Tailgate tents and mosquitos

[alain_desilets]

I am in the process of converting my Toyota Sienna into a micro-camper, using the RoadLoft kit. I was thinking of purchasing a tailgate tent to improve the ventilation when sleeping, and also to expand our living space.

But I am concerned that the "seal" between tent and car won't be perfect and will let mosquitoes in.

Does anyone have experience with this sort of tent? Are mosquitoes an issue?

Also, can you recommend a particular model? I am leaning towards this Napier model:

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because it is self supporting. So if I am staying at the same site for a couple of days, I don't have to setup the tent every day. I just lieave it on site, and reconnect it to the van at the end of the day.

 

[tlmgcamp1]

You might get a halfway decent seal if there are magnet strips in the edge of the socket to hold it tight to the metal parts of the body. Sealing to glass and plastic would be more difficult and sealing across the bottom seems to be the biggest challenge.

I didn't find photos of the van roof on line. However my Tacoma has ridges in the roof skin for stiffness. If the minivan is nose-high during a rain event, I suspect that the water will get under the connecting sock. There is a gutter there but it drops water out just behind the bumper which might get caught in the sock as it wraps around the bottom of the minivan.