Roof mounted tent????

[LoopSoosStroop]

Hi Guys

I have a 2006 Forester X. Camping in Botswana and other places in Africa might lead to some encounters with big cats and things like hippos and stuff. Much better to be in a roof tent.

Do you know what the roof load capacity of my car is? My wife and I weigh a combined 130 kg. Add 40 kg for a tent and suitable mounting and you have 170 kg.

Surely this is not too much to ask of the roof?

What is your opinion?

[tibug]

My non-technical opinion is that pretty much all cars nowadays are designed to support the full mass of the vehicle while it's on its roof. Otherwise, you'd be pretty well **** outta luck if you were in a rollover accident.

I could be wrong.

[Kevin]

Static load is not a problem. That B pillar has 7 layers of steel in it! Just don't leave your wife up there while driving

[El_Freddo]

You've got a roof mounted tent don't you Kevin? Got any other pro's and con's of a roof mounted tent that you could share with us?

I'm keen to know some more about them from someone who's used one on a subi...

Cheers

Bennie

[Kevin]

Pros - quick set-up / pack-up; most designed for wet pack-up as well; provides shade for the vehicle when parked; fantastic when touring with overnight stops; off the ground when camping; can move camp without packing up e.g. to a better position and/or rotate to catch the sun in the morning; bedding remains all set up (no matresses to inflate etc)

Cons - must have garage roof space to store (and be able to open to dry if packed up wet); if base camping have to pack up every day for day trips; getting in & out can be interesting in the wet; (I keep a plastic bag in the camper to store boots); effort to attach for a weekend overnighter may be more than pitching a tent; if you get the large bulky type, drag and hence fuel use will increase.

I'll add more if I think of anything............

[Deer]

Saw such tent. These children have made round-the-world travel on the Forester. Probably they now in Australia.




I think with it it is possible to communicate in its blog.

http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous...7&go=subaroute

http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous...d&go=subaroute

[Kevin]

A reminder of mine:

packed up




open

[ThorsMitersaw]

Originally Posted by Kevin

A reminder of mine:

Do you find yourself missing the space on top for storing your crap?

Do they make a room that attaches to that? I have seen some flip out roof top tents that have rooms that hang down so you are not in the wet and stuff when getting in or out. But they are all about as aerodynamic as a brick. I would really love to find one of the more aero ones like yours with an awning/room.

[d_generate]

Carrying roof weight for a Subaru forester is 70kg, this is multiplied by 4 when stationary so you are safe to put 280kg up there on your standard rails......Sounds like fun, thinking about getting one myself.

[joel_57]

Yeah I've been following the 'Subaroute' blog and last i read they were here in Oz for most of the year, but are now in Argentina. I've seen Kevin's roof top tent in action. It works a treat.

Regards,

Joel