SUV Tents, Awnings and Screen Rooms

[chaossd]

Does anyone have a favorite, SUV tent, awning or screen room they can attach to their 4Runner?

I'm looking for something that I can use to crawl inside the truck and sleep if it gets too windy or cold. But I don't want some giant 8 man "POS" that's attached to the back of the vehicle.

I'm also tossing up the idea of some kind of awning that I can possibly attach to the car and provide some shade maybe while tailgating or when I'm dirtbiking and can get an electric fridge or freezer for the car and have access to the stereo and DVD player and other such spoiled amenities?

I've found these but they are kind of expensive:

Kelty Carport Deluxe Shelter - Large at REI.com

Amazon.com: Sportz Mid Size SUV - Minivan Tent (For Toyota 4Runner, Highlander, Rav4,Alphard, Sienna, Voxy Mode: Sports & Outdoors

Anyone else have any recommendations or experience they can help a fellow member out with?

Thanks!

 

[Gromulus]

Options

My wife and I are avid campers and usually camp throughout all four seasons. While we use our off-road Chalet A-frame camper for longer excursions, we still do a lot of backpacking, kayak camping, and primitive "car" camping as well.

We own five tents and over a dozen sleeping bags and these get us through all the seasons and conditions.

That being said, with the kids almost grown it is usually just the wife and I as of late. Sometimes we want to get away for a fast impromptu weekend trip and do what we call "4Runner camping". We sleep in the back of the 4Runner using two 20" x 72" Therm-A-Rest pads (forget those cheap air mattresses!) and our bags. Luckily we are both short so legrooom isn't much of an issue. I am fairly broad and the width between the wheelwells is sometimes hard to deal with. In cold weather we use a Coleman Golf Cart propane heater that fits in the front cup console. We only fire this up a half hour or so before turning in and for a bit before we crawl out of our bags in the morning.

Ventilation is always an issue with tents and even more so when sleeping in a vehicle. (The average adult gives off approximately 1 - 2 pints of moisture when sleeping). A few years back I found a few manufacturers who offered mesh window screens that are double-sided cases that fit over the front and rear side windows, allowing the window to open any amount while still preventing bugs from coming in. I also fashioned a mesh window screen for the rear window using flexible screen mesh and held in place with velcro strips around the window perimeter.

I have purchased a few canopy/tarp products for use off the tailgate over the years but found that making my own was the best solution. I bought an 8' x 10' heavy duty tarp at Lowes and two 7' telescoping poles, stakes, and tie-down ropes from Campmor. This allows us to have the tailgate open if we desire and provides enough protection for two chairs and one or two small tables. We frequently bring our mountain bikes on trips and the tarp also covers the two swing away hitch-mounted bikes very well. I have toyed with the idea of the Kelty canopy you referenced as well. This canopy offers more configuration options than our tarp but I like the simplicity and speed of set-up with my system.

We also have a DAC Explorer 2 tent attachment that does provide more "open" feeling but nothing in the way of more useable room, although those taller folks may find it more comfortable. I got this for <$100 but seldom use it anymore:

DAC Explorer 2 - Minivan and Sport Utility Vehicle Tent, 20747 | Specialized Shelters | Tents | GEAR | items from Campmor.

In my opinion the SUV/minivan tents are a solution in search of a problem. Thet are all inferior in inclement weather when compared to a good 3-4 season low profile tent. None I have seen even have full coverage rain flys. You have to find a flat clearing that fits both vehicle and tent and when you want to use the vehicle the large tent opening must be closed shut. They are never as water or bug resistant as a good tent. I never saw the use or utility of these. What the advantage of having the vehicle attached to the tent is I will never understand.

Remember that a tent offers little to nothing in the way of warmth (aside form keeping rain, snow, and wind off the inhabitants). For warmth and comfort you must rely on a good pad/bag combination.

Hope this helps!

 

[Net4n6]

I have Sportz SUV tent. Large size. I like it a lot. I will try to post pics later.

 

[Burt]

I spend much my summer outings in Colorado and Wyoming, so I have experienced a wide variety of conditions. After 20 years I have found a good 3 season low profile (high alpine winds) that I put up no matter where I sleep.
Real nasty conditions in a conventional campground, I sleep in the back of the 4Runner and store equipment, food, etc in the tent, AWAY from the 4Runner. Under good conditions, I reverse this (the best for bear country).
For loundging around in adverse weather conditions of trips over 3 days, I
bought one of those EasyUp shelters. They are very EZ to put up, fols to small size and can even leave 2 support post lower (like lean to) for high wind conditions. I added approx. 4 feet of rope to all four top cporner posts, then use bungie cords to stake in the ground. Keeps it stable and will not blow away. These can be found for 80 bucks.
Never did like the stuff that attaches to the vehichle, have to constantly screww with it when you want to drive somewhere(put the boat in).
Hope this helps....

 

[Jeffrey_VB]

Hannibal.

Not sure if they make any for 4Runners, but that are big in Land Rover world.

Hannibal - Home