RTTs, surviving the impossible

[just eric]

I was hoping those who have been there and done that would be willing to share their stories about extreme conditions in a RTT.

I would hope that this thread could become a solid resource, based on real world use, that potential buyers could consult for information regarding durability, water-tightness, wind resistance, and anything else that mother nature has thrown at your tents.

Thanks in advance for any input you can provide.

 

[ColinTheCop]

I spent a couple of days in the Faroe islands on the way back from iceland (the ferry dumps you there while it goes to Norway and collects you on the way back).

The wind and rain was horrendous. It was coming in sideways from the sea. The campsite being right on the coast.

I ended up using ratchet straps on it to make sure it didn't get ripped apart by the wind.

And when the rain comes in sideways, it leaks like a sieve.

Mine being a copy of the ARB version.

 

[Harald Hansen]

My Maggiolina has stood up to fairly strong winds. Regular tent fabric tends to flap in the wind, but the Maggionlina has very taut fabric, and the result is more quiet inside the tent.

I also handles regular rain with a bit of wind very well.

A friend of mine left his on the car all through the Norwegian winter, and it was still nice and dry inside in the sping.

 

[Corey]

I have the Maggiolina AirLander from AutoHome.
Although I have not had it it out in strong winds yet, the very first night I used it, it rained pretty good throughout the night.
Bone dry inside, even with all the windows open some for ventilation.

The thing I like the most about the hardshell units it the durability of them.
My tent has been on my roof since March of 2008 and still looks brand new.
It is also parked outside 24/7 throughout the year.
It has been waxed a few times with marine grade wax with UV inhibitors in it from Meguiars.

Also here in the PNW we get a lot of rain.
When I opened it up a few month back to wash the bedding for preparation for the new season, the inside was bone dry and no dust.

I also like how taut the canvas is on this type of model.

 

[JeepTreeHouse]

My campinglab RTT has seen some pretty intense thunder storms and decent wind storms near the beach. It held up well to both.

During the thunder storm we were in the mountains so there wasnt too much wind. The rain came strait down and we stayed dry.

The windy weather at the beach had a bit more of a learning curve to it. The gusts were about 60 MPH this trip. The first night we got barely any sleep form the amount of flapping going on. The second night I removed the rain fly before turning in. Also we positioned the jeep so that the tent opened up over the side with the wind; not against it or perpedicular to the gusts. These proved to be great improvments and even with the windy weather we slept like babies.

 

[UK4X4]

I really don't think an RTT is the best fit for all scenarios

each tent material design and construction is to fit a rough weather and usage patern

You won't take a coleman $ 40 tent to iceland and have it survive

if you take a $500 mountain tent to venezuela you'll sweat your *** off

If you are on a 6 month camping nightly trip an RTT is awsome

Those horizontal rain days,,,slum it and sleep inside

The RTT for an extended road trip has lots of advantages over a ground mounted tent

Bug access
snake acess
mud
uneven ground
rocky terrain
fast setup and storage
I tend to like the "security" in sleeping high up
less heat in the tropics( the ground absorbs a lot of heat)
The truck is a pretty good anchor

If you camp in great weather 6 times a year- buy a coleman and throw away
after it collapses

If you camp in the high mountains another make or design may be more suitable.

Solo I love a hennsey hammock

as a couple I love the RTT

The family..........presently a 2 room ground tent,but I'm looking at making an extension to the RTT for my daughter and dog.

just due to its fast setup, cool temps,ventilation and its general convenience

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Uh, I can say, that after seeing what some some VERY wet snow did to the top of my Maggiolina when it was stored, I would never camp if such conditions were expected. I don't know what would have happened if the tent was in the upright position that night. The flat top of the Mag is an achilese heel in that situation.

I've also been in really hot and humid weather at night as a rain storm rolled through, and was able to leave the windows hope while it rained. That was nice. Would have been unbearable in a ground tent.

 

[bobDog]

Well lets see....I'm disabled but can climb my way to the roof and I want a RTT in the worst way but need to spend money else where just now. When I can I will buy one and leave it mounted 24/7/365 as I can lift etc. I will get a soft tent as I think the hard shells are smaller and very coffin like. From what I have seen the cover is the important part. I would think changing it say every 3 years or so would be smart and maybe having an extra cover custom made at my local awning shop. Maybe throw in a few dry packs every winter might help.
Of course where I live it can rain around 63" a year w/o any trouble so we're very accustomed to 'wet'. Just my thoughts so far w/o any real experience.:smiley_drive:

 

[Hill Bill E.]

I love my RTT. (from http://www.racktents.com/ believe it's made by Mombasa (?)

Had it in Moab for 3 weeks in total, with some serious winds! Held up great.

Also no problems in heavy rain *, even 'sideways' rain, as long as the windows were zipped.

* In a heavy wind with rain, the RTT was opened up ladder facing the wind. The wind 'closed' the tent while we were out exploring. Leaving a wet interior.

I now try and open it with the ladder 'downwind', and/or use a strap to keep it from folding up.

Had it up near the BWCAW, and woke up to a 3" wet heavy snowfall, no problems there either.

The eyelets on the rainfly have been 'ovalled' a bit from the wind, but no tears or rips.

After 4 years, the travel cover has a couple seams ripping, and the zipper is about shot. Stays on my M416 year round, outside, with a tarp over it in the winter.

 

[TJDIV]

Kristian should post up here.

We dealt with Arizona heat, and some nasty lightning, storming turned to all out snow storm on the Porcupine Rim in Moab. He just recently went through 60+ mph winds in a UP storm as well.

I'm amazed at how well that tent does. Definitely a good purchase.

 

[Toyotero]

I was hoping those who have been there and done that would be willing to share their stories about extreme conditions in a RTT.

I would hope that this thread could become a solid resource, based on real world use, that potential buyers could consult for information regarding durability, water-tightness, wind resistance, and anything else that mother nature has thrown at your tents.

Thanks in advance for any input you can provide.

Expeditions West's trip using at RTT will be hard to beat....

From the winter 2007 Overland Journal - Arctic Ocean Expedition

 

[1leglance]

My Hannibal went through:
-60 mph winds with nothing more than some flapping
-22deg temps & a foot of snow on top..the only issue was trying to pack it away semi-frozen a bit of time in the sun made it easier
-100 deg night time temps (canvas makes cool shade and being high up helps catch a breeze)
- crazy rain storms with not a touch of trouble

I also had a Autohome Colombus which was super easy to setup & take down.

All in all the only thing that was even close to a down side was putting the cover on, if I was still running a RTT setup I would make a fiberglass or alum box cover with solar built in...easy to put on and get some juice also.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

.

All in all the only thing that was even close to a down side was putting the cover on, if I was still running a RTT setup I would make a fiberglass or alum box cover with solar built in...easy to put on and get some juice also.

Contemplating that right now, as my cover is going to heck after 4 years.

Might build it in 2 parts (front/rear, overlapping) so I can remove it by myself.


Another advantage I found, during the high winds in Moab, all the guys with ground tents, ended up with dust/silt inside thier tents.

My RTT was clean inside, even with the windows partially open to keep it cool. :coffeedrink: