Hi all
Does anyone have zip up curtains in their tent? I know the Vango polycottons like the Euphoria and Eden have them, and also the latest Outwell smart airs.
I like the idea for the extra privacy options, being able to open the top and keep the bottom closed, but I am concerned that the zips being closed at the bottom may catch condensation off the inside of the window plastic.
Have got the option to order a zip up or zip down curtain on a window but unsure which way to go.
How have people got on with theirs?
thanks for your help
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loved the zips in my old Royal. dont see many with zips (although ive only been looking at inflatables) but one of many deciding factors between the Outwell and Kampa was that you can toggle the windows half closed in the Outwell. Prefere zips, but at least have choice where to toggle.
My Coleman Lakeside 4 has a zip up curtain on the small window at the side. There are two zips one on each side and the curtain is fixed along the bottom. There is a strip of removable aluminium in each side of the curtain next to the zips. The idea is that as you pull the zips down the thin strips of aluminium roll up and the curtain automatically rolls up with them, so you can lower it to wherever you want.
It is a good idea and works, except that I worry when I roll up the tent that the thin aluminium strips might cut into the material. Since I can't be bothered to keep removing and fitting them whenever I erect or take down the tent I have removed them altogether. I can still zip the curtain down to wherever I want it to be but it then just hangs loosely down. I rarely open the window curtains anyway so it's not a problem.
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Quote: Originally posted by Bob61 on 23/8/2015
My Coleman Lakeside 4 has a zip up curtain on the small window at the side. There are two zips one on each side and the curtain is fixed along the bottom.
Not quite sure why they have to be stitched top or bottom apart from saving an inch or two in curtain fabric/zip to allow for overhang .
------------- The cheap tat was much better quality when i was young.
Thanks for the replies so far, unfortunately double zips are not possible, it will have to be fixed at the top or bottom, with a tie attached at that point to roll and tie it back with. There will be a velcro tab at the open end of the curtain too to secure the flap to the tent when shut
Internal curtain... stitched along the bottom, two way zip covering top and both sides... all in polycotton...
Behind it was 90% pvc, with a small mesh section across the top. (There was an external eyebrow to keep the rain out).
In addition, the pvc/mesh panel also unzipped the same, so you could drop the lot, and dive through, if you were that way inclined!
We loved 'em, in all honesty. Yes, we did get the odd bit of morning condensation trickling down to the bottom... and the odd dead fly was found down there too, so not perfect, but we dropped the whole curtain for an hour, and all was fine, aired, and dry.
The bonus for us was unzipping them a third or half way down, thus keeping a little privacy whilst still being able to see out/let light in.
Not experienced zip up internal curtains (we have though with external curtains)
We much preferred the top half being "open", and we didn't find the minimal condensation at the bottom, or even the dead flies, to much of a hindrance either. I'd say go for zip down, from our experience.
Quote: Originally posted by Jim1977 on 23/8/2015
Thanks for the replies so far, unfortunately double zips are not possible, it will have to be fixed at the top or bottom, with a tie attached at that point to roll and tie it back with. There will be a velcro tab at the open end of the curtain too to secure the flap to the tent when shut
My curtain has a toggle at the top (open end) to secure it when zipped up.
What I don't like about my tent are the two silly triangular windows either side of the front door. These have silly triangular shaped curtains which are sewn at the bottom and toggled at the top (or the other way round) and hang loosely in the middle, so anyone walking past, especially when there is a light on inside, can see straight in.
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 23/8/2015
The bonus for us was unzipping them a third or half way down, thus keeping a little privacy whilst still being able to see out/let light in.
...and your photo has solved my problem of having the loose curtain hanging down when half zipped...could be tucked in on the inside
Yep, our Cabanon Biscaya Cotton has zipped curtains, more like blinds if I am honest.
We often only have the main window with the blind open, with the two remaining side windows with the blind closed, in fact I would even say that they need not have bothered fitting side window, as they are not really needed.
The best use for the 2 side windows, is for ventilation, through the mozzie mesh, so I guess there is a reason for the windows.
The Karsten tunnel tent and caravan awnings have windows like your pic Mucker, plastic at the bottom and mesh at the top. But the curtain is on the outside not inside, it has extra clips so it can be rolled to the top of the plastic or all the way up. No idea if they would do that?!
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Quote: Originally posted by Jim1977 on 23/8/2015The Karsten tunnel tent and caravan awnings have windows like your pic Mucker, plastic at the bottom and mesh at the top. But the curtain is on the outside not inside, it has extra clips so it can be rolled to the top of the plastic or all the way up. No idea if they would do that?!
That's what we had in the Frinton...
Mesh (top half) covered, pvc uncovered, with an external zipped curtain, rolled and toggled half way...
Still prefer internal, zip down curtains though... despite what we have now!
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 23/8/2015
The bonus for us was unzipping them a third or half way down, thus keeping a little privacy whilst still being able to see out/let light in.
...and your photo has solved my problem of having the loose curtain hanging down when half zipped...could be tucked in on the inside
Oh dear Bob... Having to rely on me for a bit of common sense!
I thought better of you than that!
Quote: Originally posted by Jim1977 on 23/8/2015
Thanks for the replies so far, unfortunately double zips are not possible, it will have to be fixed at the top or bottom, with a tie attached at that point to roll and tie it back with. There will be a velcro tab at the open end of the curtain too to secure the flap to the tent when shut
Might be a case for the velcro at the bottom then, and stitched across the top? Regardless of the quality of materials/workmanship, I'd be a little concerned there may be a risk of "Bagginess" or "drooping" with an open top, relying on a tab of velcro... unless they'll do the velcro all the way across?
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Topic: Zip up curtains in tent
