Sure-Fire Ways to Improve Your Roof Top Tent

[geordie4x4]

try these QuickFist clamps on your shovel. I got mine at Sierra Expeditions http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=90

Now back to cool tent stuff

Ah yes these things are great. I have used them inside the roof of my rig for fishing rod holders.

Now I am thinking about inside the hard shell rooftop tent, I am wondering if I could use these or if there is another good idea or good clamp to hold the ladder and stop it sliding around inside.

 

[carbon60]

I either put my boots on something waterproof, inside re tent, when I'm alone and have the extra room.

When I'm with my lady, I change outside, leave everything in the truck and wear Crocs that I can basically leave anywhere since they won't be bothered by water. Often, I cram them between the roof and the tent.

 

[Beamer pilot]

Thanks for the Sierra link, and priced right, almost cheaper than my muffler clamps !!!

 

[teotwaki]

Where the bottom of my ladder is located (resting on the ground) I have a thick rubber mat of the type to be found in restaurant kitchens. Sort of like this

They are perforated and have tabs on the ends so they can be linked together. Mine serves as sort of a doormat so that you can take boots off and not track dirt up the ladder rungs. If there is a chance of rainy weather I set my boots on the trailer's fender. This keeps them high and dry but accessible. All of the hanging shoe bags are sort of neat but do not place shoes far enough back to protect them from the rain.

 

[Beamer pilot]

They are perforated and have tabs on the ends so they can be linked together. Mine serves as sort of a doormat so that you can take boots off and not track dirt up the ladder rungs. If there is a chance of rainy weather I set my boots on the trailer's fender. This keeps them high and dry but accessible. All of the hanging shoe bags are sort of neat but do not place shoes far enough back to protect them from the rain.[/QUOTE]

I use that same material on top of my Kargomaster roof rack to stop items from sliding around. Probably last longer than I will !!

 

[60Dan]

Climbing out of the tent at night in the dark to go pee is a challenge!
Instead of fumbling around for the flash light I installed an LED strip under the overhang and a switch in the tent which illuminates the first couple of steps on the ladder as well as the ground.

 

[geordie4x4]

Climbing out of the tent at night in the dark to go pee is a challenge!
Instead of fumbling around for the flash light I installed an LED strip under the overhang and a switch in the tent which illuminates the first couple of steps on the ladder as well as the ground.

View attachment 226203

Neat inline switch. What brand is that and did it come with the LED strip.
Cheers
G

 

[60Dan]

No it didn't. I got it off eBay

It has different light intensities and a strobe function (not that you would really need that!)

Here is a link to the switch.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Dimmer-Switch-Controllor-For-Single-Color-3528-5050-Led-Strip-Lights-12V12A-/161308775035?pt=US_Lighting_Parts_and_Accessories&hash=item258ec0927b

 

[teotwaki]

On my trailer's tent one thing that was always in need of improvement was the two straps over the cover. They help to keep the cover from ballooning due to air forced under the cover while I am driving. Unfortunately the cover would still balloon quite a bit in the raised center section that covers the ladder. When the original black straps wore out I replaced them with some cheapo Harbor Freight straps with cammed metal buckles and then added two temporary straps in the center. You can see them in this picture.

The extra straps worked well but I felt they were all too narrow and tended to oscillate in the wind, marring the cover. I ordered up some 2" wide UV resistant straps and made up some new retainer plates to replace the tiny ones that came with the RTT.

I fussed with the strap lengths quite a bit and then tightened up the retainer plates and trimmed the strap with 1.5" hanging

Then I took that extra length and wrapped it around the plate.

Now I have four nice straps that should last quite a while.

 

[Beamer pilot]

teotwaki,
Do you have a picture of the trailer set up, wondering about the height of the awning.
I'll keep the strap option in mind when mine wear out.

 

[teotwaki]

teotwaki,
Do you have a picture of the trailer set up, wondering about the height of the awning.
I'll keep the strap option in mind when mine wear out.

Lots of scenic trailer pix at my blog. The awning mounting posts can be adjusted for a height that exceeds that of the awning's legs so as to slope the awning downward.

and

and a nice sunset shot :elkgrin:

 

[Beamer pilot]

Cool blog, I recognize some pictures from other threads.
Good attitude on preservation of the sites !

 

[Rattler]

On my trailer's tent one thing that was always in need of improvement was the two straps over the cover. They help to keep the cover from ballooning due to air forced under the cover while I am driving. Unfortunately the cover would still balloon quite a bit in the raised center section that covers the ladder. When the original black straps wore out I replaced them with some cheapo Harbor Freight straps with cammed metal buckles and then added two temporary straps in the center. You can see them in this picture.

The extra straps worked well but I felt they were all too narrow and tended to oscillate in the wind, marring the cover. I ordered up some 2" wide UV resistant straps and made up some new retainer plates to replace the tiny ones that came with the RTT.

I fussed with the strap lengths quite a bit and then tightened up the retainer plates and trimmed the strap with 1.5" hanging

Then I took that extra length and wrapped it around the plate.

Now I have four nice straps that should last quite a while.

They make life a little easier don't they?

Another overlander friend of mine was trying to solve his RTT mattress issue also. I think he may be on to something. He had some spare tiles left over from reflooring their exercise room. They were those foam ones. He suggested placing them under the mattress to soften the floor up some. I am waiting to hear his report!

 

[Expedition.Report]

They make life a little easier don't they?

Another overlander friend of mine was trying to solve his RTT mattress issue also. I think he may be on to something. He had some spare tiles left over from reflooring their exercise room. They were those foam ones. He suggested placing them under the mattress to soften the floor up some. I am waiting to hear his report!

I have already done this and my GF does not approve... I am going to try something else next

 

[Expedition.Report]

Back on Post #250 I had asked:

so what are you guys doing with your shoes once you climb to the top of the ladder?

last year I would just take off my shoes off once i got to the top and and set them at the end of the bed up side down, but that isn't how I would like to continue going about it.

The I had went on to say that I had an idea I was going to test out

I am happy to report that my idea worked out great and I am not going to make any changes to it at all!!
Here are some teaser pic's:

Hanging down with shoes in

Folded flat for transportation

I am going to post up a full write up on my blog and this form later tonight once I have all the pictures taken to describe the 4 easy steps!
Here is a LINK in the mean time