Backup Data over SSH with reconnect/resume

I need to backup about 5 server over the internet. Issues are there is not enough free space on the Servers to store a temp copy of the backup.

I have tried piping tar into ssh and then into gzip.

Also tried using rsync over ssh but having issues with it keeping the ownership {all set to the backup user}.

Last night I tried sshfs and then running tar but the SSH dropped before it was finished.

Going to try rsync via sshfs now.

So what is the best way of doing this with something that will reconnect and resume the backup automatically.