Sportz SUV Tent - Any Advice on Using?

[mrchuc]

Hi Folks,

I just ordered a Sportz SUV Tent model 81000 to use as a side tent on my Little Guy 4-wide. I know several folks here have used these, so I have a couple of questions.

1. Any tips for attaching them to the side of a tear to make a bug proof and rain proof connection?

2. How do the Sportz SUV tents do over the long haul? Are there very many maintence issues, etc.

Here is the Little Guy I want to attach to:


Thanks!

[SteveH]

I had issues with attaching our sport tent to the TD...it just did not fit very well, and looked awful with all the straps going over the trailer. I also did not care for the floor in the tent as it was a problem keeping it clean. So....I tailor fit the tent to the teardrop, added snaps to attach it, and cut the floor out of it. I like it lots better now.

[asianflava]

I have one but it has been used in "tent mode" only. I tired hooking it to the galley but due to the design on my hatch, it didn't work out.

[Endo]

I use a sportz tent. I am very pleased with it. You will need to practice a few times to determine how attach it to your tear.
I set the tent up next to the tear and strap the boot over the top of the tear.
I install the awning sideways so it extends across the top of the tear. This makes it very rain resistant.
On the inside I tuck the window flap of the tent under my mattress.
This helps seal the lower edge from bugs. Here are a few pics.
I even modified my tent so I could install air conditioning! It cools the tent and the tear!

CLICK HERE

[mrchuc]

I use a sportz tent. I am very pleased with it. You will need to practice a few times to determine how attach it to your tear.
I set the tent up next to the tear and strap the boot over the top of the tear.
I install the awning sideways so it extends across the top of the tear. This makes it very rain resistant.
On the inside I tuck the window flap of the tent under my mattress.
This helps seal the lower edge from bugs. Here are a few pics.
I even modified my tent so I could install air conditioning! It cools the tent and the tear!

Wow, Endo, that's a great setup. Exactly what I am hoping to do. I really like your air conditioning idea. I will have a pet cool and have planned to install it's vents in the opposite door. Now, I will have to think about it some more.

Also, I had not thought about using the rain fly as you have. Great idea. That should work for me, too.

Thanks, too, to everyone else who has posted to help. What a great community.

[jeepr]

Hey Endo! It looks like your tent is eating your tear!


I hope to do the same thing too. Including your A/C idea.

[airnos]

Hey Endo, did you have to do any permanent-type alterations to the tent in order to hook it up? Reason I'm asking is that the wallet says I can't have a tear anytime soon, but it might consider one of these (my car is a hatchback, although not quite long enough for sleeping).

I'm thinking that if I go ahead with this with the plan to later adapt it as my TD tent, it'd be a good buy. But since I'm talking about using the thing two different ways, I'd like to make sure...

[TPMcGinty]

Endo, I love the setup! What size Tear do you have and which exact model Sportz Tent do you have. Thanks.

[asianflava]

Hey Endo, did you have to do any permanent-type alterations to the tent in order to hook it up? Reason I'm asking is that the wallet says I can't have a tear anytime soon, but it might consider one of these (my car is a hatchback, although not quite long enough for sleeping).

Not Endo but I have the same tent. We used it at the first gathering we went to. We had to set it up for the first time in the dark.

The blue area that connects the tent to the trailer zips on/off. Zip it off and it is a regular tent. The top gray part is an integral awning, it's sewn onto the tent.

[Endo]

Hey Endo, did you have to do any permanent-type alterations to the tent in order to hook it up? Reason I'm asking is that the wallet says I can't have a tear anytime soon, but it might consider one of these (my car is a hatchback, although not quite long enough for sleeping).

Not Endo but I have the same tent. We used it at the first gathering we went to. We had to set it up for the first time in the dark.

The blue area that connects the tent to the trailer zips on/off. Zip it off and it is a regular tent. The top gray part is an integral awning, it's sewn onto the tent.

I did not have to do any permanent alterations to the tent to hook it up. The only alteration I did was for the air conditioner.

Asianflava your tent must be slightly different. The gray part (rain-fly) on my tent is completely removable. I wonder if they have changed the design since I purchased mine? I install the rain-fly sideways for more protection in the door area of the tear. I guess if the rain-fly is now permanently attached to the tent a small tarp could be used over the door area if needed.

This is the tent I have.

CLICK HERE FOR TENT

[Endo]

Endo, I love the setup! What size Tear do you have and which exact model Sportz Tent do you have. Thanks.

Thanks,

My tear is a 4x8. See above post for a link to the tent that I use.

[airnos]

Yay! My car's on the list of compatible vehicles. I believe I know what I'll be getting with my tax refund this year.

I also found this on the site and it was just too delicious not to pass along:

<img src="http://www.tnttt.com/gallery/image.php?image_id=31734">

Some day I'll look like that, or some way similar. I will I will I will.

[asianflava]

Asianflava your tent must be slightly different. The gray part (rain-fly) on my tent is completely removable. I wonder if they have changed the design since I purchased mine? I install the rain-fly sideways for more protection in the door area of the tear. I guess if the rain-fly is now permanently attached to the tent a small tarp could be used over the door area if needed.

This is the tent I have.

CLICK HERE FOR TENT

My rainfly is removable but the awning is sewn to the tent. Is your awning sewn to the rain fly? I was wondering how you attached the "sock" to the front of the tent. I thought you just used the side as an entry door. At least I think it is, it's been a long time since I pulled it out of the bag.

[Endo]

My rainfly is removable but the awning is sewn to the tent. Is your awning sewn to the rain fly? I was wondering how you attached the "sock" to the front of the tent.

Yes my awning is attached to the rain-fly, that allows me to rotate the awning/rain-fly to extend over the teardrop. The sock/boot stays in it original position.

[Trisha]

Hi,
We bought a suv tent for our teardrop and it works great. We bought the one with the screen room. You can't use the rainflap backwards with the screen room, but we will just add an extra tarp if the weather indicates we need it and want the screen room up. Otherwise it works great.

Sean and Trisha