I know it's been discussed a lot before, but nothing recent lately. We are selling our Pop-up (thank you heavens) and I'm very much considering one for my 4th Gen. Anyone try the skyline Yakima line yet? I just saw the timberline towers with round bars which seems to do the trick. Tepui is the only one I have actually been inside at the rack shop here in Austin. I forget the name, but was the 3 person one and not the new heavy duty one for $1650 ish. Looking at the one for $1350. Mostly will be taking it to the coast where the wind is average 25 mph, so how are they holding up? I also see a lot of CVT's on here. Are they more affordable? Just wondering if anyone has a different opinion after having it for a while. Should I bust the move or what? Thanks again guys.
So how are those roof tents doing?
- Thread starter mauidiver
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wadle5
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If set up properly I don't think you will have a problem with 25mph winds. I have the CVT MT Rainer with the annex and it held up great on some pretty crappy storm nights in Canyonlands and Moab. It was great for set up and tear down and the wife liked how comfortable it was. The only drawback is for those campgrounds where its first come first serve you don't have a trailer to mark your territory as the tent is on your roof. So you have to unload some chairs or cooler and hoping the general public will honor that and not move your stuff to the side. Besides that and being a little more aware of your tip over angle due to the extra 200 pounds on your roof I highly recommend the things. Also its a great way I think to get kids into camping. Good luck and update us with pics when you get it!
I'm following this thread. But I need some convincing as to why a roof top tent is way better than a regular ground tent, because price wise. it is way more expensive. Other than it is easy to set up, east to knock down and that it's above the car away from the elements, can someone convince me please?
Its up to you if the ease of setup, take down, and view is worth the cost, and reduction in mpg. If you're doing long-ish overlanding trips with a new location nightly it may be worth the cost. For weekend truck camping its probably not. It's also not ideal if you go camping with dogs.
wadle5
New member
As others have said when we did our 2 week long trip all over the west coast it was nice to show up to a spot no matter what time and be able to have a sleeping spot set up in under 2 minutes. Didn't matter if it was a storm, or midnight it is a simple setup which after a while you thank for when on the road for more than a few days. Other than that also gives you more room inside your vehicle as you dont have to pack the tent, blow up mattress or mattress pad etc. If you have a roof rack it makes full use of it. Also it does make for some great views. It was nice a few nights to park on top of a mountain on what would be some horrible sleeping surface, and to be able to be up another 6 feet on a flat even surface is great. Again great for those long trips, but in the long run my wife is now more likely to continue camping and it definitely in the long haul is cheaper than a hotel with better views.
I think you hit the nail on the head with that last sentence. If you compare to just a tent, yes it's not such a good deal, but if you're comparing to a hotel, it quickly pays for itself. At least I think I have just become convinced that it's a good investment.
One further question, is there also a legal advantage? I.e. If you can't "camp" somewhere, but you can sleep overnight in your car, perhaps it ends up being better from a legal perspective.
smokey73
New member
I've been considering one too. Like the op, I wonder how they hold up after a few years of use. I would hate to spend some coin on a top of the line product and never get enough use to justify. On the flip side, I don't want to go cheap and only get a couple of trips out of it.
Thanks for the replies guys. The last post is why I started this after all. My main reason is for the coast and getting out of the wind blown sand. Just wondering how they have been holding up. I see a Tan 4Runner at pins that is sick! It has a roof top and looks perfect. Any guys have reports after a couple years? And have you figured out the perfect lifting/storage solution? Hanks again
unevolved
Member
I've got a used CVT that's a few years old. A friend of mine bought it in 2013 (I think?) and used it heavily (like, lived in it for 3-4 weeks at a time occasionally). I bought it from him earlier this year when he upgraded.
It's still doing fine! Had a nice windstorm on our last trip to Palo Duro Canyon, and it never seemed questionable. Like others have said, it's been a great way to get my wife to go camping. She won't go camping without it now. We're up away from bugs, dry, and with a nice flat, comfy surface to sleep on.
It's still doing fine! Had a nice windstorm on our last trip to Palo Duro Canyon, and it never seemed questionable. Like others have said, it's been a great way to get my wife to go camping. She won't go camping without it now. We're up away from bugs, dry, and with a nice flat, comfy surface to sleep on.
Runamok
New member
I have been eyeballing them too. Prices seem pretty steep but convienience may be worth it as long as they are easy to get on and off between trips as I would not like having to drive with them on all the time. What about your garage or parking garages, do they fit underneath?
Also I would be concerned camping with a great view. Do not forget the parking break lol
Also I would be concerned camping with a great view. Do not forget the parking break lol
Porqupine82
New member
Putting mine on nearly killed me. I'm by no means a weak guy, 5 11, 210lbs... but my CVT Mt Rainier destroyed me. My wife (bless her heart) is only 120 lbs and, well... not too strong.
Until I rig up a pulley my tent will stay on. Forever.
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unevolved
Member
You won't fit in a garage with it on. My truck's a shade over 7' with the tent on, I think.
It's a simple job for two people to take it on and off. Mine comes off a few days after each trip. It certainly affects mileage, you can tell the truck's having to work harder at high speeds. I don't even bother going much over 70 on the highway with the tent on, which makes commuting annoying.
