Tarptent Rainbow Manual

Tarptent Rainbow Setup
Setup is very easy. It will take 2 to 3 minutes once you get the hang of it. To
watch the setup video visit: https://www.tarptent.com/videos/
Your Rainbow order includes: tent body with carbon ber cross strut, stuffsack,
six blue stakes + bag, and an arch pole (carbon or aluminum).
I. Layout and Positioning
1. Once you have found a place to pitch your Rainbow, spread out the tent
body with the black bathtub oor facing the ground. If using a ground
sheet, lay it down rst.
2. Remove six stakes from the stake bag and have them ready to place in the
guyline loops (1 stake at each corner, 1 for the vestibule door, and one for
the back wall).
3. Check to make sure that the oor corners are clipped above the
corresponding y line tightener, to ensure the bathtub oor is correctly
tensioned (Image 1).
4. Insert assembled arch pole into the yellow arch pole sleeve. Point the pole
tip downwards as you slide it through the sleeve--there should be almost
no resistance from the fabric. Do NOT use force when inserting the arch
pole as the pole may break or fabric may tear.
5. Place pole tips into the black end pockets. Once the pole is inserted, tighten
the pockets so the arch pole is well secured in the sleeve.
II. Pitching the Rainbow
1. After you have the arch pole secured, stake out the adjacent tent corners
by placing the stakes through the O-rings. Stake out the corners as far as
possible from the center of the tent (Image 2).
2. Walk to the other end of the tent and ensure that the arch pole is centered
before staking out the corners as you did previously (Image 2).
3. Pull out the vestibule and back wall and stake.
4. Bathtub end walls can be lifted from the interior using the clip above the
head and foot ends of the shelter.
III. Free Standing Set Up
1. You can use trekking poles OR vertical support poles ordered from Tarptent
to make the Rainbow free standing.
2. Adjust the poles to a minimum height of 51 in (130 cm). Position the poles
parallel to each end of the tent (Image 3).
3. Snap the clip on to the pole shaft and rotate under the arch pole tip (Image
3C).
Image 2: Stake placement and tensioning
Stake out each corner as
if you were pulling as
far as possible from the
“center” of the tent. This
ensures even tensioning.
The backwall cording
loops around the stake.
Slip O-ring over
pole tip
Form a “noose” and
slip over pole handle
Clip for center of pole
Image 3: Free standing set-up
(B)
(A)
(C)
Clip to pole
Wrap under grommet
pole 51in/130cm
Image 1: Clipping oor to y
Clip oor corners to the corresponding
y corner, directly above the line tight-
ener, to ensure bathtub oor is correctly
tensioned
oor corner clip
y corner line tightener
4. The tent corners have O-rings to t over the tip and handle (Image 3A and
3B).
5. Repeat above steps for the other end of the tent. Tension vestibule doors
with guylines as needed. The shelter should now be free standing.
≥
stake
stake
stake
stake stake
stake

Tarptent Rainbow Setup
IV. Door Tie Up
Vestibule door ties back using a loop and cordloc
tensioning system. Roll door edge, wrap the strap with
cordloc around the rolled fabric, feed the cordloc through
the loop, and slide to tighten.
V. Rain Porch Set Up
1. As you unzip the vestibule door, you will nd a piece of connecting fabric
attached near the top of the zipper. Unroll the fabric and attach to the other
side of the vestibule door via the velcro strip.
2. Angle your trekking poles so that the tip of each pole is approximately 40
in/102 cm off the ground. Place the tip of each trekking pole into loops on
each side of the extended vestibule door. Use extra guyline to stake down
the raised vestibule doors, thereby creating an extended entrance for rain
protection and ventilation (Image 4).
Condensation and Sag
• Ventilation and fabric warmth are your best defenses against condensation.
• Keep the doors open if at all possible and try to set up where it’s breezy. Try
to keep the beaks open (or at least partially rolled up). Camp under trees
where its warmer and set up ABOVE river valleys or lake basins to avoid
cool/damp microclimates.
• Nylon stretches (and sags) when the humidity goes up. This happens as
night is falling and/or when it starts to rain. Use the line tighteners to
tighten the fabric and re-tension the shelter.
Key points to consider
• Push, rather than pull, the poles through the sleeves to prevent pole section
separation.
• The tent is made of strong, lightweight, and ammable fabric. Treat it
accordingly.
Seam-sealing
**IMPORTANT**You will need to seam-seal your Rainbow with SILICONE
before using it in the eld!
Please refer to the seam-sealing instructional video on our website:
https://www.tarptent.com/videos
Here’s how to seam-seal your Tarptent Rainbow
1. Set up the shelter in a cool, dry, well ventilated area.
2. In a well ventilated location, prepare sealant by squirting
approximately 3 tablespoons of silicone into a tuna can (or a similar
disposable receptacle) and mix with approximately 6 tablespoons
mineral spirits (paint thinner) or Coleman fuel/white gas. Mix until
the solution dillutes into the consistency of a thick olive oil.
3. Using a small foam brush or rolled up paper towel, from the outside
of the shelter paint the solution onto the seams. Wipe a paper towel
across the seams after applying the silicone to help push the solution
into the seams.
4. We recommend painting several thick lines of silicone onto the
interior oor of the shelter to form an anti-skid mat.
Thank you for your purchase. We sincerely hope that you enjoy your
Tarptent. Questions and feedback are always welcome.
Tarptent
12213 Koswyn Ct.
Nevada City, CA 95959 USA
e-mail: [email protected]
ph: 650-587-1548
Image 4: Rain porch setup
(A) Side view (B) Front view