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Offline RobnJayne

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HELP Required
« on: April 10, 2012, 11:20:17 AM »
Morning all

I'm in need of some help, and I know you lot are full of helpful hints and advice, so.........

We were looking forward to our first trip out with the new CT.  Thought we had the waterproofing of our canvas sorted ready for our first trip, obviously not. 

First night - thunder and lightening, howling winds and hammering rain = water everywhere :-[ 
Next day, sun out, great !  Spent most of the day mopping the floor and and drying out beds etc.  Thought we had saw the last of the rain but oh no, it decides to dump more on us that night.  Not so bad this time round, but still puddles. 

Water seems to be gathering and then dripping off the poles (where they touch the canvas) and from around the zips  ???

Any ideas/remedies/advice ?  I would really appreciate it.

Jayne

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Offline Mace

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Re: HELP Required
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2012, 11:46:14 AM »
Sounds like you had an interesting time!

Youre on the money when you say things improved on the second night, and also correct when you mention that areas of concern are where canvas touches other things such as bars and spreaders. 

There are various spray on or paint on canvas water repellants available.  I have used this on various tiems of wet weather gear to good efferct:

http://www.josephlyddy.com.au/dry_cote.htm

but not on our current CT tent.

Others may post up some other alternatives.

Good to see a bit of rain didnt deter you.

 :cheers:
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Offline Bird

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Re: HELP Required
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2012, 11:56:32 AM »
how old is the trailer and what make/model?
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Offline RobnJayne

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Re: HELP Required
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2012, 12:19:44 PM »
Hi Lost
Its a 2011 Mars CT.  The guy we got it from had never taken it out so it was never subjected to weatherproofing.  We thought we had overcome the waterproofing it by having up in the rain, but now I'm thinking we didn't do it enough !
Any advice you can give would be much appreciated.
Jayne

Hi Mace
Yes, it was what you would call interesting.  For the first time I think I experienced all Tassie has to offer in the weather stakes, rain, wind, thunder, lightening, sun and then on the way home coming through the lakes we had snow (all four seasons in three days).  Must admit I did wake feeling rather sorry for myself on Saturday morning and thinking what the hell have we done, five star this is not !
Might have to get some of the Joseph Lyddy stuff, thanks for that.
Jayne
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Offline Wandering Tassie

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Re: HELP Required
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2012, 12:23:53 PM »
Hi Jayne, the weather was a bit rough over Easter for your first camping trip.
Hang in there its not always going to be like that. This time next year you will be standing around a camp fire laughing about it.

Trevor
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Offline GU_Thomo

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Re: HELP Required
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2012, 12:28:54 PM »
Before you try any waterproofing compounds at this stage.
Set the camper up at home and SOAK it with a soft hose paying particular attention to the anywhere the canvas has been stiched.
Allow it to dry fully and repeat a number of times.
If it still leaks talk to the manufacturer/supplier as it may still be under warranty.

Cheers
Parry
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Offline RobnJayne

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Re: HELP Required
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2012, 12:36:29 PM »
Hi Trevor
We were in Penguin at the time, did you get it too ?  We did actually have a laugh around the camp fire on Saturday (between the rain down pours).  The friends who originally persuaded us to get in to camping were laughing at me because I was cracking the *&$#'s about having to camp in this god awful weather and moaning that the canvas was leaking, blah, blah, blah (also had a stinking cold to boot).  Anyway, I'm hanging in there and I am hoping that next time will be better and yes, I saw the funny side after I'd had my rant  ;D
Jayne
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Offline lilstookie

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HELP Required
« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2012, 12:45:16 PM »
We have a storm cover which stops most of the water. Sounds like our first camp trailer experience too.
I now have a waterproof tarp and poles to cover the whole tent for weather like this.
We had 2 days of non stop heavy rain.
Water was leaking down the poles in the awning and soaking the tent.
The tarp made a huge difference.
We have 2 kids under 2 so getting their beds soaked would be catastrophic
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Offline RobnJayne

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Re: HELP Required
« Reply #8 on: April 10, 2012, 04:05:54 PM »
Quote from: lilstookie on April 10, 2012, 12:45:16 PM
We have a storm cover which stops most of the water. Sounds like our first camp trailer experience too.
I now have a waterproof tarp and poles to cover the whole tent for weather like this.
We had 2 days of non stop heavy rain.
Water was leaking down the poles in the awning and soaking the tent.
The tarp made a huge difference.
We have 2 kids under 2 so getting their beds soaked would be catastrophic

Thanks Lilstookie,
Tarp sounds a good idea.  I've just been reading another thread about Ultrarig tarps, a good investment I think.
Also thinking its best to get the kids off the ground and on to fold out beds of some kind, just in case (teenage daughter was not impressed  >:( )
Thanks for your help
Jayne
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Offline HEM19X

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Re: HELP Required
« Reply #9 on: April 10, 2012, 08:21:38 PM »
Jayne, there could be water pooling around the poles...try dropping the height of them..the tent/canvas may look a bit ordinary but it may solve the problem.

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Offline Nomad

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Re: HELP Required
« Reply #10 on: April 10, 2012, 08:35:38 PM »
A tarp that covers your tent and awning is great, particularly if you don't have confidence in it.

I used a tarp for the last two years and only used poles in the corners to hold it up over the ridge of the tent in summer, great insulation and then tied it down short and hard without poles if the weather was sh!te.

Anyway camped at Elliot Heads in late February and the weather was absolute crap. (Thanks eshc  ;D ) But decided that I couldnt be bothered putting the tarp up. We ended up with a couple of drops but really given the storm squalls and stuff I was stoked. I reckon your tent seasons itself just by being put up and stretching and shrinking with heat and cool etc. So go a tarp for a while but when you get more confidence in your tent just leave the thing off.

Cheers
Nomad.



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Offline cancan

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Re: HELP Required
« Reply #11 on: April 11, 2012, 06:36:34 AM »
We use a tarp when the weather is bad as well, rained the first couple of times that we used our CT.
I got a Bag of tennis balls, punched a hole in them and put them over tent poles to protect the tarp.
Its all worth it when the weather comes fine
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Offline jatt

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Re: HELP Required
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2012, 07:09:28 AM »
Yeah recon it will definetely need more waterproofing.  Frosts are good also if u get em up your way.  Surprising how much canvas tightens up on a frosty morning.

Leaking around zips can really be an issue cause water can simply drip bewteen the teeth .

Water proofing agents:- would normally only consider this at the end of the canvases life.  Once u start using then probably have to keep applying.

Also if it has been packed up for a while (months) then get it out and setup a couple of weeks before departure.

Fotos always help.

Good luck with it,

Jatt
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