Destroyed RTT Cover. Alternative?

[FlyAddiction]

After less than half a season with my China made RTT, I already have several issues with the cover. seams coming apart, holes in the cover from the friction with the top straps and a tooth on the zipper came off. I am looking at other alternatives or possibly making my own.

1- The Tepui tents appears to be identical to mine. I think their cover would fit. How is the durability of the Tepui covers?

2- Making my own. is there a way to make a cover that would not use a zipper to secure it to the tent. I would like to be able to take the cover completely off when the tent is used. Has anyone experimented with this?

3- Materials. If making my own, what material would be most durable yet fairly easy to work with heavy canvas work?

Thanks!

 

[tag3]

I got an upholstery shop to make a cover for mine using grommets to put bungee cords in. I don't like it and got a new one from ARB.

 

[Enigma]

My used Chinese RTT "knock off" (I'm the 3rd owner) had the cover modified with snap buttons instead of the zipper by the PO. I assume the zipper is mangled, never tried it, and for the most part the snaps are mangled now too.
I snap it up best as I can, toss a strap or two over it, and cover it with a tarp for transit. It's worked pretty good so far.
The cover was in good shape (no rips or tears) until I flopped the trailer earlier this year...now not so much. Tarps still work though

 

[gofast]

I'm ordering a new cover for my Hannibal. The hannibal unit is made out of PVC vinyl and it survived my trailer roll over fine. After several seasons of out door storage even under an atv cover (high UV in the okanagan) its gotten stiff. I now have covered parking for the trailer so shouldn't have this problem again. I'm ordering out of England and the price for a new cover is about $300 without shipping.

When the cover gets here, I'll take it and my old cover (matching source for extra material) to the local awning/boat top shop and have them install a zipper on the back side of the cover. Right now there's only zippers on three sides and this will allow me to remove the cover entirely when camped. I'll also have some straps added so I can roll it up.

 

[lugueto]

Chinese covers usually suck.

I have used some older and cheaper tents than the ones that have zippered covers and they use either buckles, velcro or a combination.

To use them this way, you have to make sure the cover overlaps to the bottom of the tent at least two inches, so that you can use your closure safely and avoid dust and water from getting into the tent while travelling.

I found buckles to be sufficient, quicker and also longer lasting than velcro, you simply use four buckles per side and be done with it. When you deploy the tent you can take off three sides and leave the cover hanging from one side or you can take it completely off.

 

[BMThiker]

go to www.mytarp.com and look at the "machine covers" they make. If they don't have one in the measurements you need, they can make to size.

 

[FJ40-GARAGE]

In the same boat, OEM Cover of my used Howling Moon RTT was cracked and ripped so i got one from South Africa but the material was not what it should be........so that did not keep up for a year too. :-(

So now i am in the making of another one myself.

Not finished yet, but 98% done.

 

[spressomon]

Looks great Peter! What type of material are you using for the cover? Marine vinyl?

 

[FJ40-GARAGE]

Looks great Peter! What type of material are you using for the cover? Marine vinyl?

I already ordered some black vinyl, i am afraid people might think the circus comes to town and the clowns drive an 80.
Gonna make the new civilised looking one tomorrow and take some pictures again
Well its PVC Vinyl with a weight of 600gramms/m², over here its usually used for the covers and sides of big rig trailers and beds.

 

[Dazrin]

Another option might be to check with Adventure Tool Company, they make top notch products and do custom work.

 

[FJ40-GARAGE]

Guess it looks more eyefriendly in Black.

Looks chaotic when you start.

Where the tarp gets most stress, i add a layer.

Fixpoints for the Bungee cord.

Nearly done but.........some design is needed.........Mountain Tops that create the letter M

 

[e9999]

Nicely done. I'm seeing a heat gun (and some potato water ). Any adhesive?

 

[FJ40-GARAGE]

Nicely done. I'm seeing a heat gun (and some potato water ). Any adhesive?

No adhesives needed the vinyl gets heated and melts together without adding anything but heat and pressure with the silicone roller.
Another way would be to do it with a special thinner that does the same in a chemical way.

 

[Coastline]

The Leister heat gun is a great tool to have around and mine is usually near my Sinclair Wedge welder. It's a bit spendy for casual use though, but other heat guns are available for under $200.00. You will need to practice a bit just like learning to weld steel or aluminum. And like FJ40 Garage says, you will need the silicon roller to press the molten layers together.

An alternative here in the US is HH-66 vinyl cement that many upholstery shops keep around and it can be ordered on-line, but ships ground. HH-66 melts the layers of together so that they are one.

When you select a vinyl sheeting, do not use laminated vinyl. Laminated vinyl is not UV stable and that could be the problem with the cheapo Chinese stuff. 16-18 ounce will do the job well.

Mitch Schliebs