Roof Top Tents

[BldrRover]

I am considering purchasing a roof top tent(OLA) and wanted to know if these can be mounted to a normal Thule/Yakima crossbar setup or require a more significant rack like the Rover Rack.

 

[gtc]

I don't have one yet, but will hopefully be picking one up this summer. The local guy I was speaking with suggested that 3 or more Yakima round bars were easily strong enough - he said to avoid the square tubing from Thule (and possibly Yakima - dunno, he metnioned Thule specifically?) as he's bent a few of these - and with equipment other then RTTs!

I received a simlar comment from a neighbour who is an avid windsurfer - he often loads his vehicle down with boards and a roof box and he mentioned having bent Thule square bars. Personally I only currently have Thule squares (aero style) for my BMW and I've never had problems - but I've never had more then 2 bikes and a roof box on it - probably no more then 150lbs total weight... (does look a little strange on a 2-door, but hey, it works!).

My plan is to use 3 (or perhaps 4) Yakima round bars for support later this summer - I suspect that even two might work, but I'd prefer a bit more strength.

 

[nwoods]

I have personally had the OLA tent (both of them) on my LR3. The large tent is very large, but two round Yakima bars (and pedestal feet) held it up fine. However, this was the prototype with a heavy plywood base. I'm not positive, but I think the production units are getting lighter weight components, I'm not sure if that means a composite base or what. Ask Buddy at OLA for details on that.

In my personal opinion, the larger tent is just too big for the LR3.

The smaller OLA tent fits the LR3 perfectly however. I had one mounted to my Hannibal roof rack, which is mounted with two Thule square bars, with myself and two kids (figure 425 pounds), it was absolutely stable. I suspect that the Hannibal rack helps dissipate the weight across the entire floor, instead of concentrated point loads on the load bars themselves.

In general, I think the Yakima round bars are stout and more beefy than the Thule square bars.

 

[BldrRover]

Thanks Nathan. I am doing the Great Divide IV this summer and wanted to pick up one of the smaller OLA tents for the trip, but didn't want to have to drop another $1k or so on a second rack. Glad to hear the standard Yakima will work.

 

[Boaz]

Has there been an announcement on Great Divide IV somewhere? I'll have to go check out Adam's site. Maybe his new roof tent company could sponsor the trip and let us all demo one, so it could be pictured in LRL or something... ;-) Hey, just an idea...

 

[BldrRover]

Yes, on the Offroving website the dates are posted. It's July 23rd through the 27th. They are encouraging all the participants to buy an OLA tent for the trip. There is a discount on the trip price if you buy and use the tent on the trip. They are still finalizing the plans, but from what Adam said when I talked to him, it should be epic!!!

 

[Boaz]

Always is! I'll put it on the calendar. Thanks.

 

[nwoods]

I think the discount on the OLA tent if you sign up for GDIII is substantial. You also get a free 1 year subscription to LRL magazine!

 

[OffRoving]

TEASER ALERT

We're working with Rover Racks in partnership for a special build of their rack to fit the OLA tents perfectly and are crafting a nice package for those looking for what we feel is a very attractive roof rack option, with or without tents.

We're getting Andy at RR the fitment details. Once he's drawn them up he can confirm his part of the package and we'll make sure to release it to every one via the offroving website, so check there. We'll also do an email blitz for those on our mailing list.