Mombasa Rain Fly (project)

[Zane]

Ok, we all know by now that the rain fly on the mombasa tents are not worth much of anything. As others have stated many times over this tent is a great buy and of really good quality other than the rain fly and the ladder.

So I have decided to take on the project of making my own updated rain fly. My father in law is in the textile industry and has some really nice industrial sewing machines so I figured I would try and see if I can find any Betsy Ross is in me.

I have ordered some Poly coated Nylon Oxford samples from Seattle Fabric to determine the appropriate weight and color to go with. Once I have decided I will post up what exactly I when with. So I have taken a picture found on MUD of the Mombasa and have mocked up my first draft design. the dotted/dashed lines are that of the original tent. The rest is penciled in over the picture. I have taken my ideas from several different tents, but mostly used the Hannibal tents rainfly as my lead.

I will be making my template out of cardboard before I start cutting so that I know exactly the patterns I will need to cut for each section.

I have received a set of 8 steel spring poles for the project that will allow the rain fly to stand out on its own over the sides as well as the two large windows.

I will keep this post updated as my project comes along.

Zane

[Montana Cruiser]

Zane, I am in the process of working out a rainfly for my Mombasa as well, will be great to see what you have come up with to compare. Knowing someone with the right sewing machines is key, I have already run into that snag at this point. Will yours be easily deployed while on a lifted truck?

Nate

[Skillet]

Originally Posted by zjz4476

Ok, we all know by now that the rain fly on the mombasa tents are not worth much of anything. As others have stated many times over this tent is a great buy and of really good quality other than the rain fly and the ladder.

So I have decided to take on the project of making my own updated rain fly. My father in law is in the textile industry and has some really nice industrial sewing machines so I figured I would try and see if I can find any Betsy Ross is in me.

I have ordered some Poly coated Nylon Oxford samples from Seattle Fabric to determine the appropriate weight and color to go with. Once I have decided I will post up what exactly I when with. So I have taken a picture found on MUD of the Mombasa and have mocked up my first draft design. the dotted/dashed lines are that of the original tent. The rest is penciled in over the picture. I have taken my ideas from several different tents, but mostly used the Hannibal tents rainfly as my lead.

I will be making my template out of cardboard before I start cutting so that I know exactly the patterns I will need to cut for each section.

I have received a set of 8 steel spring poles for the project that will allow the rain fly to stand out on its own over the sides as well as the two large windows.

I will keep this post updated as my project comes along.

Zane

That is a great idea. And man...that is one sweet rig!

Here is my solution. I bought the new model.

[Montana Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Skillet

That is a great idea. And man...that is one sweet rig!

Here is my solution. I bought the new model.

Agreed, really nice rig, I wonder who's that might be

I've considered the new model, but it seems as though there is a significant weight and packed height difference between the two. I think with a proper light-weight rainfly on the older model it will make for a really nice light duty set-up.

[Skillet]

Originally Posted by Montana Cruiser

Agreed, really nice rig, I wonder who's that might be

I've considered the new model, but it seems as though there is a significant weight and packed height difference between the two. I think with a proper light-weight rainfly on the older model it will make for a really nice light duty set-up.

Being the one who lifted both of them, the weight difference is nada.

Maybe 5 - 10 lbs. I actually got the Expedition one up on my rig by myself with only one little scratch to the paint...(and a hernia).

However, the pack height is about 4" taller which I don't like but I plan on putting a different rack up there and the smaller length gives me 20 extra inches.

There are aspects about the old one I like better, one being the excessive room inside. Very cool, but a better fly would have been nice.

In my opinion, they are both very functional platforms. You don't have to drop $1800 to sleep on top of your vehicle in comfort.

Good luck with the projects!

[lx450landcruiser]

Originally Posted by Montana Cruiser

Agreed, really nice rig, I wonder who's that might be

I've considered the new model, but it seems as though there is a significant weight and packed height difference between the two. I think with a proper light-weight rainfly on the older model it will make for a really nice light duty set-up.

Nate what roof rack are you running? if your concerned about the hight of the tent off the roof when closed you may consider running a different rack? I welded up a simple cross bar with tube sides for my rack using the quck clamps ive had forever. I had to remove the factory rack (junk anyways) and now the tent sits just off the roof. ill prob be getting rid of the rack when the tent comes down to the trailer which is the next big project.

[LandCrusher'70]

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out. I have the same tent and love it. No complaints except the fly. I have considered constructing a new fly, however, I'd have to source it out. Maybe a sail shop?

[e9999]

seems like the quickest and simplest (guetto?) way to do this would be to simply sew an extension to each side of the original, with a bent rod pulling on each corner? Of course, you'd have to worry more about wind...

[Jenny Cruiser]

Looks like a great plan. Are you going to take the entire tent apart to sew everything up?

[Montana Cruiser]

Originally Posted by lx450landcruiser

Nate what roof rack are you running? if your concerned about the hight of the tent off the roof when closed you may consider running a different rack? I welded up a simple cross bar with tube sides for my rack using the quck clamps ive had forever. I had to remove the factory rack (junk anyways) and now the tent sits just off the roof. ill prob be getting rid of the rack when the tent comes down to the trailer which is the next big project.

I'm using Yakima feet and crossbars, so it does sit pretty low, but let me know when you want to get rid of your current rack, looks slick, I could be interested.

[Zane]

Originally Posted by Jenny Cruiser

Looks like a great plan. Are you going to take the entire tent apart to sew everything up?

No I'm building the fly separate from the tent. If you look at the attached image you will get the idea of what my rain fly will look like. The only exception is that my side window awnings will be part of the rainfly not part of the tent.

[Chase77]

Very interested to see how this turns out. We want to stick with the old model cause its bigger but hate getting soaked.

[e9999]

ideally you'd want some air space between the fly and the main tent, I would think, no?

[Zane]

Originally Posted by e9999

ideally you'd want some air space between the fly and the main tent, I would think, no?

Agree with you and have searched but have not seen any pictures of how they do this on other tents. Anyone have any pictures of there roof top tent without the rain fly on it and how the exterior bars for the fly are attached?

Zane

[Montana Cruiser]

Originally Posted by e9999

ideally you'd want some air space between the fly and the main tent, I would think, no?

I agree, and have an idea on how to do that, but I'm not sure it will fold up and deploy like that yet, which is my goal, I want as little messing around as possible. With my design, there will be a few poles to quickly put up, but that will be done from the ground without any climbing on the truck.

[e9999]

realistically, though, the air gap thing was much more critical for rain before they had real waterproof fabric, so maybe not so much to worry about nowadays for rain. But you'd still want a gap for sun and heat issues, I would think.

[Zane]

Skillet,

Can you take some pictures of you new model tent for me without the rain fly on it to show how the exterior extentions are attached to keep the rain fly up and off of the tent? Some close ups would be nice.

Thanks

Zane

[Skillet]

Originally Posted by zjz4476

Skillet,

Can you take some pictures of you new model tent for me without the rain fly on it to show how the exterior extentions are attached to keep the rain fly up and off of the tent? Some close ups would be nice.

Thanks

Zane

Zane,

The rain fly on my new model does not come off. You can tuck it up out of the way but it stays put.

I can take some pics of how it attaches though, if you would like.

Let me know.

Jeb

[lx450landcruiser]

Originally Posted by e9999

realistically, though, the air gap thing was much more critical for rain before they had real waterproof fabric, so maybe not so much to worry about nowadays for rain. But you'd still want a gap for sun and heat issues, I would think.

i would think if theres sun and heat issues then you would not put the rain fly on?

[Zane]

Jeb,

If there is a way to take a picture of how the supports are attached/designed so to keep a gap between the tent and the fly that would be great! I have some idea's of how to do this, but would like to get a better understanding as to if the bars go through the main tent fabric and attach inside the tent to support the fly or if the are attached somehow from the outside.

Any help would be appriciated!

Thanks

Zane

Originally Posted by Skillet

Zane,

The rain fly on my new model does not come off. You can tuck it up out of the way but it stays put.

I can take some pics of how it attaches though, if you would like.

Let me know.

Jeb

[e9999]

Originally Posted by lx450landcruiser

i would think if theres sun and heat issues then you would not put the rain fly on?

sure you do, for shade and reduction in radiative heating...

[Zane]

PROJECT UPDATE:

Ok so I have recieved all of my fabric, thread, webbing, clips and sealer needed to start pulling together my new rainfly.

I wanted to provide you with a materials list to help anyone out who is thinking about doing this themselves.

Material and Misc purshased from www.seatlefabrics.com
10 yards of Super K-Kote Ripstop 140 Denier w/ 1.5 oz pvc coating in Olive Green @ 9.50 a yard
Seam Grip Seam Sealer 1 oz tube @ 6.95
#46 Nylon Thread Black 1 oz spool 5.49

Hardware items purchased from www.strapworks.com
50 feet of Lightweight Polypropylene 1 inch webbing @ .15 a foot
8 Acetyl Plastic 1" Footman Loops @ .65 per
8 Acetyl Plastic 1" strap adjusters @ .45 per

I have cut the first main section last night and hope to get into the details over the weekend. Will post things up as it all comes together.

Zane