Roof tent suitable for both Europe/NZ climates as well as Africa?
 

Hi all,

I know there have been many posts about roof tents, but I still can't find the info I need!
We want to get a roof tent for our overland trip next year from London to Cape Town via the middle east, and then on to New Zealand. We want to take our truck and rooftent back home so want one that will stand up to NZ conditions (wet!).

I've heard that some roof tents have problems with condensation, and some are better in cold wet climates than others.

We have looked into a number of brands and have narrowed it down to howling moon, eZi-awn and Hannibal. Has anyone had any problems with condensation or issues in wet weather in these tents? Any reccomendations?

Are there still problems with the cover for the howling moon tent leaking?

Also, we are thinking about getting a skirt awning to put round the bottom of the rooftent- have you found these useful on yr overland trips or did you not use them that much?

Finally, does anyone have a second hand rooftent for sale? We are in London.

Thanks heaps in advance!
Vanessa

eezi awn ...
 

Morning

Am also in London, and we bought our eezi awn second hand off of another LR forum. They come up from time to time, we were cheeky and asked if they would split it from there LR which was also for sale, and they said yes!

We got the 1.6 Series III and it must be said, once you get used to putting it up and packing it away its a breeze (the first time I cut my finger and got blood all over the place and it was dark which didnt help!). Putting the tent away has a certain technique to it to get the bag on it, but once mastered not a problem.

We've only used ours in the UK so far, and knowing that NZ is pretty similar (well in the North Island at least), we havent had any problems with condensation, strong winds or strong rain getting in. I'm guessing the other test is what its like in the heat?

We do have a awning at the bottom, but have only really put it up once, guessing if we were staying for a bit, we may make the effort.

What would I do different ?, the 1.6 is a wide ol' beast, so prolly would go for a thinner tent, which doesnt stick out the sides!. A 1.4 or even the 1.2 would be more than ok for just the two of us.

We've had 10 days in the past 6 months in various different stops here and there, and so far so good.

Hope these ramblings help in some way !

PB.

Thanks PB,
There is a 1.6m wide Howling moon for sale at the moment and we are umming and ahhing about whether that will be too big - I guess we would have to side mount it on the cruiser. That's interesting that you would get a smaller one. Is yours mounted to open over the back or over the side?

That's good to know that you haven't had any condensation problems. I've heard some roof tents suffer from really bad condensation under the mattress which sounds like a bit of a pain if your going to sleep in it every day for 8 months!

Cheers
V

Roof tents
 

Hi Vanessa,

Wish I'd found seen post earlier.

I work as an expedition guide and sleep in a rooftent around 120 nights a year, travelling between the Sahara desert and the Arctic Circle. I spend a lot of time at altitude - Alps, Pyrenees, Atlas mountains and I've used a lot of roof tents.

If you're on a long trip, the conventional folding types can be a real pita, especially if the canvas is very wet. I've tried Hannibal, EeziAwn and Howling Moon. I've had experience of the cheaper copies and they're OK if you're only doing one short trip. The materials used and build quality are generally poor. Of the other 3 I'd rate Howling Moon best, then EeziAwn and then Hannibal as a poor third. (got through 3 of those!)

However, the best rooftent by far is the Maggiolina Columbus clamshell. It goes up on gas struts in 5 seconds, comes down in not much more. The internal bungees mean there's not much tucking in of canvas. The roof is fibreglass so sheds water immediately - much less wet canvas to tuck away. You can do everything from ground level. No climbing on roofracks struggling with wet covers & zips & straps. and you can leave all your bedding inside.

OK they don't look "safari" but you'll get a great nights sleep whatever the conditions. They will take up all of your roofrack but how much stuff should you really be putting up there. I bought one of the first carbon fibre Columbus and it weighs 28 kilos - about one and a half jerry cans. They'l mount onto a couple of roof bars so you don't even need a rack.

Regarding condensation, there is none. Vents keep the moisture inside the tent under control and you can get a mesh barrier from BOAB to go under the mattress which provides an air gap providing extra insulation and circulation preventing cold spots and mould on the underside of the mattress.

I've got no affiliation with any of the manufacturers, I just like an easy like and a good night's kip!

Whichever tent you choose, if there are only 2 of you you don't need a 1.6m. I've always used 1.2s - me and my partner aren't sylph-like by any stretch of the imagination and we've always been comfortable.

Hope this is useful,

Happy trails,

Jojo