Teardrop Side Tent - Weatherproof Connection to Door

[mrslamb]

All,

First of all, thank you for all of the great topics in these forums, they have helped me greatly during my build! We just bought the Sportz SUV tent 84000 to use as a sleeping area for our kids, storage for clothes, etc.

https://us.napieroutdoors.com/store/cat ... duct_id:4/

I've seen a lot of posts that run the straps over the teardrop to get a weatherproof connection, but I'd like to modify the tent to connect directly to the door (for a cleaner look, and hopefully more weatherproof). My thought was to cut a hole in a window and make a 'tunnel' to the door, and connect with a drawstring or elastic around a lip at the door.

Does anyone have any experience with this?? I have the little guy doors installed, and was thinking about installing their mounting kit, but not sure if this is robust enough??

http://teardropshop.com/collections/ten ... unting-kit



Thanks for the help!

[Tucguy]

I have the same Napier Sportz tent and use it on my 5 wide Little Guy. I think you might want to use it several times as it comes from them before trying to modify an already very well-designed tent. I have wanted to get a clear vinyl window/windows added to see out in cold weather. Also, all of their seams are waterproofed. Any seams you add will have to be waterproofed as well. I have not had any leaks using this tent. It slides far enough over the open hatch and onto the top of the tear that no water runs into the hatch or tent. I run the lower straps around the fenders and wheels, works great. I do believe this is the best answer to a hatch attached, bug free place to stay after the sun goes down and it gets chilly. We use our trailer now three seasons with it. We also have the PahaQue built side room for the Little Guy as well. The ventilation in the Napier tent is good. A low vent and a top vent on the same side of the tent. We use a Coleman Cat's Eye heater to make it cozy. No sleeping in that tent with the heater on but sit in there and have hot cocoa and coffee from the stove in the Galley with the heater on.

If you are considering using it as a side tent, that is a completely different story. The opening is very large for the side door opening. Velcro and/or suction cups or attached buttons may work. I have taken off the suction cups that came with the PaHaQue side tent, and I now use Walmart's red duct tape. I use scissors and cut small strips to first attach it and then long straight strips to make it real pretty. That tape does not leave adhesive behind when you remove it. Best way I have seen to attach it so not even a raccoon/skunk can get in!

[mrslamb]

Thanks! I will try to attach it again to the camper as is.

One major difference is that we are trying to attach it to the entrance door and use it as a side room. I was having trouble sealing up all of the space with the extra material. The idea (of modifying the tent) came from looking at how Little Guy now connects their screen room.

[Java Jack]

Thanks! I will try to attach it again to the camper as is.

One major difference is that we are trying to attach it to the entrance door and use it as a side room. I was having trouble sealing up all of the space with the extra material. The idea (of modifying the tent) came from looking at how Little Guy now connects their screen room.

I used suction cups to attach my side tent. It is not the same as yours, but if you look at the post in this same general section, you will see the post I made on the Side Entrance Tent. I have a video that shows how I attached using the suction cups. They work OK. Not sure how they will hold up in strong winds/weather as I just finished in a week or so ago and have only had 1 trip with it so far.

If they don't work, I will probably look at a strap across the top of my teardrop to hold the top/bottom. For the sides, I will probably stay with suction cups or try to tie off to the trailer A Frame on the front and the fender on the back. Though I don't know that it will really work to keep the tent tightly up against the trailer.

[mrslamb]

Good ideas! I have also thought about snaps, but was hoping to be able to get by without adding those to the trailer.