I want a tent for my van's roof rack. Commercially available options are thousands of dollars. Like... I could buy a used travel trailer for less.
I know I can physically build it, but can I make it durable and dry? Anyone have knowledge on tent building?
Shoot, Paul in the Bible in the 1st Century was a tent maker.
Hasn't tent making technology advanced the past 2000 years? You can do it.
I was looking for a two man flip over ice shanty/shelter, for a similar purpose. Guys put cots in them all the time.
They can be had used in good condition for a few hundred bucks. Just an idea.
No knowledge but could you put exterior plywood up there and pitch a regular tent on it? The plywood could stow flat inside the van when you're not using it.
Short answer yes and with Curtis on the job it will be fantastic. Inspiration?
Slightly unrelated, but those wheels in that offset and color make me tingly in all the right ways.
NermalSnert (Forum Supporter) said:No knowledge but could you put exterior plywood up there and pitch a regular tent on it? The plywood could stow flat inside the van when you're not using it.
It's already decked with 5/4 deck boards. I can't seem to find a suitable size, but I keep looking. The point of this was to have a quick-deploy, fold-open tent instead of all the hassle of actually pitching a tent. I did set up a 2-man tent up there once, and really underestimated the amount of peripheral real estate you need to set one up. The next time I did it, I pitched it on the ground and passed it up assembled. I'm also hoping for a fold-out unit so that it doubles as an awning, but I could add an awning if needed.
Now that I'm old, I don't do 2-man tents anymore. I put a full mattress topper in a 6-man tent these days.
In reply to Rons :
That video is VERY inspiring. I'm refreshing my search for an appropriate tent to hack.
In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :
I'd rather see you build something cool anyway.
I came across this one a few years ago:
if you follow it over to the 'tube, there's some links to a build thread and googledoc plans. 8020 can be a bit pricey, but you might be able to build it out of cheaper section if you fab up and rivet on your own brackets?
In reply to sleepyhead the buffalo :
Thanks. I'm looking forward to checking this one out.
I have given a little bit of thought to this. I got as far as thinking that the wedge style would be easiest, and that a used fiberglass pickup bed cover might make for a good/cheap/easy top for a build.
I've also thought about building a low profile "box" to house a standard tent. The tent could be secured in place so that when you open the box, you just add the poles and you're in business. The top could hinge on the door side of the van and serve as an awning.
Something like this might work for the top: https://www.facebook.com/share/JTo9ZxdrDyoagh6X/
I'm looking forward to seeing how this shakes out.
In reply to Motojunky :
It may or may not shake out at all. I'm still trying to figure out how I want to proceed.
My first thought was to turn the van into work/camp machine. I need the cargo space, but I was thinking about making plywood cargo sides with some little cubby/cabinets and throwing a camp mattress on the floor. I also considered doing those cargo drawers on the floor and a mattress on top, but not sure I want to give up the easy loading for larger cargo. I would also need to figure out some kind of ventilation/heat/AC if I'm camping inside the van.
I'm trying to determine if adding a roof tent would be worth it for the amount I actually use it, which is not that often. Do I want to give up the roof rack space for long materials, or am I going to be taking this tent on and off all the time? Should I just skip the tent and sleep al fresco on the roof on nice nights?
The truth is, I probably use it as a camper maybe 8 weekends a year... which is also about how many times I actually use the roof rack for long materials. This sounds like maybe another summer of using it as it is so I can have a brilliant idea pop in my head.
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:In reply to Motojunky :
It may or may not shake out at all. I'm still trying to figure out how I want to proceed.
My first thought was to turn the van into work/camp machine. I need the cargo space, but I was thinking about making plywood cargo sides with some little cubby/cabinets and throwing a camp mattress on the floor. I also considered doing those cargo drawers on the floor and a mattress on top, but not sure I want to give up the easy loading for larger cargo. I would also need to figure out some kind of ventilation/heat/AC if I'm camping inside the van.
I'm trying to determine if adding a roof tent would be worth it for the amount I actually use it, which is not that often. Do I want to give up the roof rack space for long materials, or am I going to be taking this tent on and off all the time? Should I just skip the tent and sleep al fresco on the roof on nice nights?
The truth is, I probably use it as a camper maybe 8 weekends a year... which is also about how many times I actually use the roof rack for long materials. This sounds like maybe another summer of using it as it is so I can have a brilliant idea pop in my head.
For ventilation, I have a Fan-Tastic vent fan installed in one of the rear windows of my van. I didn't have the intestinal fortitude to cut a hole in the roof when I did the original build out. I used Lexan for a window and installed the fan in that. I ended up painting the Lexan black... if I were to do it again, I'd probably use sheet metal or plywood/fiberglass to make the "window." The fan and the fridge are far and away the most useful mods we made. We use an electric blanket for sleeping when it's cold and occasionally use a Mr. Buddy heater to warm up the van (usually in the morning to get my wife out of bed). One thing about a tent is that it removes stealth value and adds inconvenience. But it seems cool and that's worth something.
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:In reply to Motojunky :
It may or may not shake out at all. I'm still trying to figure out how I want to proceed.
My first thought was to turn the van into work/camp machine. I need the cargo space, but I was thinking about making plywood cargo sides with some little cubby/cabinets and throwing a camp mattress on the floor. I also considered doing those cargo drawers on the floor and a mattress on top, but not sure I want to give up the easy loading for larger cargo. I would also need to figure out some kind of ventilation/heat/AC if I'm camping inside the van.
I'm trying to determine if adding a roof tent would be worth it for the amount I actually use it, which is not that often. Do I want to give up the roof rack space for long materials, or am I going to be taking this tent on and off all the time? Should I just skip the tent and sleep al fresco on the roof on nice nights?
The truth is, I probably use it as a camper maybe 8 weekends a year... which is also about how many times I actually use the roof rack for long materials. This sounds like maybe another summer of using it as it is so I can have a brilliant idea pop in my head.
You say you need the van for storage space, would be it easier to turn the cargo area into the "camper space" and pull a small utility trailer?
But I guess when using it for work that leaves the tools exposed.
When I first saw the title I thought you were asking for help to build like a camping tent on the ground and was quite confused. But this is so much better. I have a friend with a Subaru Crosstrek and whenever she goes camping she brings whats essentially a large hard plastic mat that she puts on her roof for a level surface and then puts a normal tent on top. I will for sure be showing her this thread so she can DIY something a bit more comfy.
How tall are you ? side to side in the back is 5 ft 6 inches , I just cut some plywood the other day that sits on top of a couple folding tables which are 29 inches wide , and fit side to side behind the front seats.
I think the angle roof is neat , but I would be concerned of rain getting inside it
Are you looking to just spend the night or long weekends and are you bringing a stove , ice chest , shower , toilet etc ?
Maybe you are overthinking it and just need a bed , blankets and pillow .....
Do you really want to climb up to the roof to sleep? What about a hammock inside the van? Or a hanging bed so the floor is open for cargo?
vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) said:Do you really want to climb up to the roof to sleep? What about a hammock inside the van? Or a hanging bed so the floor is open for cargo?
This is my take as well. I lived with bunk beds long enough that I really prefer not to climb a ladder before going to sleep or if I need to pee in the middle of the night.
clutchsmoke said:vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) said:Do you really want to climb up to the roof to sleep? What about a hammock inside the van? Or a hanging bed so the floor is open for cargo?
This is my take as well. I lived with bunk beds long enough that I really prefer not to climb a ladder before going to sleep or if I need to pee in the middle of the nigh
A buddy of mine camps out at concerts a bunch, in his rooftop tent on his pickup. He uses a gallon milk jug inside his tent for, reasons... He mentioned that he learned it in the forums, so apparently that's an actual thing?
golfduke said:clutchsmoke said:vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) said:Do you really want to climb up to the roof to sleep? What about a hammock inside the van? Or a hanging bed so the floor is open for cargo?
This is my take as well. I lived with bunk beds long enough that I really prefer not to climb a ladder before going to sleep or if I need to pee in the middle of the nigh
A buddy of mine camps out at concerts a bunch, in his rooftop tent on his pickup. He uses a gallon milk jug inside his tent for, reasons... He mentioned that he learned it in the forums, so apparently that's an actual thing?
Yes, it's a thing. Not just for rooftop tents. Sometimes it's a better alternative to stepping out of your tent in the rain, cold, etc. in the middle of the night.
In reply to z31maniac :
A trailer is an option. I don't really have the real estate to store it on my postage-stamp suburban property. I think I have a plan in my head for keeping both functions in the van. I don't need much to be happy, so a bit of storage, an ice chest, and temp control will be enough. Switching from cargo to camper will basically mean pulling out the foam mattress.
This is what the VW Westy campers used as a drive-a-way tent
californiamilleghia said:How tall are you ? side to side in the back is 5 ft 6 inches , I just cut some plywood the other day that sits on top of a couple folding tables which are 29 inches wide , and fit side to side behind the front seats.
I think the angle roof is neat , but I would be concerned of rain getting inside it
Are you looking to just spend the night or long weekends and are you bringing a stove , ice chest , shower , toilet etc ?
Maybe you are overthinking it and just need a bed , blankets and pillow .....
I'm 6'1". The real bummer is that I'm a stomach sleeper, so until I have my feet pointed out and my arms above my head, I'm probably closer to 6'6". Sleeping sideways would be brilliant, but not really effective.
I usually bring a cooler, and sometimes a stove if I anticipate an inability to have a campfire. All of that stuff gets set up outside. For the most part, the only thing I do inside the van is sleep. No toilet. My camping style is usually somewhere where a log becomes a toilet seat. I do camp with a group that likes state parks, and they have bathrooms. For showers, my plan is to hang a 12' stick of 4" PVC under the roof rack which I can fill with water and put a hose bib on the back end. Homemade cold shower.
I like to overnight when I'm traveling. When I come to the challenge, I often make it as far as NC the first day and find a cracker barrel to spend the night. I also do a fair amount of holiday weekend 3-day camps, and the ultimate goal is to do an overlanding trip for a week or so.
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