Yakima SkyRise 2 Review
- Thread starter mmbirtcher
- Start date
mmbirtcher
Observer
I've had about 8 nights in the tent over the last couple of weeks, several on very windy bluffs, and a couple on windy, stormy missouri nights. The tent held up well under strong winds on the bluffs overlooking Valley of the Gods in UT and the north rim of the Grand Canyon. I was a bit concerned at first with how strong the gusts were, but once I got used to the noise, it was all good.
Sor far I'm happy with the tent especially at the price point I got it. It could use some improving engineering-wise, I feel like Yakima just bought one from a Chinese manufacturer and had their name put on it. I don't think it would be worth the list price.
If you get this tent, watch thesis corners as they tend to work their way out of the channel and become a challenge to put back in (channel lock pliers helped). When it backs out, the zippers on the side are tighter and risk damage.
The plastic coating is thinner than plastic wrap and is easily damaged when the ladder slides across it.
I used duct tape to make a protective strip. The color of the one on the right is not yellow, it must be reflecting something. Also, this is true metallic duct tape, not duck tape that was originally developed to make temporary repairs to duck canvas tarps. I'll see how this holds up.
Sor far I'm happy with the tent especially at the price point I got it. It could use some improving engineering-wise, I feel like Yakima just bought one from a Chinese manufacturer and had their name put on it. I don't think it would be worth the list price.
If you get this tent, watch thesis corners as they tend to work their way out of the channel and become a challenge to put back in (channel lock pliers helped). When it backs out, the zippers on the side are tighter and risk damage.
The plastic coating is thinner than plastic wrap and is easily damaged when the ladder slides across it.
I used duct tape to make a protective strip. The color of the one on the right is not yellow, it must be reflecting something. Also, this is true metallic duct tape, not duck tape that was originally developed to make temporary repairs to duck canvas tarps. I'll see how this holds up.
mmbirtcher
Observer
so far after about a year I’m still happy with the tent. I did find the included mounting system to place the tent higher than I like and I also had to find a way to combine with mounting brackets I use with my ARB 2500 awning. The factory crossbars don’t work with those brackets. I used existing holes in the tent to run new screws, and duct taped the unused holes from removing the bracket. The change lowered the tent about 2” or so I’d say.
Test fitting the solid aluminum bars for it before drilling and permanently mounting to the bottom of the tent. The L brackets I leave attached to the factory cross bars.
My solution to get the tent on the roof.
Sits lower now. I’ve been driving around for a week and it’s been solid up there. It seems more solid than what Yakima provides.
I recommend waxing the zipper for long term ease of use. They do still try to get caught on the material folds.
Test fitting the solid aluminum bars for it before drilling and permanently mounting to the bottom of the tent. The L brackets I leave attached to the factory cross bars.
My solution to get the tent on the roof.
Sits lower now. I’ve been driving around for a week and it’s been solid up there. It seems more solid than what Yakima provides.
I recommend waxing the zipper for long term ease of use. They do still try to get caught on the material folds.
Attachments
mmbirtcher
Observer
As it turned out, I had the cover oriented incorrectly. While not in the instructions, the aluminum support has a channel where one edge of the cover slides into semi-permanently and the other sides Velcro. I kinda missed that initially.
View attachment 505826
This Velcro is on two sides. It would seal better if it were on all four sides.
View attachment 505826
This Velcro is on two sides. It would seal better if it were on all four sides.