Sure-Fire Ways to Improve Your Roof Top Tent

[acg]

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.

Thanks for the tip on FixnZip.com! My RTT cover zipper popped off this summer. I needed to find a way to put the zipper back in. This is a perfect solution!

 

[brentbba]

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).
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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.

Different strokes I guess. I like the Eezi-Awn design. I've seen plenty of guys fighting and cussing trying to close zipper covers. Yes, two straps does equal 4 buckles - 30 seconds to walk around the trailer. One ratchet strap to loosen, lift up the four corners of the cover (I think we all have to do that) and it's off. I store mine in my trailer as that's what my Globetrotter sits atop. Each has it's merits for different folks.

 

[stingray1300]

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



Benny

Yes "D'OH!". You caught me not thinkin'... :elkgrin:
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But mine aren't Velcro anymore. I converted the straps to use 1 1/2" buckles. Just seems so much easier than that EeziAwn video...

 

[stingray1300]

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

2 straps and the 3/4 - way-around zipper. I lost the Velcro in favor of plastic buckles.
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Oh, and the *2* 1" straps in the tent itself? I added 1 more in the center of the long side. And, I am changing those out to 1 1/2 webbing and HD buckles. It puts a strain on those when we leave the sleeping bag in the tent while on the road (along with the extra 2" of memory foam padding). I also changed out all the .064" aluminum strap anchor plates to 1/8" stainless steel anchor plates, and I take another 1/2 wrap around the anchor plates with the webbing. Upgraded to #10 SS screws as well.
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@brent: I hear ya!

 

[oscar the grouch]

I like the home brew solution. Seems Gordigear is all over the potential for rain pooling in the overhang. https://youtu.be/Yhi1nkWYWiU?t=6m42s

I bet a guy could make a simular one with a small load locker type pole.
China mart one http://www.harborfreight.com/ratcheting-cargo-bar-96811.html

Maybe even a spring tension shower curtain rod.
Just thinking out loud here, Vulin's brackets look really professional, and if he chose to sell them I'm sure he would do well.

I couldn't find the Gordigear rod separately on their website, but a phone call to HEIoutdoors would clarify if it was available separately.

I think the ARB solution was to add guy wires to the overhang to keep the roof panel tensioned some. That would probably be pretty easy to add as well.

just ordered one from Mark Hickman <mark@heioutdoors.com> 58 bucks shipped. see if it works with my TJM

 

[fredgoodsell]

I use McNett Zip Care and Zip Tech on my drysuit and other river gear zippers with great success. I'm going to try that route on my Tepui cover zipper.

 

[Lucky j]

.... lift up the four corners of the cover (I think we all have to do that) and it's off...... Each has it's merits for different folks.

I undo the zipper and the strap (modified with nylon buckle) as I walk around the trailer, lift a corner when the zipper is undone enough, relise the floor velcro strap, continu around, lift the second corner, release the second velcro floor strap, finish the zipper and pull the cover down. Leave it under the floor attached with to extra buckle bolted to the floor using the cover straps. And pull on the lather to open the tent. Roughly tje same, only two corner to lift.

I have and arb.

 

[Rattler]

2 straps and the 3/4 - way-around zipper. I lost the Velcro in favor of plastic buckles.
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Oh, and the *2* 1" straps in the tent itself? I added 1 more in the center of the long side. And, I am changing those out to 1 1/2 webbing and HD buckles. It puts a strain on those when we leave the sleeping bag in the tent while on the road (along with the extra 2" of memory foam padding). I also changed out all the .064" aluminum strap anchor plates to 1/8" stainless steel anchor plates, and I take another 1/2 wrap around the anchor plates with the webbing. Upgraded to #10 SS screws as well.
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@brent: I hear ya!

Mine had 3 D-ring straps. Life became much easier with the switch to "1 1/2 metal buckles. I think I will be switching out the "1 compressing straps on the sides to buckles too. Maybe even just D-rings but the Velcro ones are about crap on mine.

 

[TheFutur]

Yes "D'OH!". You caught me not thinkin'... :elkgrin:
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But mine aren't Velcro anymore. I converted the straps to use 1 1/2" buckles. Just seems so much easier than that EeziAwn video...

I switched to buckles which were okay but I just recently switched to these: http://www.mec.ca/product/0104-570/metal-spring-loaded-buckle/?q=buckle

Work much better, don't slip at all and are beyond tough. I also converted the short straps that keep the tent closed (the ones on the side) to these as well and they work wonders!

 

[Lucky j]

I do have the exact same ones from the same source, but for that useage, I prefer the nylon buckle, just faster. And if you do a second loop, they do not slip at all.

I switched to buckles which were okay but I just recently switched to these: http://www.mec.ca/product/0104-570/metal-spring-loaded-buckle/?q=buckle

Work much better, don't slip at all and are beyond tough. I also converted the short straps that keep the tent closed (the ones on the side) to these as well and they work wonders!

 

[TheFutur]

I do have the exact same ones from the same source, but for that useage, I prefer the nylon buckle, just faster. And if you do a second loop, they do not slip at all.

I find it takes no longer than the original velcro and not much longer than buckles, im willing to give a few more seconds of my time for something more robust.

Got a link the the nylon buckle? Just curious if they're tougher than the last ones i had.

 

[Rattler]

I get my buckles here:

http://www.strapworks.com/metal_hardware_s/941.htm

 

[Lucky j]

Here it is!
http://www.mec.ca/fr/product/5006-3...e-rock-lockster-de-national-molding/?q=Boucle

But hey, I know the metal ones are more sturdy, but for this use, they do more than the job, and never broken one for that use yet.

I have also purchase like 40 of the 50 mm for a cargo net that I got a 300' strap roll for 20,00$ and none sa broken so far. But I doubt they would survived to me walking on them on a hard surface.

I find it takes no longer than the original velcro and not much longer than buckles, im willing to give a few more seconds of my time for something more robust.

Got a link the the nylon buckle? Just curious if they're tougher than the last ones i had.

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Mine is not on a roof rack, it is on y trailer. Decided to go this way form many reason, one of them is that my tent is easy to reach, and I do not have to climb to set-it up.

Yeah same here... trailer mounted. I do not find it hard at all to use the zipper and find closing up the RTT to be pretty easy actually? I also don't mind the velcro and double loop stock straps? I must be doing something wrong?

All kidding aside, I could see having it on the roof to be a PITA to close up. I plan on doing this soon possibly so yeah, might be in the same boat.

 

[Lucky j]

I went with the buckle, simply cause the velco strap were not holding anymore and I also had to change the top strap that ad burned in the sun and broke one after the other wright on a corner. Decided to go with buckle and like it so far.