AutoHome RTT Excessive Moisture Question

[RedXterra]

I don't know if this has been covered before, I tried searching but haven't found anything on it.

So I've had my Columbus RTT for about 4 months now and have used it about 3 times so far, but every time I have gone camping its been raining. So whenever I break down camp and close the tent, its wet. Normally most people would open the tent up when they got hoi me and let it dry out, but I live in western Washington and its wet all the time until summer. I also live on the second floor of an apartment building, so its a real pain to get if off my rig, through the parking lot, up the stairs, and set it up in the living room of my tiny one bedroom apartment so it can dry out.

I've started pulling the foam pad out and bringing that in to dry, and that seems to help. But even if I open it up a week after camping, the fabric is still wet.

I was thinking of putting one of those giant silica gel packs in there, do you guys think that would help?

Do you guys have any tips?

Any input would be much appreciated.

Link to silica gel:
http://www.amazon.com/900-Gram-Silica-Cubic-Feet/dp/B0028M7WK4

Sent from my Nexus 7

 

[qwerty]

I don't own an AutoHome RTT yet, but I think AutoHome's "solar reflective and winter hood" might keep the tent walls dry by acting as a water resistant/proof shell. It attaches by Velcro, so it can be quickly removed before closing the tent. Can anyone who owns one comment on it's ability to keep the tent walls dry when it's raining?

http://autohomeus.com/accessories/hoods.php

http://www.autohome.it/file_gb/columbus_accessories.html

 

[Lemsteraak]

Excellent idea to store your mattress inside, always makes a nice guest bed.

If your budget allows, couple ideas. First, get a winter hood, then you have a proper four season tent. It attaches to the fuzzy strip under the drip rail. When you are done camping, just take out the mattress and unzip the hood and bring them both inside to dry.

I like to have a place to store wet gear in the rain so I use a parawing type awning attached to the peak of the Columbus that becomes a vestibule. Gives you a place to hang out and store wet gear.

Another expensive but nice option is to use an ACS (Anti-Condensation) mat. It is a very lightweight mesh at adds ventilation and a little cush under your mattress.

As an inexpensive option ($15), what about putting on a DWR (Durable Water Repellant) finish? Your tent's fabric is Airtex http://www.mehler-texnologies.com that uses a teflon coating inside like expensive rain gear. The thought is to treat the outside so moisture will bead up. Give the walls a good thump before closing, the water should fall off. Preferred supplier - 303 Products.

 

[Colin Hughes]

I've had my Maggiolina Extreme for over five years and a Columbus Variant before that. We've camped in some pretty severe weather like on a cliff edge on Grand Manan Island with heavy rain and 60+ mph winds and the inside of the tent stayed dry. I bat the sides of the tent as the rain wicks which gets about 85% of the water off. I close the tent, all doors closed as well, and by later in the day when I set up camp again, the tent is dry. I don't understand how your mattress is getting wet.

 

[RedXterra]

Lemsteraak, that's allot of really good info, thanks.

I would really like to purchase the winter hood, its on my list, right after I do my shocks. 150k on stock shocks will really take a toll.

The previous owner who I bought the tent from was an older gentleman who had the tent on top of his Jeep Liberty, which was parked in his driveway for three years. So its probably a good idea to do the fabric again.

 

[RedXterra]

Thanks for all the help guys, I appreciate it.

Also, here's the "guest room" in my apartment:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=143938&d=1360404918

 

[Lemsteraak]

You are most welcome.

Your tent is actually quite different from the others. Because the fabric doesn't chafe like on a folding tent, a polyester fabric can be used. The tent's walls are sloped so the fabric has to be very water repellant. I don't believe Airtex is treated with a DWR finish, doesn't need it. The thinking is to add a DWR finish, it will certainly not hurt and keep the fabric dry.