Columbus tent, more questions

[guestwho]

Hi guys, so I bought an older columbus tent off craigslist. I have some questions if someone would be nice enough to answer:
1) I noticed there are 2 rubber bands per side sewn into the fabric; what are these for?
2) When I want to close the tent, does it matter where/how I position the pillows and ladder?
3) Is there supposed to be a mechanism to pull the fabric in when I close the tent? I found a reference to this on the official website but maybe the older models don't have it. It's a pain to walk around and try to stuff it in on both side while trying to close it.
4) I noticed the bottom of the back window screen doesn't attach with the zipper, am I missing something here? I haven't examined it thoroughly but I'd like to have it sealed to keep bugs out.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to testing this thing out at Yosemite next week.

 

[Dusty Grin]

I can speak to the unsecured flap at the bottom of the entrance. I have heard others complain that they wish it was zipped at the bottom or Velcro'd. My maggiolina (a cousin to yours) has an extra flap on the inside of the soft door that you stuff down between the mattress and the exterior shell. Once you tuck it in it works great and bugs nor wind can get in. I have had troubles with other roof tents with zippers on the bottom. It is a leak point. I much prefer this style for heavy rains and stormy conditions. If you don't have that little extra flap, I could see how that would be a problem.

 

[MANUCHAO]

The two rubber bands should have a clip.
Use the clip to form an "X".
This in turn helps pull the fabric in as you close the tent....
You still want to make sure the fabric is not being pinched as you close the tent, but that's just minimal work to be done....
I place my pillows (aftermarket) in the middle of the tent.
I dont place the ladder inside the tent at all.. I use an aftermarket telescopic ladder...
My columbus has the extra flap as Dusty Grin stated... maybe you are missing something there ?

Frank

 

[guestwho]

I'll look at the back flap again. Do you think I could just tie the 2 rubber bands together with some cord to make the X? I don't think mine have the clips anymore.

 

[MANUCHAO]

^^^^most def... you could.. I would use a piece of velcro

 

[WU7X]

I think that there is a little confusion about the useage of the "rubber bands". You should have two of them on each side of the tent. They are mounted vertically ~2 feet one above the other. They are located on the non-zip portion of the exterior door flap. If you unzip the door, fold it once in half, then roll it toward those rubber bands, you can use them to hold the rolled material open. this allows for maximum airflow into and out of the tent and keeps that door material from flapping around in the wind.

On the inside of the doors, at about the same location as the upper rubber bands are located on the outside, there should be two small white plastic rings. They are one on each side of the doorway. Get some elastic cord and four snap rings from REI, etc. Cut the cord in two and connect one of the snap rings to each end. Mount this system crosswise on the inside of the tent by attaching one cord set to the front plastic rings and one to the back set. Adjust the cords themselves to have enough tension to pull the tent sides inward as you close the tent.

The two cords help a lot but you will still have to go around and push in the remaining side walls that stick outside of the clamshell as it comes together. Once you get the hang of it, you should be able to close the tent in less than a couple easy minutes.

I have found that the best way to store the ladder is lengthwise in the center of the tent. Make sure the two hooks used to attach the ladder to the tent are at the rear area when stored. I use regular bedroom pillows and turn them lengthwise also but leave them near the end of the tent.

My Columbus setup is over 10 years old. It has worked perfectly for all that time. I do need a new set of pneumatic struts for it though. I installed a 1-1/2" thick memory foam pad over the tent pad, and use flannel sheets and pillow cases. I also have a nice, thick down comforter over everything. My wife and I sleep like babies up there.

so congrats on picking up the Columbus tent. You will have tons of fun with it.

One last thing, I also purchased a Harkin hoist setup from AutohomeUS when I first bought the tent. It allows me to store the tent just below the ceiling of my garage during those times when I have the Columbus off my rig. This setup still allows me to park a car under it in the garage. It is a great space saver!

 

[Mike S]

Perhaps I can help. Some of your questions have been answered above, but I can add some details…

1) I noticed there are 2 rubber bands per side sewn into the fabric; what are these for?

These are used to hold the rolled up doors or screens so they are out of the traffic into and out of the tent. Newer versions have velcro tabs in this position.

2) When I want to close the tent, does it matter where/how I position the pillows and ladder?

The ladder should be place (hooks facing UP) in the center of the tent and placed so that the hooks are located beneath the high end of the tent - normally at the rear. {lace the pillows on either side of the ladder.

3) Is there supposed to be a mechanism to pull the fabric in when I close the tent? I found a reference to this on the official website but maybe the older models don't have it. It's a pain to walk around and try to stuff it in on both side while trying to close it.

There are two pieces of thin elastic cord that attach to the rings at the sides of the doors - about 1/2 way up the sides. Cord 'A' clips with both ends on the same side of the tent, Cord 'B' crosses Cord 'A' and is clipped to the opposite side forming an 'X'. Do this as you leave the tent and it will pull the sides in. If you leave a little opening with the side door zipper it will allow air to vent and there will be little tucking in to do.

4) I noticed the bottom of the back window screen doesn't attach with the zipper, am I missing something here? I haven't examined it thoroughly but I'd like to have it sealed to keep bugs out.

This was designed to eliminate a weak point in most tents… it is very easy to damage a door/screen with a bottom zipper. The zipper also creates a potential leak or draft area. Tuck the bottom of the screen between the mattress and the side of the tent. Works well with no leaks or drafts and is much less likely to be damaged.

If you have problems of need sapre parts, give us a call.

 

[guestwho]

Hi Mike, thanks for the tips. I think I spoke to you on the phone a week or two ago when I ordered the mounting kit. I'll try it out in a few days and see if I can make sense of it with some more time/practice.

Thanks again guys.