Can you pack on top of the tent?

[laxation]

Wondering if anyone packs anything on top of the tent, instead of inside the trailer?

We've got a soft floor with soft roof that has heaps of extra space in it.
Thinking about putting things like plastic tables, chairs, portable solar panel on top of it, then just shutting the lid.

Not sure if this is OK, or if it balances the trailer badly.
Also don't know if I need to tie anything down, or if it's OK just with the cover tied down.

[Mace]

We used to put fold out tables and other flattish stuff on the bed (Bedding & pillows included) before we folded up the tent portion...  Wasnt ever an issue.

All depends on the potential for your travel cover to cope with additional height.     

[loanrangie]

Previous owner had an extension added to the travel cover of our trailer so they can carry gear on top, i just put a tarp on the canvas before i put anything else on top.

[nab]

As above, we had no issues with storing table and chairs under the cover.

[GGV8Cruza]

We fold up our soft floor and then on top of that goes

Floor protection
Green mat
Shower tent
canvas sides
Malibou tent
Pole bag

Then cover with travel cover, then fold over the boat rack, fits fine as we have a bit of room under our travel cover

GG

[moeite]

We've only done a few trips, one really rough, in our new to us Outback Sturt (rear fold soft floor) and we put :-
Steps - to get annex up, we're short.
Fold up table
Solar panels
Pole bag
Floor matting
The bedding remains on the bed in its canvas cover
When the tent is folded up we leave the annex and some walls attached.
No problems so far and it all stays where it was put.

[laxation]

We've only done a few trips, one really rough, in our new to us Outback Sturt (rear fold soft floor) and we put :-
Steps - to get annex up, we're short.
Fold up table
Solar panels
Pole bag
Floor matting
The bedding remains on the bed in its canvas cover
When the tent is folded up we leave the annex and some walls attached.
No problems so far and it all stays where it was put.

Ours is a Sturt too!

Good to know about the walls as well, that'll save a few minutes.

[#jonesy]

Kids bunk and the bedding, pillows and a clothes horse  go on the bed  before we food up.
We leave the Annex roof on and fold it back over the roof before folding the tent. 
The walls,  matting, peg bag and rope bags all get thrown in top.  We used to also put the poles on top, but have pole tubes now. 
Been doing that for years. 

Also the 2 sit on kayaks go on top of the cover. This has left a few rub marks on the cover but not worn it down. 

[moeite]

Ours is a Sturt too!

Good to know about the walls as well, that'll save a few minutes.

Get a boat hook from BCF or similar to help get the annex flipped over the tent when you're packing up. Makes life a bit easier...

Does yours have that bloody ridiculous Orac coupling ?

[Bird]

I had a travel cover made with shorteners and buckles in it so you could expand it if needed and it didnt flap at all... was brilliant.

[edz]

Never had a problem packing gear on our soft floor DIY Home build in 12 years ..

[Beachman]

Soft floor camper trailers are perfect for picking up King and Queen sized mattresses for home. I must admit you get a strange look when you pull up at the loading bay, but just slide on top of the travel cover, strap down and off you go.

I also get even stranger looks when I've taken the camper to a Hardware store to put timber sleepers or sheets of concrete mesh (cut into quarters) on top of the builders bars/boat rack.

In regards to camping all the ground sheets and kids swags (laid out flat) fit under our travel cover and then on top I strap the gazebo.

[laxation]

thanks for advice and pictures everyone! great stuff to know

Get a boat hook from BCF or similar to help get the annex flipped over the tent when you're packing up. Makes life a bit easier...

Does yours have that bloody ridiculous Orac coupling ?

It actually came with a boat rack, but it's a homemade one and heavy as Shit, so we've taken it off for now.
If we need it, will put it back on.

It's got an Oz hitch on mine
https://mr4x4.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Ozhitch-2.jpg
Nice and easy to use (once I figured out how it works...)