Tent Half-Fly Problem

Tessalin · Post by **Tessalin** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:45 am

I need to solve an equipment issue: 2 out of 4 of the sides of my REI Camp Dome-4 tent fly are half-flys. This means they don't go all the way to the ground, but instead form short canopies over the 2 doors opposite each other. There are mesh window sections on the opposite walls that are actually covered by the sides of the fly that do go all the way to the ground, but they don't zip closed, so the dust will blow up under the canopies and get into the tent. There are also 2 small triangular mesh windows in the ceiling that don't zip closed and will also let in the dust. Any suggestions!? I do have a Kelty Quartz one-person tent for sleeping that has adequate dust protection. I wanted to use the bigger tent for holding all my "stuff." THANK YOU! -Tessalin

phil · Post by **phil** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:19 am

Get used to dust. Seriously. There's no hope no matter how hermetically sealed you think your stuff is (or isn't).

Tessalin · Post by **Tessalin** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 12:02 pm

The problem isn't with my attitude toward the dust. This is my third year and I'm OK with the dust. I just want to do the best I can with keeping it out of the tent. Any practical suggestions from anyone? Thanks- Tessalin

skateboardkid · Post by **skateboardkid** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 3:44 pm

take 3 mil plastic and duck tape it over the mesh, then you can close it all the way, most tents have another zipper to open the whole window. good luck, thick trash bags will work too.

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:17 pm

We have a small rei backpacker, it has the two ceiling mesh skylights. We leave our rainfly off completely and drape a large heavy comforter over the top secured with spring clamps. Works like a charm. Don't know how to solve the rainfly issue, but maybe you can adapt the idea for the ceiling vents.

Tessalin · Post by **Tessalin** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:12 pm

Thanks so much! The two suggestions together will work for me! I tried the heavy comforter over the top and it almost covers all of the mesh windows- I can keep the fly on, too. I need to get some spring clamps. Then I'll tape the plastic over the exposed areas and it'll all be covered- a solution just in time to hit the road!

Peace & Love,
Tessalin

Post by **AntiM** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 6:57 am

Once you discover the many uses of spring clamps, you'll be hooked.