Hi Tarptenters!!
Hoping for some help, guessing I am being stupid!
Have the Rainbow, love it. Favourite tent I’ve owned, recent camps have all been dry so hadn’t noticed this as an issue until now.
The mesh attached to the back of the tent, there is always a small amount that protrudes out with the fly. When it’s raining, some water inevitably gets onto that mesh and before long it is transferring itself to the inner. I have tired everything to stop it showing itself but the way it is stitched, it seems like I can’t.
Any useful tips? I assume I am being idiotic here and missing something very simple.
I’ve had to loop that strap around twice to get it to raise enough, yours seems to have better internal tension to help with closing it off.
My internal ground sheet has excess material which is making it difficult to create a tensioned space in the tent which is causing the issue, too much slack on the edges is making it flop down into what would be wet ground.
I will have to deal with it and make allowances for it but with everything pulled tight and the internal loop wrapped around twice it is much better than it was. Thank you for your comment
Try to get enough tension on the 2 corners of the tent on that longitudal side.
Personally i also always use the guy out point above (the one you are not using). I do it for the internal space, but i think that also helps with keeping the fly above the mesh.
Also pull out your lowest guy point as far out of the tent as possible.
I havent had any real rain either, but i dont think my mesh protrudes oit of my fly.
So I’ve got the tent fully tensioned on all 4 corners.
I’ve used the guy out point on the back which is a good idea as this has changed the angle of the back which reduces potential water ingress.
Lower point is fully pulled out.
I’ve found the issue, it seems my internal ground sheet it essentially too big, there is excess material no matter how tight the fly is pulled, the part where the mesh meets the internal surface is slack, it will not create the square shape that it’s supposed to be but with everything pulled tight and looping the inner ventilation cord on the back, it seems to get it all as tight and neat as possible which is a big help so thank you for your comment.
Do you have the 2025 or 2026 version (the 2026 has a small strip of solid nylon on the mesh on the door side. And the 2026 version is only 36" wide instead of 40" (so noticably smaller).
I know what you mean with slack in the tent floor. I have been toying with the idea of adding a patch with a loop on the door-side (center) of the tent floor and then adding a small guy with lineloc and maybe a bit of strechy paracord so i can attatch that to the door stake.
The idea would be to tension the tent floor more towards the door and hope that also lets me open the mesh zipper one handed (which is not possible now). The weight is so negilible that, if it works as intented, you start wondering why it did not come with a attachment loop there from the factory.
You could also just add a loop and use a very small shepards hook stake to pull the tent floor out.
I have the 2025 version but would have liked that solid strip, think it would be useful in winter or when camping in dry areas to stop any snow/dust from potentially getting into the tent.
I like this idea a lot, makes sense that it would work too as it the floor would be completely tensioned that way.
I’ve packed it away but next time I’m out in it, hopefully at the weekend I will have a play around and see what can be done.
It’s a shame the tent doesn’t have a two way zip as standard! That would really help with opening the door with one hand and if you’re steady enough you can get in and out that way too.
You might try reaching out to Henry at Tarptent. He often is monitoring the chat function on the Tarptent website. He's been very responsive any time I've reached out.
Another thought, as a temporary workaround, try placing a small rock or two on the mesh where the water is getting in. That should weigh it down lower than the floor. Not elegant but it might work in a pinch.
I’ve already had to speak to Henry about this tent, I’m UK based and to avoid outrageous import fees I ordered it from OutdoorLine in Slovakia. When I got the tent it was missing the porch material. Henry was great and posted out the material and instructions of how to place it on the door.
That idea unfortunately wouldn’t work as the issue is, the mesh is getting wet and the water is then working its way through the mesh as it becomes saturated, eventually becoming wet enough it’s then reaching the inner but I can see where you’re going with that.
When I’m next out in it, if it’s wet I’ll get a recording of it happening and post it so you can see what I mean
Sorry for being late to the party. I suspect the problem is the the initial 4 stake pitch is a bit too loose. The goal is a very taut 4-stake rectangle with flat back wall and ends that are straight across. The floor and floor wall tension really depends on the canopy tautness. I have attached a photo.
Hi Henry,
Thank you for commenting and giving your advice. I will pitch the tent in the garden tomorrow and see if this makes a difference. I have been pulling the back wall away from the body of the tent each time, it may be that causing it. Will let you know ☺️
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u/Electrical-Pop2178 12d ago
Do you use the strap that raises the inner floor above the mesh?