Flippac Rain Performance?

[CLynn85]

Just a question for Flippacers out there.

I see on the AT Flippac website that there's a rainfly option for the Flip Pac. At what level is this necessary? I'd like to think that I can use a Flip Pac as a 3-season camper, but am worried that the rain performance without the fly will not be suitable. Is this legit?

 

[Martyn]

The FlipPac tents has very low water resistant qualities.

If it rains you will get wet.

The cover / fly sheet is necessary in this application.

 

[Rando]

You will get wet even in a fairly light rain without the fly. I think this is a major drawback of the flip-pac, and one of the primary reasons I ended up going with the wildernest.

 

[Dave Bennett]

Sealed up, it is 100% waterproof.

Deployed with the rain fly you are probably 100% waterproof as well. The fly takes all of 2 minutes to put on so is really no big deal. YMMV.

Now, where the FlipPac REALLY shines is in hot weather - mucho ventilation and visibility, and just the right amount of shade.

3 season camper? Absolutely.

 

[Martyn]

You will get wet even in a fairly light rain without the fly. I think this is a major drawback of the flip-pac, and one of the primary reasons I ended up going with the wildernest.

Sounds like Doc has a solution for weatherproofing the inner tent What are you using?

As far as I know Wildernest is no longer in business. I have one on the back of my truck right now, the truck came with it. My impression of this tent is less than favorable. My tent has become completely brittle due to the effects of UV.

If you were buying a used one I think tent replacement would be something that would be one your list of replacement items.

 

[Youngunner]

Does the Flippac manufacturer have any intentions of utilizing a different tent material in the future? Seems like with all the advancements in tent technology they would keep up? Can you guys at AT request an upgraded material for the AT Flippac specs?

 

[Rando]

Wildernest is no longer in business, the one I have I purchased used in good condition, and the fabric is still waterproof. Seeing most wildernests are pushing 20 years old now I am sure this is not the case with all (or even most) of them.

When I was looking to purchase a camper I looked at a used flip-pac and a wildernest. There were a couple of reasons I decided on the wildernest, one was the fact that a wildernest in good condition, is inherently waterproof. You don't need to make the judgment call every evening as to whether you are going to need the fly or not. The owner of the flip-pac advised that I would need to buy the fly if I was going to camp where it may rain. I was also under the impression that much as on the wildernest, the lid forms a bathtub when flipped which will fill up with water regardless of how waterproof the fabric may be. Is that the case?

It would be awesome if flippac would upgrade the tent material to something waterproof/breathable like todd-tex, with a skirt like on the wildernest.

Sounds like Doc has a solution for weatherproofing the inner tent What are you using?

As far as I know Wildernest is no longer in business. I have one on the back of my truck right now, the truck came with it. My impression of this tent is less than favorable. My tent has become completely brittle due to the effects of UV.

If you were buying a used one I think tent replacement would be something that would be one your list of replacement items.

 

[Martyn]

AT has been in talks with an Australian company that manufactures a lightweight canvas that is water resistant and breathable.

We have 100 meters of the fabric for building prototypes for our JK Toppers. Once we have that project dialed in we have talked about making replacement single layer tents for the FlipPac.

Don't jump on me for specific dates on when this will take place, it will happen once we get the JK Topper on the market.

The fabric we will use is light weigh, breathable, water resistant and will meet fire regulations.

 

[Dave Bennett]

We have 100 meters of the fabric for building prototypes for our JK Toppers. Once we have that project dialed in we have talked about making replacement single layer tents for the FlipPac.

:coffeedrink:

 

[CLynn85]

Bummer. Three seasons here isn't exactly the same as socal. There's always a 20-40% chance of rain almost every night in the spring and summer and I don't want to have to install a rain fly all the time "just in case". Otherwise it's perfect for us. If you need a test subject for the new material, that'd be fine with me

 

[Dave Bennett]

I'm from the PNW and know real rain. The FP with the rain fly is no different than a high quality ground tent with rain fly except for the fact that you are up high with no worries of flooding from below

I have no worries about sleeping in mine during a squall.

 

[CLynn85]

I'm from the PNW and know real rain. The FP with the rain fly is no different than a high quality ground tent with rain fly except for the fact that you are up high with no worries of flooding from below

I have no worries about sleeping in mine during a squall.

Good to know. :snorkel:

I have no doubts though about it's performance with the fly, my thing is that I'd like to be able to set up camp on a cloudy night, and not worry about whether I'm going to be awakened by a shower at 2am and get drenched, nor do I want to set up camp on a nice summer eve and have to stretch the rain fly over myself as a precaution, be stuffed up with no view, and then awake the next day to find it never rained...

This is one feature I loved about our FWC. If it started to rain, no worries, if it started to pour, get up and roll up the flaps inside.

That being said, I'd be ever so excited if the new material gets incorporated into the original FP.

 

[HMR]

Mario, Doc or anyone else with experience- what are your thoughts on the FlipPac vs. multiple rainy nights?

Example: The fabric on a tent like the Maggiolina is good for multiple days of rain protection as long as you don't fold it up. After a few days of stowing/setting up in wet weather, the fabric will get saturated and water will start to creep onto the mattress. Is it a similar issue with the ATFP? I'm guessing the rain fly will get saturated after a day or two of constant rain, especially if folded up and then re-deployed at a new campsite? This is a common problem with EVERY tent and/or rainfly I'm familiar with, just wondering if the the ATFP fares any better?

One of my favorite things about the ATFP design is being able to get out of your wet/dirty clothes during a downpour and hop into bed nice and dry. Can't do that with my Maggiolina or any of my ground tents. :snorkel:

 

[Dave Bennett]

You're spot on, after a bit the fabric will get overwhelmed.

The advantage of the FP design is that when stowed, the mattress is actually on top (upside down) and the wet tent material would be below. Water likes to find it's way downward so any water that does come in via the damp tentage drips into the bed and is mostly kept away from the mattress. A plastic mattress cover could mitigate any chance of dampness being conducted to the bedding. This is one of the reasons I have the false floor incorporated into my interior - any water falls down and collects under there and drains out via the OE drain holes.

Stowing the wet rain fly is simply a matter of having the right waterproof bag.

 

[Youngunner]

I'm up for trying the new fabric, guess I'll have to wait to order my flippac...