Are you searching to find out “what is a rainfly on a tent?” Maybe you want to buy your tent for the first time, and when you assemble it, you find a piece of fabric that is not fitting as per your requirement. It will make you wonder what it is and what you will do with it.
It is also possible that you are an experienced camper, but you aren’t able to decide whether to buy full-coverage or partial-coverage rainfly. In this case no need to worry more about it. Here I’m going to explain thoroughly about the rainfly.
A rainfly is such a component of a tent that is primarily a single piece, and it goes over the top of your tent and helps keep tree detritus, snow, rainwater, and other natural components out from your tent through the mesh top. It can fully cover your tent, or it also can give partial coverage. But for the best protection, you should go with full coverage.
Read More: How To Rainproof a camping tent?
Do You Need a Tent Rainfly?
A rainfly is necessary to use in most circumstances. If you are camping in an area famous for frequent rainfalls and windstorms, rainfly is essential there because it will keep you and all your belongings dry.
You would also need a rainfly on that trip where you are camping under many trees. Without a rainfly, you can’t save yourself from tree debris. Bird droppings from your mesh top can also irritate you, so a rainfly will keep you and your belongings clean.
Suppose your camping area has loose dirt, dust, and sand. A rainfly can prevent dirt, sand, and gravel from getting in your tent and protect you from these elements.
In the hot seasons, you need a rainfly when you expect rain. Otherwise, the rainfly will be in heat and raise the top of your tent so the inside of your tent would be hotter in summer, and it doesn’t allow enough ventilation. So you aren’t recommended to use it in the hot and warm weather.
In sweltering weather, warm, stuffy, and humidity, if you keep your rain fly off, you can have good air circulation in your tent. It will help if you use essential care towards a rainfly. Always stretch it out when you are going to install it.
What about an extra rainfly on top of the existing one? Will it offer better protection?
A rainfly is the part of your tent that comes along with the tent and would be either complete or partially covered.
Full coverage rainfly covers your tents from top to bottom from the outside. While partially-coverage rainfly only partially cover your tents. This style is not recommended when camping in heavy rains and wind storms, so it is a situation when you should go forward for two rainfly.
Heavy rain is only one condition, and as already mentioned, when your existing rainfly has partial coverage, it can’t cover your tent fully. The partial coverage will not work when you are camping in heavy rain. In such a situation, you can also use a tarp to put over your partial covering so that it can keep the water out of your tent.
But it is not suggested to have double covering sheets for an extended period because it can take the breathing ability. So leave some space uncovered for ventilation. If you have both rainfly for more than two to three days, there is a big chance that mold will begin to grow between them.
Read Guide: How to Make a Rainfly for Tent?
Do you need a rainfly? Watch the video of Expert Village Leaf Group
When to Use a Rainfly?
In certain situations, a breathable and stargazing ceiling makes a problem when the outer elements come into your tent and become a cause of irritation and trouble. On the other hand, rainfly can be very beneficial in such types of conditions. It depends on the weather of the area where you are supposed to go camping and whether or not using your rainfly will enhance your experience.
Its use would become necessary when you are camping in a place where it will be heavy rain. Using it when your camp is under lots of trees would be very beneficial. Rainflys can prevent bird droppings and tree rubble. It would be helpful in a sandy, dusty environment.
It can also be helpful when giant insects are outside your camping area. So rainflys can also be an obstacle against insects.
Different Types of Rainfly
Similar to tents, a wide variety of rainfly available in the market. Rainfly are different in material, attachment or unattachment, water resistance, and coverage. Before buying it, you should know where and how to use your tents.
Suppose you are camping in a relatively mild climate or one with more heavy rainfalls and wind. Would you like to drive to a site or go backpacking? Full coverage tents are best where there are heavy rainfalls and wind. It keeps your tent and belongings completely dry.
It also does not allow much air circulation in the tent and makes it stuffy and hot, so warm and hot inside of the tent can be excellent when camping in colder areas.
Complete coverage is heavy so it can increase your carrying load.
A partially covered rainfly is beneficial in temperate climate areas because it partially covers your tent. And it is lovely to use in warm weather because it allows excellent air circulation in your tent.
But it is not great to use in heavy rainfall and windy conditions. Rain can get into your tent through side ventilators and mesh areas, depending on how much coverage your rainfly provides. Double-walled tents have two layers of the wall; one wall is of the tent’s body, which is made of different materials, while the other is a rainfly that protects the tent. Rainfly tents are primarily included with double wall tents. These tents give protection to their campers.
These tents can be heavier and need a more extended setup than single-walled ones, so it is not ideal when you are backpacking and need a quick setup.
Does Rainfly Make Your Tent Waterproof?
Tents are not waterproof; instead, they are thoroughly water-resistant. Tents are notably declined perforation of rainwater but don’t try to stop it. Rainfly is also water resistant. Rain flies can be essential in keeping your tent and belongings as dry as possible.
To check the water resistance of a rainfly, there are many factors on which it depends, like fabric, clothing, waterproof rating, coating, and what is the age of your tent? in other words, you can say how old your tent is.
How to Pitch a Rainfly?
The perfection of a rainfly depends on its correct installation with your tent. Rainfly will effectively work when you line it up over the outer poles of the tent.
If your rainfly has velcro straps, fix them to the pole by using them. In pitching a rainfly, the most important part is that it’s pulled tightly. Don’t collect atop a loose one if you want to roll off the water and other natural elements from your rainfly.
How to Properly Use a Rainfly?
When you want to attach a rainfly to the top of the tent, your rainfly must be fully stretched out as much as possible to make an even and flat surface so that rainwater flows easily.
If full coverage rain fly sheet is comparatively more prolonged than the tent’s walls, neither try to tuck it between the footprint and floor nor underneath the footprint. One more important thing, if the tent allows, don’t let rainfly touch the tent’s body, and having a layer of moving air between them is essential. When you are using full coverage, do keep some place for ventilation.
Maintenance and Repair Work of Rainfly
Wrong fixing of the rainfly and repeated usage of it can cause damage like holes in it, or it is also possible that its waterproof layer would end up. There are some problems, but no need to worry about them. Here, I will discuss how to maintain and fix these problems because sometimes these problems are fixable. The main problem is that the rainfly’s coated layer can be damaged after some period.
Although it is a severe issue, it can often be fixed easily. All you need is waterproofing spray; spray it on both sides, leaving it to dry naturally. If it has a cut or hole, you can repair it with the help of patching tape. For rainfly maintenance, you need these materials, alcohol rub, seam grip, patching tape, and waterproof spray.
Here are some suggestions that will help keep your tent safe from getting damaged. Your rain fly needs inspection and care of regularly. After every camping trip, you should check your rainfly properly. And it should always be packed when it gets clean and dried out completely. It is never recommended to wash it in washing machines whether it should be hand washed in the buckets.
Once you are done washing your rainfly, put it on the washing line or put it on the shower rod to make it dry. Never rub your rain fly with any abrasive thing that can be the reason for damage in your rain fly. And handle it very gently if you want to remove the soiling and stains without making your rainfly weak.
Replacement of Tent Rainfly
If the methods mentioned above cannot fix your rain fly or you have lost it, it is still possible to get a replacement. In case you have a new modal tent, the manufacturer can sell your replacement parts for that particular tent.
Here I am going to mention a brand that deals in:
Coleman rainfly replacement
Partial covering vs full covering: which one is the best? As already mentioned that rain flies can have two coverages.
- Partially covering
- Fully covering
Both can be best, but it varies in different situations.
Partially covering: it partially covers your tent and makes these rain flies useful when camping in a mild climate. Partial covering allows optimal circulation in your tent. This rainfly is ideal for warm and humid climates. But one downside is that it is not designed for such areas, known as windy and heavy rainfall areas.
Full covering: Itis the best option when camping in windy and more rainfall areas. Whole covering rain flies cover the outer side of your tent completely. It protects your tent fully and doesn’t allow water, tree debris, and other natural rubbish, like insects, birds dropping, etc., to get in your tent. It gives you ultimately protection in this way.
But there is a drawback which this type of rain flies have that they visibly decrease the natural air circulation in the tent and make it hot and stuffy in the tent. Whole coverage rain flies tend to be heavier and can raise the weight of your backpack.
Awareness about your surroundings and weather forecast can help you determine the most suitable rainfly!
Final Thoughts
I hope this is enough information which almost covers everything you need to know about “what is a rainfly on a tent?” But if you still have any queries regarding this topic, please feel free to drop a comment below. I will try to reply to you back.
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