Member Since: 28 Oct 2019
Location: Stockholm
Posts: 118
Hard shell roof tent
I'm on the market for a hard shell roof tent. Most likely James Baroud Evasion or Explorer in the standard size. Approx 140cmx200cm.
Has anyone here fitted them to the standard roof bars with the non extended rails? Ideally I don't want to buy a nice big expensive roof rack and then completely cover it with a tent.
Also, has anyone fitted an awning with the bars and a tent? Possible?
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
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3rd Feb 2020 9:03 pm
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
I had to make the same decision last summer and tested James Baroud, Autohome and Alucab. I went for the Bush Company Aluminium tent. It‘s the same as the Tuff-Trek roof top tent ( https://tuff-trek.com/product/tuff-trek-al...roof-tent/ ).
I chose this one because the whole package-height incl. tent mount needed to be lower than 26cm to clear my garage. This tent is basically a roof rack itself (max 50kg) and It could be mounted directly on the extended rails which was a little bit tricky. If you don‘t mind the tent to sit 5cm higher it‘s much easier to use the Front Runner feet (sku FASS012) which I previously did but unfortunately wasn‘t low enough for my needs. I also built a custom mount for the Rhino-Rack Batwing Awning but you could get one from The Bush Company which bolts directly onto the side of the tent like on the Alucab.
Setup time was first priority as well as having a solid shell since it stays on the Disco all year. It’s quite windproof and with only hinges in the front, setup and brake down is like opening your tailgate - a rear ladder may come handy. I just removed the matt recently and use the tent as a gigantic ski box in winter time.
3rd Feb 2020 11:15 pm
Heath_DA
Member Since: 05 Aug 2009
Location: Stockport
Posts: 667
Greg, Looks a good fit 2016 D4 SDV6 Landmark (Gone)
2013 D4 SDV6 HSE Lux (Gone)
2011 D4 SDV6 HSE (Gone)
2008 D3 HSE (Gone)
2005 D3 HSE (Gone)
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
@Flack: That‘s a quite impressive setup you‘ve got there. I really like your front with tons of lights, grey grill and hidden winch. And the expedition rack is hard to get by
In the end it was a close decision between the Maggiolina and an aluminium shell tent. Somehow we didn‘t like the James Baroud that goes up on all corners with gas struts - you need to walk around the car several times to make sure all the fabric is tucked in. The old style Maggiolina with the crank lever is much easier to use especially if you bring a small electric drill 8) and it‘s much more wind resistant.
Here‘s a comparison between direct mount (first pic) and Front Runner feet. It‘s a little detail in the picture but much more noticeable if you stand in front of the car.
Just a touch longer with the rear car tent Mick The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything they have.
4th Feb 2020 5:10 pm
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
He said ‚roof tent up in 5 mins‘
Not the whole home base camp with kitchen sink. That‘s another 60min
True, got to admit though the roof tent is the best I've seen for ease of use. Another friend of mine on here has one thats similar to Mick,s and thats also easy to put up. I used to have a Howling moon and then a Hannibal and although they were great and fairly easy to put up they were a pain to put away especially when wet or in strong wind as i found out on the Isle of Skye last year with Mick and the lads.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything they have.
4th Feb 2020 7:20 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14174
Hi
Wished to say some fantastic sets up there
4th Feb 2020 8:12 pm
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
Aerialmark wrote:
True, got to admit though the roof tent is the best I've seen for ease of use. Another friend of mine on here has one thats similar to Mick,s and thats also easy to put up. I used to have a Howling moon and then a Hannibal and although they were great and fairly easy to put up they were a pain to put away especially when wet or in strong wind as i found out on the Isle of Skye last year with Mick and the lads.
+1
I don‘t care much about setup time. Most tents are fast enough.
How long it takes to put it away in windy and wet condition like you said was essential in our decision.
And it needed to have space for bedding to. That ruled out all or most soft tents. But even the best roof tent is a compromise for me as I wished the D3’s roof could be removed as easy as on a Defender. With an elevating roof you can forgo the ladder and get a big living space inside for bad weather situation. Some Swedish company did that a few years ago but I guess there‘s no way to get it approved in Switzerland. We‘re not even allowed to detango the headlights or modify it in any way.
What if it was converted first and then you bought it like that, would that be allowed over there ?
By the way this was my best set up when we toured Europe in 2017. I loved it but my wife wasn't to keen so i have sold it all now and bought a motorhome
I have now fitted a Foxwing which is great as I have plenty of room at the back and it allows me to sleep in the back of the car when I go camping with the lads
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything they have.
5th Feb 2020 3:28 pm
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
Even if you import a car that‘s brand new and already exists here you still have to go through approval.
With a modified car it gets complicated. You need an individual car specific approval which is expensiv. With the elevating roof you need the certificate from the manufacturer which they usually don‘t have since the EU-certificats aren‘t valid here. I think if some part got an approval in one EU country, it‘s valid for all EU countries - not here in Switzerland and maybe for UK in the future, too
Many years ago you had to remove the third brake light and change the turning indicators lights from red to yellow if you imported an American car. These kind of regulations haven‘t changed that much nowadays
Hell thats strict The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything they have.
5th Feb 2020 7:24 pm
Ben4
Member Since: 28 Apr 2017
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 938
greg00 wrote:
how have you done it / what have you done to your suspension in this pic?! just realised how low the front is and how extended the rear is!formerly Disco3Ben
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