r-Dome Revisited

Originally posted by sammycamper Originally posted by Footloosejake I just received my "New" 2011 R pod 171 and my "R-Dome" a couple wks ago and now have tried to put up the Dome. I find the bead on the dome is stopped by the screw heads and the channel is cutting the bead of nylon and really will and should not go.      I see you had some problem as well and wondered what size screws you used and any other suggestions you might have. So far, I've just worked the bead past the original screw heads. It gets aggravating, but I haven't taken the time to replace the screws with flatter heads. I recall a post from another member who replaced the original screws with stainless steel flatheads. I did file the ends of the channel to reduce cutting into the bead.   Sam

On my 2009 Rpod the Screw size used was 1" #6 screws (non stainless steel so they rusted) I replaced with 1" #6 Flat head Screws that are stainless.  You will need to smooth the areas where the screws mess up the track.  Takes several hours to do but makes it work.

 Agree with rpodcamper.com.  Replaced the screws, filed the ends and put a hard piece on the ends to pull with a piece of rope and the dome goes up in a flash.  With risers on the Pod, I made a pair of 8x8x4 blocks to raise the ends of the outer pole and the dome goes up evenly.  We then used the stick- on 2" Velcro sewn on the dome and stuck on the pod to fix the outer side flaps.  Works great!

I love the R-dome, we keep our Yeti in it.

Zag, I've successfully done exactly what you describe here - a standard tarp, secured to the channel and supported by extendable tent poles on the far side (with a few guylines to keep it from blowing away).  It works fantastic - turns out a hex-head carriage bolt fits exactly in the channel.  the bolt slides in threads facing away from the camper, put on a 1.5" washer, run it through one of the grommets on the tarp, 1.5" washer on the other side, and top it off with a wing-nut.   I'll try to get sizes when I get back to camp later today.  did the job for all of ~$10, and you can even leave the hardware attached to the tarp for next time as the heads just slide in the track.

Originally posted by bnmelvin Zag, I've successfully done exactly what you describe here - a standard tarp, secured to the channel and supported by extendable tent poles on the far side (with a few guylines to keep it from blowing away).  It works fantastic - turns out a hex-head carriage bolt fits exactly in the channel.  the bolt slides in threads facing away from the camper, put on a 1.5" washer, run it through one of the grommets on the tarp, 1.5" washer on the other side, and top it off with a wing-nut.   I'll try to get sizes when I get back to camp later today.  did the job for all of ~$10, and you can even leave the hardware attached to the tarp for next time as the heads just slide in the track. -Bryan

Are you perchance a woodworker? This is kind of a standard practice for jig construction and work table hold downs.