Thule Outset vehicle towbar-mounted tent no. 901560

Why choose the Thule Outset?

If your vehicle has a tow bar nose weight of at least 70kg, there are many good reasons for choosing the Thule Outset:

• It has the advantages of a roof tent - quick set up (about 5 minutes) and always a reliably comfortable place to sleep.
• Unlike a roof tent you can level it with the four adjustable legs.
• Unlike a roof tent one person can move it to the car and fit it.
• Unlike a roof tent you can just leave it if you need to use your car - for example to pop to the shop or for a daytrip. You don't need to empty the tent and pack it away every time you want to use the car; and of course there's no risk of losing your pitch space.
• The tent tilts (when packed away, obviously!) so you can access the car boot.
• Access is safe, in theory much safer and easier than a roof tent, especially for small children and older people; there may even be space for pets.
• Being able to access the tent though two side doors as well as the front door is very useful, the tent floor is generally at a convenient sitting height as well.
• Your vehicle roof is available for carrying other gear - boats, a roof box, bikes, whatever.

Some EV owners aim to increase driving range by carrying goods behind the car, rather than on the roof. There is some evidence that goods carried in this position have no effect on vehicle drag.

Other notes and specifications

• The tent locks to the car; it would be sensible to buy a good quality tow ball lock for when you leave it without the car.
• The two side windows and the door each include a separately-zipped fly / mosquito screen.
• There's a mesh organiser panel at the closed end of the tent, useful for anything, big enough for tablets or laptops, and another in the roof space above the front door.
• There are several sewn-in loops in the roof strong points - loop a small carabiner though one of these and use it as a hang point for a lamp?
• The mattress is 7cm deep - you leave it in the tent during transport. An anti-condensation mat is available - see the accessories list below.
• Both the tent and the rain canopy are made from 600D polyester ripstop material, breathable and water resistant.
• 6 guy lines are provided to hold the rain canopy secure in windy conditions; if in doubt, use them!
• Dimensions when open: 264cm long x 144cm wide x 162cm to 178cm high.
• Dimensions when closed: 144cm wide (across the car) x 73cm deep (from centre of towball) x 90cm high.
• The peak internal height is 113cm.
• The sleeping area footprint is 225cm x 134cm. Plenty of space for two but is 134cm enough space for three adults? Unlikely. For three chldren? It depends, but probably.
• Weight: 70kg.
• The Outset is designed to hold a maximum 300kg.
• The Outset has five function rear lights and is fitted with a 13 pin plug for 13 pin continental type electric sockets. If you have a 7 pin socket you'll need to use the '13 pin' (rack) to 7 pin (car) lighting adapter listed below. (Note that the fog lights will work with a 7 pin system, but the reversing light won't work.) Good news - we will always provide one of these adapters, free of charge.
• Made in Poland.
• Comes with Thule's standard 2 year guarantee; terms and conditions apply - we note that tents are easily damaged if misused or if not well maintained. There is no Thule Extended Warranty on this product, but if well looked after there is no reason that it won't last for a very long time.

Fitting and safety notes

• Your vehicle needs to have a tow bar nose weight of at least 70kg to carry a Thule Outset - check your handbook. Nose weight is sometimes called Maximum Vertical Load.
• Be sure to read, keep and re-read the instructions. For example, make sure the tent is completely dry before it’s put away, otherwise you’ll have a mildew problem. If you've used it in damp weather you’ll likely want to get it out and open it up again on a sunny day to be sure that it’s properly dried out.
• The fitting instructions are excellent, albeit lengthy. There is a really excellent fitting video - see the Fitting instructions tab. We recommend that you watch this and always follow this straightforward and logical procedure.
• In particular, please always use the 'tilt stop' strap when this is required; it is a vital safety feature.

Accessories

• Thule Anti Condensation Mat M, part code 901884 - a spacer mesh which allows for air circulation and helps to prevent moisture from accumulating.
• Thule Outset Fitted Sheet M, part code 901540 - a cotton fitted sheet, machine washable.

Delivery charges and arrangements:

We charge a contribution towards delivery costs, depending on what you order, where you live, and how quickly you want the goods.

These are our standard charges; there are usually surcharges for all offshore destinations and some remote postcodes - for details please see our delivery information page.

Delivery of other items

Delivery times

Delivery times are calculated in working days (Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays).

Cut-off times for Express Delivery orders
Express Delivery orders placed before before the cut-off times shown below will usually be desptached on the date of order. Express Delivery orders placed after these cut-off times will be despatched the next working day.

Delivery FAQs

When will my order arrive?
There are no deliveries on Saturdays, Sundays or Bank Holidays, except for postable items where Royal Mail has a Saturday delivery. Express Delivery orders placed on a Friday (before 1pm) should be delivered on the Monday or Tuesday, Express Delivery orders placed on a Saturday or Sunday should be delivered on the Tuesday or Wednesday. The arrangements for Very Heavy Items are different and are shown above.

What about Next Working Day delivery?
Most Express delivery orders will arrive on the next working day, if the order is placed before the cut-off time (see above). Some will arrive on the second working day if there has been a "split-delivery". So-called "split deliveries" happen when the couriers do not have enough trailer space for everything that should be moved around the UK, so they will load what they can and leave the rest for the next trailer.

Is my delivery day guaranteed?
No retailer or courier company can ever "guarantee" a Next Working Day delivery. As well as split deliveries, all courier companies occasionally have the same transport problems as can happen to everyone else, including snow blocked roads, closed roads, traffic jams, mechanical breakdown, an inability to find the delivery address, or to gain access to it if, for example, it's in a block of flats. We work with some of the best couriers in the business, and overall they provide an outstanding service.

Do I need to be at home?
We are very flexible with our deliveries and will aim to deliver to an address which suits you – this does not need to be your home address. Goods can usually be left without signature - we prefer this with roof boxes. There's a "Special Delivery Instructions" box in the checkout area where we'll ask you to choose a typical instruction and then amend it to suit your particular requirements.

Payment options:

We take the following cards, and also PayPal. Please note that the entry on your card statement will be from "The Roof Box Company".

Secure payments

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