I have a friend who has a Tepui. Family of four up there on top of a Subie. It's awesome. I want one for my Econoline.
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I have a friend who has a Tepui. Family of four up there on top of a Subie. It's awesome. I want one for my Econoline.
i have a neighbor with a tepui...nice for sure...but he says it is a beast to get on the roof...he had to buy a folding table as a midway stop for lifting it onto the roof...and requires 2 adults
my problem is i have a 3.5" lifted jeep with 35" wheels...and the roof rack is another 3-4" high...
That's also not nothing. I live alone and don't have a crew of helpers, so getting it on and off of my car is not a trivial matter. And it could be enough to sway the decision. It would be nice to think I would just pop it on the car and take off for a few days, but the logistics of that are in fact an issue.
I have only really even been considering this for the past couple days so I'm totally new and naive about it. Today I went to two stores I thought might have something and neither had anything. REI and Bass Pro Shop were useless.
My first task is trying to figure out if I'm going to damage my car, a 2018 VW Tiguan. The Roofnest Sparrow XL is 145 lbs. Combined with the rack needed to put it on the car, it will come in close to the car's limit of 165 lbs, which is presumably the dynamic load limit of the car. I would assume that since the car will be parked and not moving that technically it will support more, but VW doesn't mention that in their literature. The limit is 165 lbs, but that assumes the car is in motion.
Anyway, it's not so much the weight that concerns me as the awkwardness of the whole thing. Regardless of weight, they're not small and would be awkward to lift onto the roof of the car without damaging it, especially by myself.
Yea, that was what I settled on as a compromise. So far spent only one overnight in it, very comfortable but still working some bugs out of the systems inside it. The refrigerator in particular is very sensitive to being level or it won't cool, and you pretty much need to pre-cool this one on house AC power for about a day before you take it out and rely on batteries or propane to keep it cool. Will probably invest in a new fridge next season, but otherwise I really like the layout of this thing. Would I pay $40K for a new one though? Probably not unless I knew it would only ever be just me and one other person using it for the long haul.
This setup has me smiling...
https://i.imgur.com/Sfq3rKz.jpg
Sounds pretty good to me
Finally, a Rooftop Tent That Won’t Ruin Your Car | Outside Online
so went ahead and preordered the GFC superlite...won't ship until November, however
but also ordrered a tarptent moment dw...so that along with a hilleberg anjan, and the superlite my family of 5 will be super comfy
it is pretty high off the ground...that's why it had to be light enough for me and my kid to get it on the roof
[IMG]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...be62e2a8_z.jpgphpcinY5LAM by W L, on Flickr[/IMG]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNdj6Rs3H5g
great book
a film is due to be released soon based on the book
genius film maker, genius cast: Chloe Zhao, Frances McDormand, David Strathairn
Hitting the road next week in the Campenstream.
Attachment 116579
I will take some more pictures in the next couple days. This is an SC Trailers that’s out of Kannapolis North Carolina. It has room for four bikes hanging in the back on Kuat roof rack devices, a kitchen a small portable toilet and a king size bed for the gigantic me. Lots of storage space inside, and that pull out grill in the front is the highlight. It also has an outside shower on the driver side that you use a frame and a shower curtain and unlock the door pull out the shower close the curtain to get clean. Did not want a bunch of indoor plumbing. Campgrounds generally haveShowers anyway so this is for those times when you’re off the grid. They custom built a 66 gallon water tank under the bed. Everything is fabricated in the shop this started out as a bare frame and grew from there. Next week is it’s virgin trip and we’re very excited. Total custom they will do what you want.
The big tank was smart. Fantastic fans in the roof and solar? Congrats. It's slick.
Tried out a RTT earlier this year and while its a nice sleeping situation, wasn’t a fan of how the rig drove with it on top. Additionally it hogged a lot of the roof rack space and meant I would have to find storage locations for a lot of stuff inside. Got rid of the RTT and am going to use an awning with an awning room. Have a couple of the Kammok lightweight hammock stands that will go inside it. Should be good sleeping while still being able to mount recovery boards, a couple of storage bins keeping other recovery and camp gear up top. May get a custom basket for the back portion of the rack to be able to throw fire wood or other gear. Looking forward to things cooling off here so I can get out in it again.
How ironic/annoying!
VW new Caddy California, not available in the US!
i like the concept. simple, accessible. c'mon calling it the "california" and not letting us have it!
https://i.insider.com/5f58ea35e6ff30...jpeg&auto=webp
https://www.flickr.com/photos/148750...57716084337071
We had a great trip planned but the weather 'effed us. Change plans and had a couple of nice days in Charlotte where the Whitewater Center was a prime attraction for one day. Just returned from a few days at the Davidson River Campground in Brevard, DuPont riding was awesome and the Pisgah is well, one of the most beautiful places on earth. A few pics. The rig works great, I just can't seem to back it up properly into our narrow city driveway. Need to move to Brevard on 5-10 acres and call it good.
On my recent trip with stops to mtb at Fruita CO and then LaVerkin UT I envied the campers. I was loaded with lots of stuff we had in storage at in-laws so didn't pack a tent. The RTTs I saw made me a bit envious, but I don't like the vehicle being stuck where you camp, the obvious top-heavy issue and wind resistance driving. Plus, I love my folding truck bed cover, and would have to find a different cover and stake rack to have a RTT and still functional cover.
I just learned about the Rubicon Hitch tent and it seems a good solution--anyone with real world experience:
https://rubiconep.com/hitch-tent-rack-system
This time of year is pretty d@mn special. Tonight I knocked out pizza for 12 campers.
https://flic.kr/p/2jWqCUp
Attachment 116838
I started building my sleeping platform this weekend. I thought I put a lot of thought into it beforehand, but as I was assembling, I basically wanted to change everything...
We just bought this - used but in excellent condition. 2018 Jayco Eagle. Packs small for towing but can sleep up to six inside. Time to get out and see a bit of our own country - I’ve seen more of Wurope than I have of my own home. I grew up with these and can’t wait to introduce my kids to the joys of meeting new people from different places.
Due to travel restrictions these things are commanding big dollars - some selling second hand for almost as much as new. Will be towing with a 105 Land Cruiser so should be a okay, but slow.
Attachment 117012
Attachment 117013
A few shots of the pandemic purchase (Hallmark truck camper) in action this year.
https://i.imgur.com/OilZkEb.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/5FuEk4P.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/eatjPlK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/HPWCdDT.jpg
dont know if it was mentioned here, but watched this again last night. if you havent seen it, it's a little gem that's worth any nomad's time to watch.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....CLZZZZZZZ_.jpgQuote:
From the Ardennes to the Col d'Izoard, along the departmental roads and on the steep paths, a swarm of camper vans set off to celebrate the Tour de France. The sun is warming up, the deckchairs are out, and the friends arrive.
Weather is starting to warm up. Movin' some gear around. Getting excited about getting outside in the mortheast!
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dKwtbZbVj...0/IMG_7204.jpg
It's almost that time of year folks. Knock that latex bugger out of your tubeless tire and get ready. It's time to ride and camp....almost.