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We've just returned from from Farnworth after picking up our 10 year old Pennine Sterling FC, which has been at TVS for the replacement of its main cabin canvas.

They have made a first class job - if anything the cut and geometry of the cotton fabric is better than the original. The price was competitive, and the work completed in less time than estimated.

So thanks to Graham and the team, and especially to Diane who made such a masterly job of the tailoring.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend TVS to anyone who needs canvas repairs and/or replacement.

Ian

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Quote: Originally posted by Ian+Jo on 09/11/2011

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We've just returned from from Farnworth after picking up our 10 year old Pennine Sterling FC, which has been at TVS for the replacement of its main cabin canvas.

They have made a first class job - if anything the cut and geometry of the cotton fabric is better than the original. The price was competitive, and the work completed in less time than estimated.

So thanks to Graham and the team, and especially to Diane who made such a masterly job of the tailoring.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend TVS to anyone who needs canvas repairs and/or replacement.

Ian

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They have rolls and rolls of canvas in the upstairs store and told me that when Pennine ceased to produce cotton canvas units and laid off their machineists they were able to purchase the company's canvas stocks. I was taken up to see the workroom, chat to the machineists, and was able to approve the material they intended to use. Because our camper was ten years old, they didn't have any of the Burgundy and Grey stuff left so we opted for the Blue/ Cream scheme. They gave me some samples cut from the ends of the rolls which I was able to afterwards verify had been proofed.

When I went to collect the unit nothing was too much trouble, including advice on re - weathering and making sure that the canvas did not shrink by drying on a frame set to maximum size, all information which can be confirmed by other posters on this site. They also repaired a zip on the existing bed skirt, replaced my towing cover shock cord and made a new inner tent for me. The canvas looks as good or better than the original and I don't expect any problems when the clouds turn coal black as they inevitably will when we use the unit next year.

We couldn't afford to buy a new FC, and I'm not the biggest fan of the synthetic fabrics Pennine use now anyway. As our trailer is sound and damp free I hope we've extended the life of our unit for another 10+ years for less than buying a pre owned one with an unknown history,

I can only say that if you are interested in such a job, give them a ring on 01204 708131 (They aren't great at emails) and discuss it. I've no connection with the company other than being a customer, and I'd use their services again.

Ian

Ian,

Thanks for that as we have the blue & cream but the cramy bit has blue on it as if the dye had run or had not been dried properly once. I am not sure as it looks like wallpaper, we actually thought at one time it was supposed to made like that as it lookeed good. Anyway I do like to hear of someones experience as you get a better idea of where to go if needed to and you never know what is ahead or what the wind wants to do.

As you often hear of members still having their fc with 20-30 years back you have just got a brand new fc. Its worth the price of the cabin awning if it saves having to buy another fc and  how annoying it would of been to have a perfectly good bottom  half an dnot be able to do nothing about it.Good for you and your 2011 fc +

Hi Chrissie

I don't know about the colour fast qualities of the blue dye - I'll no doubt be able to report on that aspect next summer! We never had any signs of the dye in the FC burgendy panels running, but it can happen to canvas. We took our frame tent to the Alps in 1995 and met a horrendous series of storms - eventually the strip of green around the top of the walls spread into the grey canvas below producing a sort of marbled effect!

Ian

Hi Ian,

I guess that could easily of been it. It does look like that stippling effect they put on walls with paint. It looks effective but ti was not true in colours . i found that out on here. But I love it, the room in it. We both have a bed each so I do not hav eto wake Bob as I get out of bed with a bit of a noise as the crutches clung a bit if its them or I plod heavy to our porta potti wa hve between the 2 cupboards at the doorway. That is a godsend for us. We did not need a bigger fc we could of had a Sterling as one the exact year as ours was for sale also but he preferred the Fiesta for us. Only 2 nothing else, so big enough. Got an easier to put up awning from Lisa  that is 'steer' on here.It's a nylon one she makes from Outdoor Revolution Techlite. Take it down in wind though. But it nice to sit outside at night, also I can leave my wheelchair inside so it does not have to be hauled into the back of the car  every night.

Roll on next year, already booked for the 10 weeks different sites.

Sounds like great service. Can I ask why you had canvas replaced on a unit that is only 10 years old. Was there specific problems?

Ours is 12 years old and I hope canvas has at least 10 years of life left as yet, although like you I would like a zip on front skirt which only came on later models

The problem was shrinkage. As you know the Pennine frame is adjustable using a pin and 4 hole system. It is recommended that if possible the wet canvas should be allowed to dry on the frame at maximum tension. However, over the years ours gradually shrunk until we were only able to stretch it over the frame on the minimum setting. Finally we found ourselves at the lovely Glen Nevis Park in Scotland being pounded by what seemed to be everlasting torrential rain and the wet canvas pulled away from the velcro fastenings leaving a gap beyond my strength to close.

So we decided to go for a renewal of the canvas, despite the allure of new Pennine materials such as Isotex as we couldn't run to new unit anyway.

I haven't heard of many Pennine owners complaining of problems like this, however we do most of our camping in Wales and Scotland and we have naturally experienced many rainy days/nights and sometimes even weeks. Never actually had any leaks though

Ian

Thanks for explanation Ian - ours has got wet a few first outings and indeed won't stretch to the highest setting but we do try and eek it up after a day or so of warmer weather each time to ensure it is stretched when dry

Good to know it can be replaced wholesale like that though and even improved on the original, especially if you have a long loved camper that is otherwise as you like it