Leaking Camper?

Hi there, we had the same problem when we purchased our new camper trailer, but only with one seam and not torrential downpour. We were advised to go to camping store and purchase a piece of wax and then wax all the seams therefore making them waterproof. This worked. Although, after that, hubby insisted on putting a tarp over each time and this also acted as shade and a nice verandah at the front.

Get a good canvas waterproofing treatment and do all the seems with it.

Wherever anything touches the tentage inside it it will weap through. body parts, bedclothes etc.

On the tent side of the bed I always put a piece of light poly tarp about a foot up the wall.

The same with our first camper, we did the whole watering thing but apparently not well enough... it was our first one so a few squirts with the hose and that was that. Our first trip happened to be Cairns and it poured down of course (that time of year) some of the seams leaked, thankfully where the bunks were so the kids ended up on our bed and all was ok! The hot weather dried it out after it stopped raining and it was pretty right after that.
Our next camper, well we weren't in the tropics any more, we watered that one much better than the first, and I think we only got a few minor leaks at the seams.....first trip this time was in winter and we went all the way from Cobar NSW to WA so yeah. We never did resort to the wax I don't think, maybe hubby tried some candle wax, I can't remember, but I know we didn't buy the proper stuff. It worked itself out in the end though, the bigger issues were the tent sagging and then drips forming on the underside, well it was an issue until I convinced Hubby that he could actually adjust the tent (via the pole structure of the camper) and that it wasn't necessarily to be left as is fore ever more.

So from experience the camper needs a really really good wetting (sounds like by now yours has had that) and then it really does need a good drying, and I'm guessing hot weather helps, winter not being ideal. Try the wax or some water proofing stuff as others have recommended, I guess not a great deal more you could do.

Do not EVER use any form of seam sealer.

The only way to seal canvas is to get it thoroughly wet and then dry at least five times. Hosing it will not do ths.

It needs to get properly wet, swell, dry and shrink....a number of times. This tightens the seams.

Find somewhere to set it up and let it get drenched numerous times.

Jim.

Thanks to all who haver replied. Below is what I received from manufacturer of the canvas.

Bradmill Outdoor Fabrics

Canvas Care Instructions
Caring For Canvas

To obtain maximum life from outdoor products incorporation Bradmill canvas, the following points should be noted.

1. Keep the fabric clean by brushing regularly, both inside and outside, with a soft brush and by hosing occasionally with clear, cold water – starting at the lower edge of the fabric and working upwards.

2. Do not apply soaps, detergents, cleaning fluids or insecticides.

3. Keep petrol, solvents, kerosene and other similar fluids away from the fabric.

4. Do not allow bird droppings, earth, sand or vegetable matter to remain in contact with the fabric.

5. Ensure that the canvas is thoroughly dry before putting away.

6. Should mildew spots appear, brush them off before they become attached.

7. Persistent mould or mildew growth should be treated with White King® solution, strictly in accordance with the instructions outlined on the following page.

8. Canvas, which has been cleaned extensively, may require reproofing. Bradmill Outdoor Fabrics’ water based BrellaProof® and BrellaGuard® reproofing compounds are recommended for this purpose.




® BrellaProof and BrellaGuard are registered trademarks of Bradmill Outdoor Fabrics Pty. Ltd.
® White King is a registered trademark of Sara Lee Pty. Ltd



Canvas Care mildew spores.

Safety:
• Read the safety directions on the White King® label and follow these directions carefully. Wear rubber gloves and avoid contact with skin and eyes.

Preparation:
• Read all directions thoroughly before commencing.
• As some tenting fabrics are not colourfast, an inconspicuous section of the tent should be tested with the solution before proceeding. Bradmill tenting fabrics are colourfast to this treatment.
• The treatment is best performed outdoors and best results, together with easier application, are achieved when the canvas is in a taut position – tents, annexes, etc. should be fully erected; where this is not possible, spread on a clean surface.
• Remove dust and dirt by lightly brushing. Heavy soiling should be washed off with clear warm water – do not use soap, detergents or other cleaning agents.

Application:
• White King® should be diluted with water, 1 part of White King® to 3 parts of water. It should not be mixed with other chemicals or cleaners.
• Apply this solution evenly to the outside at a rate that will penetrate the fabric, working the solution into the canvas with a soft brush or broom.
• Hose off the solution thoroughly after 15 minutes, continuing to hose down after run off is clear.
• If mildew is not completely removed, allow canvas to dry, then repeat the application.
• Do not allow the solution to remain on the canvas for more than 20 minutes without thoroughly rinsing or damage may occur.
• White King® solution is not a reproofing agent, but acts as a pre-treatment to remove mildew and spores. After completely drying, the canvas is pre-treated and ready for an application of Bradmill BrellaGuard® or BrellaProof® reproofing compounds

Working Qualities:
• Properly applied, White King® solution will remove mildew and kill spores.
• Care must be taken that the solution does not come in contact with anything other than the canvas being treated. Any splashes or spills should be thoroughly washed off immediately with water.
• The solution will yellow lawns; however this will grow out.
• White King® solution will remove mildew, but not obstinate stains. It is designed as a pre-treatment to Bradmill Outdoor Fabrics’ reproofing compounds, which should not be applied until fabric is completely dry.
• As Bradmill Outdoor Fabrics, has no control over the condition of the fabric to be treated, or the method by which the solution is applied and removed, no responsibility for fabric failure or other consequence of the treatment can be accepted.

Clean Up
• Wash applicators with clean water

Coverage
• 5 litres of White King® solution will treat approximately 10 square metres of canvas, once.

® Brellproof and Brellguard are registered trademarks of Bradmill Outdoor Fabrics Pty. Ltd.
® White King is a registered trademark of Sara Lee Pty. Ltd