AT Tacoma Habitat: Official Thread
- Thread starter elcoyote
- Start date
Overlanerd
Vagabond Outdoors
Awesome! Can't wait to see the video.
With the fantastic fan on high, the force from the closing top really speeds up the fan. It doesn't really pull the sides in until after the big "whoooosh". My guess is that you'll need something with more cfm's than a pc fan. Something like this may work:
http://www.lfsmarineoutdoor.com/rule-in-line-blower-140.html?gclid=COKw75WFks0CFceCfgod79YNUg
The fantastic fan pulls 920 cfm, and these are only rated at 135. It would be great if it worked though- so much cheaper. If anything, maybe it will keep the sides from blowing out so much. It wasn't a deal breaker with my Flippac, but I never thought of using a fan until I got the 4wc. Also, if it becomes too annoying, I'd be more than happy to trade with you :sombrero:
elcoyote
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0004
With the Habitat it is best to leave the rear lift gate and truck tailgate open to allow the air to escape. Also leave the privacy panels on the screened windows open. Combined these are far more effective methods than any extractor fan could be. The Habitat interior air volume to be expelled is many times that of a FWC pop top.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
thanks a bunch for the response. I'm still not sold one way or the other but some of the items you mention don't really apply to my unique situation. I'm looking to live in it almost full time so bed use is not a big deal and i have a lift and airbags installed so weight is not as much of a concern either. Either way ill figure it out. Im just trying to look at all my options. I'm up north of Vegas so I might just pop down to visit and see the items in person. FWC and a Habitat.
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
No option yet, but it would be easy in install a mozzi net across the rear opening. We do plan a mozzi net room that attaches to the open lid that would serve double duty, it would also be possible to just screen the inside sleeping area.
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
The tent is very solid in high winds, no issues there especially if you nose into the wind.
DVexile
Adventurer
From experience with a FlipPac the tent structure is likely very robust to wind. I've had my FlipPac up in sustained strong desert winds with no issues. At least with the FlipPac the tent noise gets very loud though. And being that the tent is six or seven feet off the ground it does catch more wind than a ground tent. But I have no fear of the tent collapsing, just noisier than heck (at least the similar FlipPac tent).
Since the AT product does not require a separate rain fly like the FlipPac does then that would seem to indicate the Habitat is even better suited for wind + rain/snow.
Pointing into the wind I'm sure helps but not a practical solution in my experience. Storms are associated with fronts and fronts mean winds progressing around 180 degrees or more of the compass over a period of less than a day. Also one of the benefits of the small FlipPac/Habitat footprint is camping "wherever" and often you are very constrained on orientation in such cases.
Anyway, if you don't mind wind noise I suspect the Habitat will weather windstorms just fine.
Since the AT product does not require a separate rain fly like the FlipPac does then that would seem to indicate the Habitat is even better suited for wind + rain/snow.
Pointing into the wind I'm sure helps but not a practical solution in my experience. Storms are associated with fronts and fronts mean winds progressing around 180 degrees or more of the compass over a period of less than a day. Also one of the benefits of the small FlipPac/Habitat footprint is camping "wherever" and often you are very constrained on orientation in such cases.
Anyway, if you don't mind wind noise I suspect the Habitat will weather windstorms just fine.
Lou Habitat Prototype Owner
Hi I am the owner of the Habitat prototype that I have had since I think February. Since I have owned the Habitat I have camped in it about 30 days. Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California. Let me go down the list of why I like the Habitat better than the FlipPac I owned for three years.
• Easy to set up. I usually open from the inside but have used the pole to open it and it works fine.
• Take down is easy using the pole but I do have to go back and forth about two times to stuff everything in. 5 minutes' tops, I'm in no rush
• Works great in rain and snow. I do mean heavy rain as I spent two nights in Moab with heavy storms at night listening to tent campers cussing due to flooding of their campsite. But seam seal the overlapping joints to be safe.
• The NEMO tent dries quickly, in about 20 minutes it was dry and I could pack it up to go mountain biking
• In the pictures the tent is not secured in place so looks loose but it does fit well and it is nice having the awnings over the windows so when it rains you can open them for ventilation. There is a lot less wind noise than in a FlipPac. Better quality tent by NEMO
• No DUST! I do have a Bedrug in my Taco and I had one with my FlipPac but that had lots of dust inside after a day on the trail. But the Habitat is made to fit the Taco not like the FlipPac's one size fits all shell
• No leaks when closed. I always had water leaks in the FlipPac when driving in the rain and snow. This does not happen in the Habitat
• Room, more storage room with the shelf on the front portion to put your bags if needed. You have the whole bed open not like a FlipPac where you use the hammock to store bags.
• It is nice to have the built in awning over the rear. In high winds you always have somewhere to stand out of the rain or sun.
• I usually make a curtain to cover the back opening when I leave the back open, I do this to keep the bugs out and privacy if I don't feel like closing everything up. I use Velcro to hold the curtain in place.
• If you want to check it out I will be at the NW Overland Rally June and FJ Cruiser Summit in July. If you have questions PM me
Hi I am the owner of the Habitat prototype that I have had since I think February. Since I have owned the Habitat I have camped in it about 30 days. Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California. Let me go down the list of why I like the Habitat better than the FlipPac I owned for three years.
• Easy to set up. I usually open from the inside but have used the pole to open it and it works fine.
• Take down is easy using the pole but I do have to go back and forth about two times to stuff everything in. 5 minutes' tops, I'm in no rush
• Works great in rain and snow. I do mean heavy rain as I spent two nights in Moab with heavy storms at night listening to tent campers cussing due to flooding of their campsite. But seam seal the overlapping joints to be safe.
• The NEMO tent dries quickly, in about 20 minutes it was dry and I could pack it up to go mountain biking
• In the pictures the tent is not secured in place so looks loose but it does fit well and it is nice having the awnings over the windows so when it rains you can open them for ventilation. There is a lot less wind noise than in a FlipPac. Better quality tent by NEMO
• No DUST! I do have a Bedrug in my Taco and I had one with my FlipPac but that had lots of dust inside after a day on the trail. But the Habitat is made to fit the Taco not like the FlipPac's one size fits all shell
• No leaks when closed. I always had water leaks in the FlipPac when driving in the rain and snow. This does not happen in the Habitat
• Room, more storage room with the shelf on the front portion to put your bags if needed. You have the whole bed open not like a FlipPac where you use the hammock to store bags.
• It is nice to have the built in awning over the rear. In high winds you always have somewhere to stand out of the rain or sun.
• I usually make a curtain to cover the back opening when I leave the back open, I do this to keep the bugs out and privacy if I don't feel like closing everything up. I use Velcro to hold the curtain in place.
• If you want to check it out I will be at the NW Overland Rally June and FJ Cruiser Summit in July. If you have questions PM me
Last edited:
washington taco
Explorer
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Thanks! I will be checking it out!
Thanks! I will be checking it out!
A few add-ons that I didn’t address last post.
• Wind noise, if you were at OEX West 2016 it was very windy and when I was in Moab and Red Rocks it was windy. There is not a lot of tent flap noise. Better tent fabric that does not flap as much as a FlipPac and it was enjoyable sleeping in the tent
• Closing, leave the back open and you will not get as much billowing when you close the Habitat
• Foot print, I did like the FlipPac being the same size as the Taco but having the awning when the Habitat opens off the back is a great trade off. I have a swing out on my truck so I do need room to open the swing out but it really has not been an issue finding somewhere to camp.
• I have seen a lot of posts about what do you do with a wet tent when packing up to leave. This has not been an issue yet. Tent dries fast even after an all night rain. I have not had to pack up yet while raining but as I said earlier the tent was dry in about 20 minutes.
• The power strips on both sides at the rear of the camper are great. I can charge my iPad, phone, etc… all the time and it is convenient being by the tailgate.
• Since I have the prototype AT did listen if I made suggestions on changes and they also had my Taco initially for product testing . You see many of the upgrades on the production models now coming out. Great company to work with. It is a quality product that is 100 times better than a FlipPac because it fits the truck and they have great customer service and listen to your issues if you have any
• Wind noise, if you were at OEX West 2016 it was very windy and when I was in Moab and Red Rocks it was windy. There is not a lot of tent flap noise. Better tent fabric that does not flap as much as a FlipPac and it was enjoyable sleeping in the tent
• Closing, leave the back open and you will not get as much billowing when you close the Habitat
• Foot print, I did like the FlipPac being the same size as the Taco but having the awning when the Habitat opens off the back is a great trade off. I have a swing out on my truck so I do need room to open the swing out but it really has not been an issue finding somewhere to camp.
• I have seen a lot of posts about what do you do with a wet tent when packing up to leave. This has not been an issue yet. Tent dries fast even after an all night rain. I have not had to pack up yet while raining but as I said earlier the tent was dry in about 20 minutes.
• The power strips on both sides at the rear of the camper are great. I can charge my iPad, phone, etc… all the time and it is convenient being by the tailgate.
• Since I have the prototype AT did listen if I made suggestions on changes and they also had my Taco initially for product testing . You see many of the upgrades on the production models now coming out. Great company to work with. It is a quality product that is 100 times better than a FlipPac because it fits the truck and they have great customer service and listen to your issues if you have any
Thanks for all the detailed info you on your experience and the comparison to a Flippac. Seems like a great setup.
PacificNorthWest
New member
Awesome! See you next weekend!