We've experienced both Dandy and Combi and have both sitting in the garden. Without doubt the plastic impermeable coverof the Dandy with its fold wet capability is superior to the tent of the Combi which needs drying. Whilst the Dandy is not blessed with the simple and light pram hood opening enjoyed by Combi users. A couple of years ago our Combi roof panels began to leak and were not cured by waterproofing and as we had a caravan awning being put to no use we sewed up an old fashioned flysheet which was simply lashed at corners and guy roped to six pegs, upon breaking camp this new addition folded with the original roof. This worked very well. but of course gave us another drying problem. This has lead me to consider replacing entirely the tent fabric of the Combi with an plastic cover similar to that of the Dandy. Best of both worlds, what do you think?
------------- If if it aren't totally broken its probably best left alone.
Dont see it working,all right mine is a dandy six so it has a lot of pvc on, but i dont think the pvc would fold enough to work with the combi just too much stiff bulk in my opinion.
If its more space than the dandy has but you like dandys then consider a six
------------- they said it couldnt be done so i left it and went camping
a bad days camping is better than a good day at work
I understand your point regarding flexibility, my intention would be to layer far more flexible materials than those used in a Dandy which in any case includeds an extra layer for insulation. The space available to us in the Combi is sufficient for our purposes, it is the basic simplicity of opening the Combi whereupon it provides immediate cover that we find essential. Thanks for your interest.
------------- If if it aren't totally broken its probably best left alone.
Why don't you make a 'flysheet' of PVC coated polyester, but a bit bigger, thus creating 'eaves' which would shelter the sides of the Combi from rain. You could pack a wet fly in a large polybag, and fold the Combi down dry.
If you replaced the whole canvas of the Combi with PVC without a layer of insulation & an inner skin, it would be like living in an oven in the summer.
Why don't you make a 'flysheet' of PVC coated polyester, but a bit bigger, thus creating 'eaves' which would shelter the sides of the Combi from rain. You could pack a wet fly in a large polybag, and fold the Combi down dry.
If you replaced the whole canvas of the Combi with PVC without a layer of insulation & an inner skin, it would be like living in an oven in the summer.
Valid point that about it becoming an oven,the dandy 6 i use is not insulated on the walls but the roof is,its as cool inside as any thing else but its the insulated roof that does the trick,
------------- they said it couldnt be done so i left it and went camping
a bad days camping is better than a good day at work
Why not replace the roof with an acrylic woven fabric like that used by Pennine or awning makers now? That should be frexible enough. If you're planning on leaving the walls of the Combi as canvas they at ll still need drying out.
Food for thought -- I'm thinking in terms of the combi pram hood poles/frame erecting without the existing tent but under a newly made canopy in the manner a dandy erects . i.e. the best of both campers. Why bother with a fly sheet when there is a perfectly good self raising frame?
------------- If if it aren't totally broken its probably best left alone.