I've been in the market for a roof-mounted tent for a while now, and am still looking and looking. Mostly at the ARB tent and the Autohome Columbus tent.

The Columbus is pretty much exactly what I want, but $2,400 is extremely steep for the smallest version, plus a bunch of shipping costs.

The ARB is way cheaper (only $1,300) but has a huge disadvantage in ease of setup, and the fact that it's still a "normal" tent -- meaning that you need to let it dry before packing away, etc.


So, I got to thinking.... why don't I just build my own version of the Columbus? Basically assemble a plywood box that's maybe 6" deep inside (so you can keep bedding, etc in when it's closed) and have the top hinge up at the front. Use some gas shocks (like used on screen doors or the rear window on the jeep) to push it open... seal it with some Thompson's water seal and maybe a layer of hypalon on the outside for added weatherproofing. Maybe sacrifice a cheap tent for the fabric part, or even a highly modified tarp with a zipper or something.



Anybody think I'm (not) insane? Seems like it shouldn't be that hard to build, and I don't end up dropping anywhere near $2,400 on it.



The Columbus:

 

yes you are crazy, but I'll entertain your idea. If you want a tent like the one in the pic its gonna be harder, but if you want a roof top tent its would be easyer. They make popup tops for vans that might work for you ie vw westy, some other ones but they are getting to be few and far between. But the amount of work just does not seem worth it. But if you wanted just to be off the ground I think I would go for the roof top tents, and put it on a trailer, and ,make it more to your liking.
just my .02c

 

Yeah, plywood is pretty heavy too, going to be hard to keep it under 120+ lbs.

Wish I knew what was going on with the Wild Boar "boar's den" rooftop tent... website hasn't been updated in a while.

 

Dude! You must be my long lost brother...I have been searching and pondering over this exact same thing for awhile now. I think we are going to be left to our own devices in the end, but the main problem I am finding we will need to overcome is the JK hardtop weight capacity, the roof just cannot faithfully support load...but with reinforcement, like maybe even something similar to MBRP roof rack and building on that...well now we can get somewhere....if you start building something, keep us posted

 

I'm toying with the idea of adding one to my trailer once I get to that stage. Right now I am looking at h t t p://w w w.car-top-tent.com.

 

uuu.bundugear.com, good product at very competitive pricing.

 

Check out Gobi Racks. They are great and offer every type of accessory you can imagine. They even just came out with an awning. I have installed the rack and it is great, super heavy duty! The price is a little steep but you get what you pay for as they say!