Side Tent Side Tent

So we decided to try and setup the side tent. Doesn't seem to fit right. Maybe someone can help us with your wisdom? We have the 560 SUV version. The tent seems to be off the ground at the edge by the trailer. Followed all the directions. Is this normal for the SUV height? We did make the plastic conduit square to go in the bottom of the tent for support on surface in garage since we can't stake it there. Also the trailer door seems to catch on the tent when opening and closing. Can't move the tent any farther back because of the fender.
Help. Your experience and knowledge would be appreciated.

 

Hi Gina and Bob

I figure we've set up our side tent about 50 different times, so a good amount of practice/experience. I think it's a marvel of soft goods engineering but there is only so much you can do so we have given up on the belief that the tent is going to be completely dry and bug free. It's designed to accommodate the trailer being on sloped ground so it's somewhat adjustable and that's why your PVC floor frame has two sizes. We have found that the section of floor nearest the trailer becomes the lower wall section of the tent even on level ground on our SUV model so we almost always use the small floor frame. Don't throw out the extra sections though because you're gonna need them when the ground slopes up and away and puts the tent side door closer to the ground.

Now the straps are a little tricky at first but once you get them dialed in set up is quicker. We hook the aft strap on the underside of the back end of the fender and the forward strap on the frame near the propane bottle, cinched tight so the tent clears the doors.

We run 2 guy lines from the top of the poles to the trailer fore and aft, that way you don't have to drive any dreaded stakes at all and there are no guy lines to trip over in the middle of the night.

Hope this info is useful to you.

Michael

 

Thanks for the help Michael. Bob is going to try setting it up again with your suggestions and see how it goes. We thought maybe part of the problem was the SUV height as the tent seemed a little short. Like your method of dealing with this. Thanks again
Gina

 

Gina and Bob,

The tent is meant to set flat to ground at the side wall on a street height unit and that part of the tent will be 3" off the ground on a SUV. On a SUV you need to stake it at the second set of stake loops (by the pole sockets) and don't stake it at the loops by the body.

To clear the door the strap that connects to the fender needs to be pulled pretty tight so the tent wraps over the front of the fender a good amount. If it won't do that then the internal adjustment is set to tight on the side and you need to back that off some so the fender strap can pull the side around the fender. The door will clear fine when properly adjusted.

Cary

 

That explains it! I've been trying to get that 3" on the ground for quite awhile now. Like the guy wire tip too Michael. Thanks

 

Glad for all the input. Bob thought I was silly to post, but look at all the good info we got! Knew the group could help!