I read the previous posts, but still am having a problem with pitching.

I can't get the struts to stand straight up. They always lean in.

I'll be using it next week on the AT. Just found out it will be snowing! It'll be my first experience hiking/camping in the snow. So I want to make sure I'm pitching it right.

How do you get the struts to stand up straight?

What version ?There are three version of the Contrail.
The 06 , the one on the TT Contrail page, the 07 as shown on the" 07 adjustable rear canopy" page , and the 08 version , the one where the fabric goes over the bottom a few inches, like this....
Franco

Franco,

Thank you for this photo; the rear looks just like the Sublite now. I can't make out from this photo whether or not the '09 Contrail still offers an adjustable rear strut, or if it is now identical to the Sublite rear strut. As an owner of both, I'm wondering if you could clarify?

I tried out a Sublite Sil, and actually prefer it's simplified rear strut system over the adjustable Contrail system (based on the photos I've seen, anyway). Wondering what your thoughts are, since I've never used a Contrail. I know versatility is one of the strengths of the Contrail, but the adjustable rear strut has always looked a little fussy to me.

Also, now that you've had both for a few months, would you give one of them a preference over the other for all-around 3-season shelter? HOw about warm-weather breathability? And finally, how about 3+ season shelter? Is the benefit of the shorter Sublite with it's more centered peak worth the awning tradeoff that's open to the rain in terms of storm worthiness? Thanks in advance; a direct comparison of these features would be of tremendous help.

Edited by jcarter1 on 05/26/2009 12:44:27 MDT.

Hi John
The last revision for the Contrail was in 2008. That one still has the adjustable rear end.
Because of using the front guyline and the center rear strut (not attached in the pics above) I don't bother lowering it in the bush, I have only done that at home just to show one of the options. It is a lot easier to slide up and down than with the previous versions.
The way I see it is that the strongest against foul weather is the Sublite Sil, I would add a rear strut to it (as I have with the Contrail) and use it in combination with the front guyline in heavy wind or some snow.
The Contrail with my mod is not far behind and offers some vestibule space and a bigger entry/exit point. It is also a bit faster to set up.
The Sublite Tivek would be ideal in hot or humid areas where wind or snow and or heavy rains are not a problem .
I found the Tivek version to be an excellent refuge against the sun and felt comfortable inside in hot weather even fully zipped up. The new version (like mine) has a mesh door so with that, the 360 floor mesh and the large bottom vent ventilation is pretty good.
But I definitely would not take the Tivek high up in any exposed area.
Franco

Thanks for the info. So to sum up, it sounds like you would put the following in this order based on storm-worthiness:

1) Sublite Sil
2) Contrail
3) Sublite

And for summer heat, you would put in the following order:

1) Sublite
2) Contrail
3) Sublite Sil


Looks like the Sublite and Sublite Sil handle the extremes of storm and heat resistance (respectively) slightly better, and the Contrail would fit in the middle as the all-around performer -- not the very best in either but good for both.

I have some pretty long trekking poles (they go to 145 cm and can extend another 5-8 cm); I wonder if I could place them at a steep enough angle to touch the side walls, thereby adding a structure similar to the Sublite). Seems This might help keep the fabric from blowing inward, but perhaps only a little.

John
I have used the two pole set up (135-140cm is good for that) to have a "pole free" entry, the tension applied on the ridge by the front and mid rear guyline take care of side wind.
If you look carefully at this picture, you can see that the wind is pushing the front part of the shelter slightly inward but the ridge tension prevents it from going further in. (the other shot is in the same wind with the standard 4 peg set up)
If I had the two poles in place you would get less deflection again but it is hard to keep them in place in adverse weather.
I use the pole handle/s up, it is rather risky to use two pole tips up because if they slip they can puncture the fly.
To eliminate that risk I had made a pole tip holder similar to the one in this pic ( the angle of this one is too wide) with a hexagon head screw that slotted inside the apex grommet. (helps if you remove those little baskets)
The Sublite Sil would still do better in heavier wind and support more snow.
Franco