Anyone ever used the "Jeep Tent" on a Libby?

rescu2000 · **Posted:** Tue May 13, 2008 4:11 pm

I camp out a lot and wondered how well people liked the Jeep Tent that attaches to the jeep. If you have ever used it, I have a few questions:
1) can you open the lift gate with the jeep attached?
2) can you leave the gate open while attached?
3) how does it seal at the top?
4) will a roof basket (Mopar style or otherwise) interfere with it sealing?
5) does it clear the exhaust? (Not that I'll have the jeep running while in the tent)
6) how much of a hassle is it to disconnect, drive off, back into, and reconnect?

I'm really looking from feedback from someone who either has used one or has firsthand experience seeing one.
Thanks guys,
Rescu2000

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Tue May 13, 2008 6:03 pm

1) can you open the lift gate with the jeep attached? - yes
2) can you leave the gate open while attached? - yes
3) how does it seal at the top? - internal bungy cords like a bed sheet as well as some straps. The connection at the top of the jeep is simple enough, the connection at the bottom goes below the bumper, up into the rear wheel well and that area is what locks the bottom portion of the opening in place. The opening has an internal bungee cord to stay on the jeep. So any crap you have on your jeep is now on the tent. I wasn't a fan of that.
4) will a roof basket (Mopar style or otherwise) interfere with it sealing? - this will not help, but I'm sure you'll be able to figure something out
5) does it clear the exhaust? (Not that I'll have the jeep running while in the tent) - nope, you'd die after a while.
6) how much of a hassle is it to disconnect, drive off, back into, and reconnect? - depends. If you need a beer and you wait for your friend to finish his first so he can get you one then it's a pain. If you're OK getting the beer on your own it's not so bad. Set it up at night, sleep. undoor it in the day, drive around and then set up again. no biggie. multiple trips and yes, it'd be a pain.

The tent in general will make a great summer tent. Almost the entire roof of the tent is a mesh screen. The rain jacket looks like it will have a few areas that might contact the tent. I think more strap areas are needed to keep the rain tarp off the tent. The tent I have is would not act as a shelter at all in cold weather even with the rain cover on it. If I get stuck camping in the rain I would be worried that the rain tarp will leak after a while if it rests against the tent.

The main compartment can sleep 4 no worries, 5 snug (maybe even 6 if you really wanted to.) That main compartment has 2 doors with screens and full closures. One side is the front, the other side opens up into the section that would conect to the jeep. That portion is a serperate compartment from the main tent could seep 1 more if you wanted to - when set up to the jeep they would be pretty much enclosed but they might get a few more bugs since there is no way to completely seal it off. If it is not set up to the Jeep it really can't be used at all. When it is fully set up you could just unzip the back door and now you have one giant compartment front the front to the jeep.

I bought the tent b/c my wife thinks there are bears in Long Island and at night in the park of NYC. So having the tent connected to the jeep makes it an easy security blanket/escape hatch. It also make it easy to keep your bags in the car and not need to put on all your clothing to grab something from the car. I bought it on E-bay for about $100 and I think it's a great deal. New I heard they were $500. At that price I'd say there are a lot better options out there.

There is one other person on this site who has the same one I have and he has pictures. I forget who it is though. Good luck!

Signcutter21 · **Posted:** Wed May 14, 2008 6:38 pm

sorry dont have any pics either, but echo pretty much what Scooby said.

I haven't used mine in a couple years. It's pretty large and takes two people to set up. So for a one or two night trip by myself, it's too much of a hassle. When you're planning camping for a few days it's not bad. Plenty of room in it. I was ableto put a blow up queen matteress and there was still room for suit cases and such on the side. It was not a problem for standing up in either.

rescu2000 · **Posted:** Wed May 14, 2008 7:24 pm

Thanks for the feedback. I would like to kinda sum up and you guys tell me if I am right on...
1) It is a decent tent, with lots of room.
2) The roof rack WILL be somewhat of an issue if I want a good seal
3) The tent does not seal completely around the vehicle, which can allow bugs in.
4) The Lift gate can remain open.
and... most importantely, if I'm reading between the lines right...
5) The idea of attaching it to the vehicle is probably better in theory than it is in application.

I think I will keep an eye on craigslist, but I won't invest a lot in it. I currently have a 9X17' that has three rooms. Each room is big enough for an air matress. I really liked the idea of connecting the Jeep to it for added storage/security, convenience and a bad weaher shelter. But, the jeep would probably have gear in it anyway, which negates the extra room. And if it is a ain in the butt to connect and disconnect a lot, I probably wouldn't connect it anyway. We usually use the tent as a "basecamp" and explore the area from there, often in the Jeep.

Bottom line - I see them sometimes on Craigslist for $50 to $100. If I see another, I'll get it for that. Otherwise, I'll stick with what I have.

Thanks very much for the information! It helped.
Rescu2000

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu May 15, 2008 12:07 pm

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu May 15, 2008 12:17 pm

I always thought one would be cool to have but then seen aguy with one come back to camp and trying to reattach it back up a litle put it up more, back up some more etc, looked like a pain. I think a nice tent with a 10 x 10 canopy with 2 sides on it would work just about as well, have the canopy sit up next to the tent , back the KJ up to the canopy and mostly all covered then
Problem is my canopy is not high enough for the Jeep now :cry:

its one of those with the frame that folds all up real easy but only 6 ' something high, top of rack makes it too high anymore

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu May 15, 2008 11:43 pm

Its kinda 'neat.' Its not exactly a rough weather tent as Ive had it in rain and its by all means not 'heavy rain proof.' I had it under some really tall trees and the drops off the trees would make a fine mist inside the tent when they hit. Ive since coated it all in that rain repellent stuff but Ive not had it out since.

If you want it just b/c its neat or b/c you really like it then its an ok tent. Dont get it if you think its a really good tent and plan on taking the family out camping in the rain.

501 · **Posted:** Thu May 15, 2008 11:52 pm

tommudd wrote:

I always thought one would be cool to have but then seen aguy with one come back to camp and trying to reattach it back up a litle put it up more, back up some more etc, looked like a pain. I think a nice tent with a 10 x 10 canopy with 2 sides on it would work just about as well, have the canopy sit up next to the tent , back the KJ up to the canopy and mostly all covered then
Problem is my canopy is not high enough for the Jeep now :cry:

its one of those with the frame that folds all up real easy but only 6 ' something high, top of rack makes it too high anymore

That thing is under 6' high, I kept hitting my head on the bottom of the frame!! :lol:

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Thu May 15, 2008 11:53 pm

personally, I dont bother with a tent, I just sleep right in the back, makes life easier.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Fri May 16, 2008 12:41 am

I found them on ebay for 200 bucks buy it now

i'll tell you that a full sized blow up mattress fits very nicely in the back of the kk

now i just need to find a woman that likes to fish and wheel :twisted:

sorry to high jack the thread

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri May 16, 2008 12:59 am

Diggerfreek wrote:

I found them on ebay for 200 bucks buy it now

i'll tell you that a full sized blow up mattress fits very nicely in the back of the kk

now i just need to find a woman that likes to fish and wheel :twisted:

sorry to high jack the thread

Sorry because you need a woman to fish and wheel with or just sorry :lol:

but if a blow up mattress fits will a blow up doll fit just the same :roll:

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Fri May 16, 2008 1:22 am

wow...i opened my self up for that one :roll:

but to answer a question with a question, how does one fit in a kj :?:

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Fri May 16, 2008 2:59 am

Diggerfreek wrote:

wow...i opened my self up for that one :roll:

but to answer a question with a question, how does one fit in a kj :?:

Since the seats don't really "fold flat" you tend to put your head towards the front of the vehicle, which means you then need to put gear down to buildup your head area.

The tie-downs for the carseat then start to annoy you.

Generally though if your like me at 5'9" you wont have quite enough room to stretch out, which is ok since I sleep on my sides.

for sure it can be kinda cramped, but it makes for a quick setup and tear down for camp. Get to where you need to sleep, climb in the back, and crash(good for road trips).

Or when camping throw your gear on the hood, climp in, and sleep, then in the morning throw your gear back inside.

for me its the only way to car camp, been doing it that way for years. Your inside safe, dry, and warm. If it gets too cold, start the jeep and run the heater.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri May 16, 2008 9:13 am

Or just build a flat expandable deck like mine push the seats forward and you have 5'9" of space to sleep, works great

rescu2000 · **Posted:** Fri May 16, 2008 9:33 am

For that matter, just get one of those roof tents... :lol:

JDaPP · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2008 4:49 pm

I have had 2 different of these types of tents. I had one that was by sportz dome (I think) it was for a mid size suv (approx 10x10, cost $169) it was awesome. Was a good cold wx/rain tent, but I mostly used it for storage/dog as me and the old lady slept in the liberty. My wife wanted a bigger tent so I bought the liberty one off of ebay for $190. I echo pretty much everything listed already. I like it because I can have everything in one enclosed area, I can sleep in the liberty and then exit into the tent if the wx is crappy. As far as connection I usually disconnected in the morning, drove and then waited until right before dark to connect it back. Took me about 10 minutes to connect or disconnect.

Anyone ever used the "Jeep Tent" on a Libby?

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