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Topic: Weatherproofing a poly-cotton tent

nisaga

08/4/2011 at 1:04pm
Location: London
Outfit: Kampa Holkham 6

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Hi everyone,

This is the first time I've had the courage to tap the ukcampsite font of wisdom...

We just test pitched our gorgeous new kampa holkham. I'm dying to get out for its first camping trip (you would not believe how excited I am), but the instructions say to give it a good soak before its first trip.

I haven't been able to find much when searching about just how much weatherproofing you need to do before your first night in a new poly-cotton tent.

As we live in a flat, we don't have a garden so we can't really soak, then leave, the tent for long.

What has your years of collective wisdom told you about the need to baptise your tent before its first outing? The hubbs is tempted to just go and suck it and see.... but is this ill-advised? We wouldn't really want our 3 year-old to wake up screaming because he's getting water dripping on him

Also, do you all carry weatherproofing products with you when camping? If so, which ones?

Thanks in advance for you help!

dmsplat

08/4/2011 at 1:18pm
Location: North West
Outfit: Obelink Familia 6; ESVO Bedouin 280

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You should be fine - but you run the gauntlet of being stuck with a leak on holiday!

Saying that, Kampa seem to have a good reputation for quality, and as long as you have given the tent a good check over when you test-pitched it, then you will probably be OK. Maybe...

Eldorado

08/4/2011 at 1:22pm
Location: t'north
Outfit: Dutch canvas or maybe French

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just got for it - you have to sooner or later

if you are travelling far it might be worth doing a test pitch in the park to make sure it is in good order and you know what you are doing

we took a brand new Canvas tent away last summer, rain bounced first evening and we didnt see a drip anywhere

the fabric swells once wet so even a few drops will stop soon enough

enjoy :)

superpup

08/4/2011 at 1:25pm
Location: gateshead
Outfit: 4 man dome

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nisaga. just go camping. get there as soon as you can. got to be some way you can soak the tent in the morning of arrival. and go somewhere for a few hours. i dont know how long the tent takes to dry. but if it is sunny with some wind. it may be only a couple of hours. maybe someone on here can let me know how long it takes.

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superpup

dmsplat

08/4/2011 at 1:27pm
Location: North West
Outfit: Obelink Familia 6; ESVO Bedouin 280

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There seems to be a concensus - You'll be fine!

Enjoy your holiday!

DaveWr

08/4/2011 at 1:29pm
Location: Notts
Outfit: Cabanon Stellar

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Go away, if it looks like a good day, get a garden sprayer, from Wilko's etc ( NEW one no contamination with detergents!!!!!) and spray with water till drenched. I will dry in a few hours. Then you should be fine.

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Dave

nisaga

08/4/2011 at 1:52pm
Location: London
Outfit: Kampa Holkham 6

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Those are all very good points. Yay!!!

Thanks for the push!!

Cliff n Pat

08/4/2011 at 3:46pm
Location: Salford
Outfit: Pennine Pathfinder Hartford M & Porch

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Drape it over your car & go through a car wash.

You wet it to swell the fibres so the pin holes close, if it rains you may get a few drips to start but it will seal itself as it swells up.

Speaking of which, why dont sheep swell up when wet.

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Cliff (usually)

Sea Anglers have BIGGER Tackle.

.

DaveWr

08/4/2011 at 5:09pm
Location: Notts
Outfit: Cabanon Stellar

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Cos tis wool.

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Dave

knockaloe

08/4/2011 at 7:10pm
Location: merseyside
Outfit: Dandy Dart peugeot partner

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i was told the chlorine in tapwater was bad news for tents

dmsplat

08/4/2011 at 8:31pm
Location: North West
Outfit: Obelink Familia 6; ESVO Bedouin 280

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I don't think the odd soaking in tap water will damage the tent. Maybe if you did it all the time - but even then I'm not sure... My waterproofs have been through the was loads of times and are still working fine.

DaveWr

08/4/2011 at 8:37pm
Location: Notts
Outfit: Cabanon Stellar

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At lot less than acid rain.....and sunlight.

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Dave

Librasam

08/4/2011 at 11:16pm
Location: Yorkshire coast
Outfit: Bailey Pageant Limousine 5m Bell Tent

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Don't worry, its more likely that the first time it rains you will experience a fine mist and maybe the odd drip. After that as the cotton has swollen it will seal it and then you'll be fine yourselves!

Enjoy your tent

Best wishes Sam

mzzy

09/4/2011 at 9:11pm
Location: West Midlands
Outfit: Karsten

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We are off mayday wk end in our new Yukon polycotton, for some reason cos its polycotton not canvas didn't give it a thought! Oh well as long as it dont throw it down should be fine!

I can't wait for the first camp of the year either!

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~*MZZY*~

Tidburyboy

09/4/2011 at 9:25pm
Location: Tidbury Green
Outfit: Swift Fairway SE 442

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Our's did the fine mist thing for a while. Nothing since then, just go for it after all what's the worst that could happen? Just take a spare towel.

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