Hard time closing Autohome Extreme Medium with sleeping bags

[chmura]

So I purchased a new Autohome Extreme Medium and I am having a hard time closing it with just two sleeping bags in there. I have not even tried to put pillows inside yet.

I am just putting the ladder and two big game Coleman sleeping bags.

How is everyone positing their sleeping bags? The Extreme and Airland tents has less interior closing space than the Airtop especially in the front. The front in the Airland and and Extreme is basically flat and have no interior volume when closed (in front). Does everyone fold the sleeping bag and place it in the rear portion? I tried this than I had a hard time closing the latches in the rear.

I rented an AirTop before purchasing the Authome Extreme and I have not had these issues. I put in two sleeping bags, two pillows, ladder, and I even put 2 folding camping chairs inside and it closed fine.

Now I am thinking I should of gotten the Airtop (gas strut version) over the Extreme (crank version) model.

 

[mep1811]

Maybe the sleeping bags are too thick.

 

[Corey]

I do not use sleeping bags as I use flannel sheets and a winter weight down comforter, but this is how I pack mine up and it all fits great.
I also do not miss have sleeping bags with this setup.
I am using fitted full size sheets, big pillows, and the comforter is a twin size I think.

 

[The Raven]

Make sure you are putting the ladder in correctly. Then thread out the hooks as far out as you can and latch. Wait a few minutes to allow for compression and then thread the latches further in and you should be stowed. I have a solar panel stored under my mattress, two pillows, a 1" dowen mattress topper, sheets, wool army blanket and a down comforter and it closes fine.

 

[chmura]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Yes the sleeping bags are thick and made out of cotton. But like I said I had no problem closing the AirTop with them inside.

I rather not want to purchase new sleeping bag at this time since I spent already a pretty penny on the Autohome.

The latches are extended to the max. I will try to play with the orientation today when I return from home. I will try to crank the handle to close the tent more but I do not want to force the crank down too much.

 

[chmura]

Also what down sleeping bag is everyone using? I like the non mummy ones as I like more room and feel less restricted.

 

[PirateMcGee]

Also what down sleeping bag is everyone using? I like the non mummy ones as I like more room and feel less restricted.

Big agnes makes some nice ones with insulation only up top. They might make a double that fits your mattress.

 

[chmura]

I am 5' 14" tall so mine is oversized. and rectangle on mummy bag for me as well. Heck I would have to go out and open the RTT to see the brand. It is rated to ) degrees and wotks good for me. In the warmer months I have different on that is rated to 35 to 40 degrees. That is not a down bag, some other material.

So I closed the tent with the two Big Game Coleman Sleeping bags. I was packing the interior wrong. I noticed with the the crank version Autohome tent you have to leave some open space on the inside perimeter of the tent.

I ordered one new sleeping bag too. I got this one in extra long. https://www.rei.com/product/895333/the-north-face-dolomite-20-sleeping-bag

As far at the ladder. I point the hooks down as I do not want to damage the fiber glass shell when closing the tent. My reasoning to this is that I have a 2 inch layer of thick sleeping bags and the ladder goes ontop of those so the hooks go into the sleeping bags and not the mattress.

The Autohome Instructions say to lay the ladder on the mattress (with hooks facing up) and not ontop of things ie sleeping bags. Probably they do not want you to damage the fiber shell when the ladder is ontop with hooks facing up.

I find it troublesome to lay the ladder under the sleeping bags. Hope this makes sense.