Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

As I said in an earlier post, I like the protection offered by the tent opening over the barn doors.

After a trip to Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia with clients in Jan/Feb 2017 we had 8 consecutive days of rain, in every case, most of the day long, with maybe an hour long break here and there. After that "always wet" trip, I made a simple awning that slips onto the edge of the Howling Moon tent (rope on the tent, alu slider on the tent - as per caravan tents). What a blessing if it rains!!

Putting up (folding open) the Howling moon - about 1 minute.
Closing up the Howling moon on my own about 4 to 5 minutes.
Closing up the Howling moon with some help about 2 to 3 minutes.
Adding the awning takes about 5 minutes, mostly the ground sheet, poles and guide ropes.
Taking down the awnings and folding the roof onto the tent (with help) an extra 2 minutes, without help it takes maybe an extra 3 minutes.
Putting the poles in the bag and onto the tent, rolling up the guide ropes and packing the pegs takes about another 3 to 4 minutes. Everything fits on top of the tent (except tent pegs and guide ropes), so packing goes quick and easy. To create the extra space, I lengthened to sides of the covers of both the RTTs by 75 mm, making the cover easy to fit, even with the extra things going under the cover, on top of the tent.

I only put the awning up when staying stationary for 2 days or more or when it is raining. The same awning fits on the Howling Moon tent on my Bushwakka Shorti. If we go somewhere to camp over a weekend or longer, I tow the Shorti (weighs maybe 450 or 500 kg) along put up it's tent and the awning.

Best of both!!

Well got a RTT today (if I had the dough it would definitely have been one of those electric thingies). But got the family tent. Now I just need to get used to that wooden base. The way it bends. But one karate jump and I’m inside!

Oh and the missus said I better get ladder extensions. She doesn’t like the ladder standing at such a straight angle

Oh yes, and car port raised so that the patrol and tent will fit

izakjbrt wrote: ↑17 Aug 2019 17:29 Now I just need to get used to that wooden base. The way it bends. But one karate jump and I’m inside!

Jup, that's one thing people don't tell you about ....

JohnBoyZA wrote: ↑20 Aug 2019 06:42

izakjbrt wrote: ↑17 Aug 2019 17:29 Now I just need to get used to that wooden base. The way it bends. But one karate jump and I’m inside!

Jup, that's one thing people don't tell you about ....

Jip, ironically I’ll need a couple of beers to not have the wooden base worry me, but then I have to pee more often, thus back over the wooden base

And after your first outing you will get a proper matress

Hi foam 75mm one...

The Howling Moon RTT does not have a plywood base, it is a double layer of a plastic and aluminium sandwhich material. The base has about a 20mm air gap between the two layers of the sandwhich material. Only 150mm from the edge does it have a wooden frame between the two layers, the only place you should fasten the tent to the fitment bars.

offroadbiker wrote: ↑20 Aug 2019 08:23 And after your first outing you will get a proper matress

Hi foam 75mm one...

A good dose of fear holds that plywood board together. The first couple of night I’ll be lying on my back like a chalk outline, no movement