I am thinking about buying a tent on ebay. It is canvas, 10 years old and has been used for an approximate total of 24 weeks. It has been stored indoors. How much life can be expected out of a canvas tent?
I recently sold a relum 4 berth frame tent which came from the inlaws, it was made in 1972! yes 1972 and was a bombproof tent, totally waterproof and the design hadnt really changed much compared with new canvas frame tents.
If the tent your looking at has been looked after there is no reason they cant last years & years, can you get to view the tent?
Mine is 15 years old and survived a very heavy downpour on it's first outing with us. It is worth checking the canvas though. If it hasn't been looked after, or it's been packed away damp, the canvas could be affected by mould or mildew which will definitely affect it's watertightness.
Some of our Scout group patrol tents are 25+ yeras old. We've got one of the fly sheets covering one of ours at the moment, kept it nice and dry all winter.
Quote: Originally posted by cathyh on 16/7/2010
.......If it hasn't been looked after, or it's been packed away damp, the canvas could be affected by mould or mildew which will definitely affect it's watertightness.
If you can check it out before you buid then do so. Having said that, as long as the seams are ok it's very easy to clean then re-waterproof it (as long as the canvas is not rotten) for no more than £15-£25 depending on it's size. My Cabanon is 10yrs old and performs as well as it did when it left the factory.
I've been lucky enough to be gifted a canvas tent made in 1999, and used four times for a week each time. It is immaculate. The owners always out it away clean and dry, the one time they packed it wet they took it straight home and dried it out. So if it has been looked after, I'd guess it would be absolutely fine x
We just sold a Cabanon that was at least 30 years old... looked immaculate when we pitched it, not a mark on it, no holes, no mould, no mildew, all guys in place, all zips working... couldn't find a single fault with it, except it wasn't big enough for us - otherwise it would be coming to Italy with us this year.
Quote: Originally posted by ZIZAG on 16/7/2010 We have a Sunncamp maison 6 berth. Canvas tent . It is 15 years old and in good condition . Apart from needing reproofing .
Is it leaking?
If not then don't reproof it UNLESS someone has reproffed it before you've had it.
They don't need reproofing unless they are leaking and sometimes all they need is a good clean up of the fibers. When it's dry give it a good brush down. Then give it a soaking and see if it's still leaking - if so then you can reproof it.