If you have any other questions or queries then don’t hesitate to email us here or phone us on 1300 369 270.
- Roof top or ground tent?
- Why go for Hannibal roof top tent?
- How does it stand up to extreme weather?
- Who can install my Hannibal tent?
- Will a Hannibal tent fit my existing roof rack?
- What should I do with my tent between trips?
- How do I store a Hannibal tent?
- While travelling can I pack away my tent when it is wet?
- Do I need to reproof the canvas of a Hannibal tent?
- What options can I have with my tent?
- How heavy is a Hannibal tent?
- Why is Dynaproofed Canvas so good?
- Do I need to wet the canvas on a new Hannibal tent?
- How do I clean my Hannibal tent?
- What are the standard tent sizes?
- What size is the mattress?
- Is there a ‘luxury’ mattress?
- What is the purpose of the fly sheet?
What are the main advantages of a roof top tent over a ground tent?
The main advantages of a roof top tent over a ground tent are:
- Setting up and packing away is very fast. It takes just a few minutes. Watch the video to see how quick it is to set up a Hannibal roof top tent.
- Bedding stays in the roof top tent. This saves space in your vehicle and keeps your bedding clean and dry.
- Because the roof top tent stays on your roof rack, it takes up no space inside your vehicle, leaving room for other equipment.
- Roof top tents stay cleaner than ground tents. Dirt and dust tends to stay at ground level.
- Roof top tents are drier. When it rains there’s no danger of them becoming flooded.
- Roof top tents are cooler in warm weather because they catch the slightest breeze.
- Roof top tents are warmer in cold weather because they are insulated from the ground.
- Roof top tents keep you off the ground and away from reptiles, insects and other wildlife.
- Because roof top tents stay on your roof rack, there’s no requirement to move heavy weights to and from your vehicle.
- Roof top tents use only part of your roof rack. This allows space for a spare tyre, storage cases or jerry cans should you need it.
- And lastly, a roof top tent provides a great view.
Why should I buy a Hannibal roof top tent?
It’s all to do with quality:
- Hannibal roof top tents are made for use in hot climates like Australia. Their design incorporates large screened windows and doorways to encourage excellent air flow whilst providing total protection from annoying insects.
- Hannibal tents are constructed on a marine ply base with stainless steel fittings and an aluminium frame for light weight and strength. Nothing will rust.
- Hannibal tents are made from 380 gram Polyamide rip stop Dynaproofed cotton canvas. This quality material resists snags and tears. In the unlikely event of damage, it is easily repaired. It provides significantly greater insulation than lesser materials such as nylon. It also ‘breathes’ which reduces any chance of condensation.
- Hannibal tents are equipped with a separate, removable flysheet that provides protection from the weather. This flysheet has its own separate ridge pole mounted above the tent to ensure air flows between the two layers providing cooling when it’d hot and insulation when it’s cold.
- Hannibal tents come with a full 3 year warranty. You can be sure that in the unlikely event of a problem occurring, it will be sorted out with the minimum of fuss.
- Existing owners are enthusiastic about their Hannibal tents. Just ask one of them!
How well do Hannibal tents handle extreme weather conditions?
The short answer is ‘very well’.
- Hannibal tents use Australian made 380gram Polyamide Dynaproofed rip stop cotton canvas. This is one of the highest quality canvas materials available and has a proven track record in providing a waterproof breathable canvas. It means that when it rains a Hannibal tent will not sweat and will keep the rain out, even during tropical downpours.
- All seams are sealed with bees wax to prevent water ingress through the stitching.
- Tent fly sheets and walls are made from 210 Denier, rip stop Oxford Nylon. This material is coated to improve its waterproofing.
- Hannibal tents stand up well to high winds. We’ve received many reports from customers who have experienced bad weather and have been impressed with just how well their tent has performed.
Who can install my Hannibal tent?
It’s reasonably straight forward providing you have a suitable roof bar, roof rack or frame to mount the tent onto.
- Installation can be arranged through any of our dealers or at our main site at Tingalpa in Queensland. Alternatively you can install your tent yourself. It’s reasonably straight forward providing you have a solid flat roof rack. Note that for some roof racks and roof bars, special fittings may be required. Please ask us about your own specific requirements.
- Hannibal recommends our purpose-built flat deck roof racks which fit most popular vehicles.
- Hannibal recommends a Harken Hoister to assist in lifting the tent. Visit www.harken.com.au for more information.
Can I fit a Hannibal tent to my existing roof rack?
Yes, it is of course essential that your roof rack and vehicle roof rating is strong enough to take the weight of the roof top tent. Commercial channel bars like Rhino, Thule or Rolla are fine. Modifications may be required to some traditional roof racks that incorporate a top rail. Hannibal Safari also provide a range slimline flat deck roof racks to suit a number of popular vehicles. Check the Hannibal Roof Racks page.
What should I do with my tent between trips?
Your Hannibal tent packs away into a weatherproof cover and can safely be left on your vehicle. However, should you want to remove it, that’s easy to do by undoing just four nuts.
A good way to store your tent is to hoist it into the ceiling of your garage, carport or shed. Alternatively, you’ll need a couple of people to help lift it off.
How should I store my tent if it’s not being used?
Firstly, it is very important to ensure that your tent is dry before storage.
It is also important to ensure that air can circulate around your Hannibal tent when it is stored. You should not store it directly on a concrete floor but place it on wooden blocks. No other special requirements are necessary.
A good way to store your Hannibal tent is to hoist it into the ceiling of your garage, carport or shed.
Before using your tent again, it is a good idea to set it up and let air circulate through it for a few hours to freshen it up.
From time to time it is advised that you should open your tent allow it to vent.
While travelling can I pack away my tent when it is wet?
Yes. One of the advantages of a Hannibal tent is that it is designed to fold away, even if it is wet. When you open it again the inside will still be dry. This is due to the quality and manner in which the Dynaproofed fabric is manufactured.
Hannibal advises that if your tent should not be stored for long periods when it is wet. This is to prevent the growth of mildew, mould etc.
Do I need to reproof the canvas of a Hannibal tent?
This is dependent upon how much your tent has been used. We have customers that have travelled for 12 months or more using the tent every day and they still find that it is as waterproof as the first day that it was installed.
If you do reproof the canvas you should use Dynaproofed Reproof.
You can also run a block of beeswax around the seams to revitalise the seam protection. All Hannibal tents are supplied with a stick of beeswax for this purpose.
What options can I have with my tent?
- Fly sheets (classic or jumbo). The jumbo extends the tent flysheet over the ladder providing extra protection from the weather
- Walls, either four sides with a built in floor or three sides. Walls have built-in doors, windows and insect screens. Complete sides can also be opened to increase the area of shade.
- Interior LED lighting
- Exterior lighting to illuminate under the tent (very useful when walls are installed)
- Fitted sheet and pillow cases
- Handles to aid entry to the tent
Contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
How heavy is a Hannibal tent?
Hannibal tents are made in five standard sizes. The approximate weight (without additional bedding) is shown here:
Full tent specifications can be found here.
The Impi roof top tent weighs 63 kilograms (139 pounds).
Why is Dynaproofed Canvas so good?
The Dynaproofing process during manufacture and ensures that the chemical formulation penetrates fully into the yarns of the base fabric. It is not just coated like cheaper materials. Penetration is achieved by fully immersing the fabric into a bath and then ‘squeezing’ the formulation into the fibres. This allows the fabric to “breathe” as the woven base fabric is not sealed by the coating.
Dynaproofing guarantees that every batch of canvas is produced to the same standard and is completely waterproof.
Dynaproofing is resistant to degradation from harmful ultra-violet light and from bacteria, algae and fungi growth.
Although Dynaproofed canvas is waterproof, it ‘breathes’ allowing air to circulate which reduces the possibility of condensation forming inside the tent
Read more about Dynaproofing here.
Do I need to wet the canvas on a new Hannibal tent?
Whilst not essential, Hannibal advises that new tents should be ‘seasoned’ by thoroughly wetting and drying a couple of times. This ensures that the seams and fibre ends fully seal as the material shrinks slightly.
How do I clean my Hannibal tent?
Hannibal tents should be cleaned using only cold water. A brush can be used to remove heavy soiling. Do not use chemicals, soap or detergents. After cleaning, it’s a good idea to rub beeswax on the seams.
What are the standard tent sizes?
Hannibal roof top tents are made in various sizes to suit your requirements. When fully set up tents have these basic dimensions (excludes flysheet):
Full tent specifications can be found here.
Hannibal also make the Impi roof top tent. When set up, it is 2.2 metres long, 1.3 metres wide 1.5 metres high.
What size is the mattress?
Mattresses fully fit Hannibal tents. They are 75mm thick and to allow folding, are in two parts. Full tent specifications can be found here.
The Impi mattress is 1.4 metres x 2.4 metres.
Is there a ‘luxury’ mattress?
Yes. The standard mattress is a single piece of high density foam which is comfortable and provides a firm base. The luxury mattress comprises a sheet of high density foam onto which is bonded a sheet of special foam that shapes according to the form of the person lying on it.
Standard and luxury mattresses are both 60mm thick.
What is the purpose of the fly sheet?
The fly sheet has two main uses:
- It deflects rain from the tent.
- It forms an air pocket that provides and insulation barrier between the fly sheet and the tent. This barrier reduces direct heat from the sun transferring into the tent. Similarly, in cold weather, it reduces heat loss from the tent.