Roof Top Tent Full Time

[Dolomiti]

I am thinking about getting and keeping a roof-top tent on my vehicle full time. Right now, I am leaning towards an Expedition Series from RackTent.com. Has anyone else done this? How would the Travel Cover hold up to UV/Heat/etc?

To supplement, it is very possible that the vehicle would be under cover (in a covered parking garage) about 5-6 days a week during the day, and under the stars at night.

 

[Pskhaat]

I think most of us with rooftents have them on "full-time," UV is always an issue but obviously no different sitting at home vs. in the bush.

 

[Corey]

My Maggiolina has been on full time since March of 2008, and it outside the full time.

I waxed the roof a few months back with Marine wax that has UV inhibitors in it.

For the covers on the soft top tents, you can use Aerospace Protectant, that shields it from UV.
http://www.303products.com/

http://www.303products.com/shop303/...&category_id=3&CFID=51774372&CFTOKEN=59663720

303 is THE LEADER in UV screening technology and 303 Protectant really is like "SPF 40 Sunscreen ... For Your Stuff." Regular use of 303 Aerospace Protectant can reduce UV caused slow-fade by up to 100%. No other protectant beautifies as intensely, protects as powerfully or lasts as long.

The World's Most Manufacturer-Recommended product: Because of its enduring cosmetic properties, resistance to dust, soiling, and staining, water repellency and unparalleled protective abilities, manufacturers worldwide recommend 303 Aerospace Protectant for countless uses:

Use on Rubber: Latex, Neoprene, EPDM Seals, weather-stripping, Wet/dry suits, rubber roofs, Vinyl, Hypalon, Urethane Vinyl awnings, clear vinyl, convertible tops, tonneaus, car bras, spa covers, pool covers, inflatable boats and so much more !

 

[Dolomiti]

My Maggiolina has been on full time since March of 2008, and it outside the full time.

I waxed the roof a few months back with Marine wax that has UV inhibitors in it.

For the covers on the soft top tents, you can use Aerospace Protectant, that shields it from UV.
http://www.303products.com/

http://www.303products.com/shop303/...&category_id=3&CFID=51774372&CFTOKEN=59663720

Cool, thanks.

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

We leave ours on full time as well, mostly because we just have nowhere else to store it! Haven't had any problems with it sitting outside in the hot Phoenix sun or monsoons. I'd say only downside is the decreased gas mileage for commuting but the mileage in the FJ is so horrible anyway it doesn't make that much of a difference!

 

[Mike S]

The PVC/Hypalon/whatever flexible travel covers will shred with time. Based on tents we have seen, I would guess 3 to 5 years in the AZ climate. The fiberglass or carbon fiber tents don't have this problem, but the gelcoat can lose lustre over the years. Easy to renew, however.

 

[Connie]

Our TechniTop is on full time. Through weather and trees and all manner of other abuse we have had to replace the outer cover once in 5 years.

 

[Lemsteraak]

One of my neighbors has one of those RTT's on his Disco full time. The cover has held up quite well but the straps that ties it down aren't UV stabilized and have turned to dust. This may have been corrected as the tent is over a year old.

I recommend that you take the rooftent down when you aren't going to be using it for awhile. My experience is that the aerodynamics aren't very good for the fabric RTTs. I don't know whether it is the shape or if it is a soft surface or a combination. They seemed to me to lower mileage about 5% on my old Volvo but this of course will differ with the vehicle.

A lift is the best way to take these off but baring that, I would recommend taking out the mattress to lower the lift off weight. A good mattress weighs 30+ pounds so it makes a huge difference. Adds a few minutes but then you can use it as a guest bed and keep it inside so it is fresh.

Rich

 

[texaslawman]

I have one of the cheap Mombassa tents and its been on my daily driver since June or July 2007 its always out side wont fit in the garage. Other than the cover starting to tear and negative 3-5 mpg its held up well. I just had a custom coated vinyl cover made and put it on my trailer a couple months ago it should last for many years.

 

[The Swiss]

... The fiberglass or carbon fiber tents don't have this problem, but the gelcoat can lose lustre over the years. Easy to renew, however.

How? My Maggiolina is now about 10 years old and the gel-coat starts showing its age with hairline cracks. Not a problem, just not pretty.

 

[Mike S]

How? My Maggiolina is now about 10 years old and the gel-coat starts showing its age with hairline cracks. Not a problem, just not pretty.

There are a number of marine products that will restore the gelcoat - it is the same basic material as a fiberglass boat hull. In serious cases of weathering, a thorough washing, followed by degreasing, then polishing with rubbing compound gets the shell ready for either a wax formulated for marine use, or a 'gelcoat restorer' - there are a number of them on the market.

The hairline spider cracks that sometimes develop in gelcoat are a cosmetic issue and do not effect the underlying structure of the tent. They can easliy be repaired with an EVERCOAT GELCOAT RESTORATION KIT - about $35 - this stuff works pretty well and will fill the little hairline cracks.

Ultimately, the best protection is to keep your Maggiolina or Columbus clean and waxed with a quality marine wax that has UV inhibitors.

For cleaning the fabric, I like 303 Products Fabric CLeaner. If needed, you can follow up with 303 Products Fabric Guard, which maintains water repellency and helps protect against wear caused by dust in the fabric.

 

[The Swiss]

Awesome Mike, thanks for all the info. Sounds like you made your PHD in fiberglass restoration :victory:

 

[Mike S]

Awesome Mike, thanks for all the info. Sounds like you made your PHD in fiberglass restoration :victory:

Not quite You can also g here for additional info: http://www.autohomeus.com/info/care.php

 

[Lemsteraak]

Gelcoat is pretty soft stuff and marks seem to sink in a little into it. I concur with Mike that it is a good idea to keep it sealed with a wax. Only trouble is, the wax will burn off with time and the gelcoat will age and dull. I've also seen where there will be marks from rubbing on things, like black marks from the crossbars. I think automotive rubbing compound is too harsh, it works but not as well as some of the products that are designed for restoring fiberglass. 3M makes a line that are particularly good, you can find them at marine stores. They work much faster and take off most all marks. Oh, yes I do own stock in 3M, like their stuff.

The little spyders, or radial hairline cracks are always going to be a problem with fiberglass, another reason why carbon fiber is nice. The structural fiberglass can flex more than the gelcoat and when this happens, the gelcoat will develop hairline cracks, they are cosmetic. I've found that a fiberglass restorer will make these less noticeable. Yes, another plug for 3M stuff.

I was lucky enough to pick up an old Maggiolina years back when PG&E went bankrupt for about $400. There was a catch, I bought it sight unseen and had to wait two months for the snow to melt enough to find it. It was under six feet of snow in the Sierras. Turns out, the tent was almost perfect, cleaned up really well and saw it a couple years ago when the new owner lifted 900 pound on the roof of the tent. Yes, they will do it but not well.

Rich

 

[Corey]

Here is what I used for wax on mine.
http://marinerv.meguiars.com/product/Gel-Coat-Polish-Protect/One-Step-Cleaner-Wax-Paste

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.asp?T1=MEG+WAX+16

You can see the reflection of the huge tree I park under.

Underneath the roof rack it is gross, that is from the tree.
The tent looked a lot worse and was thick with pitch, tree spooge,a nd winter dirt, and after washing it really good the wax made it look better than new.