Cars built for camping - Page 2

bsmit212 · 05-08-2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppine

I don't get the logic of climbing around up in the air. The ground is a much better alternative. Attaching a tent to a vehicle just makes it hard to move the vehicle.

Smaller trailers can go anywhere a 4x4 can go if you flip the axles and raise the ground clearance and have car sized tires.

I think people would be surprised by how far a small trailer can go with out this modification. Watch the American Top Gear: Death Vally episode. They haul some traliers pretty far on some rough trails.

ppine · 05-09-2012, 10:36 AM

bsmit,
The dirt roads in Death Valley are excellent. It is a great place to take a trailer to get out of the wind and blowing sand.

Rough roads are those with boulders large enough to smash your differential and transmission, deep ruts and steep enough to have traction problems. Backing a trailer down a rough road is doable but tedious. It is usually easier to disconnect and move things manually.

Lamebeaver · 05-09-2012, 11:12 AM

rough is one thing, steep is another, and God help you if you need slowly back down a rough, steep jeep trail with a trailer.

littlefire · 05-09-2012, 01:28 PM

I've never heard of anything like this. If I were to do a vehicle tent, I'd like to do something over the flat bed. I like the thought of the tent being on top of the truck, too, though.

ChadTower · 05-09-2012, 05:34 PM

I have a truck bed tent. It's okay if you aren't going to move the vehicle for a couple of days. It's about the same amount of work as a regular tent but doesn't come with something to cover the bed ridges. If you aren't aware enough to put down a piece of plywood under the tent floor, or have an air mattress or similar, you're in for a REALLY BAD NIGHT. It stinks to sit on those ridges. Now sleep on them!

TroyS · 05-09-2012, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppine

I don't get the logic of climbing around up in the air. The ground is a much better alternative. Attaching a tent to a vehicle just makes it hard to move the vehicle.

I complete agree with you ppine. I'm just guessing that it's meant so that you don't have to worry about your stuff getting all moist and wet when the rains come unexpectedly. But I don't think I would be comfortable having one with three kids camping with me in that.

Lamebeaver · 05-10-2012, 08:36 AM

The logic is that you can pop it up in about a minute, and your tent now has standing room for cooking, getting dressed, etc. I don't have one, but I would get one of these before I would purchase a conventional tow-behind camper.

ejdixon · 05-14-2012, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex k

think it was the astec that had a tent option . back in early 2000. remember the tent as a very expensive option and the car was ugly .
i would do a small suv or pickup with cap and the tents that go on the back

A friend of mine and I came across one of those before and you're right! It was quite ugly. Pretty much saving up for a truck where I can set up my tent at the back.

ChadTower · 05-14-2012, 10:30 AM

Putting the tent on the vehicle does make it a pain if you have to move the vehicle. They are great, though, for group trips where other vehicles are present. Especially if you're in a fairly space limited situation where there is a lot of people. Once you have your tent set up you're not going to want to drive away but if someone else has a car you're all set.

Really, in this situation, a cap is preferable but if you don't have a cap this is decent.

Cappy · 05-15-2012, 10:06 AM

I am a hunter/fisherman sorta camper. For years I had a small coleman pop up and a 4 wheel drive toyota with a camper shell on back. The pop up was jacked up the bottom was fiberglassed and i had a skid plate protecting the axle. I dare say there were places too rough for me to go in with that rig but I never found them and wouldna wanted to. When a hurricane finally killed that ole camper I actually had tears in my eyes.