Hard shell RTT in the rain (Attaching an awning)

[Dozer Dan]

I'm waiting for my James Baroud Hard Shell RTT to be delivered. In the meantime I have been thinking about how to get in and out when it's raining. That's most of the time here in Ireland...
I came across this solution on another forum and was wondering if anyone as done anything similar. They have attached what I believe is called 'sail strip' to the RTT itself. It's a channel you can attach the awning to. Pretty neat I must say. But as I've forked out a substantial amount of money on the tent I'd be very reluctant to drill and rivet the shell.
Have anyone done this type of thing? What are the long term effects on the fiber glass? Does it crack or?
Are there perhaps better ways to attach this sail strip? Is it called sail strip?!

 

[joelbert]

I think I would instead use two straps (or paracord) over the top of the tent from the opposing side not anchored to the tent, but the truck rack or something, which could then hold a bar (or piece of pvc) with a strip of this. The bar or this strip would hang suspended (while keeping the design super light) from the tent top, but not connected. Putting it up would be super easy. I had been thinking a solution for awhile and this just came to me for the side closest to the vehicle.

 

[PIC4GOD]

The Autohome RTTs have loops sewn into the headliner. This allows their awning to attach under the lip preventing rain from getting through the gap. Would you be able to sew loops into the seam in the headliner?

 

[rino]

The reason James Baroud does not offer a vestibule or awning off the top of the tent is because they want to maintain the 70mph wind rating.

The addition of an awning I feel would drastically lower this number and introduce a large amount of lateral stress that the strut mechanism was not designed to handle.

 

[Dozer Dan]

That's a fair point rino but personally I will never be camping in 70mph winds.
I still like some protection from the weather getting in and out.

 

[AML]

I like the idea.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I didn't know that! I have an Extreme, and would really like an awning off the top. I'll have to look into that, you've just saved me a bunch of grief, thx, J

The Autohome RTTs have loops sewn into the headliner. This allows their awning to attach under the lip preventing rain from getting through the gap. Would you be able to sew loops into the seam in the headliner?

 

[PIC4GOD]

I didn't know that! I have an Extreme, and would really like an awning off the top. I'll have to look into that, you've just saved me a bunch of grief, thx, J

No problem. I went a different route with the awning because I had difficulty getting the one from Autohome. If you get one from them be prepared to wait. Now that I'm moving to the east coast I may go with Autohome for the protection it provides the entrance.

 

[Wallygator]

Maybe use just a cheap 10x20 tarp...Attach one end to the rack with enough slack so the tarp starts by the roof of the tent, lay the tarp over the top of the tent and use two poles with guy lines to make the tarp tight. Hope this makes sense? Simple and easy and don't have to do any mods to the tent. Can be taken down quickly and stores easily. Can be put up on any side. Ghetto? Sure, but could/should work with some tweaking

 

[Corey]

I have the one from Autohome for my Airlander, bought it years ago from Mike @ Autohome.
Never have had to use it though, even in light rain.
But it is nice to have it just in case.

 

[concretejungle]

cool idea for sure. I know when i wake up in my JB and it's raining, i just take much longer to get out! But in reality, i kind of get myself together, quickly exit and run under the awning. Wait for it to stop raining before taking it all down, if you can. If it keeps raining i've taking down the JB in the rain and to be honest was really surprised that the mattress and everything inside was really dry.

 

[joelbert]

Maybe use just a cheap 10x20 tarp...Attach one end to the rack with enough slack so the tarp starts by the roof of the tent, lay the tarp over the top of the tent and use two poles with guy lines to make the tarp tight. Hope this makes sense? Simple and easy and don't have to do any mods to the tent. Can be taken down quickly and stores easily. Can be put up on any side. Ghetto? Sure, but could/should work with some tweaking

Now that I'm in Montana and it was raining/cold when I was camping last weekend, this now has a higher priority for me. I like your idea and will see how it works or if I need to combine it with my prior idea that included some PVC pipe. The PVC pipe would just add some form to the tarp.

The biggest issue was water coming into the tent from the wet door flaps when I entered and exited. Also, any water that was stuck to my outerwear. The PVC would also allow me to hang some stuff outside prior to entry.

 

[CuStOm]

Excellent ideas here. Anyone have a successful implementation test with pictures?