Replacing a Trailer Canvas Tent with a Hard Shell type tent

[Hedgehog]

I want to take off my Comfort's canvas tent and replace it with a quick setup hard shell type tent (Rooftop type)

I know I will be losing that amazing bed and the floor area, but am willing to give this up for ease of setting up.

Is there anyone who has done this and what are the pitfalls?

Any specific type of replacement tent you recommend?

[Saxj]

Have a look at the Moremi Overlander - https://youtu.be/pHMVMY89Zio

[AndreasR]

There are many hard shell options on the market. I would always suggest the Bundutop for ease of use, comfort and exceptional after sales service. Bundutec also offer the Bunduawn, Bundusuite and Bunduannex so you can decide how simple you want to go.

As you stated you will lose the big bed, not much can be done about that with a hard shell. I don’t think comfort will be compromised.

The loss of the enclosed floor area can be compensated by a good awning with sides. You can decide whether to put this up or not dependant on length of stay and weather conditions.

[BushWacker]

… going to hardshell I see the 3 main viable alternatives as;

A BunduTop type Style of Raised roof
A short-end hinging Oyster like most hard RTTs
A less common long-side hinging RTT like Moremi Sport …

Im contemplating the last as a RTT more than a TTT
so atop my 130 it may be an eerie penthouse suite…
Assuming the roof-slant is +- 45deg the viable sleeping width is probly more limited than the 1.5m base width …
so maybe too limiting for laterally expansive sleepers.
… its probly a better shape under high wind and, maybe,
in rain ?
I gave them a bell earlier and the Moremi sort RTT is priced at R32k and I think thats for a footprint of 2m*1.5m*25cm(closed) …(also get a little larger version)
but that excludes roof-rails and bracket height etc
… one would still need to pass under lintels etc

The 2nd cat of , common, short-end hinging hardshells
are often deemed to be a bit claustrophobic
and awkward at the acute angled hinge end ?

The 1st Cat above of BunduTop style tents generally get
the best accolades but that maybe at a higher price ..
Maybe need work out anticipated cap-cost per bed-night.
I also have a problem with the aesthetics of sleeping
in such a ‘ single-pillar’ chinese-style pagoda in the wilds of Africa ! Ive often wandered why they dont pattern the skirting awning to look like thatch …
I think Tentco now make a more competitively priced model ?

[Mad Manny]

Andrew, you are going down a road of consideration many of us have traveled.

Basically, the Trailer with a TTT starts getting a bit tiresome when it comes to the pluk & pitch part of the tent & again with the pack up part.
This is particularly irksome when:
1. You are setting up & packing up alone.
2. You are only staying 1 night, or maybe 2.

So we all go through the process you are going through - what if I remove the pluk & pitch tent & just fit a hard top RTT (BushBoma/I Kamper etc).

Let me give you my findings, having gone through this process:

Don't.

You will land up with a Trailer & a RTT - the worst of both worlds.
You still tow.
You still set up - albeit easier - but you lose the downstairs area.

Either:
Lose the trailer & put the hardshell RTT on the vehicle in the single vehicle set up.
Or
Replace the Trailer & TTT with an Off road Caravan.

Then you have the convenience of a Trailer, sans the schlepp of tent erection & packing.

[Mad Manny]

Here is a Thread I started listing potential Off-Road Caravans that could replace the Off Road Trailer with TTT.
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=1554&hilit=off+road+caravan

[BushWacker]

I think :

Small Trailer
& (pref hardshell) RTT
& 2m Long*2.5 m Out pull-open awning
… with available sidewalls to make enclosed cubicle
as option … is way to go.
Only add zip-up sidewalls as and when needed ie for privacy, no ablutions, rain etc
Can also have separate pullout change/shower cubicle like Andreas has.

Only implement whats necessary at given campsite.

All that optionality probly way faster to set up and take down than TTT composite work assignment .

[Mad Manny]

Well there you have it.
My view and Chas' directly opposite set-up-even-more-stuff view

[BushWacker]

... more stuff almost, but less work,
... have time to watch TTT guys
buzzing around like blue arsed flies ...

[Hedgehog]

Andrew, you are going down a road of consideration many of us have traveled.

Basically, the Trailer with a TTT starts getting a bit tiresome when it comes to the pluk & pitch part of the tent & again with the pack up part.
This is particularly irksome when:
1. You are setting up & packing up alone.
You are only staying 1 night, or maybe 2.

So we all go through the process you are going through - what if I remove the pluk & pitch tent & just fit a hard top RTT (BushBoma/I Kamper etc).

Let me give you my findings, having gone through this process:

Don't.

You will land up with a Trailer & a RTT - the worst of both worlds.
You still tow.
You still set up - albeit easier - bit you lose the downstairs area.

Either:
Lose the trailer & put the ghardshell RTT on the vehicle in the single vehicle set up.
Or
Replace the Trailer & TTT with an Off road Caravan.

Then you have the convnience of a Trailer, sans the schlepp of tent erection & packing.

Probably just an ass itch

Mmmm let's look at teardrops

[AndreasR]

I doubt you will look at more than one.

[Mike Nel]

Quick Pitch

[Mad Manny]

Quick Pitch

Premature Mike?

[Mike Nel]

https://fb.watch/fWJG6B6bgZ/

[AndreasR]

So you got to make up your bed every night!!!