Sure-Fire Ways to Improve Your Roof Top Tent

[teotwaki]

I talked with CVT and it is described just like it appears above in the pics of the grey mat. It is straight lines with zigzags between. It is not a solid pad. Mine is on the way and I will post up pics when I get it.

Thanks again! I just have to figure out fitment before I order. My mattress has velcro tabs on the bottom that mate to the platform to eliminate alignment problems.

For folks late to the thread here is the link to CVT's moisture mat: http://www.cascadiatents.com/index.php?m=84&s=654&c=&id=148

 

[Kcdude]

Here you go

 

[Guri]

Here is how I installed the moisture mat in my RRT. The mat is secured in place with the screws of the step ladder on one end. Basically the mat is floating. I added a Velcro on top of the mat to keep the mattress in place.

 

[teotwaki]

Here is how I installed the moisture mat in my RRT. The mat is secured in place with the screws of the step ladder on one end. Basically the mat is floating. I added a Velcro on top of the mat to keep the mattress in place.

I also see that you have the mat split into halves. Was there a problem with it getting pinched in the floor's hinged tongue & groove joint?

 

[Guri]

I also see that you have the mat split into halves. Was there a problem with it getting pinched in the floor's hinged tongue & groove joint?

My tent is the big one (Mt. McKinley), so I opted to install it traversal so it keep the mat on the floor and no pinching at all because the mat do not bends. Also the mat is a little short than the half of the floor.

 

[antarctican]

I was the one that wrote the other thread in the link provided, with the DIY mat. The one thing I like about my mat is that it lets air flow horizontally, which means quick drying times. The commercial mat appears to me to prevent horizontal air flow, meaning it stays wet (?).

 

[teotwaki]

I was the one that wrote the other thread in the link provided, with the DIY mat. The one thing I like about my mat is that it lets air flow horizontally, which means quick drying times. The commercial mat appears to me to prevent horizontal air flow, meaning it stays wet (?).

This link: http://forum.ih8mud.com/ca-bc-coastal-cruisers/747029-does-your-rtt-suffer-2.html#post8624250

Good point about better air flow to enhance drying

 

[Kcdude]

I attached the folding side of the mat to the bolts that hold the ladder on and it leaves a small gap between the sections. I left the fixed base side free so i can adjust the center as needed. It would be nice to have a small spring loaded clip that allows easy removal for wiping down but also gives just enough tension to hold the mat in place so it does not slide around.

 

[JamesDowning]

Isn't this the same thing as those restaurant glass-drying shelf liners?
http://m.kegworks.com/sani-dry-bar-...!37322837401&gclid=CKurpqvLprwCFWUOOgodUhcA2A

 

[lysol]

I'm always looking at things to make them better. I haven't seen any company as of yet come up with this idea and I'm actually pretty suprised. Every roof top tent inevitably sits up high and has a clear view of the sky. Most people who use roof top tents usually have an "overland" or "expedition" mindset. I can guaruntee that a percentage of those people run rigs with solar panels. Now, when the RTT is mounted (usually on the roof or trailer), there is almost no extra space to mount solar panels on the roof, roof rack, etc... I'm sure the percentage of people who use solar panels while they are driving is very low, but when at camp is steadily growing. The space is already used so why not integrate it into the RTT cover? There are flexible solar panels hitting the market already. Actually, you wouldn't even need flexible panels as hard ones have made there way into backpacking sized foldeable units with fabric sewn around the edges (i.e. Goal Zero). When the vehicle arrives at the campsite, the cover could be removed and set it to the side on the ground to continue/start collecting sunlight.

I don't know. Just an idea. I won't be mass-producing this as I'm only building a small prototype "strap-on" style for me to use. It will essentially strap over a rtt cover when I get my RTT. It will allow me to charge my aux battery when the vehicle is not running and tent not deployed OR deployed. I think it's a slick idea. Wish I could market it, but there's no way.

I sent en e-mail to CVT to get feedback on the idea. No reply yet.

 

[Yuman Desert Rat]

I'm always looking at things to make them better. I haven't seen any company as of yet come up with this idea and I'm actually pretty suprised. Every roof top tent inevitably sits up high and has a clear view of the sky. Most people who use roof top tents usually have an "overland" or "expedition" mindset. I can guaruntee that a percentage of those people run rigs with solar panels. Now, when the RTT is mounted (usually on the roof or trailer), there is almost no extra space to mount solar panels on the roof, roof rack, etc... I'm sure the percentage of people who use solar panels while they are driving is very low, but when at camp is steadily growing. The space is already used so why not integrate it into the RTT cover? There are flexible solar panels hitting the market already. Actually, you wouldn't even need flexible panels as hard ones have made there way into backpacking sized foldeable units with fabric sewn around the edges (i.e. Goal Zero). When the vehicle arrives at the campsite, the cover could be removed and set it to the side on the ground to continue/start collecting sunlight.

I don't know. Just an idea. I won't be mass-producing this as I'm only building a small prototype "strap-on" style for me to use. It will essentially strap over a rtt cover when I get my RTT. It will allow me to charge my aux battery when the vehicle is not running and tent not deployed OR deployed. I think it's a slick idea. Wish I could market it, but there's no way.

I sent en e-mail to CVT to get feedback on the idea. No reply yet.

I toyed with a similar idea for my EEZI awn RTT cover. I was going to sew a clear heavy duty panel that a powerfilm panel could be stored in. I also thought about doing the same thing on the rain fly.. but I never got the p owerfilm s its still just an idea...

 

[FJC Scout]

Good stuff in here! Thanks all

 

[moto-treks]

Why would one need a solar panel while driving as the alternator can recharge the batteries? I guess I could understand if you used a trailer with its own battery system but on a vehicle with dual batteries?

 

[grogie]

I'm always looking at things to make them better. I haven't seen any company as of yet come up with this idea and I'm actually pretty suprised. Every roof top tent inevitably sits up high and has a clear view of the sky. Most people who use roof top tents usually have an "overland" or "expedition" mindset. I can guaruntee that a percentage of those people run rigs with solar panels. Now, when the RTT is mounted (usually on the roof or trailer), there is almost no extra space to mount solar panels on the roof, roof rack, etc... I'm sure the percentage of people who use solar panels while they are driving is very low, but when at camp is steadily growing. The space is already used so why not integrate it into the RTT cover? There are flexible solar panels hitting the market already. Actually, you wouldn't even need flexible panels as hard ones have made there way into backpacking sized foldeable units with fabric sewn around the edges (i.e. Goal Zero). When the vehicle arrives at the campsite, the cover could be removed and set it to the side on the ground to continue/start collecting sunlight.

I don't know. Just an idea. I won't be mass-producing this as I'm only building a small prototype "strap-on" style for me to use. It will essentially strap over a rtt cover when I get my RTT. It will allow me to charge my aux battery when the vehicle is not running and tent not deployed OR deployed. I think it's a slick idea. Wish I could market it, but there's no way.

I sent en e-mail to CVT to get feedback on the idea. No reply yet.

Nice idea, but I would be surprised if they responded. They wouldn't want to develop that type of a product and then have you later sue them for your cut of it.

I had a friend advertise a patented idea he had to a company, and he only communicated with their lawyers. The company would not personally communicate with him.

 

[teotwaki]

Why would one need a solar panel while driving as the alternator can recharge the batteries? I guess I could understand if you used a trailer with its own battery system but on a vehicle with dual batteries?

Alternators run off of a belt driven by the engine. That consumes horsepower which takes gas which reduces your mileage. On long distance trips that adds up.