Gordigear roof top tent

[Deleted account 240831001]

Why am I so stupid that it didn’t occur to me to check that the holes for mounting bars pre-drilled in the base were actually in the correct position to mount it on my truck?

It’s a heavy bastard at the best of times but I persuaded my wife to help me lift it up then found I couldn’t easily fit the bars the previous owner had removed but thought no, I can do this and persevered until I found they were too narrow so now it needs to come off, be drilled and then lifted back on again. I’ve now got my brother in law coming round to help with the lifting because he’s always game for an opportunity to take the piss

 

[Northern jock]

Mine has bars that are bolted onto the base, they then sit at right angles across my roof bars so I can put the clamps anywhere along them

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

Mine has bars that are bolted onto the base, they then sit at right angles across my roof bars so I can put the clamps anywhere along them

Mine has bars that should function like that but the bars on the rear cab of the truck were marginally too narrow. Not to worry, it’s done now and I’ve got it fitted so I’m happy.

It’s pretty spacious and certainly high enough inside to get dressed without flapping about like a baby seal so I’ll give it a run out at Olivers Mount when I go to watch a fellow forum member rag fuck out of my old 250 KTM at this weeks hill climb.

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

 

[Udders]

I always wonder how they take peoples weight.
I really can’t imagine how all that overhang is supported by the ladder?

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

I always wonder how they take peoples weight.
I really can’t imagine how all that overhang is supported by the ladder?

Firstly I’m not going to over stress it being a touch under 12st and secondly it’s not entirely supported by the ladder having some pretty substantial support brackets and cross members.

The way it’s designed means the fabric of the tent is actually taking a lot of the weight so if you buy a big, heavy, expedition weight tent they’re pretty robust.

 

[Udders]

Oh I don’t doubt for one second that they’re up to the job, they just look like they could collapse at any second!

 

[Northern jock]

Oh I don’t doubt for one second that they’re up to the job, they just look like they could collapse at any second!

I also back the tent up the rails a little so the hinge is back from the edge, reducing the overhang section. I have long enough roof bars to do it and although it gives me a slightly shorter overhang (smaller shelter to stand under) it's less stress overall. They are designed to be only half on though and the hinges only open to a flat tent, they don't keep opening!

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

I also back the tent up the rails a little so the hinge is back from the edge, reducing the overhang section. I have long enough roof bars to do it and although it gives me a slightly shorter overhang (smaller shelter to stand under) it's less stress overall. They are designed to be only half on though and the hinges only open to a flat tent, they don't keep opening!

I don’t know how other manufacturers make the base but the Gordigear is pretty solid and there’s a lot of weight when you’re pulling the unsupported section over but even before you drop the ladder it doesn’t look as if it’s going past the point where it forms a flat surface. They get good reviews and claim that the one I have is for 2 adults and a child so should be good enough for all I’ll want to do.

It only occurred to me last night that I really should throw a couple of the levelling ramps we used on our motorhome or I could end up sliding through the night until I end up against one side but they’re easily accessible so I’ll put them in before leaving.

 

[Udders]

Nothing worse than a side slope either!

 

[G&T]

Andy, will the top part of the flatbed cab come off so that your tent when packed will be at the same height as your roof?

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

Andy, will the top part of the flatbed cab come off so that your tent when packed will be at the same height as your roof?

No, it folds down so it’s about 10” plus the ladder forms a bulge in the centre when the waterproof cover is on.

I was quite impressed today because from start to finish including getting my bed sorted was just under 15 minutes and it’s quite palatial in there so apart from the ladder hazard I should be in a happy place tonight.

 

[Udders]

Definitely need a LOT more pics!

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

Definitely need a LOT more pics!

It’s dark, it’s very misty up here in Scarborough and I’m glad I’m not racing in the morning because it’ll be damp - dry - damp - dry but I might take photos of my erection (tent that is) tomorrow.

I’m quite happy with things as they are, it’s effectively a king sized bed, I’ve got the side vents open enough to get a nice through breeze and it’s all very stable when you consider I’ve had a few beers and a couple of shots of toffee vodka

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

Well I can report back that after several hours of very heavy rain it doesn’t leak.

I should probably have dropped the flaps that open upwards and go over the windows to act as sun shades because the wind battered fuck out of them but they didn’t lift off their stays and suffered no damage even though they were very noisy.

The sun has come out now and I suspect it’s going to get rather warm in here so I’ve opened things up a bit leaving only the mosquito mesh doors over the side windows and there’s now a decent breeze blowing through.

One rather strange feature is that on the side windows it’s mesh outer cover and a waterproof one inside that so you can open and close the waterproof door with the mesh left in place. The ones on the ends are the other way round which is a bit of a fuck around if you want more or less ventilation in the night but still want to keep it free of mosquitoes.

That’s it until I motivate myself enough to make a coffee and take a couple of photos.

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

Final comments on the tent.

I used it without my Exped last night and slept like a log. The Exped tended to slide on the mattress if I turned over and the mattress alone was very comfortable. Nothing to do with the beers.

From getting out of my sleeping bag to having everything packed away and the tent back under it’s cover and strapped down ready to go took almost exactly 30 minutes this morning. I’d struggle to do that if I had a normal 2 man tent to empty then pack away.

A 1m mini step ladder is very useful, I’m glad I took one with me

 

[Northern jock]

We leave the duvet and and pillows in it when travelling, it still folds up fine and makes it even easier to pack up. And the mattress is very comfy, no need for a mat

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

We leave the duvet and and pillows in it when travelling, it still folds up fine and makes it even easier to pack up. And the mattress is very comfy, no need for a mat

I would if I was travelling from stop to stop rather than going home but I was heading for home this morning so emptied it.

I think I’ll buy a fitted sheet for it and use a duvet appropriate for the season for future use but this time I took my old Helly Hansen maggot bag and the lack of zip was a bit of a pain but you can get a through draught really easily so I didn’t really overheat.