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Morning Y'all, I have a 2022 Bronco Sport Big Bend edition that I'd like to start taking camping. Does anyone have any tent recommendations for what works best for you?
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I'm going to follow this thread as well. Also interested. I have a class C RV, but a good roof tent for the BS would be great for the shorter trips.
Maybe my wife will then share in the driving!
Maybe my wife will then share in the driving!
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I've had the Roofnest Sparrow EYE for just over a year now.
Put it through desert heat tests of southern AZ through the cold late-fall of the UP in Michigan.
Easy enough to stay cool in the heat and warm in the cold. Sleeps 2 comfortably. Does noticeably decrease the average mpg (was getting close to 27 mpg before, now 19/21).
Easy install (2-people to lift 130 lbs). Single person setup in about 60-90 seconds. Breakdown in about 2-3 minutes (you can keep sleep gear inside).
Absolutely love it.
(2021 1E)
Put it through desert heat tests of southern AZ through the cold late-fall of the UP in Michigan.
Easy enough to stay cool in the heat and warm in the cold. Sleeps 2 comfortably. Does noticeably decrease the average mpg (was getting close to 27 mpg before, now 19/21).
Easy install (2-people to lift 130 lbs). Single person setup in about 60-90 seconds. Breakdown in about 2-3 minutes (you can keep sleep gear inside).
Absolutely love it.
(2021 1E)
I’m in the same boat! I’ve narrowed it down to the Sparrow Eye (Mentioned before) as well as the BadAss Tents Rugged. I’m also considering doing the Deep Sleep or Lunolife matress setups, and sleeping inside...
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Looks really nice! What's the height when closed? and what crossbars kit is the tent mounted on?I've had the Roofnest Sparrow EYE for just over a year now.
Put it through desert heat tests of southern AZ through the cold late-fall of the UP in Michigan.
Easy enough to stay cool in the heat and warm in the cold. Sleeps 2 comfortably. Does noticeably decrease the average mpg (was getting close to 27 mpg before, now 19/21).
Easy install (2-people to lift 130 lbs). Single person setup in about 60-90 seconds. Breakdown in about 2-3 minutes (you can keep sleep gear inside).
Absolutely love it.
(2021 1E)
Color me old fashioned....but my tents lay on the ground. If you want to save a few bucks, I'm sure major recreational stores like REI or Dicks or heck even WalMart will have 4th of July sales on camping gear this weekend. You could spend some extra money on a fancy brand like Marmot, Black Diamond or North FAce....or you can save a few bucks and go with a Coleman or Ozark. It all depends on what you want to do with it.
Smitty built with annex room. And yes i know, needs adjustment cause its all floppy, but this was the first time trying out the annex.
We have nothing but good things to say about it, and sleep up there for many nights when we go to the rocky mountains in BC. it's seen sun, snow, torrential downpours, mosquitos and sasquatch. Possibly a ufo or 2
We still have it tucked away in the shed, don't know what the future holds for it. We bought a chevy G20 conversion van cause our dog is a fatty and the 3 of us nearly outweigh the roof capacity (no sunroof base model).
Smittybuilt is a quality piece. Bought from Amazon and at our door in 3 days during the pandemic. Highly recommended !!!
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UP? It gets ungodly cold there during winter!I've had the Roofnest Sparrow EYE for just over a year now.
Put it through desert heat tests of southern AZ through the cold late-fall of the UP in Michigan.
Easy enough to stay cool in the heat and warm in the cold. Sleeps 2 comfortably. Does noticeably decrease the average mpg (was getting close to 27 mpg before, now 19/21).
Easy install (2-people to lift 130 lbs). Single person setup in about 60-90 seconds. Breakdown in about 2-3 minutes (you can keep sleep gear inside).
Absolutely love it.
(2021 1E)
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The wife and I slept in tents on the ground for many years. One morning she got up and saw a snake in the tent...
...we bought our first RV shortly after.
This tent fitting on the BS rack would convince her to try a tent again on short trips, and share in the driving
It's just under a foot closed...I think 11.5". I use the factory oem crossbars. Although I'm considering swapping for a lower profile and more utility.
All-in, it makes the vehicle height around 6'8" (fits in parking structures with 7'2" height maximums with several inches to spare)
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Kodiak and Springbar tents are two of the best tents made. I can set it up myself in less than 10 minutes. With two guys, 5 minutes. My Springbar canvas tent has weathered 40 mph winds without problems, and stays bone dry in the hardest storms. It also zips completely shut to keep out bugs and snakes. They are tall enough to stand up in, and when the weather is bad, I cook inside. After owning a canvas tent, I'll never go back to nylon (except for backpacking).
You can see the rooftop carrier I use sometimes and I can tell you it kills gas mileage. I'm way too old to be climbing a ladder to get in and out of my tent. A high quality canvas tent is also less expensive than a rooftop tent.
You can see the rooftop carrier I use sometimes and I can tell you it kills gas mileage. I'm way too old to be climbing a ladder to get in and out of my tent. A high quality canvas tent is also less expensive than a rooftop tent.
Love this!I've had the Roofnest Sparrow EYE for just over a year now.
Put it through desert heat tests of southern AZ through the cold late-fall of the UP in Michigan.
Easy enough to stay cool in the heat and warm in the cold. Sleeps 2 comfortably. Does noticeably decrease the average mpg (was getting close to 27 mpg before, now 19/21).
Easy install (2-people to lift 130 lbs). Single person setup in about 60-90 seconds. Breakdown in about 2-3 minutes (you can keep sleep gear inside).
Absolutely love it.
(2021 1E)
We have a BS FE as well but we're concerned about weight capacity of RTT b/c of the sunroof.
Have you had any issues?
How much are you loading (people + gear) into the 130 lb. Sparrow Eye?