Just bought a tent, how should it be prepared?
Submitted: Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 13:26
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Cane Toad
I just bought a second hand tent from ebay and am going to erect it and
check it over for rips tears etc, while it is up is there anything I should do to prepare it for camping as the next time it comes out of its bag will be on our first camping trip.
It is a Odyssey sportiva if that makes any difference.
Cheers for your input.
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 13:43
Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 13:43
While it is up, I would liberally dose it with water from a hose.
This will identify any leaks along seams and any rent in the material that you couldn't see from a visual inspection.
Apart from that, just putting it up will determine if any poles, guy ropes, or pegs are missing and give you a bit of practise at erecting it.
Enjoy your investment.
Bill.
AnswerID:
367593
Reply By: obee1212 - Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 14:43
Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 14:43
My experience has taught me that every tent should be used with a fly to keep the rain off the roof and the sun off when the days are hot. Even a cheap tarp if nothing else. Of course if it ain't gonna rain......
Owen
AnswerID:
367607
Reply By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 15:42
Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 15:42
Hi Cane Toad
Don't know what material your tent is made of, but when we bought our Oztrail camper trailer,(canvas tent bit), we were advised to put it up and hose it every day for a few days at least. It was summer at that time. The idea was to 'shrink' any loose stitching etc., also a good practice run at erecting it, as said above. So, it got soaked then dried every day for about a week.... 2 years later, and after many camping trips that ended up with rain, not a drop inside! While it is up, you could go over the seams with a 'seam sealer', just for a bit of insurance, available at camping stores everywhere. I havent had to do this, but I think I should.
Happy camping, enjoy yourselves, 'Whacker
AnswerID:
367613
Reply By: Louie the fly (SA) - Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 16:42
Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 16:42
As said above, if a canvas tent, erect it and hose it down several times, allowing it to dry in between. I went over all the seams with some waterproofing solution, plus any small holes in the canvas. I put my tent up and down several times when we got it so I knew what was what.
Put coloured insulation tape around the pole sets so you can easily identify them when the pressure's on to get the tent up (like when it's getting late in the day). Nothing worse than struggling with a tent when it's getting late.
Louie
AnswerID:
367624
Reply By: troopyman - Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 19:35
Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 19:35
Well its not canvas LOL . I know because i used to own one . If its more than about 8 years old then the waterproofing may be past its use by date .
AnswerID:
367656
Follow Up By: troopyman - Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 19:50
Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 19:50
I found that it would only leak if in very heavy rain when water sits on the top of the fly . I found a remidy by buying a couple of cans of shoe waterproofer and spraying on the top of the fly and the seams where heavy rain may come thru . Its a great tent with
miles of room . I used to put 4 large self inflating mattresses side by side in the sleeping room and use the front room for all the luggage etc . I never used to set up any awnings , instead i would use one of those 3 metre x 3 metre gazebos at the front . Mark the 4 long fibreglass poles (long) with a marking pen and its much easier to set up . When packing away just drag the fly off till its lying in front of the front screen and then walk it into the tent and then fold the tent up with it in the tent , its much easier . I never used the steel awning poles and it doesnt take long to set up and pack away . Awesome tent with awesome room . cheers troopyman .
FollowupID:
635287
Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 10:00
Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 10:00
All good advice above but the ultimate insurance is a correctly sized silver tarp
applied appropriately with a handful of oco straps. If used all the time the
rituals of leakfixing dont exist, you will be cooler, tent will be dry to pack up,
& stains etc are no problem. Make a groundsheet from double thickness
shade cloth & put under tent, reduces floor damage & makes for a drier floor
when packing up without sand & dirt sticking to underside.....oldbaz.
AnswerID:
367724
Follow Up By: Atta Boy Luther - Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 11:30
Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 11:30
Yes , shadecloth works
well for the groundsheet . Never use a tarp because if water gets in between then everything will get wet .
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