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Hello all, myself & family are new to camping (very excited though)

I have bought a second hand Cabanon Athena, I was wondering what would be the best product & method for proofing our new pride & joy ?

p.s. Any other tips for newbies campin with young kids (1 under 3, the other 2 are 8 & 10) very much appreciated.

Many thanks in advance....

Hi there and welcome.

To be honest it probably doesn't need re proofing, unfortunately the only way you'll find out if it does is when you get wet in it, even then it's more likely to be something like incorrect pitching than waterproofing of the canvas.

If you do ever need to re proof it products such as Fabsil are readily available from camping shops. I've been told that un-neccessary re proofing can prematurely age the canvas though.

Hi and welcome

,Before you go adding something that may not need doing I would pitch and soak your new arrival....if it has been stored for some time,this will fluff out the canvas and hopefully seal itself up again,as daves mate has said,using products should really be a last resort,We have 2 canvas tents,both bought second hand and neither have needed re-proofing.

Lovely new tent you have by the way! If you search for "the list" on here,it gives you just about everything you could possibly need for camping...personally,I would use things from home..duvets,pillows,cutlery,crockery until you find out exactly the type of set up you really want...(if you want a seperate set for camping,charity shops are a good source for cutlery,crockery,pans etc)...Happy camping!

Thanks for the sooooper fast replies all,

I guess I'll be putting it up at the weekend, I do need to measure for campbeds & ground sheet too.

Whats the bets I'll "have" to sleep in it with the kids....lol

Hi Mr.Wobbly & welcome to the forum

When you pitch the tent in the garden & soak it with the hose, get someone to stand inside to see whether a fine mist comes through it. If so, then it's been dry stored for at least a couple of years. However, when it dries out after it's soaking, it should have swelled the fibres & be perfectly waterproof again.

Don't proof it unless it's absolutely necessary, as once you start using Fabsil or other waterproofing products, you will need to re-proof it every two years, as the product will spoil the natural waterproofing of the canvas. 

I agree with the others. I've just got a second hand Cabanon tent and its a proper old one with the old red and white only logo. The canvas looks like new, but i've yet to see how waterproof it is. I dare not risk putting it up and leaving without supervision as yet because we've got a problem with squirrels (caught one of the little blighters yesterday ) and the little sods will more than likely damage it.

However we are hopefully going to go away in it May weekend so I do need to give it a good soaking. The previous owners did say that they were 'fair weather' campers as was the previous owner (their uncle), so I should think it needs a good soak, dry, soak and dry before it becomes fully waterproof again.

It's just another excuse to put the tent up really!

I have one kid (6yr) in tow and ensure that there are things for him about to keep him amused!

The two sites i'm camping this year are Faskally - swimming pool, adventure play park onsite, Glenmore - Landmark, Treezone, kayaking, softplay all very local to campsite.

I must admit that holidays for me is purely about keeping my son amused, he's very active! R & R is saved for days when he's at school or evenings when he's in his bed!! lol

Once again, thankyou all for the great advice ;-)

I must confess I am like an impatient child waiting for our first trip & thats not even till July, I may try & find a cheap weekend away sooner (only as a test run of course)...lol

Quote: Originally posted by JK98 on 13/4/2012

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Hi Mr.Wobbly & welcome to the forum

When you pitch the tent in the garden & soak it with the hose, get someone to stand inside to see whether a fine mist comes through it. If so, then it's been dry stored for at least a couple of years. However, when it dries out after it's soaking, it should have swelled the fibres & be perfectly waterproof again.

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Well.............Happy Days, I've booked us a weekend in June in the New Forest.

Now, anyone got any ideas on how to make "time fly".....lol