If you haven't seen my other threads, I am brand new to all of this, so please bear with my questions. Really appreciate all the responses and feedback:

• Roof Tent - I want to get a Roof tent for overlanding. Any suggestions on good brands? I also see ones that are either the dimensions of the roof itself or extend out further with supports. Pros/cons?
• Roof Rack - Do I need roof rack or do some roof tents attach directly to the rails? Assuming I need a roof rack, any suggestions on good brands? Do I need crossbars for the roof rack?
• Ladder - I really like the form/function factor of the OEM ladder, but should I hold off on purchasing one until I figure out my roof tent situation? I don't want to end up with a tent that can't be accessed using that ladder.

 

Check this guys setup I was considering this setup but decided not because of our dogs. You will need bars or a roof rack to support the RTT. You can go factory or plenty of aftermarket alternatives. I have a Rhino Rack only because it was on my LR4 and I bought alot of their accessories and put it on my Defender. Others can chime in on other bars or roof racks.

 

I have used Autohome for 5+ years, very nice. They are also Land-Rovers official partner, check them out
Thule tents are supposed to be good as well

No point of getting the huge rack if you put tent on top, just get cross bars, if you just want the tent get some wingbars
I use Thule ProBars, you need to get the bars and feet separately, might need to cut the bars to size, but this allows to also add an awning if you so desire as you can get them to be a bit wider and go over the feet and as they have T slot als0 on the backside, it allows using all kinds of accessories. They are also sturdier, which I'm happy when I drive over 70 with the tent on top.. might add 3'rd bar if your tent allows..

You will get a ladder with the tent anyways, and yes it is nice to have 2 ladders at night when you need to go... but in all honesty, don't bother. I ended up removing my ladder due to the wind noise and build quality, It broke 2 times under my 170 pounds.. There are quite a lot of topics about that in this forum, check them out. Also my wife was not happy to use it, as it starts quite high and she is not that tall.

If you are into caming I could suggest couple accessories that I think are helpful
- Loadspace light upgrade from powerfuluk
- Rear door release kit from powerfuluk if you have anyone sleeping inside (I have kids)
- Ventilation panels for side windows, 0 install

Jaak

 

I would say the biggest consideration for a RTT on the Defender is weight. If you use crossbars, you have a weight limitation. Now this really isn't a joke. I nearly broke my crossbars on my Range Rover going over a swale at 35 mph. The up and down motion caused a loud crack noise that could be heard inside. And when I stopped, yep one side of the foot assembly was visibly deformed. The other thing with the weight is body roll. The Defender has a fairly high CG, add more weight, it moves up, not something it needs not at all. I have tried different types over the years, like the Autohome fiberglass shell types, but they are too heavy, sold it. I ended up with a Yakima Skyrise two person, which was, at the time, the lightest I could find at 95 lbs. It still causes the car to roll more. I take them off immediately after use, since there is no way it would fit in my garage. I am luck to have a small crane assembly in my aircraft hanger, so it lives there in the off times. I use mine with the expedition rack, I have crossbars, but the expedition rack has more load capability. However as of recent, I have just been throwing down a tent on the ground. I use the rack for a landing pad for my survey drones, the RTT just gets in the way. So I would look closely at the weight limit on the crossbars and your rooftop tent, being aware that rough roads can quickly double the weight of the installed tent due to acceleration in the vertical. The official Land Rover crossbar are the least of all the options to support the weight, the regular Thule crossbars are better and the curve goes up from there. I would be very aware how much your installed package weighs. It will affect handling. It will also affect your ability to use drive throughs, to comical ends if you're not aware. They pretty much all have ladders and mounting systems. Just be aware, not all include the mounts in the price they quote, tricky eh. I do spend around two months a year sleeping in them on project in Africa (it is all I can get). I yearn to stop using them, mainly because it is a huge PIA to always have to descend the ladder every time you need to relive yourself in the dark. My field partner actually bought an elaborate tent there at the end of the season last year, so perhaps this year we may use that instead of renting the RTT's.

 

If you have the LR Expedition rack, the CVT Mt Hood (size small) fits the rack dimensions perfectly. I mounted the OEM ladder to climb up to the tent. I really liked this setup but recently sold the tent.