spikemd
Explorer
That is one of the reasons I have the LEDs installed permanently with the 3M tape on the backside. I have enough gear to keep track of.
Sure-Fire Ways to Improve Your Roof Top Tent
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That is one of the reasons I have the LEDs installed permanently with the 3M tape on the backside. I have enough gear to keep track of.
Rattler
Thornton Melon's Kid
I found my lights today while sorting through a bunch of stuff. There is definitely a better, more permanent solution than what I had.
Nd4SpdSe
Adventurer, eh?
I was getting tired of using flashlights, cell phone lights and my Dewalt 18v light where you never know when it's going to die, and decided to integrate LED's into the tent. At first I used the tape on the backside of the LED strips it proved that that adhesive doesn't last. This is where I decided to get creative and serious and use some 3M double-sided trim tape and then wrap them with some clear heat shrink tubing; 1" tubing that shrinks to 1/2". I don't think the 3M tape was necessary, but the heat shrink works marvelous!
.
.
I also put a strip under the tent to illuminate the ladder (using a standard LED strip channel to protect it)
.
I also wanted a way to work both sets of lights from inside the tent. Dim the LED's inside (cause it's friggin' bright!), but turn on and off the outside lights separately. I also wanted a small package.
So I took an off the shelf PWM dimmer.
.
Turned the pot around to make room for the switch.
.
Nibbled a hole for a rocker switch
.
Just enough room
.
Cheated and grabbed power by soldering wires to the Vin positive and negative connections to the dimmer, and ran a hole to feed the power out to the LED strip outside
.
And done!
.
http://i.imgur.com/CJQGclw.jpg
.
.
I also put a strip under the tent to illuminate the ladder (using a standard LED strip channel to protect it)
.
I also wanted a way to work both sets of lights from inside the tent. Dim the LED's inside (cause it's friggin' bright!), but turn on and off the outside lights separately. I also wanted a small package.
So I took an off the shelf PWM dimmer.
.
Turned the pot around to make room for the switch.
.
Nibbled a hole for a rocker switch
.
Just enough room
.
Cheated and grabbed power by soldering wires to the Vin positive and negative connections to the dimmer, and ran a hole to feed the power out to the LED strip outside
.
And done!
.
http://i.imgur.com/CJQGclw.jpg
Last edited:
Corter1433
New member
Just bought a new RTT and wanted to show some pictures. Haven't used it yet, but I went ahead and did some mods while it was off the cruiser. Thanks to everyone who posted ideas earlier in the thread, it made this project pretty easy.
First, I added ladder bumpers to keep the ladder from wearing out the tent base as others have experienced. These were $3 for a 4 pack at walmart.
Then I bought some 3M tread tape from Amazon for about $10
Added some stainless steel tie downs for when the tent is unfolded, Amazon for $5
From Top-tent.com I ordered the accessory kit that included the shoe hammock, 4 track hangers, interior cargo hammock (not pictured)
Built some hardware to replace the cover straps and purchased 2" webbing with cam lock buckles.
Strapworks.com has these pre-made to any length you need. I bought 3 sets with the cam lock and buckle pad sewn on (each 6ft length). The other side I just ordered 5ft and cut them each 20 inches. Total after shipping was $47. I should've left the middle strap longer since it had to go over the ladder, but I might just cut the other 2 shorter to match.
Comparison pic between the original Velcro straps
I'm waiting for my Gamiviti rack to come in next week and plan to add some lighting once I get the tent up. I'll post more pics once it's done.
First, I added ladder bumpers to keep the ladder from wearing out the tent base as others have experienced. These were $3 for a 4 pack at walmart.
Then I bought some 3M tread tape from Amazon for about $10
Added some stainless steel tie downs for when the tent is unfolded, Amazon for $5
From Top-tent.com I ordered the accessory kit that included the shoe hammock, 4 track hangers, interior cargo hammock (not pictured)
Built some hardware to replace the cover straps and purchased 2" webbing with cam lock buckles.
Strapworks.com has these pre-made to any length you need. I bought 3 sets with the cam lock and buckle pad sewn on (each 6ft length). The other side I just ordered 5ft and cut them each 20 inches. Total after shipping was $47. I should've left the middle strap longer since it had to go over the ladder, but I might just cut the other 2 shorter to match.
Comparison pic between the original Velcro straps
I'm waiting for my Gamiviti rack to come in next week and plan to add some lighting once I get the tent up. I'll post more pics once it's done.
Mr_Miyagisan
Adventurer
Got some cheap battery powered led lights my wife picked up crudely installed this weekend. I like these better then super bright leds, they have a much warmer glow but still bright enough. Think im going to install a set on each main hoop of the tent
I ordered a Piddle Pail... What is a Piddle Pail you ask, it is a stroke a genius that keeps me from leaving the tent at night. http://piddlepail.com
I just ordered one of these and thought I'd share a good deal. They look perfect for roof top tenting And are on sale for 40% off with discount code:
rumploncampus
https://www.gorumpl.com/products/super-fleece-blanket
Sent from an evil pocket calculator with a flashy screen
rumploncampus
https://www.gorumpl.com/products/super-fleece-blanket
Sent from an evil pocket calculator with a flashy screen
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
Worked on the tent 8-19-2017
I had posted this in the "What did you do to your overland vehicle today" thread, putting it here too from a suggestion by Lucky.
On our vacation yesterweek to Mount Rainier National Park I chanted out the stock light bulb in the tents 12v housing for an LED one.
I attempted to power it up by sliding the switch without putting the plastic cover on the light housing, and the switch broke.
Not sure if it was because the cover was not on, or it was just time for it to break.
I had a battery WaganTech Dome Lantern with magnets on the backside that came to the rescue since I could attach it to the tents scissors lift arms.
I got a battery LED light from Autohome that I think is the same one they now use in their tents, but there was really no way to attach it to the fabric on the roof, and I did not want to cut the fabric away.
I had bought an LED RV light housing back in May from Amazon, and I installed it today.
Very bright, much brighter than the stock Autohome, and the battery one I just got.
Also added a little extra cushioning to the 3.5" mattress in the tent by adding a quilted full fitted mattress pad.
The mattress was pretty comfortable by itself, but is even nicer now by stretching out on it today.
I also broke one of the plastic clips that keeps the canvas door rolled up on the trip.
The mosquito netting door uses Velcro strips, a lot better, not sure why they went with the flimsy clips for the main door.
Thought I was going to have to add some Velcro, but after looking at it I just tucked the broken end through the fabric loop that the other clip end goes onto, and it keeps the door up just fine.
I may find a more permanent solution later, maybe I can even find that type of clip some where.
Mike from Autohome US is going to see if he can get some in on the next shipment of tents to the USA from Italy.
Links:
WAGAN 4301 #Camplites Dome Lantern Flashlight LED for Camping, Hiking, Emergencies
Lumitronics Designer LED RV Ceiling Dome Light Replacement 12V Lighting Fixture for RVs, Motorhomes, Campers, 5th Wheels, Trailers
Quilted Fitted Mattress Pad (Full) - Mattress Cover Stretches up to 16 Inches Deep - Mattress Topper by Utopia Bedding
Pics:
The broken clip is on the bottom, and it just sticks through the loop of the material that holds the female portion of the clip
New light, you can see it is much bigger than the light you can see in the first picture with the door clips
Let there be light, LED light
New mattress pad, nice and thick
Freshly washed flannel sheets
Same sheets and heavy weight down comforter I have on my bed in the home, and believe me, sleeping in the tent is very comfortable and warm
Everything in place ready for the top to come down
Also the new tents are now shipping with a ladder bag, I have one on order from Autohome.
This way I will not have to wipe off the ladder with a towel when it is time to pack it into the tent, and it will protect the bedding better.
Since posting this the other day, I came up with the idea of using small carabiners for the canvas tent door clip that is broke.
I will take off the broken male end all the way, and use the circle part on the carabiner meant for keys, and attach the loop to it.
The part of the carabiner you flip open will go through the looped material that holds the female clip.
Carabiner 5PCS 2 Inch / 5cm Flat Gourd Shape Mini Clip Small Locking Keychain Keyring Spring Hook Biner for Keys Other Items Rating for Daily Indoor Outdoor Life Home Hammocks Camping Hiking
If it works out good on the broken one now, I may destroy the other plastic clips, and replace them with these too.
The plastic clips really are flimsy, not sure why Autohome did not use the nice Velcro straps like they do on the mosquito netting inner screens, way better than these clips that can break way too easily.
I had posted this in the "What did you do to your overland vehicle today" thread, putting it here too from a suggestion by Lucky.
On our vacation yesterweek to Mount Rainier National Park I chanted out the stock light bulb in the tents 12v housing for an LED one.
I attempted to power it up by sliding the switch without putting the plastic cover on the light housing, and the switch broke.
Not sure if it was because the cover was not on, or it was just time for it to break.
I had a battery WaganTech Dome Lantern with magnets on the backside that came to the rescue since I could attach it to the tents scissors lift arms.
I got a battery LED light from Autohome that I think is the same one they now use in their tents, but there was really no way to attach it to the fabric on the roof, and I did not want to cut the fabric away.
I had bought an LED RV light housing back in May from Amazon, and I installed it today.
Very bright, much brighter than the stock Autohome, and the battery one I just got.
Also added a little extra cushioning to the 3.5" mattress in the tent by adding a quilted full fitted mattress pad.
The mattress was pretty comfortable by itself, but is even nicer now by stretching out on it today.
I also broke one of the plastic clips that keeps the canvas door rolled up on the trip.
The mosquito netting door uses Velcro strips, a lot better, not sure why they went with the flimsy clips for the main door.
Thought I was going to have to add some Velcro, but after looking at it I just tucked the broken end through the fabric loop that the other clip end goes onto, and it keeps the door up just fine.
I may find a more permanent solution later, maybe I can even find that type of clip some where.
Mike from Autohome US is going to see if he can get some in on the next shipment of tents to the USA from Italy.
Links:
WAGAN 4301 #Camplites Dome Lantern Flashlight LED for Camping, Hiking, Emergencies
Lumitronics Designer LED RV Ceiling Dome Light Replacement 12V Lighting Fixture for RVs, Motorhomes, Campers, 5th Wheels, Trailers
Quilted Fitted Mattress Pad (Full) - Mattress Cover Stretches up to 16 Inches Deep - Mattress Topper by Utopia Bedding
Pics:
The broken clip is on the bottom, and it just sticks through the loop of the material that holds the female portion of the clip
New light, you can see it is much bigger than the light you can see in the first picture with the door clips
Let there be light, LED light
New mattress pad, nice and thick
Freshly washed flannel sheets
Same sheets and heavy weight down comforter I have on my bed in the home, and believe me, sleeping in the tent is very comfortable and warm
Everything in place ready for the top to come down
Also the new tents are now shipping with a ladder bag, I have one on order from Autohome.
This way I will not have to wipe off the ladder with a towel when it is time to pack it into the tent, and it will protect the bedding better.
Since posting this the other day, I came up with the idea of using small carabiners for the canvas tent door clip that is broke.
I will take off the broken male end all the way, and use the circle part on the carabiner meant for keys, and attach the loop to it.
The part of the carabiner you flip open will go through the looped material that holds the female clip.
Carabiner 5PCS 2 Inch / 5cm Flat Gourd Shape Mini Clip Small Locking Keychain Keyring Spring Hook Biner for Keys Other Items Rating for Daily Indoor Outdoor Life Home Hammocks Camping Hiking
If it works out good on the broken one now, I may destroy the other plastic clips, and replace them with these too.
The plastic clips really are flimsy, not sure why Autohome did not use the nice Velcro straps like they do on the mosquito netting inner screens, way better than these clips that can break way too easily.
VicMackey
Adventurer
A few posts back someone mentioned putting pads between where the ladder and floor rub together while the tent is folded. I bought a nice "Welcome" mat and simply put it between the ladder and the floor. It does a great job of keeping the ladder from rubbing on the floor. In addition, it does a great job of getting dirt off your feet before you climb up into the tent.
Rattler
Thornton Melon's Kid
I've been using a pancho liner for my welcome mat. I recommend getting one if you do not have one. Nothing sticks to them. They are tough to find under $30 now. Plus they spread out to @ '4x'8. I did notice my ladder is leaving some wear marks though. Maybe I will go back to that woven rug.
stingray1300
Explorer
I finally got a few shots of my RTT mods. I changed out all the strapping on my Tepui. I went with new 2" webbing and all new heavy duty buckles. I also swapped out the dismal little .063 aluminum strap anchors with 1/8" stainless anchors. I also took a 1/2 wrap around the anchors and added a 3rd screw (up'd to #10 stainless). Have a look:
.
I also added a 3rd strap (in the middle of the long side):
.
I also added a 3rd strap (in the middle of the long side):
Rattler
Thornton Melon's Kid
I put new Velcro (better grade too) on my lashing straps on my Mombasa. Its 8 years old now. I put a set of different cover straps on it I made years ago. Those buckles work much better than fighting those D-rings.
