FAQ
Q – What kind of vehicle does the Crow’s Nest roof top tent fit on?
A – The Crow’s Nest roof top tent can fit on any vehicle. From the smallest hatchback to the biggest of trucks and vans.
Q – How high does my vehicle need to be?
A – Believe it or not there is no minimum height. We supply a ladder extension if your vehicle is higher than 2.1m.
Q – What does my vehicle need to have the Crow’s Nest roof top tent fit?
A – The only thing your vehicle requires is a pair of adjustable roof racks or roof cage. Feldon Shelter does recommend that your roof racks or roof cage has a combined minimum dynamic load rating of 75 kg. Technical stuff we know, so feel free to email us or pop into your local roof rack store for more information on your specific roof rack/vehicle's load capacity.
Q - What is a Dynamic load rating?
A - The dynamic load rating is the maximum weight the vehicle roof racks can take while driving.
Q – Do you sell specialised roof racks?
A – No we don’t as there is no need. Our tents adjustable base mounting channels allow fitting to all racks and roof cages.
Q – How long does the Crow’s Nest roof top tent take to unfold and set up?
A – The Crow’s Nest roof top tent is up in about 3 minutes. A simple pull of the ladder unfolds the ready-to-use tent all by itself within minutes. And the same goes for folding the Crow’s Nest roof top tent away.
Q – Is it easy to remove the Crow's Nest from my vehicle when I'm not using it?
A – Yes, to remove the Crow’s Nest roof top tent is very simple. All that is needed is to unfasten the mounting hardware, slide it out from the mounting channels and lift the tent from your vehicle's roof. It takes about 10 minutes and we recommend grabbing another set of hands to help lift it from your roof as the tent weighs 54-60 kg (depending on what Crow's Nest you score).
Q- What is the Crow’s Nest roof top tent made from?
A - With durability and New Zealand’s hard sun in mind, The Crow’s Nest roof top tent is constructed with our heavy duty, UV resistant, ripstop poly cotton canvas. With double stitching throughout, strong YKK zippers, reinforced aluminium skeleton and industrial stainless hardware, basically, you’re set for many moons to come. We've also added our 60mm ErgoCell high density foam mattress with a removable cotton cover and waterproof ripstop underside to keep condensation out.
Q- What are the measurement of the Crow’s Nest roof top tent?
A – Open the Crow’s Nest roof top tent measure 143cm W x 240cm L x 125cm H and our mattress spans the entirety of the floor. Closed the roof top tent measures 143cm W x 120cm L x 30cm H.
Q- Is there a preference to which way the tent is mounted to open off the side or off the back? And why?
A – The way the tent opens is customer preference but we recommend the following:
For most larger cars opening “off the back” is preferable. The advantages are:
- this orientation is suited if you have a sideways opening boot.
- with the tent open you will gain weather protection above your head when accessing the boot.
- you may fit into narrow camping spaces. “Off the back” is not suitable if you have a high upwards opening boot.
For boots that open upwards above the roof line “off the side” is preferable. “Off the side” is also preferable for most medium or small cars. The advantages are:
- closed tent width (1200mm) will fit inside the roof dimensions of medium and small cars as nobody wants the tents base extended beyond the roof line.
- allows for bike racks and other tow bar toys to be installed with ease of operation from the tent.
- it allows for upwards opening boots to operate normally so that you have full access.
Q - Does the Crow’s Nest roof top tent have a rainfly?
A - Yes the Crow’s Nest roof top tent has a raised rainfly that is attached with adjustable straps on either side of the tent. The rainfly is removable but best kept on the tent to improve waterproofing.
Q – How does the Crow’s Nest roof top tent stand up to rain?
A – Imagine torrential downpours in the deep South, well we have put the Crow’s Nest roof top tent through it all and the result is a very weather tight tent with two happy dry campers inside. The Crow’s Nest roof top tent is a 4 season tent and we’ve given extra attention in this department with Feldon Shelter’s unique curved roof design, specially waterproof treated canvas, waxed stitching and watertight seam taping throughout ensuring your nest is always cosy and dry.
Q - How does the Crow’s Nest roof top tent stand up to wind?
A –Imagine gail force winds at the very tip of the North Island, well we saw the night through with success thanks to Feldon Shelter’s uniquely curved roof that improves aerodynamics so even the strongest of winds are no match. With reinforced aluminium skeleton, a fixed base and industrial stainless hardware the Crow’s Nest roof top tent is robust.
Q – Can I leave my bedding in the Crow’s Nest roof top tent even when it's packed down?
A – Yes, we did you a favour and included larger hinges than other generic roof top tents available so that bedding and pillows can be tucked away permanently in the tent while closed and travelling.
Q – Can I fold down the Crow’s Nest roof top tent when it’s wet?
A – You most certainly can. Just make sure the windows and doors are shut and the rest of the tent will do the work at keeping the water out. We don’t recommend leaving a wet tent packed up for more than two or three days, best to open it up and dry it out before a prolonged period of storage.
Q – Does the Crow’s Nest roof top tent get hot?
A – With the Crow’s Nest cool grey colour, added ventilation panels, two large doors and two windows (both with mosquito mesh) it's hard to overheat. NZ does get very hot and if you were to keep all the doors and windows closed then you may heat up. Being raised off the ground provides extra ventilation too.
Q – Does moisture build up inside?
A – In cold weather and with windows shut some moisture can form. We recommend having side windows open slightly if moisture is forming.
Q- Can the roof top tent be mounted on the top of a ute canopy?
A - The majority of modern ute canopies are a fibreglass shell. We do not recommend mounting our tents directly to a fibreglass roof canopy without some other type of structural support e.g. an metal inner bracing system. If you think your canopy would stand up to the weight, feel free to give us a call to discuss.
Q - When setting up my roof racks, what is the minimum and maximum distance between the two roof racks?
A – If you are running the roof top tent off the side of your vehicle, the maximum distance between your roof racks is 1200mm and the minimum distance is 800mm. With the ideal distance being around 1000mm. If you are running the roof top tent off the back of your vehicle, the maximum distance between your roof racks is 1000mm and the minimum distance is 700mm. With the ideal distance being around 900mm. This is not concrete and can be adjusted to suit your vehicle's roof rack set up. If it's looking like it's not going to fall within these dimensions not too worry as we can modify the tent to make things work.