Bush Company Roof Top Tent comparison- Alpha vs Max!! which one should you buy?

Which roof top tent should you buy?? Having recently switched from the Black series MAX to the ALPHA we compare the tents, what we love and what we would change.
Our review is based on over a year of living in a roof top tent, it’s not a comparison of the specs but real life pros and cons from a thorough test of the product.
We hope you enjoy!

[@standupandskate]

Awesome review. First time I've seen a bush company review that wasn't sponsored.

[@petercummins1097]

Such an awesome review and comparison between the 2 tents. Thanks 👍

[@furtherupthetrack7583]

Alex & Justin great video & would love to see a your detailed review & comments on the Alpha once you have had it a bit longer 👍👍👍

[@rt-ks2bh]

big thankyou to you both on this vid appreciated,,really really love the idea on the shoe bag brillant,,,i have the same vehicle and looking at ideas on setting mine up to go out for 3 months to WA,,,thx again and best wishes to you both on your journey

[@a.j.overlanding6995]

Thanks for the comment glad you enjoyed the video. WA is such a spectacular place to tour especially in a roof top tent

[@skinnydog6665]

The light should be on a magnetic strip that you can move around wherever you like. That’s how mine came - it serves as a walk around torch also getting up and down ladder

[@chrisg1234fly]

Great video. Customer service is sooo important. Ever considered an IKamper???

[@a.j.overlanding6995]

We did look at Ikampers but preferred the set up of the Bush Company tent.

[@brenjud]

Interesting you have had cracking issues with the Max RTT. I have one on my canopy and have had no issues to date. Do you have a video of this problem as I rate the Max tent the best by far. Good review.

[@a.j.overlanding6995]

Hi Brendan, we think it was just bad luck with our car. We dont have a video unfortunately but agreed its an awesome tent and we wouldnt have switched it if we didnt have to. Glad you enjoyed the review.

[@browny2782]

Great review
How have you mounted the Tent to the roof of the car is it on a flat rack if so what one? Thanks

[@a.j.overlanding6995]

Thanks mate.
The tent is just on a kings flat rack definetly not the best for weight and qaulity but lasted our whole trip with no issue.

[@johnmadden9546]

Hi Alex & Justin I put a Max on with 270 XT Awning with the Black Series Awning Brackets on my Amarok Steel Canopy just in time for Sydney Lockdown so we haven't spent a night in it yet. Your review and others added to my decision to go with the Max and we are looking forward to spending some nights away soon. Having been through the exercise and the cracking issue can I take advantage of your experience and troubleshooting? Could you let me know where the cracks appeared - corners or mounting point? As the bulk of the Awning load is at the rear both travelling and in use is this where the cracking occurred? If you were starting with a fresh Max/Awning setup do you see measures that could be taken to mitigate the cracking? I'm wondering if I should remount the awning with 3mm Aluminum Flat Bar backing inside the Tent rather than Gutter Washers to spread the load or am I off base? Happy and safe travels. Cheers - John

[@a.j.overlanding6995]

Hi John, awesome news re the new setup it’s a great combo which we loved. Every crack was in the exact same place being the back left corner where the frame is welded together. We think it is due to the weight of the awning on the tent but the cracks didn’t appear where it is mounted to the tent. If we could do it again we would look at how we could mount the awning directly to the roof rack instead of the tent but not sure how we would do this. We did travel a lot of kms on some pretty tough roads. Hope that helps. Enjoy the tent I hope you can get away and spend a night in it soon now lockdowns are ending. A&J

[@shinyjacks]

Hi John, I'm thinking of getting a Bush company tent + awning on my Amarok as well, but wondering how bulky it will all be to keep on permanently. How do you find it? Do you have any pictures?
Thanks, Noel

[@davecroden1955]

Hi. So was the cracked frame on the max just related to your vehicle or is this a common fault in the design do you know.????

[@a.j.overlanding6995]

We haven’t heard of any others that have cracked so it could be vehicle specific. We think it is due to how the awning was mounted and believe they no longer mount awnings that way.

[@4bnewb969]

Good review 👍
With the heat benefits of a silver/reflective roof, surprising the Alpha not made the same.
How has the weight been on the Prado roof?
Cheers

[@a.j.overlanding6995]

Thanks mate. I assume the black roof is more a image thing and I can't deny the Alpha looks much nicer.
If we had thought about the weight at fitting we may not have put the tent on this car. But have had no real issue and have not taken it easy on the poor car or tent.
A&J

[@dereksmith5551]

Put the ladder on the back and it's easy to do the rainfly

[@a.j.overlanding6995]

We have tried that but with our lack of height it's almost impossible but thankfully with practice it's easy enough standing on the rear bar.
A&J

[@hubhubble]

I think you will fine that roof top tent is to heavy for your Prado.

[@thedefendertheboston4160]

Mnnn so its a height problem? i think u should rather compliment the designers'? if u are not a female or male. it does not make a desighn bad !

[@a.j.overlanding6995]

We are not saying the design is bad we are doing a review of it so pointing out if you are short the tent can be a bit hard to pack up. Just general advice for anyone under 6 foot tall.
A&J

[@gj0628]

None of the tents should crack clearly a flaw