Rooftents
 

I'm going to buy a rooftent for my HJ61 and would like to hear peoples opinions/experiences with different brands. I was thinking of either a Howling Moon or an Eezi-Awn but I know there are other brands as well. Of the two brands, do you know the main differences? Which is the better according to your opinion?

(Trans-Sahara trip planned).

I looked at both and bought a 1.2m Howling Moon RT because, although they were of exactly the same quality, the HM had a thicker mattress and was a damn site cheaper than the EA. I also bought the "shower skirt" which makes a really effective second room if the RT folds out over the rear of the vehicle. You might need to buy the ladder extension if your vehicle is particularly tall, so actually fit it on your vehicle when you buy it.

Roy at http://www.pro-x-equip.com/ did me a really good deal on the X-demo HM and an a 40L Engel, so give him a shout.

I have a Hannibal rooftent and I am really pleased with it. It is easy to erect and the mattress inside is really comfy. The quality is also very good and you can get the normal attachements etc shower curtain,.

I also bought the awning which is also an excellent piece of kit.

Drop me a mail if you want to see some pics.

Cheers

Julio

Hiya folks,

I've got a 1.4m Tourer from Howling moon on my 90...

FABULOUS!!!!

Need I say more, there is a photo below this, but basically it's great.

Used it in very high winds, on it's own without the lower room and it was fine - Storm on the Pass by Tryfan in Wales....

Used it in Torrential downpours that have lasted all night long....

The Tourer section is a great addition aswell, means you can have somewhere to get changed, eat out of the rain, your own COOL shadded area... And it all gets a bit Cold, midge infested we have had 10 people all sitting in chairs in there drinking away for the night.... The floor unzips if you want to fit a shower unit etc aswell......or just to make it smaller or easier to pack....

Hope it helps, Tony.

PS: I got it from Trek Overland in North Yorkshire.... www.trekoverland.com Their website doesn't do them justice, they have much more stock than the website mentions.... and lovely people to boot, give them a ring or call by and see them either at their workshop (by prior arrangment) or at any of the big shows....

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/asrobson1/LandyTent.jpg

Howling Moon, EA, Hannibal are well-made, solid bits of kit. Havent used Brownchurch so cant comment.
MyWay is a new South African brand that Im very taken with. Here's why;

1. Lighter so less weight on roofrack = no suspension upgrade to take the weight
2. Smaller packsize = less roof drag
3. Oxford Nylon (yacht sail material) so can be stowed by one person VERY quickly, yet just as tough

I had one up in the high Pyrenees alongside my friend's Hannibal - it was stowed in half the time (1-person job as well, not 2 like Hannibal) and they had to sleep inside one night as the Hannibal canvas flapped like mad - the nylon was *much* quieter.

They are just coming into the UK. I will get you the importers details if you want.

Personally Id get one instead of any other brand - and having helped stow a HM away this last weekend, if that had been my first experience of a roof tent Id have avoided them forever. The canvas ones seem so cumbersome that Id rather kip in the wagon after a long gruelling drive rather than faff about pitching it and then taking it down again. Go MyWay!!

Found their website - www.mywaytents.co.za - As I say there is a guy in Lincolnshire bringing them into the UK

Runner

Think you are being harsh on the Hannibal tent here.

You can put the Hannibal up on your own and they can be packed away quickly. Perhaps you mate doesn't have the knack! My girlfriends puts our one up and down by herself without any hassles.

Have had mine up in heavying winds and torrential rain and also in Sand Storms and always managed to get to sleep.

Your weight savings are approx 28lbs so would this difference make a decision on whether or not you upgarde your suspension?

The approimate difference of height is 10 cm so can't really see this would signicantly effect your fuel efficiency. (You do get a thicker mattress in the Hannibal by the way)

Whist it is always great to see new products on the market from new suppliers it is important to have a fair balance of the advantages and diadvantages.

Cheers

Julio

Runner, your tip arrived too late as I have just gone and bought a HM. But at least the hassle part I'n not worried about: Tried setting the tent up and packing it down again and it went fine.

To others that might be looking for a rooftent: I was informed by the importer (here in Holland) of Eezi-Awn that they have been having some quality problems with their new canvas which had a tendency to leak. While this is being resolved it is not possible to buy EA tents, at least here.

Forgot to add: Thanks for the good input!

Julio - comments are based on comparing a Hannibal and MyWay back-to-back. As for suspension upgrades, not having had to do this I can only go on second hand evidence but another friend who has a HM had to uprate his springs at the back (Range Rover Classic) after adding a HM... and having helped stow this HM last weekend after doing mine it was a b*gger of a job compared to the MW!
I suppose if youve always been used to a Hannibal or HM its hard to compare it with something radically different. Another great design is the French Trekking tent, sold in the UK by Mark Brooks' 4x4 Touring Gear in Bedford - really light and solid.