Where to fit gazelle T4 tent.

[e.alleg]

I love my Gazelle T4 tent. If you know you know the thing is long. It fits in my Bronco with the seat folded, but that's not ideal for my dog. Was thinking a rooftop carrier to keep it out of the wind/weather, or getting molle headliner panels and strapping it to that. What do you think?

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[KABQ]

I love my Gazelle T4 tent. If you know you know the thing is long. It fits in my Bronco with the seat folded, but that's not ideal for my dog. Was thinking a rooftop carrier to keep it out of the wind/weather, or getting molle headliner panels and strapping it to that. What do you think?

I run my fishing rods along the inside of the roof for the same reason. I don't have experience with the molle headliner panels, but they all look sturdy enough to carry some weight. I don't see why that wouldn't work.

 

[CalvinT]

Gazelle tents do take up a lot of space. And Gazelle does not offer a carrier other than the duffle bag it comes with. I have a T3X Hub Overland and don't want to carry it in my Bronco because it takes up too much room.

There are a couple of options. American Adventure Labs makes what they call Sleeper Keeper. They're a cradle for mounting large tents on a rack. But it doesn't add weather protection for the duffel bag. If you have a jig saw or access to a band saw you can make your own out of wood.

I'm thinking of using 10 inch beaded metal A/C duct. It has roughly the same cross section area as the box my tent came in. I can also get end caps and a 10 in to 12 transition to make it easier to stuff the tent in the duct. I also need to make a couple of cradles to support the duct so it doesn't get crushed by hold down straps.

For your tent you'd probably need a 12 inch duct.

 

[Robs]

I love my Gazelle T4 tent. If you know you know the thing is long. It fits in my Bronco with the seat folded, but that's not ideal for my dog. Was thinking a rooftop carrier to keep it out of the wind/weather, or getting molle headliner panels and strapping it to that. What do you think?

I agree with KBAQ. Mine fits nicely along the passenger wall up high toward the roof. Dog is in a crate in the back so no issues

 

[KJSnider]

I'm waiting for my American Adventure Lab Sleeper Keeper that I ordered from them to put up on the roof rack. Yeah, the tent is about 5'4". And I have a 2 door.. so stuff if being allocated to the top.

 

[CalvinT]

Has anyone driven in the rain with a Gazelle on top? I'm wondering how well the duffle bag keeps the tent dry.

 

[e.alleg]

Has anyone driven in the rain with a Gazelle on top? I'm wondering how well the duffle bag keeps the tent dry.

I can tell you my tent duffle is pretty well worn out from riding in the back of my pickup which is pretty well protected. I don't think it will do well out in the direct wind. They make a heavier duty duffle I have the standard orange one.

 

[Audiomate]

Two years of exploration driving around with my gazelle up on the roof rack. So far no issues. I talked to Gazelle and their bag is water resistant, as long as you keep the zippers facing down. But I’m aware that the bag will wear out faster this way and I am good with that. Eventually I will get my buddy from Adventure Trail Gear to make a custom waterproof bag for it.
Before the Bronco I used to place it inside my jeep behind the front passengers seat, it looked like a dead corpse wrapped around a bag because it would sit straight between the front and rear seats lol

 

[Gene Dios]

I had the Ford /tuffy cargo enclosure in back. The top creates a platform. From there I have a cargo net I can hook up when camping. The net goes from this 'platform' to the back of the front head rests. My t4 sits on top at this upper height which allows me to use the cargo space and folded back seat space for other things. Might still be too low for your dog though.

 

[jofer]

Works great on top, even in a 2-door with a half rack. The AAL sleeper keeper is nice, but definitely not needed. You can strap it down easily without it.

I've never had any issues with it getting too wet when driving in the rain with it on the roof. I do have the heavier bag and I would never leave it up there permanently, though. It may get a touch damp, but if you're setting it up that night, it doesn't get wet enough to be an issue. If you were to leave it packed for weeks after having it on the top in a rainstorm, I'd be worried about mildew

 

[HoosierSquatch]

I run my fishing rods along the inside of the roof for the same reason. I don't have experience with the molle headliner panels, but they all look sturdy enough to carry some weight. I don't see why that wouldn't work.

How do you store your rods?

 

[KABQ]

How do you store your rods?

 

[pillio35]

I love my Gazelle T4 tent. If you know you know the thing is long. It fits in my Bronco with the seat folded, but that's not ideal for my dog. Was thinking a rooftop carrier to keep it out of the wind/weather, or getting molle headliner panels and strapping it to that. What do you think?

Reviving from the dead, but have you tried mounting it inside this way? I have 2 passengers that sit in the back, and I have an emergency wooden sleeping platform that lays against the backseats so I'd rather not fold down any seats.

 

[Camp Hell Yeah.]

I might get this and throw it up on the roof.

Amazon.com: Extra Large Waterproof Duffel Bag - Heavy Duty Fishing Gear Bag - Outdoor Travel, Camping, Kayaking, Gym Bag with Reinforced Straps & Anti-Slip Base (60"L x20"H x25"W) : Sports & Outdoors

 

[e.alleg]

Reviving from the dead, but have you tried mounting it inside this way? I have 2 passengers that sit in the back, and I have an emergency wooden sleeping platform that lays against the backseats so I'd rather not fold down any seats.

I just put it up on the roof rack. I will do a review of the Gazelle T4 tent. 1st off I ordered a green one on Amazon and they sent me an orange one. I called Amazon and to see what we can do because I was leaving in 2 days for a camping trip and they simply gave me my money back and told me to keep it. I have had it 4 years now. I mostly camp at State/National forest primitive campsites (dispersed), and at state park sites. Also camped on BLM land out west.

Here's the deal with the T4. This tent is very heavy and bulky. If your campsite is more than 1000' from your car and you don't have a good cart or wagon you will hate it. It also doesn't fit inside the Bronco very well, so that big heavy bag needs to go overhead. That's the only negative. It's a big negative, maybe a deal breaker for some, and must be taken into consideration.

Positive side is the tent is very easy to set up and put away. A few minutes at most. It really is stupid easy. Zero frustration. The bag it comes in holds up to rooftop driving. I mostly camp with my pickup but the Gazelle has seen over 1000 miles on the Bronco roof. I try to protect it from flapping with my other junk so I'm very conscious of it not taking a full frontal attack.

It is a large spacious tent for 2 people and a St Bernard dog. You can stand up in it. Tons of windows for ventilation. Zippers are holding up well. Factory water repellent still going strong after well over 100 nights in it. Rain fly very easy to deploy.

The frame and fabric are very durable. The folding mechanisms appear cheap and look fragile but they proved very durable. The base is replaceable but I have a st Bernard and he hasn't ruined it yet. I camp at rustic rocky stick laden forest sites and only have a couple small puncture holes in the base that I simply taped. The bright orange has faded quite a bit but that's a good thing.

I camped in Texas and a tornado came through 1/2 mile from us. We had to tie the sides to my truck and the sun shelter to keep it from collapsing. Winds over 80mph will collapse the sides. But that was a rare event. Another time I camped at Seneca Rocks WV and there were severe thunderstorms and the tent held up fine. Again we had to tie off the sides. It was absolutely brutal. On a side note I do not recommend camping in stormy weather, but when having to choose between a tent or the truck with the dog the tent always wins.

Overall I am extremely impressed with this tent. My other tent is a Eureka 2 man with poles that I had since like 1984. The T4 is faster, easier, and more comfortable, certainly dryer, and more durable. But its not a backpack tent and never will be.

We camp a lot and meet a lot of people and I'd say the T4 is probably the best tent you can buy for car camping. I haven't seen anything comparable in a freestanding tent. Notwithstanding it was free to me, it's worth the $400 if you are going to use it. I see they make some better versions for roof rack use, I'd probably spend the extra for that version. Regarding the Orange color its really not that bad. Out west in the rocks and desert it fits right in. It also fits in here during the fall. I don't hate it.

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