Sleeping Arrangements
A roof tent, what’s that? Someone even asked us if there was a chance of us falling off if we slept in a tent on top of the car…..!

Anyway, once we got over our ignorance, we were introduced a whole range of roof tents, which could be fitted on the top of ‘Tuah’. Did we want a light and simple, easy to set up hard shell, a rugged and versatile fabric, or just any old roof tent?

We eventually settled for a mid sized Maggiolina Grand Tour, which should accommodate the three of us comfortably (aside the times Adrian decides he’s more comfy with his feet in our faces). We didn’t fancy taking the chance of half the tent collapsing if someone decides to remove the supporting ladder. Another factor taken into consideration is the fitting of a solar panel which can be bolted on to the hard shell.

Our Grand Tour roof top tent is constructed of marine quality fibreglass, laid up by hand in the AutoHome factory, and employs special impact resistant resins to assure long term durability. The bottom shell of the Grand Tour is fibreglass with foam sandwich insulation, and is fitted with a removable, 3-1/2” inch thick closed cell foam mattress. Removable mattress cover and pillows are included. The Grand Tour is durable, water and dustproof, and suitable for travel and camping in any weather. The lightweight, locking alloy ladder offers stable access and collapses for stowing inside the tent.


Other qualities of this tent are:

  • Breathability allows the respiration of moisture that would otherwise condense inside the tent, causing discomfort and the potential for mildew.
  • Waterproof—no treatment is necessary, the fabric sheds water and the tent may be packed for travel even in rainy or snowy conditions.
  • Fade resistance is assured because the colour is built-in before the fabric is woven.
  • Wear, crease and abrasion resistance is assured; the fabric will not shrink or expand in extremes of temperature.
  • The fabric will function perfectly in extremes—from 22 below zero (-30° C) to 160° (70° C).
  • High quality finish offers a smooth touch with maximum sound and light blocking capabilities.

In addition we have a Vango Dart DS tent and a large self inflatable mat in case Adrian gets too boisterous in the Maggiolina. (We leave it to your imagination as to who gets booted out of the roof tent………………………………….Perhaps I shouldn’t have been brought up a gentleman)

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