Hi Julian

I spent 3 years in Africa, tried out several makes - Echo, Maggiolina, Howling Moon, Eezi-Awn, Campmor(?) etc
I ended up buying an Eezi-Awn, it was used extensively in all conditions - many night with howling winds and very heavy rain, and I would not hesitate to buy another or to recommend them.
Good luck

Most of the campsites are full of European Pensioners in camper vans (or mobile castles as is often the case) and are only too happy to help out a young family. Sidi Ifni and Tata are two excellent campsites where doing this wouldn't be a problem.

Have a look at the Sidi Ifni campsite for example - all walled and guarded and many of the pensioners only leave to buy bread each day ;-)

http://www.roamingyak.org/morocco/di...sidi_ifni.html

(Note, don't swim or let the kids play at the beach in Ifni - raw sewage had a habit of floating back to the beach when I was there - lets hope it's better now...!)

Anyway, enough of that.

My thoughts on actual tents. Canvas for European conditions isn't the best - if you have to put it down when wet it will rot, or if your cover develops a leak it will also start to rot.

I have a Eezi Awn - very nice to use as rooftent when it's up, but it does take a good 10 minutes of work to get it up and all the bits in place - I only ever use mine if staying in a place for more than a few days - in Morocco I mostly slept inside.

So I would go for a artificial fibre if possible - and ideally one that is completely enclosed. My Eezi Awn has two annoying flaps by the hinges where the two pieces of wood meet that it is difficult to get sealed up correctly, especially if the canvas gets wet and sets in a funny position.

It was through these holes that some mice got into my tent when it was parked up over winter and had a very messy and nasty mess - an expensive new mattress needed. When it's cold it's hard to stop a draft coming in here as well.

Also, the doors don't seal up completely either at the bottom- I had a rat attempt to get in through this hole one night, though the mozzy net held him at bay until the French dictionary was found.

Mine has been through quite a few prolonged and heavy downpours and been thrashed about in a few very windy storms. It's never leaked and nothing broke, though one night I got up in the rain and put it down and retreated inside.

Well guys, thanks for the responses.

It looks like the votes are swinging towards the Eezi-Awn. I suppose I need to get out to have a play with some in action.

I like the idea of the ones that open out the back with a covered in ladder, however all the 'family' ones appear to open out sideways. I guess if it is that useful I can always get an awning seperately.

I have considered getting two double ones, one opening to the side or front and then one opening to the back, but realistically would want to be have the children in the same 'space' instead of going down one ladder and then up another.

Darrin - saw that 'camp site' on the DVD (well worth watching if you haven't got a copy yet) and I think I would prefer the town dump! (although no doubt my attitude will change when I get out there).

Roof tents etc...
 

Hello All,

My two pence worth...

I originally started with a ground tent:
Cheap, versatile, not good on rocky ground ( a rake is very useful for quick easy clearing of stones), feeling vunlerable in dodgy areas,
packing away when wet a pain but you do store your bedding separate so it keeps dry...

I then went to a roof tent by Overcamp, the long thin one mentioned earlier, which can allow you to mount 2 side by side for more people ( not done by me)...
A pain to put on the loose cover when packing away - requires you to be tall and to be able to climb up to affix, noisy and wobbly in high winds, good in rain but remains damp and makes bedding damp if left up there in transit, feels safe off ground, no need for smooth ground to pitch, but 2 would be very top heavy - you will need to beef up the suspension to heavy duty for a happy drive IMO...
2 Overcamps side by side would require the access ladders to provide support each side - maybe not a good idea with 2 tents up top, as the weight of 5 people and the sway on the vehicle suspension will put a lot of strain on the side access ladders providing crucial support for the halves of the tents not over the roof-rack...I wouldn't fancy it...Would also put a lot of strain on the hinges - not good..!
Some kids love the access ladders - some are just scared and won't be happy to use and can lead to denial of full bladder syndrome (!)...Many women are not keen on the ladders either...personally I don't like ladders at all - particularly after a beer session requires you to put shoes on and descend for a nocturnal visit half asleep and a bit worse for wear..!
Access ladders and bare feet don't mix well - a bit painful for me
Safety first - even just a twisted ankle for the overlanding driver is a big problem...

Since then I have migrated through a 110 with a Dormobile camper roof and now a 130 with camper conversion - all fine and dandy for 1 or 2 people...

For 5 of you, I can only think a ground tent is the sensible way to go...
The previously mentioned OzTents seem very good (boab.biz) - quick to put up and can be more of a family team effort (!) than a roof tent...
At the freak storm incident at the recent Billing Landy show they stood up very well - watch out for the long pack size on the larger models...
Try it out before you travel to give enough time to order more poles if you want it more rigid than standard...

Not seen them, but worth checking out Kyam ground tents that now claim to have a quick erect system - no stop it, etc..!

Good luck and enjoy..!

Best regards,
James Stephenson
Land Rover Defender 130 camper
www.JamesUK.net

Just back from Artic Russia - will advise when website is updated for anyone that is interested...

I think he's probably seen it by now!
 

...or at least you would hope so!

Hi James,

Would be running HD suspension anyway.

Not considered that issue although suspect the 'family' tents where they open out on to one side only this will be less of an issue.

Good points. Our children are born monkeys so the ladder will be part of the fun, although probably not the 18 month old!

Fortunately none of us ever seem to need to empty our bladders in the middle of the night so not overly concerned about that.

True, although wouldn't be that keen on wandering around with bare feet that often, espescially at night.

I'm going to go and arrange to have a play with a couple of family sized roof tents before buying, but if I decide to step back to the idea of a ground tent, I like the idea of taking a rake - very sensible.

Thanks.

19-25 Kg, but well packaged. Very sturdy. I see you have a Trojan back. I have just ordered one from Terkoverland. I would value any comments. Thanks

Trojan Back
 

Hi Ian,

Not sure if we should start a new thread or carry on here - I'm a newbie to forums and not a 100% sure of the etiquette...I'm sure someone will let me know if we should.

To answer your question, we're only half way through with the trojan...we got the main part fitted in a hurry to allow us to head off for a 2 week trip round western europe, so still need the lockers finishing, and waterproofing of the rear door and the soundproofing and carpeting done...but so far so good.
Tim at TO is a great guy who's happiest when he's stood around chatting about the options and ideas and is up for anything. We got them to manufacture and fit an extended 80l gravity fed fuel tank when fitting the trojan and it works a treat. They're pretty busy and for us getting the vehicle up and back from yorkshire is a pain, but they're even willing to help out there - we're dropping our truck off with them this weekend at the Peterbrough show so we only have to travel there and back rather than up to the farm and back in two vehicles.

My only advice is to make sure you've thought it all through, so you're not getting them to do stuff and then undo it a few months later to fit something else...but Tim is the kind of switched on guy who'll point it out to you...but do tell him everything you're intending to do (even if it's not through them) so that he can advise you on any potential problems.

It would be great to compare vehicles and trojans when yours is done!

If you go down the tent route. I can highly recommend the Vaude Base Dome. It has two separate sleeping compartments on each side and living space in the middle (in which you can set-up table and chairs and escape the elements when neccesary). It is extremely well made (large bore ally poles etc) and will withstand most condions - designed for Everest Base camp.

It will take you 10 minutes to set-up. But get your children to help and you''ll make light work of it.

IMHO tents always flap in the wind and you wake up when the sun rises. Basically you get very little sleep for the first two or three nights until you get used to them. Its a question of getting acclimatised.

If you set up camp properly and get organised, then camping in a beatutiful spot is pleasurable in itself you don't always have to be on-the-road. I therefore feel that sleeping in the vehicle can be a bit restrictive.

If you edo choose to camp, always try and pitch camp a good few hours before sunset so you have time to get organised and so you are not shattered. You'll find it a lot less exhausting.

Alternatively stick your kids in the roof tent -they'll love it and pop you and your wife in a smaller dome tent on the ground. North Face - Mountain Tent - is another great tent.

In line with some of the other comments, Morocco is fairly populated and is not the best place for "bush" camping. If you do choose to use campsites be warned that some of them have fairly squalid lavatories and showers. Your wife and kids are unlikely to be impressed!

N.B. I have a Vaude Base Dome and a North Face - "Mountain Tent." I used to have an Eezi Awn rooftent (also excellent) but sold it with my last vehicle.

Family roof tent
 

Hannibals leak. Howling Moon are very heavy and cause condensation issues. Eezi Awn canvas attracts dirt which makes putting it up and striking it a pain. Autohomes seem to have a sharp unfinished metal edge along the lower tent which slits the fabric after a time - Ive spoke to three separate users who are really annoyed about this. Rocky Mountain get taken to bits by a decent wind. Never used Maggiolina but they take up your whole roof rack.

Saving grace for roof tents - MyWay. Very light (Oxford Nylon) but tough fabric, plastic floor so no rot or mildew issues (unlike wood floor tents), they make them as big as you want - you order the size. Lightest, toughest roof tent Ive ever seen, and after Eezi Awn and Howling Moon I was almost ready to go back to ground tents. They also flap less than canvas tents, being lighter fabric.

Roof tents are noisy, but they free the space in the rear of the vehicle. They are extremely comfy. Ive used mine all over N and E Africa and on the outer Hebrides in the UK, in the teeth of an Atlantic gale. Brilliant kit.

www.mywayrooftents.co.uk - have a look

Thanks for the link and recommendation?

Interestingly I recall reading about the chap who setup the company and why a couple of years back and have been trying to remember the name of the company etc for a while.

I also like the idea that you can get a degree of customisation, the family sized offerings from the other main manufacturers have very limited options.

Roof tent
 

Hi Julian
I had a fantastic roof tent that came with a Swiss vehicle, I think they are German, made by Camping car (Kampingcar?), looks like one used by Max Reisch in the 30's (fantastic museum in Innsbruck). The tent folds out on top, and an awning drops down to the ground, then you could sleep on the roof with kids in the awning. the only trouble is a high wind, then we just slept on the tent without putting it up, kids could go in the car. They are expensive, but fairly simple, just three hoops and a hinge, a canvas shop should be able to make one.
Happy travels
Bruce