Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
Ground Tents vs Roof Tents and fixed kitchen systems..
So at the risk of starting an online fight! There is an endless debate about which is best, a roof tent or a ground tent. Also, these inbuilt fridge and cooking systems.
Personally, I like to wander more slowly so find myself creating a camp for a few days at a time or even longer if pursuing other activities (for example walking in Snowdonia).
So I use an Oztent RV5 (plus pop up type tents for the kids if they are present also) and I have a charging point in the boot of my car and an 85aH leisure battery mounted in a tool box, which when in base camp mode is connected to a solar panel.
So I can dismount my base camp and still use the vehicle. Of course, I can simply leave everything in the car if I want to or stopping over night - mid journey to my final destination...
As to the Roof tent. I don't consider they are any quicker to erect than an oz tent, they take up valuable roof space and they need to go with the vehicle. They also need to be dismounted when not in use and in winter mode (I replace my roof rack with a thule box in the winter for skiing.
But I am keen to hear about the less obvious pros of the day to day life of fixed systems like RTT's and fixed kitchens - as the "leader of the opposition" is rather taken by the idea of both.
So it is REAL life examples I am interested in... CONVINCE ME!
D3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
Jeeps, Lexus, X-trails... Too many to name..
31st Jul 2017 9:26 am
Iguana
Member Since: 14 Oct 2013
Location: 'Sunny' Zomerset
Posts: 9424
So I moved from a RT on top of my Sankey trailer to a RV4 Oztent and my sankey trailer.
To be perfectly honest, I wanted to move from the RT as the only annoying thing I found with it was not being able to stand up inside the RT.
After moving to the RV4, I immediately missed the RT and regretted the selling the RT , While I was able stand up etc, I now had the "Being camped on the floor" and all the mud, wet grass issues that came with it. Just did not get on with the Oz Tent.
I also broke it once by not opening it correctly
I now have an Australian camper thingy which I love, but I still find myself looking at RT's, so my heart I think is still with the RT's. Although my current camper does give me the 'High off the ground' sleeping, but as most of the set-up is on the ground, I still get the wet/mud issues - only used once in anger though and I really do like it!
As for electrics etc, never been an issue as I had and have have access to enough power through the leisure batteries installed in my old Sankey or current camping trailer
RT (There is a trailer there somewhere honest )
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OZ & Trailer
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Current
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Planning not to sell the current set-up, got a weeks camping in a few weeks, to really try it out, as only managed to use it for one weekend so far.
Hope this helps Iggy/Ieuan
Current LR =
2015 RR Sport Autobiography
&
1992 Land Rover Defender Camper
- Gone but not forgotten:
MY10 D4 GS
MY05 Disco 3 'S'
MY14 FL2 HSE manual in Blue
MY15 Disco 4 HSE Lux in Santorini Black
MY08 Disco 3 SE manual in Buck Blue
1960 Series 2 88" (No idea why I sold it!)
31st Jul 2017 10:10 am
professorpool
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
I hear you on the wet/ground situation. I guess that is down to camp discipline..
OK it is interesting you want to go back.
I have pondered the trailer issue (and of course I have seen your previous set up and it is impressive!) but in the end rejected it as I often travel very long distances and would not want to be slowed down. for example I am off to Croatia (about 1300 miles each way) next Friday.
Where did you get your camper thingy from out of interest?D3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
"Planning not to sell the current set-up, got a weeks camping in a few weeks, to really try it out, as only managed to use it for one weekend so far."
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything they have.
I love my trailer, RT and foxwing setup (below) but, in all honesty, I'm finding it's more suited to me and the GF getting away for weekends than it is for weeks away with me, her, the three kids and the dog.
Recently I really toyed with the idea of an Afrispoor (similar to Iggy's current setup) or something like a Quadtech setup, but at £7k+ for something good and big enough, you're then into the realms on a decent tintent.
With that in mind, and until I make a proper decision on going down a tintent setup (probably buy in the winter), I've bought a Berghaus Air 8 and Air Porch for family holidays.
Front Runner Rack, OEM Ladder & RAI, Tuff-Trek Foxwing, B'rakhah Ingonyama Expedition Trailer, RLD's Spare Wheel Protector, Bodsy's Bars, Empty Pockets! Member of Gloucestershire & Worcestershire 4x4 Response.
31st Jul 2017 10:37 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73131
Aerialmark wrote:
"Planning not to sell the current set-up, got a weeks camping in a few weeks, to really try it out, as only managed to use it for one weekend so far."
I had a chuckle at that as well.
31st Jul 2017 10:41 am
Iguana
Member Since: 14 Oct 2013
Location: 'Sunny' Zomerset
Posts: 9424
ok, ok, calm down you lot!
@PP, got it 2nd hand from the forum, I think it's for keeps, but after only one weekend in it just can't make that decision yet. Travelling with the trailer on the back wasn't an issue, and it's not now, especially when you have a great big Disco pulling it
I may very well keep as I am, but perhaps add a slimline RT, for those odd nights without the trailer (Magnolia stile I think, so it stays on top)
Iggy/Ieuan
Current LR =
2015 RR Sport Autobiography
&
1992 Land Rover Defender Camper
- Gone but not forgotten:
MY10 D4 GS
MY05 Disco 3 'S'
MY14 FL2 HSE manual in Blue
MY15 Disco 4 HSE Lux in Santorini Black
MY08 Disco 3 SE manual in Buck Blue
1960 Series 2 88" (No idea why I sold it!)
I note The Caravan Club has stated it does not accept roof tents even on those sites where tent camping is permitted. So that's a perfect endorsement!A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
31st Jul 2017 11:33 am
spikekellyrm
Member Since: 23 Jul 2015
Location: Manchester
Posts: 662
Absolutely. I cannot stand the pretentiousness of the CCD4.5 Facelift, Lazer ST4, Prospeed underbody and rack, IID BT, Compomotive/BFG KO2, Series MFlaps, RAI, Dog Gd+XBB, Alive Tuned, T-Max/YellowTop, RemoteFBH, GlassesMod, WheelWinchMod, Jack Mod, LED Mods, Seized Crank Mod....
This is going to be a first for me. I am taking my roof tent, awning and RV4 to somewhere the sun is going to shine (hopefully ) I am not sure how it will suite my wife but 3 weeks will be enough for her to find out weather she likes the outdoor life. Me ? Can't bloody wait, I have bought enough gear and food to stay camping for the rest of my days Roll on Saturday get me away from this Burnley hole The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything they have.
31st Jul 2017 12:17 pm
Iguana
Member Since: 14 Oct 2013
Location: 'Sunny' Zomerset
Posts: 9424
Navigator wrote:
I note The Caravan Club has stated it does not accept roof tents even on those sites where tent camping is permitted. So that's a perfect endorsement!
I booked a cc site in Brecon one year, said I had a trailer tent (tried explaining RT but gave up ), anyway, I turn up a few weeks later and had a very long discussion with the site manager over the fact that I didn't have a trailer tent in his opinion. was a complete
In the end I told him to stick it and found another site that was friendlier and cheaperIggy/Ieuan
Current LR =
2015 RR Sport Autobiography
&
1992 Land Rover Defender Camper
- Gone but not forgotten:
MY10 D4 GS
MY05 Disco 3 'S'
MY14 FL2 HSE manual in Blue
MY15 Disco 4 HSE Lux in Santorini Black
MY08 Disco 3 SE manual in Buck Blue
1960 Series 2 88" (No idea why I sold it!)
31st Jul 2017 12:18 pm
Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
Not sure why people are surprised the CC doesn't accept roof tents, it is the Caravan Club, (well it was until a few weeks ago) not the Camping and Caravan Club which does accept tents.DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
DS3 TDV6 HSE- Silver with Alpaca (new one) Gone
D4 HSE Lux - Montalcino Red Gone
Porsche Cayenne V8 Diesel S
You're right fella its for the more deserning caravaner, one who doesn't wee in the camp fire while others are toasted their marsh-mellows The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything they have.
31st Jul 2017 1:11 pm
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
Hello Stephen I trust you are well and have not wee,d in any campfires lately ? Well not where food is being prepared The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything they have.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
, While I was able stand up etc, I now had the "Being camped on the floor" and all the mud, wet grass issues that came with it. Just did not get on with the Oz Tent.
)
) I am not sure how it will suite my wife but 3 weeks will be enough for her to find out weather she likes the outdoor life. Me ? Can't bloody wait, I have bought enough gear and food to stay camping for the rest of my days 
Roll on Saturday get me away from this Burnley 
hole 
