Member Since: 14 Oct 2013
Location: 'Sunny' Zomerset
Posts: 9402
Can I cut a hatch in my Roof Tent
So sat here, after having got wet clmbing outside the RT to get some snacks, and it got me thinking.......The RT is 2.4 x 2.4 when opened, and most of the time only 2 of us using it. I have a downstairs extension, but ladders are outside, so you climb out into the elements every morning.
At present, we have 2 x double mattresses, one of which is folded in two, leaving quite a bit of space on the floor.
Click image to enlarge
So I was thinking, could I cut a square hatch in the floor, then put a couple of hinges on it, and move one of my two ladders from the outside, and position it just under the hatch. This would then mean that we could enter the RT from iside/downstairs using the hatch.
Would there be enough strength in the tent to do this?
A Howling moon touring extention is at least £1500 against a bit of drilling and a bit of Jigsaw work.
Perhaps these are just the ramblings of a madman, but would appreciate your thoughts Iggy/Ieuan
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You need the two ladders to support the RT, but I guess you could add a third, but then the hatch would need to be a fair size Altox GSM FBH controller thread
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29th Mar 2015 9:21 pm
Iguana
Member Since: 14 Oct 2013
Location: 'Sunny' Zomerset
Posts: 9402
Are you alling me ‘FAT‘ ?????
Wouldn‘t the inside ladder offer the same level of support? I suppose I could always add someting outside to replace the ladderIggy/Ieuan
Current LR =
2015 RR Sport Autobiography
&
1992 Land Rover Defender Camper
- Gone but not forgotten:
MY10 D4 GS
MY05 Disco 3 'S'
MY14 FL2 HSE manual in Blue
MY15 Disco 4 HSE Lux in Santorini Black
MY08 Disco 3 SE manual in Buck Blue
1960 Series 2 88" (No idea why I sold it!)
29th Mar 2015 9:48 pm
motolite
Member Since: 18 Mar 2013
Location: Sydney
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Member Since: 26 Oct 2012
Location: Bristol
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At first I thought your had clearly finished that bottle of wine and were but.......
I still think it is a bit crazy but........
Interesting idea and I quite like it as a solution for not having the 'tourer' extension to allow dry transition. The base is only ply wood so if you made a hatch that could be sealed and latched from the inside (to prevent it from opening whe you folded the tent) I would not see why it would not be a crazy but viable possibility. But would be a third ladder I think as Greg says support is key
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30th Mar 2015 12:38 am
DiscoJake
Member Since: 23 Aug 2013
Location: Hereford
Posts: 1429
That's a good idea also the ladder yes the frame is the support as well you could always put a pole up inside to help support i have though about this with the tent i have yes go for itHome of RLD Hidden winch mounts Spare wheel Locks Trailer Body Fabrication ray@rld-tech.co.uk D3/4 sump plates MY 14 sump plates and the Discovery Sport wheel protectors Discovery 5 wheel locks
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30th Mar 2015 9:16 am
woody32 Site Sponsor
Member Since: 11 Mar 2009
Location: Somerset
Posts: 3551
Here is some instructions to put up if you do put a pole up inside I can just imagine you coming down for breakfast
Click image to enlarge
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30th Mar 2015 2:07 pm
stew 46
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as he sings along to tom jones -------------------------------------------------
if you cant hold on dont let go , it ill come in handy for something even if you never use it.
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30th Mar 2015 2:33 pm
Iceman08
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
P1DNC wrote:
Iggy,
Have you been drinking ?
or are you just going stir crazy being stuck in that tent all day ?
Eating dog treats will do that to you
30th Mar 2015 2:44 pm
Iguana
Member Since: 14 Oct 2013
Location: 'Sunny' Zomerset
Posts: 9402
2nd night, tonight has involved 4 pints in local pub (My brother joined us), then back to tent, follwed by 2 bottles of merlot and now some Penderyn.........................pouring down again, but I still think the hatch will work.....need some more thinking time (without any alcohol )
by the way Woddy, can you please post more pics Iggy/Ieuan
Current LR =
2015 RR Sport Autobiography
&
1992 Land Rover Defender Camper
- Gone but not forgotten:
MY10 D4 GS
MY05 Disco 3 'S'
MY14 FL2 HSE manual in Blue
MY15 Disco 4 HSE Lux in Santorini Black
MY08 Disco 3 SE manual in Buck Blue
1960 Series 2 88" (No idea why I sold it!)
The hatch will work the more i think i am going to do it to my 1.6 one but i have a spare ladder so i can leave one still on the out side and one inside Home of RLD Hidden winch mounts Spare wheel Locks Trailer Body Fabrication ray@rld-tech.co.uk D3/4 sump plates MY 14 sump plates and the Discovery Sport wheel protectors Discovery 5 wheel locks
more Helsport tents and other things for camping Law of Mechanical Repair:
"After your hands are coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee!"
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
but.......
I can just imagine you coming down for breakfast 
