SMRT TENT SKY LOFT User manual

SKY LOFT
Your childhood treefort just got a massive upgrade.
Owner Manual

2
Your childhood
treefort just got a
massive upgrade.

Sky Loft Owner Manual
3
Safety Warning
Parts
Installation Prep
Getting your SMRT Tent on your vehicle
Installing the Mounting Hardware
Final Set Up Steps
Packing Up the Sky Loft
Tent Care & Upkeep
Offseason Storage
4
6
8
9
10
11
11
12
14
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ATTENTION: Manuel en Français
Si vous souhaitez lire ce manuel en français,
veuillez visiter notre site Web à l’adresse www.
smrttent.com et télécharger le PDF en français.
ATENCIÓN: Manual en Español
Si desea leer este manual en Español, visite
nuestro sitio web en www.smrttent.com y
descargue el PDF en Español.

4
FIRST THINGS FIRST: BE SAFE!
HOW TO CAMP SMRT
Congratulations on your purchase! We know
you are going to love the rooftop tenting
lifestyle, and many great adventures await
you. But before you pack up and leave on your
first trip, you need to properly install your
SMRT Tent, and know how to use it safely.
Although rooftop tenting and sleeping off the
ground has many safety benefits, there are
still steps that need to be taken to prevent
injury and dangerous situations. Remember
that you are still using nature’s space and that
it needs to be treated with respect. You will
be sharing it with animals, weather, and other
people.
Follow the instructions in this booklet to
safely and securely install your tent onto
your vehicle. For your ease and convenience,
you can also watch our Install Videos on
our YouTube Channel (SMRT Tent). You can
follow the QR code on this page to get to our
channel.
Please contact your vehicle manufacturer for
specific load rating of your roof rack. Not all
factory roof racks or aftermarket roof bars can
safely accommodate a SMRT Tent.
The installation of a SMRT Tent on your roof
rack will change your vehicle’s centre of
gravity, height and handling. The manufacturer
disclaims all responsibility in case of accidents
due to improper use, improper maintenance,
or checking the tightness of the brackets
regarding the fitting of your chosen roof rack
system.
Improper installation or use of the SMRT Tent
may result in serious injury or death. SMRT
Tent, the manufacturer, shall not be liable for
special, indirect incidental or consequential
damages.
Something close to our hearts is the
environment in which we have our fun; it
needs to be treated well and with respect so
the generations after us can explore too. When
using your SMRT Tent and exploring, stay
on designated roads and trails. Go over, not
around, obstacles to avoid widening the trails.
Cross streams only at designated fords, and
when possible avoid wet trails. Avoid sensitive
areas (meadows, lake shores, wetlands and
streams) – this protects wildlife habitats and
sensitive soils from damage. Don’t disturb
historical, archaeological or paleontological
sites. Try to leave no trace, leave the area
better than you found it, properly dispose
of waste, and avoid the spread of invasive
species.
Finally, go have some fun!
Scan this code to
view the SMRT Tent
YouTube Channel for
Install Videos!

Sky Loft Owner Manual
5
• Check your mounting hardware before every trip and tighten your bolts if
necessary.
• Maximum travel speed is 120km/hr (74.5mph)
• Ensure ladder is well secured to your Rooftop Tent and at the correct angle
(approx. 70 degrees between ladder and ground) to avoid injury.
• Be sure to always have a light source to help you safely move around in the
dark.
• Keep all flame and heat sources away from the tent materials. Under no
circumstances should any naked flame sources or heating devices be used
inside or near the tent!
• Keep campfires well away from tent and be cautious of embers.
• Keep a fire extinguisher or a water source nearby when having a fire.
• Do not smoke in your Rooftop Tent.
• Do not operate any device which burns fuel inside your Rooftop Tent.
• Keep exits clear.
• If you’re camping in an undeveloped campground or in the backcountry, hang
up your garbage and food in a tree and make a “bear hang” that’s far away
from your tent, keeping it out of any animal’s reach.
• Always ensure your tent is securely closed and fastened before departing and
driving away.
• Do not park in waterways or areas that could be flooded at night.
Safety Warnings

6
PARTS
4X 8X 8X 8X 1X
Once you open your tent, you will remove the contents from the inside.
In a small bag will be the hardware:
We recommend laying your hardware out on a flat surface for easy access and to avoid
losing a piece.
Mounting Brackets Sliders Bolts Nuts #13

Sky Loft Owner Manual
7
2X 1X 2X
Window Rods Telescopic Ladder Shoe Bags#13

8
We recommend laying your new tent
on the top piece of the cardboard
box it came in to set it up!
• Undo the two straps at the back
of the tent by depressing the
levers and pulling the straps out
the top. Once both straps are
undone, you can open the tent.
• Pull down the bungee cord from
the middle of the tent and lower
it to the base
• Flip the bottom tent flap down
around the base of the tent
• Unzip the main door at the
back of the tent and remove all
contents from tent. You should
have 2 window rods in a bag, 2
shoe bags, a ladder bag, and an
install kit bag.
• Unclip the buckles on the ladder
bag and find the install kit inside
the bag (beige pouch). Remove
the contents. You should find a
13mm ratchet wrench, 4 bottom
brackets wrapped in rubber, 8
sliders, and 8 nuts and bolts.
• Take the nuts off the bolts and
put the bolts into the sliders, with
the head of the bolt sitting in the
channel, so the slider top remains
flush with the head of the bolt. Set
aside. (Figure A)
• Undo the knot in the upper strap
at the back of the tent. You will
use this strap to pull down and
close your tent while in use.
• Unzip the side windows and fold
them into the tent to create an
opening for air to flow out.
• Push down evenly on the tent to
somewhat close it back up and
reattach the straps. Note: This
can be a loose close, you don’t
have to have your fabric tucked in;
we usually leave ours open with
3-4 inches of space. This partial
closing is only to make the lifting
of the tent easier.
1 2
Open the tent and remove the
contents for install.
Prep the tent to be installed on
your vehicle.
AB
C

Sky Loft Owner Manual
9
• Get some help lifting your tent
onto the vehicle with another
person or an overhead hoist. We
do not recommend doing it by
yourself.
• Pick up the tent and bring it to
the side of the vehicle. Holding
the front and back, lift it up to the
height of the rack. Slide the tent
across the rack until you have both
mounting rails on the crossbars
or rack that you have (Figure
B). Don’t worry about it being
completely centered yet.
• Stand at the back of the tent
where your straps are located. Tilt
the back of the tent up and slide in
2 Sliders (with bolts) per mounting
rail into the centre portion of
the tent, and between your two
mounting rails (4 total). Let the
tent down softly. (Figure C)
• Now walk around and insert 1
Slider into the mounting rail on
each corner. These will sit on the
outside of your crossbars/rack.
• Next you need to centre the tent,
finding the desirable location – it is
OK to have some overhang to the
3
4a
Grab a friend to help you lift
the tent onto your rack or
crossbars.
Install sliders for mounting
and center the tent on your
vehicle.
C
D
1/3 MAX
27 in
68.6 cm 68.6 cm
CENTER ZONE 1/3 MAX
27 in
SAFETY ZONES
front or the rear, but we want to
keep that to a maximum of 1/3 of
the tent. (Figure D)
• Stand at the front of your vehicle
and make sure it is centered side
to side. Then repeat this standing
at the back of your vehicle.
• Keep repeating until you are
satisfied.
• Once we have found the desired
mounting location, we must install
our mounting brackets. Start on
any corner.
• Take one of the sliders from inside
the centre channel, and the one
from the outside, and attach the
lower bracket with two nuts. Do
not tighten yet – only thread them
Assemble and tighten the
mounting brackets.
4b
5a

10
• On the back, take your two window
prop rods. You will notice two slits
on the fabric skirt. If you open the
slit, you will notice a hole for the
end of the rod.
• At about a 40-45 degree angle,
insert the straight end of the rod –
you might have to wiggle it in, make
sure it is inserting ½ - ¾ of an inch
(13-19mm). 5/8-7/8 of in (16-22mm)
• Hook the hook end of the rod into
the eyelet of the fabric skirt. Do
both sides. (Figure F)
• Now that we have our tent
attached and clamped, we like to
check how secure it is. Give your
tent a firm shake with both hands
and make sure the tent is not
sliding on the rack at all.
• Seriously, shake it hard.
• Now that we have our tent
attached, let’s open the tent back
up. Hook your ladder to the back
of the tent and open it up. Note:
The ladder will hook onto any side
you wish.
• Locate your shoe bags. The “S”
clips will clip onto the other
two remaining ladder mounting
locations.
Give your tent a firm shake,
shake, shake!
Setup & Open
Set up the Window Rods
E
on. Repeat that step 3 times on
all corners, giving you 4 mounting
locations. (Figure E)
• Now you need to tighten the
nuts. The tightening sequence
for the mounting hardware is 4
rotations on inner nut, followed by
4 rotations on the outer nut, and
repeating until tightened evenly.
This ensures an equal tightening
sequence. You will know you have
tightened enough when you see
the bottom bracket start to deflect
slightly. Do not tighten one side at
a time - this will create an uneven
clamping load.
• Repeat on the other 3 mounting
locations.
Important Warning: It is
important to note that this
tent has a Max traveling speed
of 120km/h when installed.
Please adhere to this guideline
to ensure your safety, and your
tent’s integrity.
6
8
7
5b

Sky Loft Owner Manual
11
• Great job! You’ve successfully set
up your Sky Loft. Now to learn how
to pack it up!
• Remove the shoe bags, window
rods (from the hook first, then the
base) and put them in their sleeve,
and the ladder from the tent (put
the ladder in the bag). You can
store all of this inside the tent if
you like, or in your vehicle. Note:
the SKY LOFT has some room to
keep some bedding items inside. As
a general rule of thumb, if it closes
nicely and easily, it fits. We suggest
putting your ladder in your vehicle if
you are storing bedding in the tent.
• The side windows can remain open
or closed. For easier closing, we
suggest keeping the back window
partially open to allow air to drain
from the inside of the tent more
efficiently.
• Take the bottom flap around the
whole tent and flip it up. Grab
your bungee cord and bring it up
to the middle of the tent. Grab the
pull strap and pull down from the
middle, evenly, and allow the air
to come out. It is normal to have
the tent material sticking out from
9Packing Up Your Sky Loft
F
Fabric Skirt
both sides here.
• Move to one side of the tent and
lift the back corner up about an
inch, just enough to put the fabric
in with your free hand. Repeat on
the other side. Double check both
sides.
• Take your bungee cord and stuff it
in the back, over the metal lip.
• Fasten both closing straps by
depressing the level and sliding
the tip of the strap through. Pull
up on the strap to tighten.
• The tent is now closed! You’re
ready to drive away.
9
9a
9b

12
TENT UPKEEP + CARE
• You wake up to head home and it rained
all night, and there is water all over the
outside of your tent. You can pack up your
tent when it’s wet. We suggest leaving your
windows zipped up because that will help
keep the moisture on the outside.
• Give it a good shake and get as much water
off as you can before pack-up.
• Once you’ve arrived at your new location, it
is imperative that you don’t forget to open
it up and air it out completely! Try not to
leave it more than 36 hours – as soon as
you can is best.
• Once your tent is completely dry, you can
pack it back up.
• Having snug hardware is important. We
recommend checking your hardware before
every trip - just a quick check and tighten
1/16th of a turn goes a long way! You can
use a paint marker and make a mark on
your bolt to keep track of movement for a
quick visual inspection.
• Your zippers will be exposed to all kinds of
elements. We highly recommend regularly
lubricating them to keep them operating
smoothly!
• Using a lubricant such as Bee’s Wax is a
great way to protect the longevity of your
zipper. Just buy a small block and rub it on
• When packing up your tent, make sure
you fold in the corners and try and get the
fabric inside in as orderly of a manner as
you can, preventing from bunching and
lumps. The cinch cord will help with this.
• Double check the sides when closing and
push the fabric past the seal with your
fingers so it doesn’t get caught when you
close and latch the tent.
• Do up the straps on the latches tightly,
giving the tent a good seal, with no fabric
popping out.
Your tent’s lifespan greatly depends on how
much you use and care for it.
With extremely good care, safe handling
practices, proper winter storage, and average
use, you should be seeing 5+ years. Here
are our tips for keeping your tent in the best
shape possible!
*This could fluctuate based on region,
temperature, use rates, abuse, and terrain.
Rain + Your Tent: Packing up your
tent when it’s wet
Check your Hardware Regularly
Zipper Care
Make sure you have a Proper Seal
with Packing up your Tent
• Just like your car, the shell of your tent
likes to be clean. Use a bucket, warm water
and mild soap, then air out.
Clean the shell

Sky Loft Owner Manual
13
• Many people store their tents in their
basements or garages over the winter
(instructions on how to do this on pages
17-18).
• Before you can put your tent away for
the winter season, you need to air it out
completely, allowing all possible moisture
to evaporate. We suggest removing the
mattress as well and letting it air out.
• Check on your tent throughout the winter!
The only way to really make sure no water
or mold ensues is to check on it once in
a while. Once a month or so is great, just
to open it and make sure there aren’t any
issues.
• If you do have any mold or mildew growing
on the fabric (this would only happen if
moisture got left in the tent and it went
unchecked for months), you can clean it
with a vinegar and water mixture.
• Open the tent up and brush the affected
areas with a stiff bristled brush to get and
loose dirt/mold off.
• Fill a bucket or spray bottle with warm
water. Add Vinegar to the water, use your
best judgment on how much to use, start
small and work your way up (5% vinegar,
95% water would be a good place to
start). Stir thoroughly until the solution is
dissolved completely.
• Use a sponge or your spray bottle to apply
the solution to the affected area. Let this
soak for 1 hour.
• While the fabric is soaking, wash the frame
and any mold in it with Vinegar solution.
Dry with a rag.
• When the hour is up, wipe the fabric and
rinse with warm water to get the vinegar
out. Check out the fabric and see how it’s
looking. If you have tough spots left that
need more work, you can work on them
with a sponge and brush using a solution
of 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup sea salt, 4
litres hot water. Rinse again with water to
dissipate the lemon and salt.
• Once rinsed, let the tent air out until it
is completely and absolutely dry. This
timeframe will be different for everyone
depending on climate.
• Treat the tent area you worked on with
a canvas specific waterproofing solution
of your choice, to repair the waterproof
fabric.
Getting the tent ready properly for
winter storage
Cleaning the fabric of your tent if
necessary.
the zipper both while open and closed. This
should greatly improve the operation of the
zipper and increase it’s lifespan, making
sure you don’t need to replace it.
• If mud, dirt or too much dust gets stuck in
the zipper, clean it with a damp cloth and
then re-lubricate.

14
OFF-SEASON STORAGE
Although you are welcome to leave your tent
on your vehicle for the winter season, a lot of
our customers decide to remove it from their
vehicle until Spring when camping season
starts up again. If you are going to leave
your tent on your vehicle for the winter but
don’t plan on using it, we suggest taking the
mattress out, minimizing the risk of moisture
build up.
The main thing to keep in mind when storing
a Hard Shell Rooftop Tent is the struts and
hinges; we don’t want to add too much lateral
stress and cause issues when opening.
We advise against storing your tent outdoors
if not on your vehicle and being used. The
elements can have damaging effects if not in
use as moisture can build up with changing
temperatures. Mold or rotting can ensue.
Tents do best when stored in a building with
a consistent temperature – it can be cold or
warm (Most customers store their tents in
their garage). We don’t worry about this when
your tent is on your vehicle because you are
using it and giving everything a chance to air
out!
• Use an old piece card board, Towel, your
Ex’s T-Shirt (or any cushioning), and put
it on the floor under the bottom edge of
the tent as to not scratch the outer shell.
You want the bottom of the tent (where
the mounting hardware goes) to be
facing the wall. You can put any side of
the tent on the floor to lean it, except the
side with your straps.
• To avoid injury or damages to valuables
you must place a strap or two of good
quality around the tent (one in the
middle or two 12”/30cm from the edges)
and attach that to your wall, to prevent
the tent from tipping over and falling on
top of a person, pet or valuable.
OPTION 1
Storing the Tent Upright Against a Wall

Sky Loft Owner Manual
15
• If you have an overhead hoist or an at-
home strap system, you can hoist your
tent up to the roof of your garage and
have it sit above your vehicle. To do this,
you can simply drive in to your garage,
lower the hoist, secure the straps, and
unmount it from your car. Now you just
pull it up! Make sure you have a secure,
legitimate system, a falling tent from
above could cause serious injury or
death and SMRT Tent is not liable.
• Some customers find this to be a handy
system because to re-install the tent
they simply need to lower it back onto
the vehicle instead of lifting it from the
ground! Great for those who need to
take their tent on and off often.
• You might have the floorspace or shelf
space to store your tent in it’s normal,
bottom down position. If you’re going to
do this, make sure you do not put the
tent directly on the ground or shelf.
• Get a Pallet or Two Pieces of Wood (to
mimic cross rails) and set the tent on
top; This keeps airflow and prevents any
water from creeping into the tent from
the floor, as well as creepy crawlies.
OPTION 2
Storing the Tent with a Hoist System
OPTION 3
Storing the Tent on the Floor/Shelf

Your childhood
treefort just got a
massive upgrade.