jayco swan - Leak

Hi James

We have a canvas roofed camper, an Ultimate, and the recommended re-proofing compound is Dynaproof
re-proofing .......

http://www.mcsaddlery.com.au/dynaproof-canvas-reproofing-formulation-648.html

Not sure where else you can buy it. Might be a good idea to check with Jayco if Dynaproof is OK for their canvas.

Wouldn't start any waxing just yet, because the age of the camper suggests that a re-proof might be what it needs.

Good luck, and be careful with canvas. It's easy to screw up . For example, only wash with clean water ...... no detergents.

Cheers
Jim

I previously had a similar type camper and fitted sail track across each end of roof so a fly sheet could be fitted. It ran water away from the top canvas edge and was wide enough to protect the sides a little too. A couple of ropes and poles each end but well worth doing.

Hi James.
As mentioned cotton canvas is very temperamental and can be damaged very easily. Don’t use wax to proof seams or detergent to clean the fabric before carrying out a few basic steps.

Water coming through the stitching? This may be because the canvas has not been wet for a long time and the cotton stitching thread has shrunk.

Moisture coming through the canvas? This may be that the canvas has opened up over time having not had a regular soaking. Periodical wetting will prevent this by shrinking the canvas.

I suggest you put up the camper and thoroughly wet it down, let it dry completely and do it again. If the canvas has not been compromised by previous treatments, it should close up.
I do this regularly on my camper.

Good luck.
Cheers, Mike

I too once had a Jayco Swan.
I agree with RMD. I had sail tracks with vinyl flys and white shade cloth that was fastened to the fly edges and hung down vertically.
This not only gave protection from rain but also the sun. Jaycos without flys can get incredibly hot.
I also have an Ultimate Camper and it does have a double canvas roof with an air gap between. I do reapply a waterproof compound made by the canvas manufacturer but not the one mentioned above. My product has a hydrocarbon base which evaporates after application and leaves a beeswax sealant on the canvas.

Did you have the bed end flys up? Sounds like that is a no - put them up and you should be OK.

hi
canvas water proof solution
bradmilloutdoor.com.au/files/2012/08/BradProof-Specification-Sheet-2011.pdf

clean AS DIRECTED in PDF [no product substtution] [cleaners can be more or less concentrated ]
Using incorrect cleaner will damage canvas

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BRADMILL-BRADPROOF-WATERPROOFER-2L-OR-5L-AQUEOUS-BASED-/252072204669

I use Joseph Liddy Dri seal on my 1998 Camp'o'matic.
I have done it twice and it has held up in the heaviest rain.
It will discolour the canvas to a small extent but the waterproofing is worth it.
I was in a series of 4 storms one night in Karratha and in the morning there were a few drops on the floor but just about every caravan in the park leaked, as evidenced by all the ladders out and windows being sealed.
Regards PhilipA