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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi all,

Does anyone have any experience with roof mounted tents with the Patriot? I drive a 2014 patriot and so far I've just been pitching tents, but I'd like to either camp on top or inside. I'm short enough to fit inside, but the back seats seem to not fold down flush with the cargo compartment. Any tips?
 
#2 ·
When I had my Compass I was able to sleep comfortably in the cargo area (I'm 5' 6"). I did have the Latitude model that comes with the fold flat passenger seat. You can get a twin size foam mattress topper to give you some cushion between you and the cargo area. My wife made me some bug screens out of fabric so I could let the windows down without letting the bugs in. I have a Rav4 now and below are a couple of pictures showing you what I mean.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/47674069@N03/13705454724/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/47674069@N03/13705095215/in/photostream/
 
#5 · (Edited)
It appears that Jeep Australia think you can.

http://www.jeep.com.au/blog-news/739-patriot-add-a-rooftop-tent

Personally, regarding the approx 70kg weight limit on the Jeep roof bars, that is a pretty standard weight load for most roof bars, usually between 60-90kg is the range for most manufacturers.

BUT, that weight is actually more to do with the dynamics of the vehicle handling 'at speed' while carrying that weight. It is not a 'static' weight. The 70kg is in regards to the handling of corners and emergency braking with a heavy load on the roof, causing the Patriot to be un-stable, top-heavy and roll-over easier with that much weight on the roof. But of course, that is a safe-working-limit, which means it would be technically 1/3 of the reality weight, if judged on safe-working-load-limits that apply to most other engineering objects. Chains, slings, shackles etc...

Down here in Australia, we see little hire-cars getting around with roof top tents fitted, and I mean little cars, 2 door Nissan Micra/Toyota Yaris etc.

Your vehicle is built with enough safety in the roof pillars and roof load, so as to not decapitate you in a roll-over accident. That could be safely said for most if not all vehicles nowadays.

Therefore, as a static-weight, the Patriot (with a good set of T-style roof bars) will handle a rooftop tent and 2 adults no problem. *In my opinion and research on the matter.

*Rooftop tents weigh in at 45-55kg at the most., which is under maximum recommended weight for the Patriot at normal driving speeds/handling conditions.

Image


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#6 ·
As a life long tent camper, both backpacking and now car camping...I have to ask why would you want to be on top of the roof?

Pain in the butt to climb into, pain in the butt to take that middle of the night pee, pain in the butt to set up, pain in the butt to take down, ugly and ...why?

My current tent is some years old and only takes a few minutes to set up, new tents take even less. It holds a full sized air mattress with no constraints as to side rails or whatever.

To my mind if you want to sleep in your vehicle buy a camper van or a camper on a pu truck. If you want to go tenting buy a tent.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
CalgaryJeep said:
The two main draws are that:
A. It means there is always a flat and dry place to pitch and
B. The bedding can be left inside leaving more storage room in the car and less setup time.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
Click to expand...


Exactly! I have seen a few that just require a turn of a crank and a fully assembled tent pops up. A few different models can even handle cargo to be placed on them.
 
#11 ·
I've been camping most of my life, and not always for fun. I use a pretty easy tent these days, very easy to set up. For me, I like to get out there, so have used tents on back country hikes, canoe trips, etc. So car top would limit me too much. A regular tent can be used in campgrounds, on canoe trips, to back pack into wilderness, in the back yard for kids, for any of my 3 vehicles, etc etc.

But if you always use the same vehicle, never pack in anywhere, or do canoe trips etc, and it's what you want, go for it
 
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dixiedawg
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