Hardshell Color question

[Gtboosted]

I have decided to get an Autohome tent and not sure what color shell to get (white or black). Black looks cool but absorbs the sun more.

I am in So-Cal. In real world use does the tent get very hot as soon as the sun hits it? I have a teardrop and I never spend the day in it but I do like to sleep in until 8 or so.

Also, can any one recommend pros and cons of the Variant vs Grand Tour 360?

It will be mounted to a So-Cal teardrop. I'm 5'11 and plan to sleep up there with my son and the girls will get the trailer. I think medium standard is a good size.

 

[Nathansharkey80]

I have grey but I wish it was black. I am told the quality of the materials used in these tents is so good that color doesn’t affect the temperature inside.


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[Lemsteraak]

I have a grey but I wish it was white. I could sleep in a little with my old white tent. Colored gelcoat, the tent's paint, needs a lot more maintenance. Darker colors also turn your tent into an oven when it is closed so it is hard on anything you keep in the tent, like a mattress.

The Columbus and Maggiolinas are very similar in construction. Both are four season tents but the Maggiolina is my choice for cold weather. The mattress is thicker and the fabric breathes like crazy so there isn't any condensation to speak of. The roof being low keeps the heat down so these tents really excel in bad weather. On the other hand, I own a Columbus which is a very good all around tent for the weenie type of camping I do now. Doesn't have a much storage when closed but is really fast and easy to open and close. I highly recommend getting one of AutoHome's anti-condensation mats. They are made in Germany, expensive, but worth it as they are soft, feel good and act as an internal boxspring, Not only makes the mattress more comfortable but extends the temp range.

 

[moose545]

I had a white one, easier maintenance and reflectivity on UV, think of boat hulls. I just sold it and I'm opting for an aluminum body tent to mount things too, but I'll miss that mattress, hoping the Bush Co. is going to be pretty close.

 

[JPolk84]

I had a white one, easier maintenance and reflectivity on UV, think of boat hulls. I just sold it and I'm opting for an aluminum body tent to mount things too, but I'll miss that mattress, hoping the Bush Co. is going to be pretty close.

I have a black aluminum hard shell with the channels for mounting things and even a rack on top. I live on the east coast. After a rain, which is often on the SE, I have to air out my tent. It doesn't leak but it gets condensation even when closed. My guess is that due to the black paint it stores up some heat and when the cool rain comes down that heat trapped inside condenses. Luckily it has an anti-condensation mat but you still have to open it up. Since my tent stays on my roof and I can't really bring it into the garage all the time I'm going to have to just be vigilant about airing it out.

 

[moose545]

I have a black aluminum hard shell with the channels for mounting things and even a rack on top. I live on the east coast. After a rain, which is often on the SE, I have to air out my tent. It doesn't leak but it gets condensation even when closed. My guess is that due to the black paint it stores up some heat and when the cool rain comes down that heat trapped inside condenses. Luckily it has an anti-condensation mat but you still have to open it up. Since my tent stays on my roof and I can't really bring it into the garage all the time I'm going to have to just be vigilant about airing it out.

I know the autohome I had breathes well due to the breathable fabric sides, in face they even say in their manual it’s ok to put it away damp as it’ll still breathe and air out.