574
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 3:21 pm
Location: Calgary

#2 Post by HeadDamage » Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:11 pm

Found a pic of some rovers with cot tents:

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll16 ... C_0168.jpg

rezdiver
Master Cylinder
Posts: 386
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2005 6:22 pm
Location: Cumberland

#3 Post by rezdiver » Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:46 pm

honestly, if you decide on the tent cot i see no reason to put it on the roof. its already off the ground on legs and unless you are worried about wildlife the it may be simpler to just use the cot on the ground.
another thing to consider is the head room in a tent cot or any tent for that matter, it would be nice to have some room to comfortably get dressed than having to crouch down when putting your clothes on.

i am going through the same dilema with camping with the family with my Iltis. trying different options and getting tired of setting up tents for short periods with kids i am making a trailer that you can just open the door and go to sleep, just room for that and storage for gear, no fancy frills to keep the weight and size to a minimum so i dont have issues dragging it behind me through the bush. and if i want coverage for camping grounds i can buy one of those huge tents form canadian tire for 80 bucks for the kids to run around in and store it in the trailer.

if you dont want an RTT i think the option you are considering in a tent cot is good but i would not waste time with mountng it on the roof unless you are also storing it there..

HeadDamage
Horn Blower
Posts: 574
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 3:21 pm
Location: Calgary

#4 Post by HeadDamage » Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:54 pm

I've got 6 man and 2 man Eureka timber line tents. If I got the cot tent it would be for bad ground conditions. There are lots of bears at some of the places we go, might be tempted to put a tent the roof for that. Just looking for options. If if where not for the difficulty of some of the off roading a sankey with a roof top tent would be my choice. Though I've been tempted to build a very basic insulated box on a sankey frame for a more secure and heated sleeping unit in the winter and very bad weather.

rezdiver
Master Cylinder
Posts: 386
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2005 6:22 pm
Location: Cumberland

#5 Post by rezdiver » Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:15 pm

bears can climb. :wink: now you got both a bear in your tent and big dents in your hood from him climbing up. at least save the truck if your gonna get eaten.

based on your requirements though an RTT or tent cot would be good tent cot for budget use and amount of use as they are cheap. but i think trailer is the way to go.

have you seen those tent extensions that slide out the back of the rear door on the rovers. I think someone from the roverlanders has one that he uses, sleeping partially in and out of the truck.

ANDYD
Defender of the World
Posts: 3075
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 10:45 pm
Location: Sunny Steveston BC

90 tent

#6 Post by ANDYD » Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:43 pm

Reza,

You are probably thinking of Bill's "Tiki" tent!

http://roverlanders.bc.ca/gallery-photo ... 2010_2.jpg

Works really well from what I've seen....

rezdiver
Master Cylinder
Posts: 386
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2005 6:22 pm
Location: Cumberland

#7 Post by rezdiver » Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:46 pm

thats the one, thanks.

John
Cylinder bore
Posts: 469
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 8:37 pm
Location: Langley, BC

#8 Post by John » Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:47 am

Andrew,

I think that all you listed options are excellent and that you should have one of each at your disposal.

Post Reply