TT Rainbow questions

For those who have tried the Rainbow, how big is it inside? TT's website lists it as 1-2 person, which sounds workable for what I'd like; I'm looking for a small tent for myself and my fiance. Can it fit two sleeping pads side by side? We're both slender people. Also, how does it do in the rain? I've read a few reviews, but some of them are older. Does the clipping bathtub floor actually work?

The other tents I'm considering are the Rainbow2 and Six Moon Designs' Lunar Duo. They sound a big larger than I'd like, though.

Thanks!

I have a Rainbow that I use as a solo tent for wet conditions. It's huge inside (I'm 5'6"). It's fine in the rain if you seal the seams well. In my opinion two would have headroom but be cramped for width and space for gear.

For two I'd buy the double rainbow because of the double entrances/vestibules and the for the ability to rig the vestibules as porches to maximize ventilation.

The Rainbow will fit two mats side by side with a slight overlap (see picture) , great for those moments when you want to be really close but not recommended apart from the occasional one night use. The Double Rainbow is not that much heavier and as PTLatehiker has already pointed out , much more practical.
Keep in mind that the extra interior space with the DR will also help in reducing condensation build-up.
Franco

I'll reinforce what others have said: two sleeping pads (at a standard 20" each) will be slightly overlapping inside with the floor clipped up. Certainly do-able, but if you're planning to use it with two people most of the time you might take a closer look at the Double. The Rainbow is very spacious and convenient for one.


Yes. It won't help you when you've camped in a "dry" wash and a summer monsoon decides to have some fun with you, but then again in that unfortunate circumstance a traditional bathtub floor won't help much either, and a wet sleeping bag is the least of your worries.

The clip-up floor was an evolution of Henry's shelters. First they were floorless, then sewn-in floors, and then (responsive to comments on boards such as this one) Henry added the clip-up floor. I like the flexibility of it. In hot or humid conditions, it stays down, and if it's pounding rain (or you just want to feel enclosed) you snap it up.

Or if you have two people, you leave the floor un-clipped to take advantage of the extra width (46", I think, vs. 38" clipped).

Ah, the picture speaks a lot. The Doublerainbow sounds like a better option, as it will be our main tent. There's "being close for a night", and then there's "being close after 6 days of no hot showers". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I'm gearing up my newbie fiance for light hiking, and it's exciting to start from scratch.

I use both the single and double rainbow, and agree with the other posters that you'd be better served by the double. It offers WAY more space considering the small weight increase (and I'm a gram weenie), you'll both fit in comfortable with most of your gear as well. The double entrances make it very enjoyable too, when beach camping I open up the ocean-facing entrance when the weather is nice, and use the alternate one when the wind/rain picks up.

I agree with what others have said about a Double Rainbow -- which I have and have used from Grand Canyon to Lake Superior. However . . .

Consider the Rainshadow 2. It is about the same weight as the Double Rainbow and a veritable palace. My son and his wife have the Rainshadow 2 and I was impressed enough to order one, myself. In fact, the box just came today. (Testimony to Henry's excellent customer service, I might add).

I also agree with the double Rainbow suggestion. Even the double is just a little tight for the two of us (diet time).
We sealed every place a thread passes through fabric, twice on the inside and three times on the outside and have had no leaks, even during a 24 hour storm on the AT last year. The bathtub floor works well, if you pitch it correctly. We learned the hard way after getting some rain splash. You peg the floor almost straight out following the long side, at almost a right angle to the short side, and this lifts the floor up to help for the bathtub.

Definitely go with the Double Rainbow. The double doors and extra ventilation (and the space) will be worth the weight.

Here's a 75 pound lab in mine for reference.

Hi Paul
I "borrowed" your shot to illustrate the room for 1 plus a boxer and shiba inu inside the DR for a guy at BPL, I hope you don't mind
Franco

Thanks for the photo with the dog -- that helps me a lot. I sold my Rainshadow (original version), and I'm trying to decide between the Rainshadow II (perversely, a 3 person shelter), the Double Rainbow, and the Lunar Duo. Now that the offspring is headed off to college, I only really need a 2-person shelter, but the extra room in the Rainshadow was very nice for two people.

Decisions, decisions.

No problem, I'm glad it could help both of you.

My lab really likes it, especially when it's foggy and raining. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hey Paul, I'm glad that your dog also makes use of the rain curtain, possibly the best feature on any Tarptent.
I did not think that you would mind because I know how some TT owners like to go on and on about their shelter.
The weird part is that there is a James at BPL that is also trying to make up his mind between the Rainshadow and the DR...
Lunar Duo ? What's that ?
Franco

Uh huh.

I have one of Ron Moak's packs (the Starlite), and love it. So the Lunar Duo tent is certainly in the running. One advantage it might have over the TT Double Rainbow is that the two long side walls are vertical, thus providing more interior volume (and possibly eliminating the need for the rain curtain.) The LD uses two trekking poles for support, rather than a single long arch pole.

But I have really loved my Tarptent (and sold a bunch of my friends on them). Difficult decision, might just have to order both, set them up, and start comparing.

Oh, and the biggest issue that I had with the Rainshadow was the tunnel entrance. There's not much room for gear under the vestibule without blocking the door. Part of that is my size -- I'm a big guy -- and so I think I'll like the two side entrances more.

Off topic of course, but does your TT suffer damage from your dog's claws? I take an old beater tent with me when I take the dog, and save the TT for best (sort of like the dress pants that only come out for weddings and funerals).

Nope, no damage. We have about 15 nights in it together. Of course, I keep them well-trimmed. I think that's the important part.

To me, the ventilation of the Double Rainbow can;t be beat. I rarely have much condensation,. Although on some nights near freezing, i wish there wasn't as much ventilation! I stuff my pack against the windward edge on those nights so my bottom doesn't get too cold.