How long to leave damp canvas?

[brickiematt]

G'day all

Had to pack up the camper yesterday while some of the canvas on the tent was a little wet. It wasn't soaking, just damp from morning dew, and only in parts that didn't catch the morning sun. Whilst we've packed up the tent wet before, we usually have time the next day to set it up at home and dry it off and clean it out. We just don't have time now until the weekend, and the garage isn't big enough to set it up in, so i'm wondering if this will be a problem or not? How long does mould take to set in?
As i said, we are always very diligent with drying and cleaning the tent, so it has never been packed away damp for more than a few hours previously.

Cheers
Matt

[Tim - Stratford]

Matt,

Can you set it up outside - It won't hurt to get it wetter. We've left ours packed up for two and a half days without incident in the cooler months.

Tim

[brickiematt]

Matt,

Can you set it up outside - It won't hurt to get it wetter. We've left ours packed up for two and a half days without incident in the cooler months.

Tim

Tim, we usually set it up in the front yard (no access to back yard), so i'm a little reluctant to leave it in the front yard for several days. I do have chains and locks etc, but bear in mind we live in Boronia

[BigJules]

As long as it stays cold you'll be OK. I have left mine for over week, and it wasn't particularly cool at the time. Everything was fine.

[brickiematt]

As long as it stays cold you'll be OK. I have left mine for over week, and it wasn't particularly cool at the time. Everything was fine.

Cheers Jules. I don't think it's expected to get over about 15 degrees for the rest of the week, so that gives me confidence. I can be quite anal when it comes to looking after my gear, so just wanted to check.

[Kit_e_kat9]

Whip into your local grocery store and grab yourself a "Hippo".  These things asborb moisture out of the air and store it safely away from your canvas.  When you do get the opportunity to open the CT once more, cover the "Hippo" in a layer or three of cling wrap so you can use it again another day.

Kit_e

[brickiematt]

Whip into your local grocery store and grab yourself a "Hippo".  These things asborb moisture out of the air and store it safely away from your canvas.  When you do get the opportunity to open the CT once more, cover the "Hippo" in a layer or three of cling wrap so you can use it again another day.

Kit_e

Hippo eh.......would I find that in the "Big Game" aisle of my local supermarket
Thanks Kit-e, I'll give it a crack. BTW, do you reckon the hippo would work to absorb some moisture whilst camping eg. condensation?

[Kit_e_kat9]

Brickiematt,

These Hippo's are really for use in closed cupboards to stop mould on clothes (or in our case ...).  I think what you've suggested is just a little bit way out of it's league. 

Kit_e

[brickiematt]

Thanks Kit-e. It's on the shopping list now!

[pickle]

Hi Matt
Take the cover off and prop some stuff in between the folds of the canvas so you have air getting in between it .
I have the same problem with time to do it but once under cover it dries out ok with this method.
Dave

[brickiematt]

Hi Matt
Take the cover off and prop some stuff in between the folds of the canvas so you have air getting in between it .
I have the same problem with time to do it but once under cover it dries out ok with this method.
Dave

Thanks Dave. Great idea mate, didn't even occur to me. Right, I'm off to grab a beer and then out to the garage......I may be some time

Cheers
Matt

[Hews]

Hi Matt
Take the cover off and prop some stuff in between the folds of the canvas so you have air getting in between it .
I have the same problem with time to do it but once under cover it dries out ok with this method.
Dave

x 2 - I don't have space to set up at home and leave it out so i take the cover off and put spacers between the folds - not perfect but helps to stop the mould until you get time time for a full set up/air out

[Barrabart]

Whip into your local grocery store and grab yourself a "Hippo".  These things asborb moisture out of the air
Kit_e

These things are also good if your cars interior has taken a bit of water, rain through window etc...... after you soak up all you can with towelles etc, stick a couple of hippo's in the car when it's parked up, they'll be full of water in a few days.... great things i reckon.....

[brickiematt]

These things are also good if your cars interior has taken a bit of water, rain through window etc...... after you soak up all you can with towelles etc, stick a couple of hippo's in the car when it's parked up, they'll be full of water in a few days.... great things i reckon.....

Cheers Barrabart. These hippos seem to be a good idea. I'll grab one tomorrow as I'm keen to see how they go.

[Kit_e_kat9]

So you know what you are looking for in the Laundry Isle.

Kit_e

[brickiematt]

Thanks Kit-e. Hippo with a belly full of water and a pink lid. The labourer is interested to see how they work too!!

[Compass]

I have not used the hippo in a tent or camper but they work well to control condensation in a caravan.  In a 17ft van I needed three, and they usually lasted about 3-4 weeks.  They would certainly do the same job under canvas but I've no idea how long they would last.
Thanks for the reminder Kit-e.  I'd forgotten all about hippos until I read your post.
Eric

[Redcherokee]

There are also some alternate brands to Hippo's. 

The Hippo has a paper covering so you can't easily spill the crystals.  Another brand I bought recently doesn't, so it would be easy to spill it either setting it up or removing it when full.   I'll stick with Hippo next time.

Good tips both propping open the camper and the Hippo.

[brickiematt]

Well, we managed to get the camper out and set up to dry today. Was still damp, but dried out soon enough with a bit of sun and   breeze. All is good with the world again
One lesson we did learn though; the bedding was wet in places due to a damp tent being packed up on top of it. Never got around to getting a tarp to put over it, but a quick trip to Mitre10 and a shiny blue tarp later, problem solved and lesson learned.
Also got a couple of Hippos to test on the next trip.
Thanks all for your replies and advice and helping to tame my paranoia!!!!!

Cheers
Matt