Tentbox/Rooftents. Any one bought one?
Discussion
Had two of these on our Defender 130 for many years. Too bulky to easily remove and store, so they stayed on it year round. Kids loved the ladder to hidden bedroom esq camping. Can leave them unzipped as local dogs don’t stray into your tents!
Erected in 3-5mins and down and packed in 5-10.
I’d have the, again as we could pack and unpack the rear of the Landy without bulking it out with tents. Downside with all vehicle sleeping is that you have to leave the vehicle or pack it and drive it to explore.
Erected in 3-5mins and down and packed in 5-10.
I’d have the, again as we could pack and unpack the rear of the Landy without bulking it out with tents. Downside with all vehicle sleeping is that you have to leave the vehicle or pack it and drive it to explore.
Familymad said:
Had two of these on our Defender 130 for many years. Too bulky to easily remove and store, so they stayed on it year round. Kids loved the ladder to hidden bedroom esq camping. Can leave them unzipped as local dogs don’t stray into your tents!
Erected in 3-5mins and down and packed in 5-10.
I’d have the, again as we could pack and unpack the rear of the Landy without bulking it out with tents. Downside with all vehicle sleeping is that you have to leave the vehicle or pack it and drive it to explore.
I think our intended solution to this was just a bike rack eventually. I'm waiting for the sale again then I'll likely pounce on a Tentbox Lite. Are they noisy on the motorway?Erected in 3-5mins and down and packed in 5-10.
I’d have the, again as we could pack and unpack the rear of the Landy without bulking it out with tents. Downside with all vehicle sleeping is that you have to leave the vehicle or pack it and drive it to explore.
Jimmy No Hands said:
Familymad said:
Had two of these on our Defender 130 for many years. Too bulky to easily remove and store, so they stayed on it year round. Kids loved the ladder to hidden bedroom esq camping. Can leave them unzipped as local dogs don’t stray into your tents!
Erected in 3-5mins and down and packed in 5-10.
I’d have the, again as we could pack and unpack the rear of the Landy without bulking it out with tents. Downside with all vehicle sleeping is that you have to leave the vehicle or pack it and drive it to explore.
I think our intended solution to this was just a bike rack eventually. I'm waiting for the sale again then I'll likely pounce on a Tentbox Lite. Are they noisy on the motorway?Erected in 3-5mins and down and packed in 5-10.
I’d have the, again as we could pack and unpack the rear of the Landy without bulking it out with tents. Downside with all vehicle sleeping is that you have to leave the vehicle or pack it and drive it to explore.
Further to this - we did go ahead and buy a Roofbunk (considerably cheaper than a Tentbox and probably manufactured at the same place in China, like they all are)
Used a hoist to get it in place then fastened down rather tediously due to lack of space. Initial impressions are it's roomy, comfy enough and warm. Takes less than a minute to pop up, maybe two to put down.
Didn't notice any wind noise / MPG loss on the journey home but it's early days, I actually forgot it was on. Trip to Peak District next week so it'll get a run out.
Used a hoist to get it in place then fastened down rather tediously due to lack of space. Initial impressions are it's roomy, comfy enough and warm. Takes less than a minute to pop up, maybe two to put down.
Didn't notice any wind noise / MPG loss on the journey home but it's early days, I actually forgot it was on. Trip to Peak District next week so it'll get a run out.
Jimmy No Hands said:
I've been seriously considering one of these lately, they've just increased the Lite to £1250 as opposed to £950. (the actual Tentbox branded ones, though I am sure there are multiple competitors now)
We've just bought a Kuga with rails for this intended purpose, actually. I'd be interested to hear from people whom leave them on a fair bit. We live in a flat so lack space.
For us the attraction is quite simply the ease. Drive, pop up, have a night or two and take the dog. Can you do that in a traditional tent? Yes. Do I prefer the idea of being a bit higher up and off the ground? Yes. We love exploring, don't have the budget or space for a camper and see this as a compromise. It's probably not for everybody, mind.
Leaving the hound on the ground?We've just bought a Kuga with rails for this intended purpose, actually. I'd be interested to hear from people whom leave them on a fair bit. We live in a flat so lack space.
For us the attraction is quite simply the ease. Drive, pop up, have a night or two and take the dog. Can you do that in a traditional tent? Yes. Do I prefer the idea of being a bit higher up and off the ground? Yes. We love exploring, don't have the budget or space for a camper and see this as a compromise. It's probably not for everybody, mind.
I'm not a dog owner, but I think I'd rather they were in the 'porch' area in a tent next to us.
I like the *idea* of a roof tent...but I think it works better somewhere like Oz or the US. Not sure I'd feel super safe in a strong wind.
For the UK, I'd stick with the tent - many are easy to put up...but good luck to those who go for 'em, there is something for everyone!
Poko said:
I have a Tentbox. Outside of the high initial cost, I'd give it good praise.
You can of course buy a tent for much cheaper, or a campervan for much more.. I see them as a bit of a middle ground. I wanted comfort (+warmth since they're off the ground) and ease of unpacking.. And I didn't want a van.
Recently spent a few days in Scotland when some friends rented a small farmhouse - weren't enough bedrooms for us but no problem, into the tent we went. Have parked at a few campsites, few wild-camp spots...
You do realise that if you’re camping anywhere near your car you aren’t wild camping. Especially in Scotland where the rules are clear but ignored. You’re just not paying to stay on a campsite. You can of course buy a tent for much cheaper, or a campervan for much more.. I see them as a bit of a middle ground. I wanted comfort (+warmth since they're off the ground) and ease of unpacking.. And I didn't want a van.
Recently spent a few days in Scotland when some friends rented a small farmhouse - weren't enough bedrooms for us but no problem, into the tent we went. Have parked at a few campsites, few wild-camp spots...
We are having a Tentbox Lite 2.0 delivered to us on Thursday next week.
For us, only having a small car, a Panda Cross, we would never load it up with traditional camping equipment, and my Mrs, after having had back surgery would never entertain the idea of sleeping on the ground in a traditional tent.
Primary use will be for overnight stays at track days and bike races with the occasional night away when the mood takes and we only ever plan, for now, travelling as light as possible for a night or 2 at most.
For us, only having a small car, a Panda Cross, we would never load it up with traditional camping equipment, and my Mrs, after having had back surgery would never entertain the idea of sleeping on the ground in a traditional tent.
Primary use will be for overnight stays at track days and bike races with the occasional night away when the mood takes and we only ever plan, for now, travelling as light as possible for a night or 2 at most.
|https://thumbsnap.com/WNcKGUqV[/url]I really don’t see what advantage this has over a pop up tent or even a trailer tent.
An air beam tent is so easy to put up as is one of the modern pole tents so it can’t be ease of set up.
I suppose it does free up space in the car, but the you could put a (massive) tent into a roof box so it can’t be that.
It isn’t price as they are more expensive than a tent.
Dangerous animals? Maybe in sub Saharan Africa, but the UK? Nope.
So what am I missing?
An air beam tent is so easy to put up as is one of the modern pole tents so it can’t be ease of set up.
I suppose it does free up space in the car, but the you could put a (massive) tent into a roof box so it can’t be that.
It isn’t price as they are more expensive than a tent.
Dangerous animals? Maybe in sub Saharan Africa, but the UK? Nope.
So what am I missing?
Yes there's two models they offer now.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/roof-tent-mh500-fres...
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/inflatable-roof-tent...
The cheaper poled one has quite a bit more space inside.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/roof-tent-mh500-fres...
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/inflatable-roof-tent...
The cheaper poled one has quite a bit more space inside.
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