Homemade Roof Top Tent

[Trail X]

I really want to keep this as quick to put up and tear down as possible, so I've been leaning away from a changing room attachment. I think, however, I would like to eventually figure out a good method of mounting a tarp or awning to the side of the cantilevered base. Not sure if that will fit into the before-trip timeline.

[Trail X]

After it being up there for a week of trials, it seems to be ready to go. It weighs much more than I expected... came in at 155 lbs (mattress, cover, ladder, mounting bars and all). Not a huge impact on mileage... I think -1 to -2 mpg impact. I normally get about 18mpg on my drive to work with good traffic... with the tent it was more like 17. Though, that's enough that I don't want it up there all the time.

I really need to rig up a hoist in the garage.

[Nakashige]

James a little bit off topic how are you still avg 18 mpg? I am at 13 mpg highway? Just took a 160 mile trip each way kept it between 60 and 65 the whole trip

[NC_IslandRunner]

Also off topic but I was thinking same thing, I got 11-13mpg on my MI trip.

[steveroche]

From the PCMforless tune perhaps?

[Nakashige]

I don't think James has one

[Gordinho80]

JD is running stock tune...

[steveroche]

Oh haha, I am mistaken then...my bad

[Trail X]

I've really tried to tune in my driving habits over the last few years. I have a 17 mile commute, so I have had a lot of time to try and determine what works and what doesn't (for me at least). First of all - I've found that cruise control will really kill gas mileage so I only use that on long flat straightaways. I also don't tend to exceed 70 mph and normally cruise at about 65-68. However my commute is around a beltway, so my max speed there is 60 or so.

The other 'trick' I have begun to use has to do with the scangauge. If you watch the manifold air pressure (MAP), you can peg 4th gear going up a hill without unlocking the torque converter clutch (TCC). This helps in two big ways. IC engines are more efficient when operated at low intake vacuum levels due to the fact that they have to work less to suck the air into the combustion chambers. Second, by unlocking the TCC, you would otherwise lose energy into the torque converter. I've found for my vehicle that it will unlock the TCC at about 14.2 psi MAP, so I will tend to lock in the throttle at 14.1 psi and cruise up the hill (normally losing some marginal speed) without unlocking the TCC.

Also - I'm working off of adjusted gasoline and speed values (for larger tires) based on actual gasoline used at the pump, and gps speed. So if you're using the built in DIC for your gasoline consumption, it could also be estimating a bit low because it isn't tuned in exactly.

Terrain will also greatly affect mileage... rolling hills seem to do me well, but when I'm heading through WV, my numbers will drop pretty good due to the mountain climbs and change in elevation.

Sorry you guys are getting such low numbers... hopefully this helps you a bit.

[Nakashige]

Well I am going to try that on my trip to vt that weekend 53 gallons really killed the trip. It was with no offroading. Did you change anything like o2 sensors or cat

[Trail X]

I've replaced the spark plugs, cleaned the intake, used Synthetic motor oil, and swapped for DEX 6 in the trans. Not sure if those things make any difference.

[BSalty]

That looks very nice! I may be stealing this for my trailer project this winter.

[alloutdoors]

James: You did an awsome job with building your roof top tent. You stated that the hinges came from compactcampingconcepts.com. Did they sell the hinges to you or were you able to salvage some from one of their units? Do the hinges have any indication who they were made by? Thanks for your help. Glenn

[Trail X]

Hey Glenn. The hinges came directly from a PM conversation with the compact camping guy on Expedition Portal. I believe he normally sells them with his "MOAB" kit. But he was willing to sell me a lone set of hinges for $50. They are stainless steel. I did have to redrill some of the holes, but overall it was easier to buy from him than make my own from scratch. I hope this helps!

[Trail X]

I was out finalizing the trip preparations on the tent. Hit it with some extra water proofer and packed all the bedding in. I had the awning setup, too.

[djthumper]

Looks nice!

[chevycrew]

I love it! But, it would be hard to sleep in 30+ mph desert winds!

[Trail X]

Curious why you say that...

[The Roadie]

I love it! But, it would be hard to sleep in 30+ mph desert winds!

I've slept in mine in 40 MPH gusts. You need earplugs for the rain fly noise, but you have the same issue with a ground tent, with the added worry of the stakes pulling out. In Saline Valley, CA, I had to tie my ground tent to the truck in multiple places for safety.

The rocking is not a quarter as bad as I initially worried about - maybe 1/2" rocking in all those gusts. Stiff suspension helps.

[Trail X]

I tried putting a lot of effort into making this ruffle less in wind than some tents. The two rain fly folds are stiffened with fiberglass rods, so they shouldn't flap. The sides of the awning have a 1/2" nylon rope sewed into the hem. Hoping that will keep it from flapping too much. The awning gets its stiffness from the main roof portion (I'll have to detail how it all works sometime). The two lines you see on the awning are optional. They hold down on the awning, which tightens the roof due to the design. The same lines come back from beneath the tent and hold down the sides of the second rain fly flap, to keep them from flapping too much. We had 10mpg gusts the yesterday and I didn't see anything flap. I'm hoping it will be solid.