Maintenance GUIDE
Unplug Outdoor Co. provides a LIFETIME WARRANTY against defects on all roof top tents, and a limited lifetime warranty to any secondhand owners. Please read the following for more information on caring for and maintaining your Unplug Outdoor Co. RTT or Truck Camper — It’s the responsibility of the owner to properly care for and maintain to ensure warranty coverage.
Maintenance Tips
We highly recommend opening your Unplug Outdoor Co. Rooftop Tent or Truck Camper and letting it dry out completely after any trip.
Propping up or removing the mattress is also recommended as moisture can easily get trapped in the folds of your tent material and in the foam mattress.
We recommend checking your mounting hardware before trips and intermittently while on the road (we also suggest checking your roof rack hardware as well – all connections must be tight to ensure safety).
Your mounting hardware kit comes with lock nuts that are designed to stay in position, but we suggest double checking all mounting points before or after every trip. If you are ever concerned about your mounting hardware, contact us HERE.
Check your latches regularly to ensure they are locking properly.
• Depending on the model, the latches fasten into place when you fully close them and you can secure the latch by twisting the lock
• Some other models are secured by Velcro straps and a locking latch. Be cautious not to pull the tent down from the straps. Utilize the long strap connected to the upper shell to close your tent.
We recommend lubing your struts at least 1x/year with WD-40.
Don’t force zippers. If you find that one is slightly sticking, add some zipper lube and if a zipper is having trouble coming together, have someone assist you by pulling the fabric together to decrease tension.
Though we use 304 stainless steels for the hardware in our tents, steel can still accumulate a bit of surface rust when subjected to the elements. This is normal and does not affect the strength or durability of the steel. You can easily clean off the surface rust with some isopropyl alcohol or WD-40.
Storage
- Before storing your tent, make sure the tent is 100% dry. Storing your Unplug Outdoor Co. Tent with any moisture inside can lead to mold and mildew growth. Opening your tent after your trip to air out and then wiping the tent down on the inside and outside will help.
Remove and wash the mattress cover, if needed. You may want to consider storing your mattress outside of your tent, especially in humid climates.
Your Unplug Outdoor Co. Rooftop Tent can be stored on its side, just make sure to avoid placing the tent on its latches. We recommend something under the tent like thick cardboard, foam that the tent came with inside the shipping box, or a moving blanket.
Storing on your vehicle year-round is fine but you will want to open your tent regularly to make sure moisture does not accumulate, as the Unplug Outdoor Co. Rooftop Tent is not air-tight and freeze-thaw cycles can allow moisture to get inside your tent when It’s closed.
MOLD & MILDEW
- If not vented properly when sleeping in cold environments, condensation will always form inside a tent – this is normal and unavoidable. If left unattended, the moistures from condensation can lead to mold and mildew growth if your Unplug Outdoor Co. Rooftop Tent is not aired out properly. See our condensation guide HERE for tips on reducing condensation.
- If you discover mold or mildew on your Unplug Outdoor Co. Rooftop Tent or Truck Camper, we recommend using a very light bleach solution and a bit of scrubbing to remove the stains. If you prefer a natural alternative to bleach, then we suggest white vinegar, or a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution will also work well.
Protection from the Elements - Winter & Summer Care
Storing your Unplug Outdoor Co. Rooftop Tent on your vehicle year-round is fine but will require some additional maintenance to protect your tent from the elements.
WINTER:
You will want to open your tent regularly, especially during the winter months, to make sure moisture does not accumulate, as the Unplug Outdoor Co. Rooftop Tent or Truck Camper is not airtight. Condensation can occur inside your tent during freeze/thaw cycles. If your tent is not opened to allow the moisture to dry, mold and mildew will occur. We recommend airing your tent out every 1-2 weeks.
SUMMER:
The sun is brutal on all materials, but especially plastics. The sun will case plastic materials to fade over time, even when coated in a protectant. The best option is to keep your tents stored out of the sun, but adding a cover is a solid solution as well. Ceramic or wax coating is also a great idea which helps add some UV proofing to just about any surface.
Condensation Guide
Condensation forms when humid air meets a cold surface and turns from a vapor to a liquid and starts collecting as water droplets. Your tent can fill with moisture in the air for several reasons:
• Humidity in the air
• Your breath
• Wet clothing or gear
After a night of sleeping inside the tent, moisture can build up inside the tent. Most of our tents come standard with anti-condensation features like an anti-condensation mat, vents and pole sleeves, but even with these in place it will still not be possible to completely avoid condensation.
Below are some additional ways to help prevent condensation in your Unplug Outdoor Co. Rooftop Tent.
ADDITIONAL CONDENSATION PREVENTION TIPS
Before closing the tent after camping, ensure you dry the tent out and do not leave any wet bedding or gear inside
• Purchase and place a USB fan inside the tent to help aid air flow
• Leave the windows cracked to help with air flow (higher the better)
• If possible, avoid camping near water or wet areas as the humidity will be higher
• Do not bring wet clothing or gear inside the rooftop tent
• Face the tent into the wind to help with air flow
• Avoid sleeping with your pets inside of the Rooftop Tent
• Keep a small towel inside the tent to wipe up any build up if the conditions are that severe
DID YOU KNOW THAT CONDENSATION CAN OCCUR WHEN YOUR TENT IS NOT IN USE?
Drastic changes in temperatures, such as freeze and thaw cycles, can cause condensation in a closed tent.
If your tent is not opened to allow the moisture to dry, mold and mildew will occur. We recommend airing your tent out every 1-2 weeks, even when your tent is not in use. Humid climates may require airing out your tent more regularly.
You will want to open your tent regularly, especially during the winter months, to make sure moisture does not accumulate.
