Storage Guide

in 4X4CO Support Hub / by 4X4CO Team

As the leaves fall and the temperature drops, many of us put away our camp gear for the season and swap out our hard shell roof top tent for a ski rack. If you’re a newly-minted 4X4CO Tent owner entering your first winter with a roof top tent, you’re probably wondering where you should safely store your RTT for winter.

We always recommend that you keep your 4X4CO Tent at least 2” off the ground to prevent moisture from getting into your tent and causing rot or other potential damage. That’s why it’s important to find a safe, convenient place to store your roof top tent during the off-season so you can keep enjoying your tent for many years to come — without it taking over your whole garage.

Here are 4 creative options for safely storing your 4X4CO Tent until you’re ready to camp again.

The Leaner

This solution is ideal if you don’t want to spend time and money installing a pully system-style storage device for keeping your 4X4CO Tent off the ground during the winter:

1. The first step is to purchase a moving bag designed for mattresses. A queen size should work perfectly.
2. Wrap your 4X4CO Tent in the bag, seal the end with duct tape, fold excess, and tape to side.
3. Once the 4X4CO Tent is wrapped, take four 12” long 2×4 sections and space them out evenly over the width of the tent on the ground against a wall.
4. Lean your 4X4CO Tent against the wall on top of the supports. For added security, drill an eyehole screw a few inches into the wall on either side of the tent half way up and secure your 4X4CO Tent to the wall with a cam strap or rope.

Flat Stanley

This is an easy solution if you’ve got a lot of extra storage room. Simply store your 4X4CO Tent as if it were still on your car, but with a buffer between your tent and the ground.

1. Once you have your 4X4CO Tent off of your car, store the mounting materials in your 4X4CO Tent for safe keeping.
2. Like in “The Leaner”, we recommend using the same queen-sized mattress bag to keep your 4X4CO Tent dust free and to keep any pesky bugs out.
3. Insert your 4X4CO Tent into the mattress bag, seal, and then set on four 2×4 sections that are spaced out 20 inches apart, like in the image above.

The Houdini

 

This is a great storage solution if you plan on taking your 4X4CO Tent on and off your car all year long.

This is the most work-intensive storage solution, but is a great way to have the ability to detach and install your 4X4CO Tent alone if needed. It will require around 15'-17' of garage height clearance depending on the height of your vehicle. 

This setup is built from an electric winch, jet ski harness, and ratchet straps, which you can purchase below on Amazon:

• Winch
• Jet Ski Harness (Tent Harness)
• Ceiling Mount

1. Wrap the Jet Ski Harness in towels, hooks facing outwards, then ductape around to create a nice padded cushion like support. 
2.  Install ceiling mount securely into ceiling stud.
3. Attach Electric Winch to secured ceiling mount. 
4. Attach completed tent harness to electric winch hook
5. Secure tent using ratchet straps underneath connected to harness. 
6. Lift & Store or Lower & Install!

How to use this system video coming soon.

Season Camper

 

Last but not least, if you don’t want to take your 4X4CO Tent off for the winter, you don’t have to.

With our aluminum shell your 4X4CO Tent is safe on your roof all winter long, no matter how much it gets pounded by fresh powder.

If you’re an avid skier, your rooftop tent can be your ticket to grabbing first chair or carving out first tracks in the backcountry. All the more reason why you may not want to take off that 4X4CO RTT off just yet.

If you have any questions about winter storage or any other aspects of your 4X4CO RTT, feel free to reach out to us at help@4x4colorado.com