drcoopster
Adventurer
Cotton is relatively fire-resistant compared to nylon and other common synthetics.
And who cares if the RTT cover is fire-resistant? It's just there to cover the tent when it's folded up.
Sunbrella as a Roof Top Tent Cover
- Thread starter tantoco
- Start date
Cotton is relatively fire-resistant compared to nylon and other common synthetics.
And who cares if the RTT cover is fire-resistant? It's just there to cover the tent when it's folded up.
Thanks again all for the great discussion, seems like Sunbrella is a good UV resistant material for AZ based on comments here and in talking to the wholesale Sunbrella distributor in the valley. The larger debate seems to revolve around the importance of the material being fire resistant. I often have a smallish size fire going about 10-20' from where the cover would be sitting when either on the RTT or sitting on the truck when the RTT is open, the risk of an ember from the fire is very low and I can't think of other fire risks, in addition no one in the valley stocks Firesist, it is special order and significantly more expensive than Sunbrella. Another interesting point described to me by Sunbrella's local wholesale distributor is that there is no difference in the manufacturing between the Awning Sunbrella and Marine, only in the marketing and different color schemes. All things considered I'm going to go with Sunbrella. You may hear me in the next few months cursing it, or maybe nothing at all for years which means it's a winner, either way thanks again for everyone's input and happy trails.
Lemsteraak
Adventurer
Sunbrella does have its limitations.
You are correct about it ability to handle sunlight well. I have a cover on my boat that is probably 30 years old and going well. The thread used to stitch the panels together is usually the first place to degrade so you want to use a very high grade thread like the ones from Gore of Goretex.
The two limitations are chaffing and water repellency. Polyester doesn't doesn't like to rub against anything so if flutters in the breeze, that is a bad thing. You can mitigate the problem by using a lining in wear spots. The durrable water repellency or DWR goes away with time so Sunbrella will wick moisture. You can get products to replace the DWR coating but they are quite expensive.
I would suggest two alternatives that might work better. The first is to just use what the trucker's use for tarping their loads. A nice heavy duty PVC vinyl should last a long time and be easy to clean. If you want something more like Sunbrella but with better chaffe protection then a Polyester / Cotton blend would probably suit your needs better. The polyester has the UV protection and the cotton can handle the wear well and will tighten up when wet and protect your tent from water. It has a side benefit in that it breathes so if you have to fold up your tent wet, it will let some of the moisture escape.
Here in our neck of the woods we use Vaughn Brothers in SE Portland or if you want a more mail order friendly place go to Seattle Fabrics. Both have been great and don't laugh at me on some of my one off projects. They also can give you their professional input.
Oh, one last thought. If you just want to duplicate your cover in the same design, I would recommend using a sailmaker over an awning shop. They understand the demands better and are used to taking in one off projects.
You are correct about it ability to handle sunlight well. I have a cover on my boat that is probably 30 years old and going well. The thread used to stitch the panels together is usually the first place to degrade so you want to use a very high grade thread like the ones from Gore of Goretex.
The two limitations are chaffing and water repellency. Polyester doesn't doesn't like to rub against anything so if flutters in the breeze, that is a bad thing. You can mitigate the problem by using a lining in wear spots. The durrable water repellency or DWR goes away with time so Sunbrella will wick moisture. You can get products to replace the DWR coating but they are quite expensive.
I would suggest two alternatives that might work better. The first is to just use what the trucker's use for tarping their loads. A nice heavy duty PVC vinyl should last a long time and be easy to clean. If you want something more like Sunbrella but with better chaffe protection then a Polyester / Cotton blend would probably suit your needs better. The polyester has the UV protection and the cotton can handle the wear well and will tighten up when wet and protect your tent from water. It has a side benefit in that it breathes so if you have to fold up your tent wet, it will let some of the moisture escape.
Here in our neck of the woods we use Vaughn Brothers in SE Portland or if you want a more mail order friendly place go to Seattle Fabrics. Both have been great and don't laugh at me on some of my one off projects. They also can give you their professional input.
Oh, one last thought. If you just want to duplicate your cover in the same design, I would recommend using a sailmaker over an awning shop. They understand the demands better and are used to taking in one off projects.
I was planning on using a local fabric/upholstery shop called Tempe Sales, they don't make sails but do make a lot of unique one off projects. The original cover is a heavy PVC vinyl and in AZ sun only lasts a couple years. In regards to chaffing I am having them replicate the cover which has carpet sewn into the underside at angled contact points as well as compression webbing to tighten it down and reduce movement. Thanks for reiterating the comment regarding thread selection, I will ask them for a Goretex or something comparable. Thanks for the feedback.