Gotta make a cover for my RTT. Material suggestions?

Skillet · 02-20-08, 10:10 AM

The zip on cover that came with my 2nd generation RTT sucks. It gets wet when it rains. The 1st generation cover with the bungee around the bottom was much better and more durable.

I am going to have a new one made so I am looking for suggestions on good, tough, waterproof material...

Any ideas?

MrWwindow · 02-20-08, 04:39 PM

Skill
I had a cover for a metal break that stayed outside ,made out of the same material that truckers use for their tarps.
Real heavy vinyl like stuff and in between is kinda like ripstop webbing, really strong and durable.
It lasted outside for 9 years before it cracked and turned color and brittle.
Come to think of it just today considered having another made!
Your local canvas company can make one for you I'm sure.

HTH
James

Bogo · 02-20-08, 11:17 PM

Second the truckers tarp material, however I'll admit I don't use it.

For temporary waterproof tarps I use Ag-Bag* plastic as I end up with pieces of it leftover on the farm. The stuff is strong enough to stay put on a truck doing 80MPH down the highway. Also you can tie it down anywheres by just punching a hole in it and using rope to tie it down. I punch the hole about 6" in from the edge. Cost for a 9' diameter tube 200 feet long has been under $350, but it may go up due to oil prices. Exposed to the elements it has a 2 year life expectancy for holding silage. The smallest tube size I know of is 8' diameter by 150' long. For use in the back of my pickup or on trailers I'll lay a sheet on the bed pile my stuff in. Then fold the sides and back up over the load, and use twine to tie it together. Then I'll take the front flap over the top and tie it down to the tie downs. I'll still use straps as needed to secure the load. I've hauled some valuable antique furniture 1400 miles this way and had near constant rain without any getting in. To give you an idea of the strength of this plastic, if you securely hold a piece, and try to poke your finger through it, you will most likely jamb you finger. It is also good enough to bounce nickel sized hail. Oh yeah, it has a light side and a dark side.

At the link above you can see one of the bags in use at the top of the page. As for getting rid of it when you are done, send it to your local incinerator. It burns real nicely when supplied with enough air.

hydrogeo · 02-21-08, 05:01 AM

Surlast or Sunbrella would be my choice. These guys Industrial Fabric-Equip. Sales have a good selection of the kind of fabrics your looking for. The Surlast is probably a bit more abrasion and puncture resistant, the Sunbrella may hold up to fading a little better. Either way you can't go wrong. I'd stay away from cotton canvas as it tends to fade pretty quick in the sun.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 02-21-08, 11:00 AM

Jeb, I have a piece of surplus military tarp that's about 10x10 feet, black on one side orangish tan on the other. I got it to make a soft top out of, but plans have changed, it's yours for $20 plus shipping, or you can pick it up if you pass by this way... Here's a pic of the whole thing before it was cut up.... Looks like a nylon/synthetic core that was rubberized....

Skillet · 02-21-08, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndGenToyotaFan

Jeb, I have a piece of surplus military tarp that's about 10x10 feet, black on one side orangish tan on the other. I got it to make a soft top out of, but plans have changed, it's yours for $20 plus shipping, or you can pick it up if you pass by this way... Here's a pic of the whole thing before it was cut up.... Looks like a nylon/synthetic core that was rubberized....

So, it is fairly waterproof?

I kinda like it.

REZARF · 02-21-08, 01:15 PM

Sunbrella fabric- It is what I bought to make a new rain fly/awning for our RTT.

Jenny Cruiser · 02-21-08, 02:37 PM

x2 on the sunbrella.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 02-21-08, 02:51 PM

I just pulled it out and did some measuring, there is some sort of attachment point (That has been trimmed off) a few feet in from one side that basicly has 2 pieces of nylon strap on either side that's sewed on. If you avoid that you can get a peice 6x10 with no defects, if you pulled the straps off and patch it up, the good peice is 8.5x10 ft once the seams and such at the edges are trimmed off, or maybe you'll want to use them... One side has a rope pocket (for sinching like you were thinking) sewed on with rope still in it...

It's currently going through a "water test" Lets hope that cats don't drink out of it....

My thought is it's fully water proof, but we'll see.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 02-21-08, 03:34 PM

Water test: I tested one spot on a factory seam and got a small amount of seepage over a half hour (Size of a quarter...) that may just have been a weak spot..., and then checked a spot "in the field" for a half hour and there was none.

MrWwindow · 02-21-08, 04:00 PM

Caution on the subrella!
It may last in the sun for lawn funiture and such but is not designed for any hiway speed of flapping in the breeze, it will chafe and get a hole in it.
Been there done that with my pontoon boat Bimini and covers. Driving down the road coverd mind you they buffet in the wind and chafe together and voila holes in both

That was with them bungied so that would'nt happen. Looks nice but I still would go with the trucker tarp, done right it will out last and still look good.
James

alia176 · 02-21-08, 08:36 PM

is it easy to sew a cover out of Trucker's tarp? Wonder if the wife will kick my arse if I try to use her sewing machine!!

SOCALFJ · 02-21-08, 09:02 PM

Im interested to see what you do Jeb, im on my second cover myself for the same tent.

Mike S · 02-22-08, 01:19 PM

Hypalon is the material that inflatable boats are made of. Very Tough waterproof fabric. PVC is also good for this application.

Mike

sirenmoses · 02-25-08, 03:14 PM

x2 on hypalon. find a local marine shop to do the sewing.

alia176 · 02-25-08, 08:52 PM

Siren,

PM me with shop info in the ABQ area if you got any names pls! Thanks.

sirenmoses · 02-25-08, 11:38 PM

Done, w/ approx locations. Couldn't remember names, sorry.

Skillet · 03-20-08, 10:11 PM

Well, dropped the old cover off today, having a guy make me a new one out of 1000 denier waterproof cordura. Gray / green color.

Lightweight, waterproof, extremely abrasion resistant rip-stop.

We will see how it turns out.

I will post pics when he is done.

NorCalDoug · 03-23-08, 01:22 PM

yo...what's the price on the new cover?

I abraded mine to the point I got several holes in it. I was gonna get around to patching it, but you know how that goes.

In the mean time, NorCalSam wanted to borrow my tent cover so his mother (or mother-in-law) could sew one for his RTT using mine as a pattern of sorts.

Well...when I got my cover back, all the holes I had were patched up

A fully professional job too.

to NorCalSam and LittleBoss for making my POS cover more than usable again

but...knowing how easily these suckers wear, I wouldn't mind having an idea of the cost of a replacement.

Skillet · 03-23-08, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCalDoug

yo...what's the price on the new cover?

I abraded mine to the point I got several holes in it. I was gonna get around to patching it, but you know how that goes.

In the mean time, NorCalSam wanted to borrow my tent cover so his mother (or mother-in-law) could sew one for his RTT using mine as a pattern of sorts.

Well...when I got my cover back, all the holes I had were patched up

A fully professional job too.

to NorCalSam and LittleBoss for making my POS cover more than usable again

but...knowing how easily these suckers wear, I wouldn't mind having an idea of the cost of a replacement.

Don't have a price yet. I never ask this guy .

My Uncle uses him for his hot rods and he always says..."don't ask him how much until it is done." so I don't and the guy has always been more than fair.

I will let you know when it is finished.

reffug · 03-24-08, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skillet

Well, dropped the old cover off today, having a guy make me a new one out of 1000 denier waterproof cordura. Gray / green color.

Lightweight, waterproof, extremely abrasion resistant rip-stop.

We will see how it turns out.

I will post pics when he is done.

wow out of denier that ought to be sweet......

Boston Mangler · 03-24-08, 07:18 PM

I am interested in the result, i need one too! Arrgggg

Jenny Cruiser · 03-25-08, 07:25 PM

Jeb,

Roof-Top-Tent has a new cover coming out for the Expedition. Very affordable and an improvement over the old one. You might want to give it a try.

Skillet · 03-25-08, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny Cruiser

Jeb,

Roof-Top-Tent has a new cover coming out for the Expedition. Very affordable and an improvement over the old one. You might want to give it a try.

Too late, she is in the works.

Funny, the cover on my first Mombasa was very nice. Very tough and extremely water tight. The one with the bungee around the bottom.

Plus, it came all the way off so I could put it off to the side.

The newer one is a piece of crap and is always hanging there in my way.

Why didn't they just stick with what worked?

I am basing my design off of the old one as far as how it secures.

Not to mention, for every 100 e-mails and phone calls you send Mel, he will return 1 if you are lucky.

He is a good guy and treated me right on my stuff but I just cannot wait around for him. Still waiting on the last two e-mails I sent him 3 weeks ago. The women / girls he has working in his office that answer the phone are worthless. They literally know NOTHING and have no control over anything. I am surprised they can figure out what to eat for lunch.

Thanks for the information though. What will the new covers cost?

Boston Mangler · 03-25-08, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny Cruiser

Roof-Top-Tent has a new cover coming out for the Expedition. Very affordable and an improvement over the old one. You might want to give it a try.

So, they are fixing a problem with their product and then charging the customer $ to fix it? Thats insane!~

02-20-08, 10:10 AM	#1
Skillet no bueno Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: КАГІҒОЯИІА TLCA# 16078 Posts: 2,466	Gotta make a cover for my RTT. Material suggestions? The zip on cover that came with my 2nd generation RTT sucks. It gets wet when it rains. The 1st generation cover with the bungee around the bottom was much better and more durable. I am going to have a new one made so I am looking for suggestions on good, tough, waterproof material... Any ideas? Attached Images __________________ 1993 FZJ80 1973 FJ40 oh no you didn't (updated) "...mud is a hotbed of leftist chat/activity." - swank

02-20-08, 04:39 PM	#2
MrWwindow IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tehachapi, Ca. Posts: 167	Skill I had a cover for a metal break that stayed outside ,made out of the same material that truckers use for their tarps. Real heavy vinyl like stuff and in between is kinda like ripstop webbing, really strong and durable. It lasted outside for 9 years before it cracked and turned color and brittle. Come to think of it just today considered having another made! Your local canvas company can make one for you I'm sure. HTH James __________________ 87 Fj60 196k and counting (((((Sold)))))

02-21-08, 11:00 AM	#5
2ndGenToyotaFan No longer pre-approved... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yreka, CA TLCA# 13872 Sign Up!!! You know you want to! Posts: 3,726	Jeb, I have a piece of surplus military tarp that's about 10x10 feet, black on one side orangish tan on the other. I got it to make a soft top out of, but plans have changed, it's yours for $20 plus shipping, or you can pick it up if you pass by this way... Here's a pic of the whole thing before it was cut up.... Looks like a nylon/synthetic core that was rubberized.... Attached Images __________________ Jerod Online Toyota Parts Catalog!!! 89 4Runner "The James Caird" 01 4Runner, for my Jefferson State Cruisers

02-21-08, 01:15 PM	#7
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,839	Sunbrella fabric- It is what I bought to make a new rain fly/awning for our RTT. __________________ Drew F. Rising Sun 4x4 Club 76 FJ40, 85 fj60 Engine and Ignition, 35" MTR's, Warn 8074, 4" of lift TPI, snorkeled, racked, Mini-truck P/S... and sometimes running. Friends don't let friends drive Thornbirds... My camping trailer build up thread.

02-21-08, 02:37 PM	#8
Jenny Cruiser IH8MUD Addict Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 717	x2 on the sunbrella. __________________ Chado "No man has found 'pure space,' nor seen the outside curtains, where nothing has a place." "Who needs a home when you have a colostomy bag?" 1996 Locked LX Racked and Tracked 66 IHC 800 Scout Sportop: Designed to replace the horse.

02-20-08, 11:17 PM	#3
Bogo IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Village Posts: 221	Second the truckers tarp material, however I'll admit I don't use it. For temporary waterproof tarps I use Ag-Bag* plastic as I end up with pieces of it leftover on the farm. The stuff is strong enough to stay put on a truck doing 80MPH down the highway. Also you can tie it down anywheres by just punching a hole in it and using rope to tie it down. I punch the hole about 6" in from the edge. Cost for a 9' diameter tube 200 feet long has been under $350, but it may go up due to oil prices. Exposed to the elements it has a 2 year life expectancy for holding silage. The smallest tube size I know of is 8' diameter by 150' long. For use in the back of my pickup or on trailers I'll lay a sheet on the bed pile my stuff in. Then fold the sides and back up over the load, and use twine to tie it together. Then I'll take the front flap over the top and tie it down to the tie downs. I'll still use straps as needed to secure the load. I've hauled some valuable antique furniture 1400 miles this way and had near constant rain without any getting in. To give you an idea of the strength of this plastic, if you securely hold a piece, and try to poke your finger through it, you will most likely jamb you finger. It is also good enough to bounce nickel sized hail. Oh yeah, it has a light side and a dark side. At the link above you can see one of the bags in use at the top of the page. As for getting rid of it when you are done, send it to your local incinerator. It burns real nicely when supplied with enough air.

02-21-08, 05:01 AM	#4
hydrogeo IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 115	Surlast or Sunbrella would be my choice. These guys Industrial Fabric-Equip. Sales have a good selection of the kind of fabrics your looking for. The Surlast is probably a bit more abrasion and puncture resistant, the Sunbrella may hold up to fading a little better. Either way you can't go wrong. I'd stay away from cotton canvas as it tends to fade pretty quick in the sun.

02-21-08, 02:51 PM	#9
2ndGenToyotaFan No longer pre-approved... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yreka, CA TLCA# 13872 Sign Up!!! You know you want to! Posts: 3,726	I just pulled it out and did some measuring, there is some sort of attachment point (That has been trimmed off) a few feet in from one side that basicly has 2 pieces of nylon strap on either side that's sewed on. If you avoid that you can get a peice 6x10 with no defects, if you pulled the straps off and patch it up, the good peice is 8.5x10 ft once the seams and such at the edges are trimmed off, or maybe you'll want to use them... One side has a rope pocket (for sinching like you were thinking) sewed on with rope still in it... It's currently going through a "water test" Lets hope that cats don't drink out of it.... My thought is it's fully water proof, but we'll see. __________________ Jerod Online Toyota Parts Catalog!!! 89 4Runner "The James Caird" 01 4Runner, for my Jefferson State Cruisers

02-21-08, 03:34 PM	#10
2ndGenToyotaFan No longer pre-approved... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yreka, CA TLCA# 13872 Sign Up!!! You know you want to! Posts: 3,726	Water test: I tested one spot on a factory seam and got a small amount of seepage over a half hour (Size of a quarter...) that may just have been a weak spot..., and then checked a spot "in the field" for a half hour and there was none. __________________ Jerod Online Toyota Parts Catalog!!! 89 4Runner "The James Caird" 01 4Runner, for my Jefferson State Cruisers

02-21-08, 04:00 PM	#11
MrWwindow IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tehachapi, Ca. Posts: 167	Caution on the subrella! It may last in the sun for lawn funiture and such but is not designed for any hiway speed of flapping in the breeze, it will chafe and get a hole in it. Been there done that with my pontoon boat Bimini and covers. Driving down the road coverd mind you they buffet in the wind and chafe together and voila holes in both That was with them bungied so that would'nt happen. Looks nice but I still would go with the trucker tarp, done right it will out last and still look good. James __________________ 87 Fj60 196k and counting (((((Sold)))))

02-21-08, 08:36 PM	#12
alia176 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Tijeras, NM TLCA# 15941 Posts: 3,386 Blog Entries: 1	is it easy to sew a cover out of Trucker's tarp? Wonder if the wife will kick my arse if I try to use her sewing machine!! __________________ TLCA # 15941 KE5LED Currently working PA

02-21-08, 09:02 PM	#13
SOCALFJ "The Adventure Duo" Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,336	Im interested to see what you do Jeb, im on my second cover myself for the same tent. __________________ www.adventureduo.com [KI6LBB] 2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ X Edition 2003 Sportsmobile 4x4 EB50

02-22-08, 01:19 PM	#14
Mike S IH8MUD Lifer - No Appeal Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,497	Hypalon is the material that inflatable boats are made of. Very Tough waterproof fabric. PVC is also good for this application. Mike __________________ '96 FZJ80, locked, Hanna sliders, ARB bumper, Kaymar rear with spare carrier, 45 gallon Longranger aux fuel tank, OBA, Hella 4000's, OME lift, 285/75/R16 Revos & AutoHome Maggiolina rooftop tent, etc. Custom Cruiser trailer with OverLand tent www.AutoHomeUS.com TLCA Member #14874

02-25-08, 03:14 PM	#15
sirenmoses IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: central nm Posts: 947	x2 on hypalon. find a local marine shop to do the sewing. __________________ what shall I drive today: Oct 84 tan fj60, 260k mi -- dobermobile Sept 84 tan fj60, 202k -- spare (to be installed) 2.5" BDS suspension, SROR front bumper, Rowlands storage panels 85 Honda Accord, 110k -- commuter 91 Kawasaki Concours, 50k -- on the road again

02-25-08, 08:52 PM	#16
alia176 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Tijeras, NM TLCA# 15941 Posts: 3,386 Blog Entries: 1	Siren, PM me with shop info in the ABQ area if you got any names pls! Thanks. __________________ TLCA # 15941 KE5LED Currently working PA

02-25-08, 11:38 PM	#17
sirenmoses IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: central nm Posts: 947	Done, w/ approx locations. Couldn't remember names, sorry. __________________ what shall I drive today: Oct 84 tan fj60, 260k mi -- dobermobile Sept 84 tan fj60, 202k -- spare (to be installed) 2.5" BDS suspension, SROR front bumper, Rowlands storage panels 85 Honda Accord, 110k -- commuter 91 Kawasaki Concours, 50k -- on the road again

03-20-08, 10:11 PM	#18
Skillet no bueno Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: КАГІҒОЯИІА TLCA# 16078 Posts: 2,466	Well, dropped the old cover off today, having a guy make me a new one out of 1000 denier waterproof cordura. Gray / green color. Lightweight, waterproof, extremely abrasion resistant rip-stop. We will see how it turns out. I will post pics when he is done. __________________ 1993 FZJ80 1973 FJ40 oh no you didn't (updated) "...mud is a hotbed of leftist chat/activity." - swank

03-23-08, 01:22 PM	#19
NorCalDoug I Solve Problems... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: uhhhh...duh...Northern CA TLCA# yes, I have one Posts: 4,990	yo...what's the price on the new cover? I abraded mine to the point I got several holes in it. I was gonna get around to patching it, but you know how that goes. In the mean time, NorCalSam wanted to borrow my tent cover so his mother (or mother-in-law) could sew one for his RTT using mine as a pattern of sorts. Well...when I got my cover back, all the holes I had were patched up A fully professional job too. to NorCalSam and LittleBoss for making my POS cover more than usable again but...knowing how easily these suckers wear, I wouldn't mind having an idea of the cost of a replacement. __________________ a couple pairs of pink panties... Another convert to the Church of Latter Day Swank, a sub-cult of Shahrislam "...Opportunity doesn't knock, you have to kick the fuckin door in and drag the bitch out screamin." -- Ullr "I have more respect for people who change their views after acquiring new information than for those who cling to views they held thirty years ago. The world changes. Ideologues and zealots don't." - Michael Crichton Buy TEQ Bottle Openers

03-24-08, 07:18 PM	#22
Boston Mangler IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: May 2004 Location: San Diego TLCA# 9060 Posts: 3,582	I am interested in the result, i need one too! Arrgggg __________________ Baja Overland www.bajaoverland.com 2006 XR650L TLCA #9060 Own a Land Cruiser? Join TLCA Today @ www.tlca.org

03-25-08, 07:25 PM	#23
Jenny Cruiser IH8MUD Addict Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 717	Jeb, Roof-Top-Tent has a new cover coming out for the Expedition. Very affordable and an improvement over the old one. You might want to give it a try. __________________ Chado "No man has found 'pure space,' nor seen the outside curtains, where nothing has a place." "Who needs a home when you have a colostomy bag?" 1996 Locked LX Racked and Tracked 66 IHC 800 Scout Sportop: Designed to replace the horse.