Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Equipping the Overland Vehicle
Which is the best way to mount a rooftent? Which is the best way to mount a rooftent?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Overlanders Handbook - everything you need to know, available NOW!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 2 Mar 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 91
Thumbs up Which is the best way to mount a rooftent?
Planning to head off sometime late 2007 for 12 months around the African continent and thought I'd throw this one out to all of you accomplished 4x4 users!!

I'm about to go ahead and buy my rooftent to mount onto my Landrover Defender, but while I'm still at the planning stage I would welcome any thoughts/experiences on the best way round to mount it, do I:

(a) Have the tent opening over the bonnet with the ladder mounting onto the bullbar, or

(b) opening over the rear of the vehicle, offering protection for the rear door, or

(c) over the side of the vehicle???

Lets hear all of the pro's and con's of each way!!

Thanks, Ben
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2 Mar 2007
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
I would suggest not over the side - the people who I have camped with that have done this always have problems parking and folding the tent out in small campsites, tight spaces, when trees are around etc

I have mine over the back which is best for me - less drag when driving compared to having it over the front, but I guess the wieght would be better at the front. All relative, but the shade over the back is nice when cooking or just using the back area in general.

Cheers, dj
__________________
Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3 Mar 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 91
??Roofrack or rooftent??
Cheers Darrin,

I was thinking of going that way as the other thing it does do is free up the side of the vehicle which allows you to have an extendable awning for an even greater shade area. If I feel the money is there I may even buy a shower skirt to come off the base of the tent!

Will be putting those Michelin's on my Defender, which I bought from you, in the next few weeks!

****That reminds me.....has anyone got a good condition aluminium roofrack or rooftent that they don't use and would like to part with!!!**** answers on an e-postcard to me please!

Ben
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 3 Mar 2007
Runner's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 302
Roof tent mounting
Hi ben
There isnt really a right answer..... over the rear gives cooking space and shelter, over the front gives shade for the car and you can drive off in a hurry if you need to without the thing flapping about. I have mine over the rear, for what its worth.
__________________
'91 LR 110 Def/Disco hybrid "Elsa"
Bring me the horizon....
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 3 Mar 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Southampton
Posts: 671
Ours is off the back but .......
........thats only for historic reasons, in that we bought it set up like that. It certainly does the job and I have no complaints. Its off at the moment, but die to be put back on in the next few weeks. If you wanted to take a look you can pop round. We're in Marchwood, just outside Southampton. Where are you?
__________________
Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 4 Mar 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Ghana
Posts: 289
Mine is off the middle which makes it easy to manoever round the sides stuffing it in before zipping up the cover. But I am probably going to move it to the back as it is then easier to position the car to suit the ladder on rougher ground... So my vote would also be back!
Gil
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 5 Mar 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK/ZW
Posts: 725
Over the back
I used to have a Howling Moon rtt and it used hang over the back. It gave great protection from the sun and rain with the shower skirt and - as my vehicle has a horiz split rear door - I could do all my cooking or repair work on the flat surface without being bothered by the wind or rain.
__________________
Enzo
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 6 Mar 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 91
Thanks for all of your answers, you have really confirmed what I was just about thinking.

I have rented 2 different vehicles each with different setups in the past and favoured the rear method too.

So no rooftents available on the forum-market then!?!!

Cheers Ben
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 6 Mar 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Reading, UK
Posts: 5
I have mine over the front. It's an Eezi-Awn and flaps around a lot less when pointing end-on into the wind rather than side-on. Being able to move the vehicle around with the tent erected is great. Also being able to camp in the footprint of the car is useful sometimes when you get caught out and bush-camp in a small lay-by!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 7 Mar 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 479
I have mine over the front - less aero dynamic - not sure that can be applied to a landrover but does mean one can either put the ladder down on to the bull bar or get up the back on to the roofrack then into the tent. Had it on the back for a bit but a) didn't find I was getting much cover from it, b) because of the large tyres, high suspension, rollcage and roofrack setup, the ladder barely reached the ground and was therefore vertical making it harder to climb up. c) was harder to put away - at the front you can stand on the bonnet, at the back its more difficult even at 6ft 4 and nigh on impossible for the 5ft 4 wife.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mount to dakar for garmin quest Caoimhin Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 0 14 Feb 2007 23:41
mount for Garmin 60? Mr. Ron Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 6 10 May 2005 09:30
Howling Moon Rooftent & Others OverlandFred Equipping the Overland Vehicle 7 16 Apr 2003 08:05
ROOFTENT WANTED !!! karellevrau Camping Equipment and all Clothing 0 29 Dec 2002 21:15
Camera Mount Handelbar Daniela Photo Forum 2 27 Jun 2002 08:02

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:32.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top