Roof Tent vs sleeping in vehicle - Pros and Cons

[Pumbaa]

We are planning to travel from Eastern Russia to London via India.

One of our dillemas is deciding on what the best option re sleeping arrangments would be. We still need to buy our vehicle, so we can still be flexible with that. The two vehicles of choice would be Toyota Troopcarrier or a Landcruiser. The troopy will be big enough to kit out with a nice bed inside, where the Landcruiser won't be. If we decide on the Landcruiser, then we'll have to use a rooftent.

It would be great to hear of different experiences people have had with their different set-ups and why they chose those particular setups.

To me, the main pros and cons between the two would be 1.)The extra cost for a rooftent, 2) Obviously a bit safer sleeping inside the troopy and 3)Probably (or rather hopefully) easier to use each day. Need to try and keep things as simple as possible.

Performance wise, I would prefer the Landcruiser and I think it might be a bit more economical and a little bit lighter. I know the troopy is known for its reliability though. Decisions decisions...:confused1:

[CornishDaddy]

I can only speak about our Land rover denfender 110, which has a roof tent, but is also set up to (just) allow two people sleep inside. This wasn't done by us, but the previous owners. We slept inside for the frist time a couple of weekends ago, and it was definitely warmer and more cosy, which was good as it was close to zero outside. I think you can easily do this (sub zero temps) in a rooftent, but it is nice to have the choice. To sleep inside we have to move all our kit into the cab, or around us, but this only took about the same time as setting up the rooftent.

I am really glad we have this option, even if we do only use it a couple of times on our trip.

I would also guess that in very hot or humid conditions the back of the vehicle may get quite claustraphobic and sweaty.

BTW I am 6"1' and 16st+. My wife is 5"10' but a much more managable weight (I'm not allowed to know the exact dimension)

[billh]

We met a couple on our trip who had a troopy with a bed that slung from the roof when not in use and lowered to just below window level for sleeping. It worked but ceiling height was a bit low IMO.

We had a platform for sleeping in in our landy that we never used as the tent was so much better.

[Chris D (Newcastle NSW)]

Jacques,

Here is a site with some photos of our Landcruiser. Sorry if I have sent you these previously as I do recall your name.

Members Rig/Profile @ ExplorOz

If you would like to discuss let me know.

Chris

[Chris D (Newcastle NSW)]

Jacques,

Be aware of the overall height of the vehicle if you are going for a roof tent. The shipping containers cause a problem for some shipping with roof tents.
See Mark and Amy's story in Hectors adventure, they have a roof tent on their Landrover at the tyres needed to be let down to allow the roof tent to go into the container when travelling towards Australia.

Hector's Adventures

Photos of our 79 series with canopy. The best compromise we could come up with.

Members Rig/Profile @ ExplorOz

Chris

[billh]

Originally Posted by Chris D (Newcastle NSW)

Be aware of the overall height of the vehicle if you are going for a roof tent. The shipping containers cause a problem for some shipping with roof tents.
See Mark and Amy's story in Hectors adventure, they have a roof tent on their Landrover at the tyres needed to be let down to allow the roof tent to go into the container when travelling towards Australia.

Good point. We have a 2 inch lift and had to deflate the tyres and remove the rooftent for shipping, but it's a quick job and the bother was worth the comfort of a rooftent for 7 months.

[roamingyak]

I would definately look at a solution where you can do both - inside and in a tent. In the desert with mostly cold windy nights, in Europe or in places like Mongolia, Northern India etc sleeping inside is essential to having a quiet relaxing sleep. You need to make sure you find a way of keeping dust out though! Seal up your back door well etc

But in hotter countries, or if the inside gets coated in dust its great to have any sort of tent that is clean inside and cool.

On my most recent trip I slept inside in Morocco and Western Sahara, but by the time I reached Nouakchott where the mossies start I was always sleeping in the tent which continued into Mali and Guinea - it was lovely and cool and clean and I always slept well - better than friends who were staying in the best hotels in each city as they had mozzie problems etc

[Pumbaa]

Originally Posted by Chris D (Newcastle NSW)

Jacques,

Be aware of the overall height of the vehicle if you are going for a roof tent. The shipping containers cause a problem for some shipping with roof tents.
See Mark and Amy's story in Hectors adventure, they have a roof tent on their Landrover at the tyres needed to be let down to allow the roof tent to go into the container when travelling towards Australia.

Hector's Adventures

Photos of our 79 series with canopy. The best compromise we could come up with.

Members Rig/Profile @ ExplorOz

Chris

Yes, that is a good point re the vehicle height. The troopy is a bit higher as some of the other makes/models as it is, so will definitely have to keep that in mind. Will also limit option for possible lift kit...

I saw the pics of your rig a while ago, yes. Looks like a good set-up. Nice and cosy for those cold nights.

[JulianVoelcker]

Originally Posted by Pumbaa

The two vehicles of choice would be Toyota Troopcarrier or a Landcruiser.

The key things is how tall you and your partner are and also how claustraphobic you are.

The troopie has a longer boot than a 60 or 80 series by about 18" and is also a little bit taller in the back.

It is possible with either vehicle to build a storage system so that your bedding is permantly situated on top with fridges, food, etc stored underneath.

If you aren't that tall you can get away with sleeping in the back of a 60/80 with the 2nd row of seats removed, although I have seen an arrangement with the storage in the back being up to the height of the back of the front seats, with a board that clipped on and extended over the back of the front seats to give a longer bed base - the downside of this is that there wasn't much space between the bed and the roof.

The other thing to consider is if you might need to carry passengers - this is where the bed extension above comes in handy again.

Roof tents naturally give you a lot more room inside the vehicle, as well as for changing, etc, however it will make a bit of a mess of the vehicles aerodynamics which won't help your fuel consumption.

If you want me to take some measurements from my 80 or to have a look over one, drop me a line and I will see if I can find a fellow overllander with an 80 near your.

The other thing to point out is that whilst a Troopie may be a better choice availability, particularly in the UK (it would have to be imported) may may it more economic to go with an 80 series and roof tent.

[Pumbaa]

Originally Posted by JulianVoelcker

The key things is how tall you and your partner are and also how claustraphobic you are.

The troopie has a longer boot than a 60 or 80 series by about 18" and is also a little bit taller in the back.

It is possible with either vehicle to build a storage system so that your bedding is permantly situated on top with fridges, food, etc stored underneath.

If you aren't that tall you can get away with sleeping in the back of a 60/80 with the 2nd row of seats removed, although I have seen an arrangement with the storage in the back being up to the height of the back of the front seats, with a board that clipped on and extended over the back of the front seats to give a longer bed base - the downside of this is that there wasn't much space between the bed and the roof.

The other thing to consider is if you might need to carry passengers - this is where the bed extension above comes in handy again.

Roof tents naturally give you a lot more room inside the vehicle, as well as for changing, etc, however it will make a bit of a mess of the vehicles aerodynamics which won't help your fuel consumption.

If you want me to take some measurements from my 80 or to have a look over one, drop me a line and I will see if I can find a fellow overllander with an 80 near your.

The other thing to point out is that whilst a Troopie may be a better choice availability, particularly in the UK (it would have to be imported) may may it more economic to go with an 80 series and roof tent.

Hi there

Thanks for the post. After a lot of thinking about it, we decided that it will be better to go for the Troopy. I'm fairly tall (1.87m) so the extra space will definitely help. We also think it will be a bit safer in the long run. If it really gets to hot to sleep inside, we can use our free-standing tent. At least we shouldn't get wet with heavy rains

Re importing, we are in Oz and there are 100s/1000s available here. Just have to find the right one. Will be driving from Oz to UK.

[noel di pietro]

Hi Pumbaa

Good descission. We slept in our troopie for a year and sometimes it was a bit hot but with a small 12V fan (and earplugs for the noise) it was ok. And in these situations, the people in the roof tents were also complaining that it was hot! In many occasions I was really really happy to be sleeping inside the car escpeccialy with heavy rains, several storms, scary situations, etc. The only extra I recommend you to do is to make a big sky light or hatch in the roof. Maybe one of these standard after market sun roofs! It will give the necessary ventilation, lets the warm air out and is a good safari hatch! Place it above your headside of the bed. In that way you can sleep beneath the stars if the weather is fine! If you have a closed roof rack, just cut a piece out of the part above the sun roof.

Cheers,

Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl

[gilghana1]

Yesterday I finished mounting my rooftent (Hannibal) onto my troopy so I thought I would stick in my views (it used to be on a full length roof rack on a Defender). The rooftent gives a degree of privacy that sleeping in a vehicle just cannot. I have often found (including a test camp last night!) that you wake up surrounded by curious people - even in pretty remote places. I also really like the elevated position, it is great to open a flap and look at the stars. With the troopy I just stuck it on two roofbars (Thule) as I didn't want the weight of a full length rack up there. Colder climes I would just make a simple system inside if really needed using the mattress from the roof tent. Regarding security, if someone really wants your gear or you it is not going to make difference whether you are locked in a vehicle or 7' up in a tent. So my vote would be troopy + rooftent + also inside arrangement for when it is lashing down or you are shattered etc.
I thought it would be a bit more palaver with no rack and ladder, but found it easy to clamber up by using rear wheel and open side window as a step - even after a lot of wine!
Gil

[Bundubasher]

Quote: We are planning to travel from Eastern Russia to London via India.

With such a long trip I honestly think that you will not have room to sleep in the back. I don't know about you but I tend to pack everything I could conceivably need on a long safari. Now I haven't travelled outside Africa but we are currently planning a trip into Angola where things are still a bit basic and so I am trying to counter every eventuality by making sure we carry the right kit: chains, ropes, hi-lifts, spares filters, oils, fuel & water, 2 complete spare wheels, etc, etc.

If I can afford it I'll buy spare shocks and try and source some second hand HD rear springs. Suspension component break and things like tortion bars (and I suppose the leaf springs on a troopy - ISTBC) cannot be welded.

If you also fit a cargo barrier - a good idea to stop yourself getting brained by your luggage and allowing you to pile your kit up high (and it's a great place for velcroing fire extinguishers, Medical kits, torches etc) - then you'll have to make a clever plan to sleep in the back and still be safe.

If you can find space to sleep in the back then it's a bit of a no-brainer to make a plan but I doubt if you'll have them room once you're fully kitted out.

[gilghana1]

I still don't get the safety thing? You wake up surrounded by an angry mob who want to rob (or worse) you... how difficult is it for them to ensure you cannot drive away? As I experienced (not that they wanted to rob me, they just wanted to ensure they got me imobilized enough to see what I was about) all it took was a few 30cm high logs! In more open terrain playing with the tyres would be equally efffective. If it is just a smash/grab/run type confrontation then you are better in a rooftop tent anyway! After a day behind the wheel the last thing I want to do is sleep inside the car. Much as I love my Troopy there is a limit!!! If I was overlanding for weeks on end there is no way I could contemplate being inside the vehicle at night.
Gil

[moggy 1968]

I think if you are inside a vehicle there is more of a psychological barrier to someone trying to rob you, or am I just kidding myself so I feel safer?! the time and noise for someone to break into a car and rob you allows you some degree of preperation (I always sleep with a handy implement when rough camping) whereas a tent can be slashed in virtual silence, as can you!

the reality is most robbers / muggers want a quiet life. they are opportunist thieves who want to get away with as little effort as possible and the threat of serious physical violence is likely to put them off, and you can only do that if you are awake! this of course wouldn't apply to a crazed crack head in New York who will take you on at the slightest provocation and kill you if you threaten any kind of resistance! so it's beter to just hand everything over! personally I would rather be awake to make those decisions rather than asleep while someone makes them for me.
Also inside the vehicle you have the possibility of making good your escape, unless they have fenced you in with large and inanimate objects as per the previous post, but at least it is an option, which you probably won't have if you are stuck up on the roof.

Having said all that, you will probably not have enough room in the vehicle to sleep anyhow. I have rough camped in tents and I don't really like it, I never feel completely secure. I don't in a vehicle either, but I do feel better than in a tent, although a girlfriend once stayed awake all night when we slept in the back of my 101, terrified something would happen. needless to say the relationship didn't last long after that!
Andy