Autohome Maggiolina Airlander Plus Roof Top Tent
RRP:
Unit price per
Check with Adventure Merchants for stock availability before purchasing.
We can also supply and install roof racks from Rhino Rack, Front Runner & Yakima, as well as a huge range of other accessories for your vehicle.
Freight fees may apply.
Autohome Maggiolina
Autohome's Maggiolina is perhaps the most iconic hard-shell roof top tent ever. A controlled and stable opening mechanism paired with light weight fiberglass construction.
What we like
Trying to decide between the boxy shape of the Airtop or the Maggi, and the Columbus? We've used both the boxy tents (Maggi & Airtop) and the Columbus extensively and honestly it's hard to decide. The boxy space is really nice - overall there is a little more volume than in the Columbus but it feels very cozy. If you want to top and tail with some kids then it's easier; we've often slept one adult and two kids in a 1300 wide Maggi.
The Maggiolina Range
The Maggi range is broad and comes in a variety of styles and colours. Ask us about ordering a Grand Tour, which has more volume in the shell and extra height internally, or the Extreme which has a roof rack built into the top shell with a load capacity of 25kg. The Maggi also comes in a 2300mm long option if you need the extra length. We don't stock all of these but are more than happy to make special orders with the factory in Italy.
Opening the Maggiolina
The Maggi uses a winding handle to operate a worm-drive which in turn controls a large scissor mechanism. German hardware, beautifully made and reliable. Winding up the tent takes about half a minute. It's very controlled and when the tent is up it's very rigid and stable in high wind.
Heritage
Manufactured in Italy since 1958, Autohome patented the first roof top tent. Since then the tents have been continuously refined and improved, from the stitching and fastenings to the sandwich construction of the fibreglass shells. The architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe famously said God is in the details - an idiom felt literally when aiming for a good nights sleep on a roof in a desert.
100% Fibreglass shells handmade by precision craftsmen
Fibreglass is the natural material for a roof top tent. Compared with aluminium it is about half the weight (per cubic cm), easily repairable, expands and contracts a lot less, does not conduct heat and cold, has a waaaaay higher tensile strength to weight ratio, and does not corrode. Hey, aluminium is great for a dingy or a 1995 Cannondale but you won't find it in the Sydney to Hobart........Fibreglass does the job great, and for the camper who has everything, give us a ring about the Autohome Carbon Fibre range.
Gel coat
All Autohome tents use a Gelcoat paint system; the colour pigment is not painted on top but impregnated into the fibreglass resin resulting in a super-tough and lasting material resistant to UV, heat, salty water and salty air. We've seen 40 year old Autohome tents with shells that look brand new.
Breathable Fabric & Condensation Management
Check out this great lab test comparing the use of truly breathable fabric vs impermeable fabric in terms of condensation management.
Stitching
Stitching is very important - there should be as little as possible - the fewer stitches the better, with a fine and strong thread. At the base of the tent the fabric should not be stitched as this is where water can seep through - Autohome tents have a water-shedding fabric fold at the base fixed using a proprietary spring-steel clip. This also means tent canvases can be removed from the shells for repair.
Insulated roofs and bases
The insulated Autohome roof uses an air-gap in combination with an insulating Alveolar panel and an internal foam layer. It's very quiet and there's just no condensation on the there whatsoever.
Tent bases use a sandwich construction with a high R-value rigid foam insulation moulded into the fibre-glass base, with integrated fixing channels.
Mattress & pillows
Autohome® mattresses are of the highest quality and have a density of 25-30 kg/m³. Even pillows are provided! Removable 100% cotton covers, made in Italy. Ask us about the under-mattress air circulation mat :)
Ladder
Autohome® ladders are the best out there bar none. Very light, with an excellently designed retention clip. They come with a bag so that the ladder can be stored cleanly inside the tent. Clip them to the edge of the tent or the edge of your roof rack. Every time we use them we utter 'jeez these ladders are nicely made'/ Sweet-as.
Included:
Osram LED touch-controlled lamp, 4 standard attachment clamps, midge-proof mosquito-netting, anti-condensation roof and base insulation, 1 mattress and 2-3-4 pillows, 1 standard length height adjustable alloy ladder, elastic straps assist in folding the fabric when closing.
Longer 4x4 and Extra-long ladders are available at a small additional cost, as are a selection of wider clamps to suit different roof bar widths.