Going back to the drying the gear idea, why keep it in the tent at all. The original post suggested his tent didn't have a vestibule. Why not make one with a garbage bag. Dry the wet gear with your towel, and keep it under your garbage bag vestibule. So what if the rain coat doesn't get completely dry. Just getting some air on it will help and you really didn't want that extra moisture in the tent to begin with.
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