PAOLO MARIN

Paolo Marin, born in the Veneto region of Italy but, by choice, a citizen of the world, is the founder of the well-known and much appreciated Photo Challenge "A trip everyone can manage". For many years he has been considered an expert in adventure travel. He has a passion for the desert and Libya is constantly in his heart. A tour leader, he teaches off-road driving and lives in Padua when he isn’t driving through the desert.

AUTOHOME® MODELS, ONE BY ONE

Maggiolina®

This is the famous range with opening by handwheel which continues to make history in the sector of roof tents. After many years of success, they are still a very popular purchase. It is an Autohome bestseller. How did it become so famous the world over? I think it’s mainly because it opens and, above all, closes so easily. But everything about the tent is of the highest quality.
The range includes a number of different models, with a variety of shell shapes, but all are in fiberglass; this changes the size when the tents are closed, and the windows and other aesthetic details also differ. The range caters for all needs, Small - Medium - Large - X-Long and recently X-Large. So, adventure travel is possible for anyone, even the whole family. In terms of size, it is important to point out that, when open, almost all the models are inside the roof, without jutting out. This is an essential design feature of Autohome tents and means the tents can be used overnight anywhere, in public car-parks, beaches and lay-bys. Nobody can object. This is because sleeping on the roof of the car, without any overhang, including the wing-mirrors, is not considered camping but simply parking, like sleeping in the car. So, with a little bit of common sense and tact, it provides the utmost freedom, whatever the location. My advice to avoid discussions, is to stay away from extravagant or daring places, both in terms of safety and respect for public places. Best also to put the ladder inside the wing-mirrors.

Airlander

This is a streamlined tent, sober, clean, perfect for both small cars and 4WDs/larger vehicles. In terms of practicality and comfort, it has everything you need: 2 doors, 2 windows and mosquito nets at each opening. As I found out for myself several times, the mattress is comfortable and the fabric, as in all Maggiolina models, is breathable, ensuring a fresh, dry and healthy environment. It is also fully waterproof even in the pelting rain.

Airlander Plus

The plus model has zipped doors in an arch shape so they can be opened partially as required. Lying down, the occupants can see all around the tent, without others being able to see in, so privacy is ensured. Plus also has 4 pull-out pockets and elastic roof netting for clothes, belongings and whatever else you need to store away.

Grand Tour

As the name suggests, this is a large tent, with a tall shell and more volume inside than the Airlander. I recommend this model for medium-sized vehicles, such as a SUV, van or 4WD, but it’s also perfectly ok with a FIAT 500. Its style is truly original and this is what makes it so special. The finish and details are as in Airlander Plus except for the slightly larger entrance. The fabric is the same, highly breathable and, of course, perfectly waterproof.

Extreme

This tent was designed for long journeys when all the space available is used to load up the vehicle; but that doesn’t mean it can’t be taken on a sports holiday using the space for whatever sports equipment is needed. The practical and technical functions and fittings are the same as for Airlander Plus and Grand Tour: the difference is in the ability to load more onto the roof. For example, 2 petrol tanks or a spare wheel can be stored, or a canoe or surfboard, provided you don’t exceed the maximum load permitted, as shown in the manual for the roof rack or the vehicle handbook. I reckon it’s a very well-designed tent because it holds its shape and provides ample space for storage. It’s a genuine blend of style and practicality.

Grand Tour 360° - New 2019

This is an important new product from Autohome in 2019. The models are truly original with darkened mosquito netting incorporated in the fabric, guaranteeing privacy even when the doors and windows are open. They have the same well-known Autohome quality in every detail and are top-of-the-range in terms of fittings.

X-Large - New 2019

This is the largest shell-type model in the market: fully 180 x 230 cm, opened by handwheel. Given its size, the opening and closing mechanism is very simple and no-fuss. The X-large model can be used with vans and stays within the wing-mirrors and so is suitable in car-parks and public areas, without the need to find a campsite. A piece of advice that might seem obvious but is important: set up the ladder perpendicular and inside the wing-mirrors of the vehicle; make sure nothing is outside the outline of the vehicle.

Airtop®

Airtop has a distinctive brand and design, but is still a member of the Maggiolina family. All the materials and fittings are as for the Maggiolina range. The only difference is the opening mechanism, with 4 gas springs, rather like the boot of many cars. Opening is in 2 stages. One big advantage is that the opening mechanism is fitted to the side of the tent, so the tent does not need extra length. This way, the whole surface (2.1 metres) of the tent can be used, providing a comfortable bed even for the tallest and 190/ 200 cm of height. Clearly this means the tent is a little narrower because of the lifting arms at the side. Maggiolina is the other way round, wider and a little shorter because of the lifting mechanism. Hence the 2.30 X-long model in the Maggiolina range, for the very tall.

Airtop 360°

E’ un'altra importante novità 2019 di Autohome. Modelli con visione a 360, con aperture a molle e con zanzariere vedo e non vedo integrate nei tessuti, per avere privacy anche quando porte e finestre sono aperte. Per il resto tutto è simile al modello Airtop. Rientrano nella categoria top di gamma in termini di dotazioni. Sulla base delle mie conoscenze nel settore, ho colto che il successo è stato immediato e le richieste di averle sono notevoli, pertanto vi consiglio di fare pre-ordini per tempo.

New 2019 – New closing for shell tents

This year, Autohome changed the closing mechanism for tents, with the addition of innovative aluminium and steel devices. The closing mechanism is attractive and practical. As always with Autohome, the aim is for total safety, with 2 closures at the front, the surface most exposed to the buffeting of the wind, and one only at the rear, as certified by the southern TUV after testing the entire tent for safety. This testing was thorough and the certification complete, unlike the partial certification of some products on the market which are not fully guaranteed as reliable. Users often find themselves with merely verbal assurances and should not trust such incomplete and non-transparent promises.

Columbus®

This is a very popular model, due to its simplicity: just 2 springs, taking up little room, for the lifting mechanisms inside the tent. Two gas springs and everything is ready: the tent opens and closes without fuss. Compact, practical, even inside the tent. At the front of the opened tent, the shells are hinged so no fabric needs to be folded when it is closed. What’s not to like? Rapid opening, beautiful shape, inside height of 160 cm; enough to change clothes. And the side doors become large, comfortable windows.

Columbus Variant

The same model as Columbus, but with the rear more open, with an arch-shaped zip to customize the opening. The fittings are similar to standard, but with an additional elastic netting under the roof, inner light and poles that turn the rear door into an awning.

Air-Camping® / Overland® / Overzone®

This is the Autohome range of fabric tents. After removing the PVC cover, these tents open like a book, easily and without complication, using the ladder as leverage. Each tent has effective and reliable fabric which is strong and thick enough to provide stability. That means no noise as the wind tries to ruffle the walls, not even at night. The fabric does not “inflate” like a sail: the walls and roof are sewn together. The windows also counter the wind effect and are flush with the walls, so do not billow. You can open and close the windows comfortably for inside the tent using the tie-rods as for blinds at home. These tents jut over the sides of the vehicle and so European regulations apply: they can only be used in private areas, not in public spaces or car-parks.

Air-Camping / Overland

Only the colours of the fabric change. Air-Camping is legendary because of its colour scheme, originally chosen by the great adventure traveller Nino Cirani. Overland has softer, more blended colours.

Overzone

This is an Overland tent but with a telescopic pole for the entrance creating an area sheltered from the rain. With some simple accessories the daytime area can be completely separated from the night-time area, providing maximum privacy on a camping holiday. I recommend it for its dual use, because it is perfect for quick trips and can be used as a changing room over longer stays.

Overcamp

This is the tent most often chosen by sportspeople: surfers, cyclists and canoeists to name just three. Opening like a book, the tent is versatile and recommended for travellers who want to put a bike on the roof of the car or another tent, to create two separate bedrooms. This tent does not jut over the vehicle, so can be used in public areas and campsites.

Finally, two pieces of advice…

First, the accessories: it is hard to know what to recommend because customization is, of course, a personal thing. I’d suggest bringing along some spare clamps because some often get lost during frequent assembly and disassembly operations. And a spare handwheel, a sleeping bag and a winter hood, especially if you’re heading up north. Second, keep your speed down. Any load on the roof changes the way the car responds, so extra care is needed and you should also think about the road surface and change your speed accordingly. During stops, check the vehicle and the anchoring of the load to the roof. Tighten anything that has come loose.