Flippac + Snow = I need your experience

[WASURF63]

The Nikwax is just an extra waterproofing step (Im extra careful)

What do you think about treating the ATFP tent itself with the NikWax spray bottle version?
http://www.nikwax.com/en-us/products/productdetail.php?productid=502&activityid=1

Better yet, maybe Martyn or Mario could lend thier thoughts/opinions on this?

I think they really "hit the bullseye" with the JK Habitat. :REOutArchery02:
I'm looking forward to the real world test results/opinions on how that tent material fares in wet storm conditions...

 

[Dave Bennett]

I have never treated my Flip Pac rain fly with anything. It's never leaked a drop. When the rain fly is on your not going to get wet. Yes, folding up a wet flip and storing the rain fly is kind of a pain. Heavy wet snow should slide right off but don't know, maybe this Winter I 'll try that out.

Totally agree, I'm just going by the advice from Mario to make sure it's monsoon proof

What do you think about treating the ATFP tent itself with the NikWax spray bottle version?
http://www.nikwax.com/en-us/products/productdetail.php?productid=502&activityid=1

Better yet, maybe Martyn or Mario could lend thier thoughts/opinions on this?

I think they really "hit the bullseye" with the JK Habitat. :REOutArchery02:
I'm looking forward to the real world test results/opinions on how that tent material fares in wet storm conditions...

I see no reason a guy could not use the Nikwax on the main tent, it's just a regular nylon tent after all.

The Habitat is the bomb, no doubt!

Paging Mario and Martyn!

 

[Martyn]

Nikwax has great products. The TX Direct is ideal for re-waterproofing nylon.I have used it on ski gear for years.

Follow the directions, and most importantly put the flysheet in the drier, it needs to be heat cured.

It seems that a few of the flysheets may not be as waterproof as others, so TX Direct is the ticket.

I'm like Tacodoc, I'm going to waterproof my flysheet with TX and Seam Seal because it's easy and preventative, and I hate getting cold and wet.

 

[washington taco]

After much back and forth I have finally decided to keep my short bed tacoma, add a Flippac, and go with it...too much looking at this and that and this is nice...wow...I like that...this would need a bigger truck...etc...anyway
All the reading I have done on the Flippac on this site and others give good information on quality, usefulness, etc...but I still have not found much information on camping in cold/snowy weather. I understand that opening it would require clearing snow from the top before unfolding but I am more concerned with the strength of the tent/poles and the usefulness of the rain fly. Would I need a custom rain/snow fly or better poles to use in heavy snow.
I really don't plan on using the Flippac much in the snow but occasional overnights in backcountry parking lots during the winter would be nice. Will a Flippac work or do I need a four wheel camper?
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks

This is my concern! No one stated snow! I camp @ 4000' evey Thursday night during ski season with up to a foot of snow over night. Will the TENT HOLD SNOW?

 

[washington taco]

You would need a masive heater to melt all the snow hitting the huge surface area!

 

[Martyn]

I don't have experience with the AT FlipPac in snow, but I live at 5500 ft and I've shoveled enough snow in the past 25 years to make a grown man cry :sombrero:

There are a few important factors here and before I delve into them I need to tell you that after reading all of this you still are not going to end up with a yes or no answer.

1) The tent is not rated for snow, due to it's shape it will shed snow, but the internal pole structure is walled aluminum and none of then run in the vertical plane.

2) Snow varies in weight dependent on the free water content. Houses in the area I live in are built to withstand 210 lb/sq.ft of snow load. Someone asked if the tent would withstand a foot of snow, at 210 lb/sq.ft no it won't, but if you are overnight camping in Park City and a foot of light Utah powder rolls through then yes it will.

3) I'd guess that if RTT's and the AT FlipPac were to be rated they would be considered 3 season tents. There is many a morning I've woken up in my RTT to 8" of snow sitting on it, I've brushed it off and the tent has been no worse for ware. Other mitigating factors are heat. If you are running one of our HeatSource heaters all night and keeping the air temperature at 60'F then it should go a long way to melting snow off the tent.

There there you have it 3 powerful maybe's.