Windy times and Roof Top Tents

[1967 TLC]

I have recently installed an Eezi Awn tent on my FJ-60. I have used it only once so far.
But, that is going to be changing!

I will be going down to Baja in mid October just past San Felipe. It often gets very windy at times.

My question is: on very windy nights, can the rain fly and window awnings be set up or must they be left in the ‘un-sprung’ position and lashed down.

For those of you who are old hands at roof top camping may think this is elementary, but, I would rather learn from your wisdom than learn the hard way! It would also be great hear how you all handle extreme weather conditions, whether it is rain, wind or something else.

Thanks,

[Vitesse_6]

Im sure Paul from www.equipt1.com can help you out with that, We had a very windy weekend out on the trail that included A LOT of wind, But IIRC he left his down so it wasnt an parachute.
Paul has also done a very similar trip and said it was awesome!
Good luck

[SINCITY100]

In even the lightest wind, my Eezi-Awn`s rainfly/awnings flap like a mother ... wind will "unspring" the metal rods from their fly-mounted eyelets I suppose if you somehow "anchored" or locked the rods to both the fly and tent frame under some tension, they might not fall down as easily... but more than likely they will still flap like crazy (plus make a lot of noise) during moderate to high winds


Now.... if no rain is in the forecast (but wind is)... I just take the fly off and enjoy a much quieter nights` sleep


Anyone else find a way to calm the flapping flys in the wind ?

[1967 TLC]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the response. That helps a lot. I had not thought about removing the rain fly. In Baja, the chance of rain is often rare while wind is rather high. I’m going to have a week to experiment!

[spressomon]

Originally Posted by SINCITY100

In even the lightest wind, my Eezi-Awn`s rainfly/awnings flap like a mother ... wind will "unspring" the metal rods from their fly-mounted eyelets I suppose if you somehow "anchored" or locked the rods to both the fly and tent frame under some tension, they might not fall down as easily... but more than likely they will still flap like crazy (plus make a lot of noise) during moderate to high winds


Now.... if no rain is in the forecast (but wind is)... I just take the fly off and enjoy a much quieter nights` sleep


Anyone else find a way to calm the flapping flys in the wind ?

What about linking the top of the awning/overhang poles with a horizontal pole: Would this help keep it more taught? When I recently looked at the Eezi-Awn here in Reno I noticed this might be an issue in wind and/or rain. This was not a problem with the Overland...and it had an aluminum pole across the top that kept the three side very taught.

[SINCITY100]

Originally Posted by spressomon

What about linking the top of the awning/overhang poles with a horizontal pole: Would this help keep it more taught? When I recently looked at the Eezi-Awn here in Reno I noticed this might be an issue in wind and/or rain. This was not a problem with the Overland...and it had an aluminum pole across the top that kept the three side very taught.

I`ve been pondering on a simple solution for this issue Spress... next time I`m out, I think I`ll try that to see if it helps. I considered using guy wires/rope attached to the vehicle or ground to put tension on the rods, but after a "typical" night in the bush (I.E. drinking all evening ), the fewer hazards around camp.. the better

[LandCruiserPhil]

Could you change out the spring rods. My Mare RTT uses 1/2 alm. pipe to keep the awnings tight.

[1967 TLC]

Not to bring this tread back from the grave, but I thought I might give an update on how my Eezi Awn tent did in some Baja winds.

I spent a week camping about 40 miles past San Felipe, it was great for the first couple of days. Then the wind started. I could not see more than a hundred yards because of the dust, much less stand up straight without leaning into the wind. The gusts could knock you over. The local news indicated wind gusts up to 80 miles an hour.

I did not use the rain fly. The tent showed no indications of stress mounted to the roof of my 60. This is not to say it was not a wild ride! Because of the roar of the wind, the flapping of the tent and shaking of the vehicle… a good night’s sleep was not had. After three days of heavy heavy wind, I made by way back to San Felipe and rented a room just to get some sleep.

The Eezi Awn tent came through this event with flying colors. I was never worried that it would collapse, tear, or not perform as expected. I was very impressed. As for the noise of the tent in the wind; I don’t know of any tent that would be silent in the wind.

The picture with two Cruisers is just before the wind started. The other picture is during the maelstrom. I have never seen the Sea of Cortez so angry.

[Mike S]

Check here for a discussion of RRTs in heavy wind... Roof Top Tents in heavy wind - Expedition Portal Forums

[1967 TLC]

Originally Posted by Mike S

Check here for a discussion of RRTs in heavy wind... Roof Top Tents in heavy wind - Expedition Portal Forums

Thanks for the link. Conclusion: Wind ... No problem!