Sure-Fire Ways to Improve Your Roof Top Tent

[OregonLC]

You are not alone
I hate the zippers on my Tepui.
I wish all RTT manufacturers used the ratchet system like Eezi-Awn does, unless this is an old video and they don't do that anymore.
I think this is simpler and easier to use.

Watch the first 3 mins. of the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXdeZd5UlXk




Benny

Brilliant! I wonder if we could achieve the same functionality externally? Probably would need some loops added to keep the 'belt' into place.

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[kraqus]

Perhaps someone that owns an Eezi-Awn RTT can enlighten us with some close up pictures....:sombrero:



Benny

 

[calicamper]

Contrary to what some think, you can lubricate the zipper - use paraffin wax. Just rub it lightly along both halves of the zipper while undone. Amazing results.

I use white lightning bicycle chain wax lube on our canvas zippers on the boat. Just get some on a rag then wipe down. Works great keeps the zippers from corroding and freezing up etc.

 

[Box Rocket]

You are not alone
I hate the zippers on my Tepui.
I wish all RTT manufacturers used the ratchet system like Eezi-Awn does, unless this is an old video and they don't do that anymore.
I think this is simpler and easier to use.

Watch the first 3 mins. of the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXdeZd5UlXk




Benny

If the goal is to spend less time putting the cover on, from experience the Eezi-awn isn't going to save you any time over a zippered cover. There are some cool things about the design of the Eezi-Awn cover for sure, but it's a bit of a "grass is always greener" thought process IMO. Each type of cover has its benefits and it's drawbacks so pick your poison. For those with zippered covers, (myself included) keeping the zipper lubricated will keep you much happier. I use Silicone spray periodically and never have had an issue with the YKK zippers on my Tepui.

 

[brentbba]

Perhaps someone that owns an Eezi-Awn RTT can enlighten us with some close up pictures....:sombrero:



Benny

No pics, but Eezi-Awn uses a sewn in channel around the base of the RTT cover and runs synthetic rope through it all the way around. At the corners there's padding on the cover and the channel is left open to allow the rope to cut underneath the RTT base. The rope is attached to straps to allow the use of the ratchet and you simply ratchet the rope around the base tight. At all points the cover is long enough to allow the rope channel to be underneath the RTT platform securing it very well. Don't know if that's a good enough description. I can say it beats the heck out of a PITA zipper from what I've seen!

I'll see about a few pics if I remember!

 

[OregonLC]

If the goal is to spend less time putting the cover on, from experience the Eezi-awn isn't going to save you any time over a zippered cover. There are some cool things about the design of the Eezi-Awn cover for sure, but it's a bit of a "grass is always greener" thought process IMO. Each type of cover has its benefits and it's drawbacks so pick your poison. For those with zippered covers, (myself included) keeping the zipper lubricated will keep you much happier. I use Silicone spray periodically and never have had an issue with the YKK zippers on my Tepui.

If I could loosen it from a single point and then immediately start lifting one side up that would be huge. It's not so much the drag from the zippers as it is the access. Mine is up high and the rack is wider than the truck so I have to climb onto siders, tailgate, wheels, etc. back and forth to get it unzipped/re-zipped.

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[Lucky j]

I do not like them that much, but I think you are a good case for a hard cover RTT!

 

[ducktapeguy]

If I could loosen it from a single point and then immediately start lifting one side up that would be huge. It's not so much the drag from the zippers as it is the access. Mine is up high and the rack is wider than the truck so I have to climb onto siders, tailgate, wheels, etc. back and forth to get it unzipped/re-zipped.

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I have the same problem, Since my original rope pull broke, I put an extended zipper pull about 2 ft long that I'm able to toss from one side to the other so I don't have to climb up as much. It helps a little bit during unzipping, during packing you still need to tuck some of the fabric away. I have a small cargo rack in front of the tent so now I just climb up on the rack to undo everything, but it would be nice to be able to do it on the ground

The other thing I was thinking of trying is reversing the travel cover so it opens on the hinge side. On a rear facing tent it make unzipping easier from the ground and keep the travel cover out of the way instead of blocking my rear doors. It also might eliminate some of the fabric tucking. Haven't looked closely enough to see if it's possible.

 

[OregonLC]

I thought about that too as it would also facilitate easier annex install (wouldn't have to remove cover from frame). The problem on the CVT is that the opposite side doesn't have the same type of corners on the frame. Not sure how critical, but it wouldn't support the zipper around the corner the same.

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[Overland_Brandon]

Has anyone figured a way to improve the cover removal/re-install process? Seems like that's at least half the time spent deploying and packing back up... climbing around all sides to get to the zipper, etc, etc. Was thinking about maybe either having an upholstery shop maybe replace the zipper with velco? Other ideas?

My CVT cover was becoming a bear to deal with, and I got frustrated with wrestling with the zipper.

I just replaced the original zipper slide with a FixnZip.com (large) replacement slider.

Installation was easy, except dialing in the screw down tension.

The jury is still out on the real world performance, but I like the idea that if I get fabric caught in it you can just unscrew the slider and reinstall.

 

[Overland_Brandon]

The other thing I was thinking of trying is reversing the travel cover so it opens on the hinge side. On a rear facing tent it make unzipping easier from the ground and keep the travel cover out of the way instead of blocking my rear doors. It also might eliminate some of the fabric tucking. Haven't looked closely enough to see if it's possible.

That would be nice wouldn't…

I would seem to me that the issue with the non-hardtop tent is that no one is innovating. These designs are decades old? And, everyone just knocks off the competitor's model and design.

Like the "bone and hoop" ties… really, no one can with a better solution?

Arg… rant over

 

[Rattler]

My CVT cover was becoming a bear to deal with, and I got frustrated with wrestling with the zipper.

I just replaced the original zipper slide with a FixnZip.com (large) replacement slider.

Installation was easy, except dialing in the screw down tension.

The jury is still out on the real world performance, but I like the idea that if I get fabric caught in it you can just unscrew the slider and reinstall.

I am curious if they work as gloriously as they show.

 

[stingray1300]

Boy, and to think I almost bought an EeziAwn. That video convinces me that I made the right choice with my Tepui. What a pain the EeziAwn is... I mean, 4 buckles, then Velcro, then another buckle. Then you take the cover *off* (where does one store it?). My Tepui (Gran Sabana) just unzips, flop the cover over (still attached, but out of the way).
.
For access to mine (floor is at about 6.5ft), I bought a plastic step stool, the kind you get at any camper supply. Folds up flat. Deploys instantly. Gives a 1ft lift. That, my tailgate and the rear door sill, and I'm climbing the ladder in 5 minutes.

 

[kraqus]

My Tepui (Gran Sabana) just unzips, flop the cover over (still attached, but out of the way).

You forgot the 2 over the top Velcro straps....Doh! :sombrero:



Benny

 

[Rattler]

You forgot the 2 over the top Velcro straps....Doh! :sombrero:



Benny

Tepuis only have 2 straps? I will keep that in mind when I make some more buckled straps.