I saw one advertised in one of the many LR magazines that get sent to me. I have been intrigued ever since. I have done some online searching and decided that there are too many options that are too confusing. So I decided to bring it to crew...


Anybody ever seen one? Used one? Own one? Just have an opinion? If so...
What model is the best bang for your buck? How much $$$$ should be spent? (I saw some varying prices.) To narrow it a bit I was thinking of a good 4 season model, but leaning more towards the warmer months of use. How do these things effect gas mileage on an already packed Disco?

 

Price$ are all over and you need a sturdy roof rack. There are pros and cons, as with anything else. It is quick and easy to pitch the tent. You do loose packing space up there and it does knock your MPG a small amount. It's a pita to get up and down, say if you wanna pee in the middle of the night, and the wife bitches because you rock the whole truck.

 

www.columbiaoverland.com

 

HAHAHAHAHAH.... I am with out wife (thank god) I think I would get the step and back ladder....

 

$850 for the Mombasa tent seems reasonable to me. I cant remember the other brands, but remember looking at some for over $2500. And thinking, man it would take a lot of nice hotel rooms to make up for this tent. Stay in the Mombasa tent 9+ times and its kinda like you are making money. No shower of course but who cares, find a creek!

http://www.roof-top-tent.com/page.asp?id=3

 

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories

 

have you stayed in one? or set it up?

 

Wasn't the reason for putting them on the roof originally to keep you up away from predators and stuff like that?

I've always thought they looked cool, but here in north america they're probably more of a PITA than necessary unless you're mounting it to something other than your truck. Otherwise, if you camp in one spot and then spend the days wheeling, you have to pack it up every time you want to move your truck.

 

I second the motion for:
http://www.columbiaoverland.com/

and yes originally they were up on the roof when you were in the serengeti..but they do open up your interior for others or gear. as for the MPG, well let's face it, it's not as if it is all that good to begin with so if it drops 2-3 well that is the price. just make sure your suspension has been upgraded for the extra weight also for stability once it is set up and you and whomever else might be sharing with you.
and enjoy the open spaces.

 

No I have not stayed in one. But for camping on or near the wheeling trail, saving on $85 hotel rooms and the overall expedition look of your Rover, its a way cool look. And you never know when you need some elevation to keep sasquatches and bears at bay!

My dream setup would be an ARB half roof rack. Fabricate half round holders so the tent would unfold out towards the front of your Rover onto the factory roof rails. Then the ladder would attach and sit on the bull bar of my front bumper. The half rack keeps it minimalist. and the weight of the tent is spread out across the roof on the factory luggage rack. The ARB half rack is $680 shipping on eBay. Time to get a part time job to buy some more cool toys. I figure what I loose in gas mileage I would makeup in skipping the hotels. And remove the tent when its not needed.