Tepui Autana 4 canopy extra bar DIY

[W.Pantalones]

I searched the forum and the internet, and could not find anything about this...

After extensive comparison shopping, I recently ordered a Tepui Kukenam Baja 4 tent for some summer time Florida camping with my wife and kids. The mesh design looks awesome for our lousy hot weather, and Tepui's "Zipper Gimp" system seemed like the perfect solution for canopy swaps. I confirmed that both the Kukenam Baja and Autana products displayed the ZG logo on the product page before ordering the Baja. (The marketing states that canopies are interchangeable, and doesn't call out any limitations or compatibility issues.)

Today, I went to order an Autana canopy and annex to be ready for cooler weather [ I like to plan waaaay ahead ], but was told by CS at Tepui that the Autana canopy would not fit other tent bases. Also a bit confusing as their website shows a "Replacement tent Base for 4-Person Tents." The product info for the base goes on to say, "Compatible with Tepui canopies with Zipper Gimp™ feature, sold separately."

Screenshots included below, but my point is that I believe I did my due-diligence in confirming compatibility before pulling out the wallet.

The reason that they are not compatible is the extra bar required for the extended privacy entrance on the Autana. Makes perfect sense to me, though I assumed the replacement canopy would include this if was differed from the standard base. CS said that I could fab one, or order one from them. The bar is cheap, but freight is $150. I'm not afraid of some fab... I'm an experienced bicycle mechanic and hobby fabricator, and I think it's really just drilling a few tiny holes. My concern is that CS said warranty would be void. I got a non-binding verbal statement that warranty would likely only be an issue if my modifications caused failure, which is totally fair.

We bought this tent specifically for the ability to use an Autana canopy/annex. We are very disappointed, and honestly a bit irritated at the sloppy marketing language on the website. A technical compatibility chart would be very easy to create and include on appropriate web pages.

Has anyone ever modified their Kukenam to have this extra bar, and if so, can you share information with me please? If not, I'd very much appreciate any pictures someone could share of the connection points/hinges of this extra bar on their Autana. Dimensions would be gold.

We are super excited about our Tepui tent, and still very excited about the company. We just need to figure out a way to make this tent work for us.

Thank you in advance for any help!

 

[NatersXJ6]

Did you ask if you could purchase just the connection points? Bending tube for the bar is relatively easy, and the size of the tube is probably running the shipping up. You could also get the Kukenam 4 canopy and probably be quite happy without the overhang entrance... unless you bought it to appease a domestic element in your life... then it’s over.

or, being in Florida, Bimini top hardware is abundant and cheap. It is basically the same stuff, and the boat bits are probably just as good or better in strength.

 

[W.Pantalones]

I need to call back today and try to get more info. I got off the phone yesterday before my disappointment and irritation could turn the call sour. Purchasing the connection points would take most of the guess-work out, and should ship way cheaper than the bar that has to go freight. I tired to make the Kukenam canopy "work," but was ultimately denied by the "domestic element," haha. Wife and daughters need the enclosed ladder access for nighttime nature calls, etc., and we all struggle with mosquito avoidance.

The Bimini top hardware is the great idea I was looking for, thank you! I'm so new to the RTT game that I'd not yet found any work-around like this.

I appreciate the help!