Filed under: Aftermarket, SUVs, Etc., Crossovers/CUVs, Nissan
Aztek flashback: Nissan UK offering custom fit tent for SUVs
While the Pontiac Aztek was a sales failure, it did have the ability to quickly turn into a camping appliance with a rear end that could be converted into a tent. Nissan must love the idea since it has developed a dome-shaped tent attachment for its UK utility vehicles. The tent attaches to the back, where the rear liftgate can be left ajar to provide a more open area for additional sleepers. Four adults can sleep in the 9x9 enclosure, with a couple more campers bunking in the car. The vehicle can also be easily detached from the tent if errands need to be run.
While tent accessory is handy, it does come at a price tag well beyond most stand-alone portable living quarters. The Navara tent costs £260, and the tent for the Pathfinder, X-TRAIL, Murano or QASHQAI will run you £460. Here in the States you can get a gently-used pop-up camper for a little more than $1,000 USD. The safety of the tent may also be a question mark, as it isn't hard to imagine a Darwin candidate turning on the car to get some heat (and carbon monoxide) into the shelter. Lets hope that doesn't happen. The Nissan press release is pasted after the jump.
[Source: Nissan]
Gallery: Nissan Tent UK
OUTDOOR LIFE ACCESSORY ADDITION
Nissan has increased its range of outdoor accessories with a new tent designed to fit onto the rear of any Pathfinder, Murano, new X-TRAIL or QASHQAI, adding to the one previously released for the life-style Pickup - Navara.
The new accessory for the go anywhere adventurer attaches onto the rear of the vehicle with the use of adjustable straps and an elasticated sleeve. The sleeve fits over the complete rear-end of the vehicle and provides enough room for the tailgate to be opened up into the tent living area, which then allows the vehicle's interior to be used as a sturdy, level and comfortable sleeping area. It can be removed from the vehicle as easily as it can be fitted, so driving off in the vehicle, leaving the tent behind, takes only a matter of minutes.
The dome shaped tent is easy to assemble with permanently linked tent poles and a sewn in ground sheet. It comes complete with two large entrance doors one of which has a 2 metre x 2 metre canopy. Two large mesh windows complete the exterior package.
Inside, the living area measures 3 metres x 3 metres so could easily accommodate up to four adults, six if you include the back of the vehicle and with over 2 metres in height at the peak of the dome there is plenty of standing room.
This is the second tent accessory available from Nissan. The first version, made available earlier in 2006, fits over the top of the Navara load bed to provide the sleeping area and a canopy, extending rearwards, allows for covered / sheltered standing room.
Both tents are available to order from any Nissan dealer with the Navara tent costing £260 (inclusive of VAT) and the Pathfinder, X-TRAIL, Murano or QASHQAI version £460 (inclusive of VAT). Both versions come with a holdall for ease of carrying and fitting is quick and easy.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
matt 10:23AM (11/21/2007)
Nothing new here. Almost every wagon-ish vehicle offers this type of attachment. Even the now-dead Dodge magnum has a Mopar-branded tent attachment. Plus, there are a few third-party venders that offer universal tents.
Kind of takes out some of the fun of camping if you ask me - then again, in-car video screens solves the issues of having something to do if your rained out.
Reply
dskinner 10:24AM (11/21/2007)
This isn't the first time that I have seen this since the Aztec, though it was the coolest feature of that otherwise awkward SUV.
Reply
mdm-adph 10:26AM (11/21/2007)
I fail to see how this tent will come in handy when going to the local supermarket.
Reply
robb 10:29AM (11/21/2007)
I want you to find me a gently used pop up camper for a 1000, i will take 2 please.
Reply
calebe 10:35AM (11/21/2007)
Crap, this was around in the 1970's. Why is this even being put on this site?
Reply
Alex 10:41AM (11/21/2007)
i prefer to camp where my car can't reach. i feel like these take the fun out of roughing it.
Reply
Pat 10:43AM (11/21/2007)
You can get such tents for a dozen models on the market.
Reply
EnviroBob 10:49AM (11/21/2007)
AMC offered a camper attachment on the Hornet Hatchback 34 years ago
Reply
SPM435 11:18AM (11/21/2007)
They offer this for the new US Rouge that just came out as well. I saw it on Nissan's website the other day...
Reply
CMDR 11:29AM (11/21/2007)
I made a tent in my Eclipse.
Reply
Andrew 11:32AM (11/21/2007)
I fail to see how this is any better than a regular tent. Seems dumb as it's more expensive and less useful. Most places I've camped cannot be backed into with the car. I'm not talking hard core backpacking either, it's just that most state parks have the parking close, but not right up into the exact spot where the tent would go.
Plus my wife often needs to drive to the "real" bathroom, so having to un- and re-attach the tent to the car would be a PITA.
Reply
HotRodzNKustoms 1:16PM (11/21/2007)
1976 Chevy offered a factory pop-up camper for the Blazer called Blazer Chalet.
Reply
tom 1:17PM (11/21/2007)
I would think on a windy day, the canvas of the tent would eventually rub or wear the paint off on your brand new SUV. Bad idea IMO.
Reply
phil 2:45PM (11/21/2007)
if you're cold, just turn the car on and pipe in that hot exhaust!
Reply
Grain 12:05AM (11/22/2007)
Even though I may not have use for this, I am sure many others would find this feature wonderful. Cool idea.
Reply