RTT Group Buy
#11
#12
#13
#14
question, so with no nylon joints what can flex when wind catches it? Ive seen them flex with nylon and snap poles with aluminum joints.
#15
My personal/vendor experiences differ 100% over the past 12 years, over 100 attended events and 8 awnings on my personal rigs. Not to mention over 200 units sold with aluminum joints in the past 2 years with zero warranty claims for structural failures. I've never had an aluminum joint fail in some of the nastiest condition applied.
Example-- last year at Expo West a high wind gust came through and destroyed dozens of RTTs and awnings. A vast majority were products with "nylon" HDPE/LDPE/ABS material components. One of my clients had their RTT and it survived and is still in use today. The frame twisted, but he was able to bend the frame back into a workable condition.
Now, I'll give your statement the benefit that these awnings and tents you see flex have "nylon" hinges, etc.. I'll even look at the material to be nylon 6/6 w/30 fiber and OF castings (this is the best cast nylon part you can make/buy...) But in reality and from what most Asian makers supply, they are HDPE/LDPE at best which has up to a 60% less structural integrity to that of the "nylon".
nylon- 9% elongation failure
Ult strength-- 18,500#
Shear break-- 12,000#
water absorption up to 7% (cold winter morning + water and freeze = breakage)
Heat deflection- 200F (hot summer day in Death Valley against a car body- the nylon will start to deform/stretch in theory)
300 grade cast Aluminum - 4% elongation failure
Ult strength-- 47,000#
Shear break-- 23,000#
Water absorption 0%
Heat deflection 1000F
So the highest grade nylon available vs. the 300 grade aluminum in the perfect "proven" engineering world are similar based on strength and flex... per the percentages. But, unless it was proven to me it was this particular grade of nylon used.... I'd say the numbers are favorable to the aluminum by quite a bit.
Also with the 7% water absorption and the UV embrittlement factors.. plus the heat deflection factor of a 1:5 ratio still make aluminum the best choice for a long term investment in all weather/season conditions.
With a rigid base/fixture the aluminum supports/rails, if of decent quality, are the true "deflectors" in the entire system.
There is a reason you don't see products that are designed around integrity, quality and longevity made from plastics.
I use a 6061 non-tempered aluminum tube vs what most other factories supply at a 1100-2200 series non-tempered tube. The deflection and strength ratio is far superior.
a black piece of plastic does NOT mean its the best material out there ans a shiny piece of aluminum does NOT mean its the best material out there... More than likely if these materials are not verified through inspections, cert #s and testing, especially coming out of Asia.... you are getting the lowest common, mass produced material they can get away with selling you.
J
Last edited by Trail-Tailor; 09-30-2017 at 09:57 PM.
#16
GROUP BUY IS CLOSED
All,
The tent and awning group buy closed this afternoon. I closed it a bit sooner due to selling out of products. This was one of the best buys to date with 30 tents and 45 awnings.
Thanks to everyone that joined in and I'll be back with everyone once the products arrive and I can get them shipped out.
I will have a few tents and awnings in stock at the Redding shop and all are welcome to come by anytime to see one in person. Also, my tent maker has finally gotten their hardshell tents to a higher quality standard and I will be receiving one of these for inspection, field and mechanical testing procedures. I'll let everyone know my thoughts and if they will become a Trail Tailor product.
Jason
All,
The tent and awning group buy closed this afternoon. I closed it a bit sooner due to selling out of products. This was one of the best buys to date with 30 tents and 45 awnings.
Thanks to everyone that joined in and I'll be back with everyone once the products arrive and I can get them shipped out.
I will have a few tents and awnings in stock at the Redding shop and all are welcome to come by anytime to see one in person. Also, my tent maker has finally gotten their hardshell tents to a higher quality standard and I will be receiving one of these for inspection, field and mechanical testing procedures. I'll let everyone know my thoughts and if they will become a Trail Tailor product.
Jason
#19