HHR getting ready for the adventure

[Roamer1954]

I have an HHR and it will have to do... there is actually a lot of room inside. I am planning to get a roof tent. that is if I can climb up to it  
Does anyone have some recommendations regarding that set up...I would appreciate any feedback. Thx

 

[highdesertranger]

remember with a RTT(Roof Top Tent) you can't move your vehicle without breaking camp. that is a major compliant form the users over at Expedition Portal. with a ground tent you don't have that problem. highdesertranger

 

[GypsyJan]

Some SUV tents can be detached from the vehicle and stand alone....I have yet to try to reattach mine, though!

 

[michaelwnoakes]

I started in an HHR Panel, I made a shelf similar to a coffee table with legs in the back to put my gear on. I could fold the passenger seat forward and put my feet under the shelf to sleep. I'm 6'3 and fit ok. Fortunately with the panel it had storage compartments where a rear seat normally goes, I don't know what model you have, but a panel was easy.

 

[Roamer1954]

I have the (5) passengers LT. It opens flat and has compartments at the rear. What about the roof tent? Will it fit I wonder... I have to check this. A small tent trailer would be my second option. That's all I can towe. How does tent (canvas) do in the desert heat and sand?

Sent from my G3223 using Tapatalk

 

[LoupGarou]

I camped near some people who had them in Mexico. Their views were mixed. Most complained of dust intrusion. All liked them when they were on the move. All wiished for something hardsided when parked up.

 

[JohnnyM]

I don't know anything about tents, but congrats on the HHR. Great car! I bought one new in 2008 and put 164,000 miles on it with no problems or repairs except for one "check engine" light fix at @110K miles. (My home state requires annual inspections and the check engine light will fail it.)

I tried early on to use a lie-down bed on the passenger side and the bed fit OK but I got rid of it because it took up so much space. I also found the lack of headroom to be a problem for me, so I started just sleeping in the driver's seat with the seat in the reclined position and that setup suited me just fine.

Anyway, go HHR!

Johnny

 

[bullfrog]

Take a look at Teardrops and Tiny Trailers website. The foamies forum has lots of light weight sleeping trailers.

 

[Neal]

You should check and see what the recommended roof weight is. I know on my Prius the only thing I could put on the roof was maybe a car carrier.

 

[n0zbh]

I have a 2006 Chevy HHR and the owners manual shows only a 150 pound roof rating so a tailgate tent might work better for you.

 

[ckelly78z]

When we used to camp with our small runabout boat, we set up a tent for all of our belongings, and to help hold our site. This gave us a secure area to keep things dry, while also having extra room to get dressed, and cook meals if raining. I wouldn't want to have to strike camp every time I needed to go some place.

 

[Roamer1954]

I have a 2006 Chevy HHR and the owners manual shows only a 150 pound roof rating so a tailgate tent might work better for you.

I did not know this... I have the manual but only checked the towing capacity.. It sounds right though, the roof does not look strong or reinforced like a jeep might be. Thx

Sent from my G3223 using Tapatalk

 

[Roamer1954]

I don't know anything about tents, but congrats on the HHR. Great car! I bought one new in 2008 and put 164,000 miles on it with no problems or repairs except for one "check engine" light fix at @110K miles. (My home state requires annual inspections and the check engine light will fail it.)

I tried early on to use a lie-down bed on the passenger side and the bed fit OK but I got rid of it because it took up so much space. I also found the lack of headroom to be a problem for me, so I started just sleeping in the driver's seat with the seat in the reclined position and that setup suited me just fine.

Anyway, go HHR!

Johnny

I o Ly have 38,000 km on it and planning to retirement in a few months. 2.2ltr engin really good for power and milage. Thx

Sent from my G3223 using Tapatalk

 

[Roamer1954]

After reading your comments. Here is the new plan: sleeping in the car, getting a roof rack for my stuff and a carrier box at the back, one of those that moves out of the way... Is that better than a tent???

Sent from my G3223 using Tapatalk

 

[Roamer1954]

Also please keep in mind that I cannot afford a camping trailer like "little guy, my pod etc". There over $12,000cdn and require lisencing and insurance a added cost I cannot afford...

Sent from my G3223 using Tapatalk

 

[RoamerRV428]

would this work for ya.
good standing room, detach/re-attach easy, stand alone if you need to travel.  might be good option?

 

[simply lesa]

I dont recall how the rear tailgate door opens on an HHR but check out a Tail Veil tent and rainfly. I am getting one for my suv

Sent from my SM-T713 using Tapatalk

 

[highdesertranger]

insurance on a trailer is not required. you can get it and the company will be glad to sell it to you but it is not required by any law. highdesertranger

 

[Roamer1954]

would this work for ya.
good standing room, detach/re-attach easy, stand alone if you need to travel.  might be good option?

I will be travelling alone... Hard to put up a tent. Also I cannot kneel due to surgery on my knee. Thx anyway

Sent from my G3223 using Tapatalk

 

[maki2]

I bought a vintage 1970 fiberglass trailer with a popup roof section. It is light in weight, under 1,000 lbs. Cost me 1,500 but it needed new wheels and a lot of TLC and new fabric for the popup plus some repairs to the flooring, putting new bolts in to hold it to the frame, a little fiberglass repair and a paint job. .  Of course you will want to upgrade the interior electrical systems on something that old and have the frame inspected too.

I just went the sweat equity route, lots of labor hours. some $$$ but it will be very sweet when I am finished. My Honda Element can have a popup top but they want 5K for them. Not worth it as for 5K you can get a vintage fiberglass popup trailer that needs little to no work.

So start taking a look at alternatives meaning going into something affordable because it is vintage and put some sweat equity into it to bring it into this century in terms of function for the electrical.