Wet canvas over bed
Submitted: Monday, Jan 31, 2011 at 17:17
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Member - Peter E1 (VIC)
Looking at replacing the campervan this year with a small caravan or camper trailer. Watched a few people packing up Jaco units, Avans and camper trailers while we have been set up in caravan parks and it occurred to us that you might have to fold wet canvas on the bed after rain.
Is this a problem or is it an easy fix?
We are looking more towards a Cub or rear fold soft floor/hard floor as the Jaco's we have seen seem like a lot of work. Especially if the bag ends and fly are fitted.
The Avan looks good but they all seem to have the bed east/west which we are trying to avoid.
A small caravan looks inviting but it will need to be towed by a Hilux 2.7 petrol ute which has a good tow limit but the smaller the weight the better.
Any thoughts, especially the wet canvas problem?
Reply By: DesF - Monday, Jan 31, 2011 at 17:28
Monday, Jan 31, 2011 at 17:28
Hi we had Campermatic hard floor fold out camper and tho we did not have to fold it up wet very often , we had a plastic sheet that covered the bed and folded up the sides and if any water came thru it just layed in the trough created between the mattress and the sides,
we now have a Jayco Eagle camper trailer and I have made fly's ( 93 model no std fly's), and if raining I can fold the ends in and the top down under the fly's and it all stops dry, I then fold up the wet flys and just put in a garbage bag till next stop, have been doing that for several years no problems,
Cheers Des.
AnswerID:
443685
Reply By: Roughasguts - Monday, Jan 31, 2011 at 17:32
Monday, Jan 31, 2011 at 17:32
Look at the Windsor Rapid I have one never packed it away with wet canvass as the aluminium roof seems to shed all the water / dew straight off.
Cheers.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Jan 31, 2011 at 17:57
Monday, Jan 31, 2011 at 17:57
Hi Peter,
In the short term, all that is required is a layer of plasic over the mattress to stop it getting wet.
There will be no adverse effect on the wet canvas itself, but open it up to allow drying at the ealiest opportunity.
It is only if left closed up for an extended period of time that mold may form on the canvas.
Bill.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Hairs & Fysh - Monday, Jan 31, 2011 at 18:17
Monday, Jan 31, 2011 at 18:17
Hi peter,
With our Jayco Swan, if it's wet we leave the bed end flys and the annex and kitchen awning until last when all the beding and sides are tucked in. Then it's just a matter of removing them and rolling up or folding the fliys and placing in the tool box on the back.
Keeping a spare set of clothes and towel in the Cruiser for when it's all away so we've got sometime dry to put on.
All the bed stays dry this way. Unless of cause it is blowing and pouring down, but most of the bedding will stay dry.
When we had our trailer tent camper, we left the tarp over the top until last thing, we packet everything under it. Not really comfortable to to, but it kept everything dry.
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Reply By: Shaker - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2011 at 09:37
Tuesday, Feb 01, 2011 at 09:37
We have had both soft & hard floor camper trailers, we have always used an oversized "picnic blanket" upside on the bed prior to pack up & have never had wet bedding.
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Reply By: Dave B ( BHQ NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2011 at 10:22
Tuesday, Feb 01, 2011 at 10:22
Peter, we use a large sheet of thin plastic similar to a fitted sheet for the bed. It has elastic around the edges and fits over the bed nicely.
Even a large table plastic tablecloth or shower curtain would do.
This has 2 benefits, if the canvas is wet, it protects the bed.
But also, it doesn't matter how much you sweep the floor it will still make marks on the bedding once the floor is folded over and touching the bed. (Hardfloor CT)
Dave
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Peter E1 (VIC) - Tuesday, Feb 01, 2011 at 12:22
Tuesday, Feb 01, 2011 at 12:22
Thanks to all for the good info in your replies. Certainly some food for thought as it is a big decision to replace what you have, and enjoyed so much. That is the great thing about forums like this with all the diverse opinions and shared experience.
Happy camping!!!
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Reply By: Binkie - Sunday, Feb 06, 2011 at 16:58
Sunday, Feb 06, 2011 at 16:58
Swear by our Goldstar Crown. This does not have push out ends, so the canvas sides are vertical and since they are mostly clear plastic there is little canvas to rest on the bed.
We always thought that the push out ends on other models make it harder to manage and set up and you have canvas that is more horizontal than vertical, so even the dew will make the canvas damp. The Crown is easy to set up and manage.
Lived in it for 4 months, on a trip from
Sydney to
Cooktown, in winter 2009, no sweat.
See if you can hire something that you are thinking of buying before you fork out for your own investment. We deleted two expensive options by doing this.
Good luck.
AnswerID:
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