Hadn't seen this before. You know, when you need to camp out ON your car.



http://www.boldride.com/ride/2012/mi...ndon#gallery/7

 

Land Rover has been doing that for years.

I don't see taking mine on safari anytime in the near future... maybe it's the new thing for Greatful Dead fans

 

Can you use it as a photography/viewing stand when it's closed up? That could be useful!

 

Gosh, it's not even April yet but the license plate says it all.

 

I thought there was a weight limit of 150lbs on the racks?

 

According to IIHS there is a weight limit of 5000 pounds on the roof...

 

yea, mini came out with the roof tent and a cool mini rv trailer that was a april fools joke. not funny at all cause im interested in purchasing, not jokes. haha something that looks cool that is not really available for your mini. i think they were the only ones laughing.

 

I was disappointed to see it was a joke too. But then they came out with the idea again (first photo). So I researched it and it turns out these roof top tents are already made by other companies. You can put them on any car with a roof rack (next two pictures). Somebody must have gotten one after being inspired by Mini's photo releases right?? Any reviews? Pictures?

Here is one of the companies that makes a rooftop tent that is seemingly exactly what Mini used in their second round of pictures: http://www.bigfoottents.com

 

I'm sure those are for display purposes only. At the weight limits of the roof rack, only my dog will be able to use it:(

 

I don't think so. Maybe the Mini brand roof racks have poor weight limits. But my Thule brand roof racks are rated up to 800 pounds. I have the aero blade bars on mine. Chose it over the mini racks because they look better, more aerodynamic, and were a bit wider. Also was able to get them in black. Anyway, it seems very possible. I can't be the only person to have realistically considered it. haha

 

I wish they made one that attaches and extends out the back hatch like Honda did for the Element.

 

I don't know about the Mini racks, everyone seems to think those have a poor weight rating. But I have the Thule aero blade rack on my CM and they claim to have an 800 pound rating. So this is very much a real possibility. And I can't be the only person to have seriously considered it.

 

800lb! WOW! That's more like it. I'm glad you mention that big fact. That's a lot more than the mini. With that load limit the roof tent is possible

 

Well, ive just looked at the thule roof racks at etrailer and rackoutfitters, and they both say the thule is rated at 110lb?

 

I'm a Land Rover and MINI guy, so maybe some of this info will be helpful...

Most vehicle manufacturers tell you that the roof or their roof racks are rated for 75 - 150 lbs. That's usually not because of the structural capability of either the rack or roof (think about safety standards...). It's due to increased likelihood of rolling the vehicle over if driving like an idiot. The center of gravity is raised, etc. (Cue discussion about lowering springs off-setting added weight up top?)

As for sitting or standing on one of those tents when folded, I wouldn't advise it for the ones that have a hard shell. The fiberglass or carbon fiber wouldn't like it. The softer, square-looking tents could possibly stand it, but I still wouldn't recommend it since you may bend or break some of the poles which give it shape when folded out.

There are many less-expensive roof top tents (RTT), but as with anything, you may get what you pay for. Some top brands are Autohome, Hannibal, Eezi-Awn, ARB, and maybe a few others I'm forgetting. It's been a bit fashionable in the last few years so quite a few folks have jumped on the bandwagon.

And no... I don't have one. I do have a Hannibal rack on my old Discovery (~ 4" lift) which I've loaded a few hundred pounds onto and survived . I just had to refrain from driving like a fool and getting into situations where I might need to make an emergency high speed maneuver. Or I've just been lucky!! Have also had about 5 or 6 people standing on it without any problems. Crossbar kits will vary, though.

Enjoy!

 

Countryman-S, according to Thule's own website the AeroBlade bars I have say this:

"The sophisticated BoxBeam aluminum extrusion creates one of the strongest load bars in the market. Using a vertical load test, the AeroBlade can sustain over 800 lbs of force"

Perhaps what BendersMINI is talking about is where the confusion comes from. You won't have all that weight up there when driving. Just when parked of course.

I was wondering why we'd be sitting or standing on them, BendersMINI, then realized someone earlier mentioned using it as a viewing stand, haha. I would be more interested in attaching crossbars on top of the hard shell RTT to then be able to carry paddle-boards on top. Not sure that's possible though. They are only up to 30 pounds each. Just not sure about the aerodynamics or getting one that can have crossbars added.

 

mkearneydsp, here's a few links you might like:

http://www.autohomeus.com/rooftop/maggiolinaExtreme.php

And

http://www.autohomeus.com/rooftop/ma...aGrandTour.php

 

Thanks! Now I just need to find someone else who spent all that money on it first to tell me if it's worth it! haha

 

Yes my brother works for www.BigfootTents.com I spoke with him about this and he said he installs on Mini's all the time. Roof Top Tents add such an awesome dynamic to the Mini however purist lovers of such a fine automobile will be hard pressed to stray from the traditional norms.

btw he also said if you mention this forum and convo they will extend a 10% discount, free shipping and no sales tax.

Read that article on minis and roof top tents that was based in reality.

 

Can we get someone in here that has actually gotten one of these tents for the Countryman?

 

Subscribing to see one on a Countryman...

I've been all over the country with mine on the back of my Toyota Tacoma. I built a custom rack for it.

 

Hey there I bought a rooftop tent for my mini countryman 2013 all4. Gets here on the 7th I’ll let you all know and post pictures of either me in the tent or my crushed roof.