Hi, folks, taking ownership of my Folding Camper today and its raining heavy. I have a garage with drive but as i have read the Canvas will need to be dried before packing away in the Garage. What i would like to know is how long does it normally take to dry out if rain stops with a breeze? Also could canvas be partially erected in the garage to allow drying out, i will need to measure but i could maybe pull the beds out which if i am correct starts to lift the frame/Canvas. One other thing is that i could erect fully in my drive but we both work tomorrow and i am scared of prowlers, also neighbours kids as, our front garden/Drive is open, is there any way of locking a Folding Camper i.e. Padlocking the canvas door etc? Thanks for any assistance.
I brought our camper home yesterday after a disasterous attempt at taking the kids away for the weekend with a soaking wet canvas. Luckily enough it was dry and breezy at home so I was able to open it up and it was dry within a few hours. (just as well because its raining here now!) Its something I worry about too because I dont know what I would have done if it had been raining here when I got home. Its been said that you have to get the unit up within 48 hrs or it will start to rot.
As for security, apart for the lock on the tow bar and the wheel and the door I dont know what else you can do. I people want to get in - I guess they will. Ive never left the camper up overnight in the garden. Would also be interested in ideas though.
You could always choose to go back outside and sleep in it whilst it dries.
Even if your fully clothed in case somebody is on the prowl to nick it or just vandalise. Could you borrow a neighbours dog for a few hours (if one knows you enough) so you have company of a hound overnight with you. I tend to find we have better nights than days of late so you may be even able to take it down with not much noise. Early morning ,but worth it if it dries for you.
We have a postage stamp garden and they do not like our FC already as its sheltered accomodation but we will put it up in the rain if needs be to wait for it to be dry. After all you have had rain anyway it will not rot whilst its all waterproof no matter how long you leave it up & open. Better than losing it.Could a convector heater in the garage help it dry maybe. Just a thought.
we were toying with buying a Pennine as they offered what we were looking for,but didn't in the end for the very reason of drying it out when wet and not being able to erect it again at home due to lack of space.I see the latest Pennines use acrylic which i assume is more resistant to mildew.Canvas is breathable so i would think if you take cover off trailer and partially erect the trailer in the garage the unit can breath and dry out.Its probably good to leave the transit cover partially off all the time when stored in garage just lets the unit air,providing the garage has decent ventilation.I have a dandy which is rot proof but i still leave cover off on fine days just to keep the interior of the trailer nice and dry.
Agree up in the garage, brilliant,however! if you have a garage you have no problem ,if not put it up again. I was amazed just how quickly it did dry out after torrential rain. Just as well it was not the old canvas being used my goodness I remember those days of our ridge tents over the washing line or put up in our garden it seemed it was forever hanging up or getting in the way of my play area.
AH! those were the days. So glad the material is like it is they ahve learnt a lot.
Have thought about using our garage ourselves but not sure that we could open the beds up once in the garage due to the height. could maybe open up and then push in but would be quite a challenge. Never had to do a real wet pack despite having over a year but guess we have been lucky. did open on driveway yesterday briefly after long drive back from France as there may have been slight damp from morning dew but soon was able to put away again. With a 2000 pull out bed system you would be fine.