Peter Connan wrote:Hello Steve
I would also recommned not getting a roof top tent but that is another story!!
Please tell that other story? After a couple of years with ground tents, I have just about made up my mind that it is the only answer?
Thanks
Peter
Hi Peter
Apologies for the delay. My view on not using roof top tents (RTT) is for the following reasons:
1. Having being doing this lark of serious offroad stuff (can't take a trailer to most of the place we go!) for over 12 years I have yet to hear of anyone being taken or attacked on a tent on the ground by wild animals - other than a 12 year who was pulled out of a tent in Bots as he fell asleep with the flap open while trying to take photos at night. We have had lion, leopard, hyena, elephant etc walk right past our tent, as in a meter way and never had any issues (never store food in your tent! and avoid taking citrus into Bots!) Most people buy roof top tents for this reason.
2. You cannot mark your camp spot, so if you want to explore an area you cannot "mark" you spot as you pack up your "house" every time you want to go on a game drive or explore.
3. Getting changed in a tent that is 1.5 meters high is a mission!. And you often dont have space for your clothes in the RTT
4. If you want to go to the loo you have to climb down a ladder (if you are in serious animal terrain at night you make a plan with a bottle etc) and doing this in a small RTT is not recommended!!
5. A roof top tent takes up huge space compared to a good dome tent. I had Christys make me a customised dome tent in rip stop canvas over ten years ago with a foot print that allows my family (wife plus two boys) to stand up in the tent and walk to each mattress and this is half the size of a RTT including the matrresses. The footprint if I remember correctly is 3m square.
5. In the Kalahari 3 years ago we were in a flood and our tent just floated (not in a river bed!) and we were still dry in the morning! At 02h00 there was nearly a foot of water under our tent!
6. With kids I was adamant I needed to be in the same tent as our kids. This is no longer the case as they are now 17 & 15 so I might switch to two smaller dome tents.
7. I have recently seen footage of an elephant destroying a RTT on a double cab so that theory has also gone out of the window!
8. A RTT does not offer any versatility as you cannot simply lend it to someone or use it unless it is on the vehicle
9. For the size of the tent they take up way to much space!
I can go on but I think you get the idea. I hope this helps in your decision !!
Ciao
Steve