We've been pretty lucky with the weather so far....... but we have a long time to go in the roof top tent! 😬 💙Subscribe - ru-vid.com 💻 Website - ireneironfitness.com 💵 Store - www.amazon.com/shop/ireneironfitness 👫 ABOUT US➡ Hello! We are Aaron and Chris, a fulltime RV couple that lives and works in our Airstream Interstate Sprinter Van. We run an online fitness and nutrition coaching business (Irene Iron Fitness) while traveling all around the country. Follow along the journey with us! 🚐Read our Story: ireneironfitness.com/quitting-our-jobs-traveling-the-country/ 💪Shop Online Coaching Packages: ireneironfitness.com/online-fitness-and-nutrition-coaching-packages/ 🍎Browse IIF Healthy Recipes: ireneironfitness.com/healthyrecipes/ 🚌Airstream Ambassadors: www.airstream.com/blog/aaron-and-christine/ 💎IIF AFFILIATES: These are programs and products we use, love, and recommend! 👉Amazon: www.amazon.com/shop/ireneironfitness 👉Rad Power Bikes bit.ly/3lbsaGM 👉Battle Born Batteries battlebornbatteries.com?afmc=2n 👉Undersun Resistance Bands: bit.ly/2RiP41C 💰 "IreneIron" for 10% off all kits, bundles,etc 👉Lebert Fitness: lebertfitness.com/?ref=IreneIronFitness 👉Thousand Trails: mbsy.co/DLw8W 💰 Save $100 👉Harvest Hosts: harvesthosts.refr.cc/ireneiron 💰 Save 15% "HHFRIENDS15" 👉MontKush:www.montkush.com/shop/ 💰 Use discount code "IreneIron" for 30% off 💎SOCIAL MEDIA 🎥RU-vid (Subscribe!): ru-vid.com 💻Website: ireneironfitness.com 📸Instagram: instagram.com/ireneironfitness/ 💙Facebook: facebook.com/ireneironfitness/ 🍁Pinterest: pin.it/cdyalputqukcq4
After years we learned that you need to seal a waterproof tent. You need to water proof the tent and fly with a spray sealer. Then use a tent seam sealer on the stitching ( ex: the fly flap that filled with water). We’d also protect the mattress with a water proof mattress zippered cover.
At Marine Corps OCS they use to require you to show up with cans of spray on water repellent. P.S. As for bug spray just remember if you leave your gear around your families pet cats the permethrin version is dangerous for them.
When I tent camp, in addition to the waterproofing and seam sealing mentioned in the other posts…. Tarps are your best friend in the rain! Get one big enough to cover the whole thing and I usually use bungees and additional stakes to keep the tarp down. Even if your tent is waterproofed, anything touching the sides of the tent when it’s raining is likely to get wet.
Two quick things, hope they aren't repeats. 1. Ripstop by the Roll is your friend. You can treat and seal the tent, but having a full rainfly (even if it is just a big rectangle) will really help. Lots of times they have discounts on cosmetically blemished, but fully functional yardage. 2. I'm not sure if that was a "Swedish dishcloth" you were sweeping with, but if it was, I have found them to be great to wipe down wet things before I pack them. (If it wasn't you can get packs of plain ones online.) They really help get lots of the droplets off that shaking just breaks up into smaller droplets.
I would dose that tent with the strongest permethrin spray daily to prevent ticks and spiders and god know what else. Getting Lyme disease or dying from a spider is no joke 🙉🙈
just found your channel and have enjoyed this episode and your Great Smoky Mountain trip. You probably have already figured out that the rain fly that comes with any tent is never enough. We use one of those cheap blue tarps, big enough to completely cover the tent and come down to the ground or base. Just keep some paracord to tie down the corners good and tight and you will still get enough ventilation from your awnings propping out the tarp. Great video and look forward to seeing the rest of your channel
The thing with all the ways to camp - tent, rv, van, 5th wheel, class A, class C, truck camper, pop-up, etc - every single one has advantages and drawbacks. Keeping that in mind makes your (relatively) short term plan very wise. You can bail to a motel occasionally if the rain is too daunting. It's not a sport for everyone, but it works for those who get pleasure out of organizing, fiddling with stuff, making the environment as snug and comfy as it can be. I appreciate your videos!
Hats off to the two of you for trying the truck tent. You will never know what you want till you find out what you don't want. Thanks for another great video.. Safe and Happy Travels
We went tent camping in January just outside Chicago when I was a Boy Scout. We had a potbelly stove in the tent that melted the frozen ground under us. There was inches of mud inside by the next day. That cured me of ever wanting to go tent camping again. Only did it once after that on a fishing trip when we couldn't get a motel room. There were thunderstorms with tornado warnings both nights there. Never again, even in a rooftop tent.
Hello, I really enjoy your videos y'all. Keep them coming. I have never had a rooftop tent but I am an lifelong tent camper with 60 years of experience camping and leading scouts. If you would not mind some advice, I can tell you I would ditch the clamshell and replace it with a good quality vinyl tarp, two stout telescoping poles, eight heavy gauge stakes, and about 150 feet of good quality rope. With these and a basic knowledge of three or four knots, you can set up shelter from sun or rain in almost any location. With the right set-up you could deploy it over your tent to shed rain. It will also pack in much less space than your clamshell (which would help with your clutter issue. Also, when camping in a tent in rain, you don't want anything touching the sides of the tent. This causes water to wick through the fabric to the inside. Regards,' John
We have a small car vac that helps me clean up sand in the tent. We stop every so often on a trip to do a cleanup. I also added a waterproof rug at the base of the ladder to help keep our feet cleaner before we go up. Have fun!
I can only add that it is the difficult times that make us appreciate more the good times. What you are doing is truly an adventure! I love watching your adventures, the rewarding moments as well as the tough ones!
I’ve done my fair share of camping and Kodiac Canvas is the only company that has delivered with rain protection! 💞🎉 But, I don’t think they have the same tent setup you have over the back of your pickup. But, Kodiak Canvas was my dream. And, when I purchased, it did not disappoint. Rain on family(12)camp out poured for 4 hours -about 2” total🥴 Tents did not leak 1 drop. Not even the bottoms that were in standing water. Fabric totally repelled everything. 🎉 Wonder if there is a way you could rig up a lean-to of a tarp to protect against the worst of the rain. Have fun! Love your videos. 💞
A large tarp is your best accessory. When we tent camped with the kids I had 2 35x40 foot tarps. Of course we had 3 separate tents setup as well as covering the picnic table and having the fire pit on the edge of it. You could probably get by with only one. Don't forget the UV rays will eat your tent in a couple of years. Tarping over the top will insure it lasts for 5 or ten years.
Years ago when we were still tent camping, we camped in Mammoth for two weeks and it rained every afternoon. We had a three room tent so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. We would take off in the mornings and do all of the activities we wanted to and then come back to our campsite, eat and sit in the tent and play games all evening. It actually was a pretty good time!
These tents do well in the rain. We got poured on with 40+mph winds at North Padre Island. Was noisy but our Tepui kept us dry. Love the videos. I am waiting on my Tremor and you guys keep my fix for the truck satisfied!
Thanks for the info on how the truck tent is holding up 👍 If you all get into the U.P. Outside Bessemer Mi, is Black River harbor and in town great pasties and the bakery yummy 😋 Also not too far away is Porcupine Mountains State Park. Safe travels.
Great! I almost had my wife convinced to sell everything and let me get a truck and tent combo. But then you had to go and talk about the spiders didn’t you? I guess I’ll go take down the for sale sign. 😢 😂 😂 😂
Just watching your video guys, I have a Tentbox Lite and it's exactly the same design, but it shouldn't soak, it's more condensation inside, as it's quite hard-wearing material, I use fabsil for the outside to protect it from the sun and rain, you just brush it on then let it dry... we did the NC500 in Scotland and for 6 nights it rained and 40mph winds, and we were still cosy and warm and dry... also get an Anti condensation Matt from decathlon as that will fit yours, looks like 2.4mtrs by 1.4mtrs and decathlon have them at a better price than anywhere else... £59 in England.. great vid guys 😎😉🤟
The rain fly looks like it does a pretty good job. What about a larger tarp to cover the whole tent for those really bad rain days? It won’t really take up much space in the truck bed when not in use.
I don't know if you had a chance to "season" the tent before using it. Generally most canvas needs to be seasoned before a good rain. To do this you can just wet it several times with a hose and let it dry, this makes the canvas expand and fills the tiny holes (you can't see, gaps between the weave of the fabric). It's too late for that but now it's been rained on well and truly it should be good from here on in. Mind you having said that it wouldn't hurt to put a coat of waterproofing agent over it again when you can. Keep enjoying your travels.
Thank you, we didn't know about that! We bought the tent used one year old so not sure if it was done. It did a really good job of shedding the water at first, but became saturated after many hours.
Thanks for letting all of us tag along with you guys. It seems, to me at least, that this temporary arrangement is really cramping your style. The full-time RV lifestyle’s challenges are tough enough, but adding on the logistics of an above-the-truck-bed-tent is just too much. Luckily you guys are young and simpatico with one another.
Thanks for watching! I guess we are a gluten for punishment!🤣 But, seriously, we do look at it as an adventure and are just trying to enjoy life to the fullest and bring some joy, help and entertainmen to it. Its too darn short!
"Tree hump"? 🤣 Chris, you crack me up!! I just drove through there to visit family in Wyoming. I thought about you guys as I traveled through Wisconsin. Hang in there. You'll have your awesome RV soon!
Great video and timely since we had a similar situation last week with our standard tent in an 8 hr downpour. Others have mentioned a tarp and we learned we didn’t have the rain fly staked out adequately on the sides. Think you need a tarp or maybe the tent manufacturer has a rain fly fot the exposed portions? As far as the clutter, I’m sure you’ll find your groove. Tent camping is a different beast. Noticed Aaron had to jump through hoops to stow the leveling blocks. Once you get the order of operations down for all your setup, you’ll get storage locations figured out too! Thx or sharing.
I spent a good 22 hours in rain, hail, 30 degree cold in North Ga. in a small Walrus Tent one time. I both laughed and felt for you two in this episode. You two are awesome. Just ordered a Class B and can't wait to get out there. You will have some bragging rights! LOL
It rained 4 days straight while at Dolly sods WV. Feel your pain but the canvas does dry quickly when airing out. Also waterproofed the top of our clam after that trip. We will see how it does on next one
Yep. Only thing that saved your butts was the camper you could hang out in while waiting out the 12 hours. Tenting has it drawbacks for sure....Even worse when on top of your vehicle and it is fully open to where you can not travel to find shelter...
We live in the Upper peninsula of Michigan and love Lake Superior. Wisconsin has been getting hit with some pretty good rains recently. You're new rig probably can't come soon enough. Stay dry.
I have an annex that keeps dry... my rtt is a campoint brand.. I was in a 2 day rain storm amd everything was dry... there is a spray that you apply to the tent when you know it's goingnto rain amd seals everything up. I've had way to many issues with CVT I returned it and got a full refund and saved money with my campoint tent.. but cool video
Guys Kelty makes inexpensive nylon tarps …. Everyone that has to pack up next day usually ties a tarp to two trees over tents ….. you pack up rooftop tent in rain under tarp and tarp is the last to come down and the only really wet piece of gear ….. Kelty …. 12x12 16x16 and i have the 16 foot and love it ….. tie to two trees with a ladder and back truck under .
The last time we camped it poured 🙃🙃🙃we are going tomorrow for 4 days and nights. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻praying for NO rain !!!! Our first time camping it rained from 10 pm -6 oh my goodness nice at first then it was annoying lol. So now we each have a canopy for over our tents 😃 much better now
It must be fun that you two complement each other positively & Negatively. Cant wait to see you on your new Trailer. I don't think Well have the patience to do the daily fold and stow anymore at this point. Good Luck , looking forward to see your next Video.
Luckily Brown Recluse Spiders are not aggressive. Only bite if you're about to squish it or if you body shame them. 😜Because Chris is less bothered by the mess, does that mean she causes most of it? Just asking questions. 😬
Why not a just a good sized regular tent that you toss in the bed when packed up instead of the itty- bitty one stuck up in the air? What is the reason? I think a nice two room tent would be about 100x more comfortable/practical. The whole RTT thing is for kids with Toyota Tacomas :-)
We are fulltime rvers and we sold our Airstream Interstate in April. Our new Outdoors RV travel trailer is being built in the next month or two. Sooooooo, in the meantime we are spending the summer in a RTT so we have room for all of things in the truck. The entire truck is stuffed full with all our belongings of an RV. It's an adventure for sure!
You do have a great attitude for sure in going forward waiting patiently for your 22FQS!! The challenges of the truck tent would definitely get on my nerves on a personal level but you guys are killing it! But come on outdoors RV delivery LOL I know you guys will be in heaven once you transition!!! PS- On a sidenote, the brown recluse is the real deal! When living in Texas I was bitten two times on separate occasions buy those nasty things and both times spent about a week in the hospital so please be careful
Yuck I dislike spiders! We've had a couple of thunderstorms where we have pulled in our slides when they have predicted over 40 mph winds. Trying to protect our slide covers from the wind whipping them and stretching them out. Sitting in our closed up class A right now from a thunderstorm passing through with a cold front that has made it to Texas.
I think last video you had some type of mosquito zapper..does it work well and what brand is it? Spray the outside of tent for spiders..if I saw a spider in the tent, I wouldn't be able to sleep.
Thankfully the spiders don't really come in the tent and they are mostly on he outside! But yes we do have a zapper amzn.to/3isukl9 and we also have the mosquito Thermocell repellent. amzn.to/3iqU0i6
I pretty much hate setting up and tearing down in the rain. You camp long enough and it happens. We actually left a campsite at about 3am when we were tent camping and the rain water invaded our tent. You know what they say. Into every life a little rain must fall. Christine says falling off that ladder while holding the camera is a good way to break your foot.
Guys, this is going to stretch you just a smidge more than anticipated. But you can do it. I know you can. Delighted you didn't have to spend the day in the rainy tent. Aaron put a sheet over the backseat. If it's covered maybe it will stress you a bit less. Gorgeous spot where you ended.
Hey guys. Enjoy your videos! I’m semi-retired and just getting into the RV life. I’m also a Ford dealer in Louisiana so good purchase on the Tremor. 👍 I bought a Tiffin Wayfarer last year and like it but with a bad back the ride wasn’t quite what I needed. I’ve since purchased a 2021 AIrstream Interstate 24GL. Love it!! And the ride is perfect! One of the reasons I’m following you guys is the wealth of knowledge you guys have with this type of unit. I have questions for you on this. Where would the appropriate setting be to have dialogue about the unit? Do you guys FB with messenger? We really love our Interstate but theirs so much to know!! Geez! ) Let me know. Thank you
Hey Billy, 👋 thanks for reaching out! Congrats on your new interest in RV life! Email would probably be the best for us on this if that works for you. Ireneironfitness@gmail.com
DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT 🤔 THANK YOU 🙏 THE TENT LOOKS NICE THOUGH 👌 BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! GOD BLESS YOU BOTH ALWAYS ON 🙏 YOUR JOURNEYS ! ENJOYED 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨
feel a bit sorry for both of you!! But i have seen it come! And this is just the beginning. What about rain AND strong wind ? What about wintertime with its coldest temperatures? What about folding your tent together while its weat? ...and what about more spiders? .... (hopefully not!!). And all the stuff in your car.... seems you won`t be able doing your work well anymore! After a while you will having real problems. Not enough space, no matter where you look around you. That can make you easily turn crazy after a while. I am really looking forward seeing you soon in a nice VAN again and stay strong and healthy !! many greetings from Bavaria, Germany
Hey guys when will your new camper be ready ? Did you order it specific and it’s being built ? Seems like I see so many new ones ready and for-sale. Love the channel thanks !
Hello! It should be ready at the end of next month or beginning of September hopefully. We did buy a new one that's being built as there are no Outdoors RV 22FQS models in the country. We actually got pretty lucky only having to wait about 4 months. Some people are waiting over a year!
@@IreneIronTravels looking forward to seeing your new rig . We are part timers based in Dallas and Aug 9 we hit the road for 3 weeks . Longest one since purchasing our 2021 Riverside Retro 135 . I had some modifications done to make it the perfect little camper . Maybe we will see ya down the road one day . Y’all inspire us . Thank you 🙏
I hate clutter almost as much as I hate spiders :) When I'm around a bunch of clutter, I feel like the crap is closing on me. Stay safe guys...wouldn't want either of you to get hurt during your adventures.
First minute into the video I had to stop... LOL Didn't want to miss any comments. Took a minute to stop laughing and came back to video. Not laughing at you but with you. Been there with too much stuff!!! Now back to the video.
@@IreneIronTravels Where do you take delivery of the RV? Why not put all your not needed stuff in storage near the delivery point? Trying to help, but I'm sure you have thought this thru... Right?
Delivery is in Colorado in August or September. So we don't have much of a choice, but to bring everything with us! Its only temporary, so we'll fight through!
How can you drive with the headrest set forward. My back would be killing me after a long drive. I set my headrest set all the way to the back and recline to fit my back. If that works for you disregard my view. Like your videos.
I think it has some repellent on it because it did shed water at first really well....but then it became saturated. I do have some spray for our clam tent and I might try it on the roof top tent as well.
I’ve watched some off road RTT trailer videos and many video in heavy rain, but none mention their tent getting soaked like yours. So I don’t know why yours did, but now I’m wondering if those other RTT users have the same problem but just don’t say anything or maybe something is off with yours.
Huh, yeah weird. I don't think there is any way the tents wouldn't get soaked on the parts without a rain fly. It repelled water for a few hours, but this was an entire day of straight rain and it just soaked through. The good thing though is the tent didn't leak anywhere and we were completely dry except for the surrounding area of the mattress on the tent sides.
Ok! Anything but spiders SO tents are off my list. Nice to see for the info. Thanks soooooo I know I’m not ever going to even sleep in a tent. I’m fine with any animal but spiders; their mouths are entirely too small to really defend yourself :)
How do you say in your country...."That travel trailer can't arrive soon enough"!! Head west fast!! You will hardly see any rain for the rest of the summer! Truth in lending, Ouray has actually been getting rain every couple of days. Usually, it is only for 15-20 minutes, max Safe travels!
Just wondering if you told her about those spiders before she started cleaning the tent, LOL. Don't think I would ever be able to sleep there again without watching for spiders. FYI for out west...scorpions can also climb. 🦂😮
Yes, it was a long steady medium rain........ no wind at all thankfully. We have missed all of the midwest storms so far! 🤞 ..... not looking forward to a thunderstorm!
Sorry, but nothing about that situation looks pleasant or enjoyable. If you’re not having second thoughts about your decision now I’m thinking you will in the not too distant future. Good luck to you guys moving forward with that setup.
Maybe next time - like next month - just buy a AIRSTREAM trailer- you get to an age where a tent is good to have for guests 🍻 - and you did go overkill on a tow vehicle for a tent - just sayin 🍻🍻🍻🍻
Honestly mate, splash-out on an awesome 2 person off road Square Drop camper. Don't waste your time on silly roof top tents. Me personally can't stand them.
