How to Fit an Oztent RV Fly for Extra Weather Protection
By Oztent USA | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: How-to Guides
A step-by-step guide to fitting the Oztent RV Fly Series II, from pre-pitch checks to tensioning, so your tent runs cooler and stays drier in wet weather.
Quick answer
The Oztent RV Fly Series II zips to your tent above the awning and covers the sleeping area, so fit it after the tent is fully pitched and pegged, not before. Work front to back: zip the fly on, feed the poles, then tension the ropes and pegs last. It keeps the tent cooler and reduces condensation, and it helps keep the tent drier in wet weather, though it is not needed to waterproof the tent itself.
What the RV Fly does, and what it does not do
The RV Fly is an extra layer, not a replacement roof. It zips to the tent above the awning and provides extra cover over the sleeping area, which is where it earns its keep: shade in summer and a buffer against condensation overnight. In wet weather it keeps the tent drier, but Oztent is clear that it is not necessary for waterproofing the tent. If your tent already leaks, the fly will not fix that.
Because the fly is model-specific, check the model option before ordering. The series also ships complete with all necessary poles, ropes, pegs and a carry bag, so you should not need to source hardware separately for a standard fit.
Before you start: pitch and orient first
Fit the fly with the tent already standing, pegged and positioned the way you want it. If you plan to use an awning or a lighting setup underneath, decide that now, because the fly changes the shade line and the height you have to work with. A rigid LED strip is a natural pairing under an awning at night, but run the cable route before the fly goes on rather than threading it afterwards.
Pick a still moment. Wind turns a straightforward zip-and-pole job into a two-person wrestling match, and a half-fitted fly acts like a sail.
Common fitting mistakes and how to avoid them
The two failures we see most are fitting the fly before the tent is pegged and over-tensioning the ropes on the first pass. Peg the tent first so the zip line is not fighting a moving structure, then tension in stages. Over-tensioning pulls the zip line out of alignment and stresses the seams; a fly should sit taut but not drum-tight.
The third is skipping the carry bag until pack-up, when it has already been used as a groundsheet. Keep the bag with the poles so the fly packs down the same way every trip.
Fitting the RV Fly, step by step
- 1. Pitch and peg the tent first: Set up the tent completely, including pegging it out, and position it where you want it. The fly zips to the tent above the awning, so the zip line needs a stable structure to work against. Checkpoint: if the tent wall still moves when you push it, keep pegging before you touch the fly.
- 2. Zip the fly on from the front: Locate the zip above the awning and start there, working along the run rather than pulling the whole fly up at once. Let the fabric hang loose until the zip is fully closed. Mistake to avoid: yanking the zip while the fly is under tension. If it binds, unzip slightly, reposition, and continue.
- 3. Feed the poles and stand the fly up: Use the poles supplied with the fly and raise it into position over the sleeping area. Have a second person hold the frame while you work if there is any breeze. Checkpoint: the fly should cover the sleeping area, not sit skewed toward one side.
- 4. Tension ropes and pegs in stages: Anchor the ropes and pegs loosely first, then tighten in a second pass, alternating sides so the fly stays centred. A taut fly sheds water and holds shade better than a slack one. Mistake to avoid: cranking everything tight on the first pass. That pulls the zip line out of alignment and stresses seams.
- 5. Check airflow and clearance: Confirm there is a gap between the fly and the tent body so air can move through. That gap is what reduces condensation overnight and keeps the tent cooler during the day. Checkpoint: if the fly is pressed flat against the tent, loosen the nearest pegs and re-tension.
- 6. Pack it down in the supplied bag: Remove the fly before the tent, roll it with the poles, ropes and pegs, and store it in the carry bag that came with the kit so nothing goes missing between trips. Next step: keep a couple of spare foot fittings in the bag so a cracked or lost part does not end the trip early.
Product facts
- Oztent RV Fly Series II: The OZTENT RV Fly is a great addition to keep the tent cooler and will greatly reduce any condensation. It is also great to keep the tent drier in wet weather but it is not necessary for waterproofing the tent. The Fly zips to the tent above the awning and provides extra cover over the sleeping area of the tent. It comes complete with all necessary poles, ropes, pegs and carry bag. Sets the right expectation before you buy or fit it: cooling, condensation control and a drier tent in rain, but not a waterproofing fix. The included poles, ropes, pegs and bag mean no extra hardware for a standard fit.
- Oztent Replacement Parts - Foot Fitting (Pack of 2): If you happen to break a part of your Oztent RV then this is the place to be. Determine the part that needs replacing in the diagram, order it and it will be at your door as soon as possible. Foot fittings are the small parts most likely to go missing or crack while you are moving poles around during a fly fit, so having spares on hand saves a trip.
