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Oz-first electric roof-top tent
Queensland-built roof-top tent comes with lithium power and remote control convenienceA Queensland camping specialist has released a new hard-shell, roof-top tent with optional remote-controlled opening and closing mechanism.
While not the first electric rooftop tent (South Africa’s Bundutec offers one) and not the first electric roof-top tent released by an Australian company (OzTent offered a fold-out electric tent for a brief period), the BackTrax Sports Utility roof-top tent is the first, electric-operated hard-shell roof tent designed and built in Australia and comes packed with clever features.
“I lived in a (European-built) Maggiolina for two and a half years full time, travelling around the world and we previously sold the (South African) James Baroud for five years, and I’ve tried to integrate the best of everything plus my experience, into the (BackTrax),” explained SEQ Campers’ James Cockburn.
Externally, the folded-up BackTrax measures 2150mm x 1460mm x 380mm and is designed to fit on the roof racks of most larger 4WD vehicles.
With the roof raised, internal space is 1400mm by 2120mm so it can accommodate two large adults, with a decent roof height of 1080mm.
It has a lightweight vacuum infused fibreglass shell, with an Australian-made 110mm mattress comprising 80mm high density foam with raised ‘egg shell’ on top for comfort.
The canvas sides are a UV-stable PU-coated nylon fabric, available in two colours: white and graphite grey.
There are window or door openings on all four sides, with window flaps that roll up rather than down so the flap can be easily adjusted inside or out, for privacy.
A clever combination of midge mesh for the front and back windows, and mosquito mesh for the left and right, means airflow can always be generated regardless of the bug situation.
The tent comes with roof rack brackets, a telescopic ladder, and has hand-grips built into the tent base. Roof racks can also be fitted on top of the hard shell, to carry surfboards or similar items up to 18kg in weight.
A small, optional awning is available that can be fitted on either the passenger or driver’s side, and can be left attached when travelling.
The company is working on a pulley system so the unit can be stored in a garage ceiling, and also collaborating with OzTent on the production of some drop-down sides for the awning.
The base manual unit takes about 40 seconds to crank open or shut, with the remote controlled version, which has four arms operated by electric actuators, taking about the same time.
The automatic model is powered by an in-built lithium battery, which also powers the small internal fan and lights. Other features include an Ipad holder and Bluetooth speaker.
“The 18Ah battery will charge your iPhone, laptop or iPad and it’s one of those batteries that will jumpstart your vehicle in emergencies,” he said.
The removable battery can be charged by the 25W solar panel fitted, or via an Anderson plug or the vehicle’s cigarette lighter. There’s also a manual over-ride function if the electric mechanism fails.
“We also have a patent pending fixing mechanism on the canvas so potentially down the track if you tore it or wore it out or didn’t like the colour, it will take two minutes to unzip it and two minutes to put on a new skin,” he said.
The unit weighs 59kg but the company is working on a new slimline version which would shed about 5kg. It’s also working on a faster electric mechanism that would halve set-up time to around 25 seconds.
Pricing starts at $4495 for the manual Ascent Lite with the Ascent Pro automatic model costing $5395.
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Written byChris Fincham
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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