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Firstly, hello to everyone as this is the first time I have posted here, although been lurking for a few days now.

If anyone has the time, I could really do with some advise please, as not sure what to do for the best.

 I am hoping to take offspring on their first camping trip this summer and have been offered the forty year old version of this tent by my mum.

http://www.tents-direct.co.uk/show_tent.php?productid=506

Probably last used  20 years ago.

There are a few obvious problems with it, the loop that the ridge pole goes through needs a few stitches, there is a small hole in canvas/cotton,  and the guy ropes in a couple of places need replacing.

Any ideas what else I should be checking for? The inner sheet has some dry mildew spots, that as far as I can remember were there 20 years ago, there are thick rubber bands along the bottom of the outer canvas that although look ok may go ping in the night, the pegs resemble cork screws and should I be spraying the outer and/or inner sheet with something to make/keep it watertight?

My main question really, is can tents last this long, I would like to use it if possible, just for the memories if nothing else ( it has a lovely canvassy smell, and does anyone have advise for putting it up and/or how to resurrect it or just any idea where I can buy guy ropes for this age of tent?

Or should I just go and buy a new one?

If you have made it this far, I thank you

You can buy replacement rubbers, pegs and guylines at any camping shop. They all fit most tents.

Then put it up in the garden, hose it down well and let it dry out. It will probably leak like a sieve first time round but when you wet it for a second time it should not leak, as the old canvas fibres will have plumped up again.

After that? Gather together some kit and your offspring and try a night at a campsite close to home. If you have enough room, then great...but I don`t think it`s big enough for longer than a weekend, myself. Of course, it also depends how many kids you have. But if it works, then you`ll have a grand old vintage tent and I bet you get a lot of comments on it.

Thanks both for the advice. Have had it up in garden since yesterday afternoon, and despite the rain and wind doing their stuff non-stop, it is as dry as a bone, and have not as yet replaced the rubbers and it is still missing two guylines!

Will get those replaced and hit the New Forest with a bit of tenting history.

Thanks again

Rachel

Ah  a ridge tent .....that has brought back many happy memories of days gone by !!

Remember the two little items that are easily forgotten as you're pitching  - spacers to keep the outer away from the inner and rain cowls to fit onto the poles, above the canvas but underneath the main guys.

I usually enjoy having the oldest tent on the site but this one beats even mine - enjoy.