DIY Trailer / Roof Top Tent

[compactcamping]

Wow, that's cool, people in line for one

My idea is to offer the plans, tent body, hinges set, bow set, then you buy the platform materials locally and build it.

The reduced shipping is a definite advantage, on a Mombasa / Camping Lab unit it costs an additional 14-22% for shipping.

Right now I have a another month of testing / prototyping / collecting data to finish for confirming the design is solid and making sure we can hit our cost estimates.

Are people interested in it for Trailer or Roof top usage?
Also some height numbers on peoples trailers would be helpful.

Thanks for the feedback

[ThomD]

I like the basic idea of a more trailer oriented RTT. Here are my random thoughts. I'm not in the market for one, so I don't really need an answer to any of these questions.

You will need to offer an estimate of time and materials to complete the kit. You might even offer a price for a completed unit so that people can estimate the value of their time.

You'll have to keep the price low enough so that there is a clear savings for DIY.

I noticed in the photos that the support bows are outside the fabric. Don't most RTT have the supports inside? Is there a benefit to the end user to either design?

If this is a true commercial venture, do you have a real business plan?

What sorts of spare/replacement parts will be available and at what cost?

Even "kits" need to be fairly complete, especially WRT to small pieces. That sort of completeness can be a big factor in customer satisfaction. I once bought a light kit for my motorcycle that included a drill bill to ensure that you had the right size.

As far as trailer height goes, focus on the trailers that are based on the common DIY trailers. Most people buying an Adventure Trailer as probably less likely to buy a DIY RTT.

You'll need a good solution to the ladder question. That's the sort of part that might turn out for the DIY to have a problem sourcing and mounting effectively.

When it comes time to market it, a video of the setup/take down process would be useful.

[compactcamping]

ThomD, thanks for the feedback.

Yes, this would be a "real product" and I'm using the business planning / product lifecycle methodologies that my previous employer went to great expense to teach me, before giving me a membership to the "cast off employee society". You'd get the same quality, sevice and supported expected if purchasing one of the currently available RTTs.

My idea would be to offer all component parts necessary in a "complete kit" and a detailed parts list of items readily available if you'd rather purchase them locally.

On internal vs. external bows, I'm still testing trade-offs. External bows give more flexibility for the DIY approach but you trade-off high wind performance. Right now I'm leaning towards the foot end bow being internal and the peak bow being external.

[UK4X4]

here's my input...........

The idea to me is sound, shipping a small bag of material rather than a full
setup at 120lbs and 'oversize"

A simple wooden base and some screw on aluminum angle is pretty much within most peoples reach, especially when your local Home depot will cut it nice and square for you

The design- I have a few points as I have a couple of designs of my own

As my tents fabric is disolving at the stress points and I'm just in the planning stages of not just replacing the existing
but trying to improve over the classic......I have a whole summer with 110+ no camping weather coming


Most classic RTT's open both ends, not only a room with a view but a good cross flow of air.

The better RTT's have extending covers over the windows-----rain does not only fall verticly

Its not always cold when it rains---------ie if you batten down the hatches your going to be as sweaty inside as you would be wet with the windows open

Good protective covering whilst still allowing good air flow is important

Room, why make the foot end so much smaller, as this is usually where the baby or dog sleeps in a typical 1600 x 2200mm RTT

I like the side protection on the hanibal, I like the large square covered side vents/windows now available

With the classic style I think poles are inside to increase the space available

I've also been juggling with the idea of a curved canopy using standard tent poles rather than being limited to solid bars that need to fold inside the base.

The extra size, better weather proofing / prevents pooling
V's a couple of mins more of setup time, The hoops can extend out from the base rather than being inside..

I'll see If I can post a couple of sketches

More technitop type not sure if their bars hinge from outside or inside


Rather more extravagant with curved hoops a bit more like an old cart, obviously poles would need fitting after folding out



mmmmm maybe I ought to start a design thread- rather than post on yours

[compactcamping]

One of the fun parts of a project like this is testing "what-ifs" against your design requirements and coming up with something that works.

Yes good ventilation is very important and living in Oregon, I know all about "sideways rain".

The fabric I would use is highly water resistant so a fly isn't required for rain protection. Although looking at a fly from an awning perceptive is a good idea, something smaller like a MyWay design verses the traditional fully window cover on most.

I've played with a few tunnel/hoop design idea. Good rain runoff and wind performance, with proper hoop positioning. Downside for me was "some assembly required" for getting it to pack into a small footprint.

[RocKrawler]

I think also having a setup adaptable to make a poor mans FlilPac / Wildernest shell would be a great thing. As much as I'd love to buy a FlipPac they are overpriced IMO, and I dont need anything as expensive/elaborate as the FWC offerings.

[Mayne]

What about an alternative fabric, like sunbrella. When looking at the possibility of building my own tent, I found that some of the other fabrics used for boat tops, like sunbrella don't have the shrinkage that canvas does, thus being more forgiving to work with. The only thing keeping me from doing building my own, is the ability to put the fabric together. The only down to that, is that I don't know if the breath ability is less.
Also I do like the thought of a trailer tent, as they are fewer and farther between.

[Ruffin' It]

I would be very interested. I prefer doing things myself, for cost savings, for reassurance that it was done right (or at least I can only blame myself) and so I know the product better. If it needs repairs, I'll have a better idea of how to do it. I would be VERY interested if it would be (big) dog friendly. Part of what has kept me away from the tent trailer idea is that the idea of lifting two 80 lbs old dogs in and out of a tent that high is off putting. A clamshell would be a home run for me!

[jeepmedic46]

I would be interested in building one myself.

[compactcamping]

It would be very helpful if some folks could go out in the garage and measure how tall their Trailers are, thanks?

Interesting idea, using it for a Flip-Pac like camper. I can see how that might work, although it would need a custom changing room section to form the stand up / climb into bed portion.

Sunbrella is a possible fabric, it has many of the positive attributes that a quality Army Duck canvas has.

My Border Collie will easily have plenty of room to sleep at the end of the tent, I'm not so sure about two 80 lb dogs. Although the changing room floor will have plenty of space and you can save your back.

When you say clamshell, are you thinking a Columbus or Maggiolina style design? For a Columbus style clamshell you might be able to adapt a tent like this to it, although it would be some work.