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I would write to Vango. It does sound as if something has degraded but I wouldn't expect this to have happened after only two uses then stored dry. I've owned several Vangos over the years and not one has degraded in storage.  Are you sure it's the groundsheet? Blue flakes sound as if they come from the flysheet. Flysheets do delaminate after prolonged use because of exposure to UV, but unless your two trips added up to six months or so, I wouldn't expect it to happen. Is the flysheet dry and crunchy, rather than supple?

I certainly wouldn't use it again until Vango have had a chance to comment on it. Breathing in small particles of anything is not wise, and certainly not unknown synthetics.

Thank you for your advice Val, the flysheet is fine its like brand new, the groundsheet,  feels dry and crunchy as you describe but it was only used for a week or so at most in dry conditions, very strange, i will write to Vango for their opinion.

have a look at this thread it is about the same problem that another member had with their vango tent

previous thread

lets hope you get the same outcome

Quote: Originally posted by zero9877 on 01/9/2008

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i have found thousands of tiny blue flakes inside the tent that seem to be from the groundsheet, does this mean the tent is degrading in some way?

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This is a known fault with some Vango groundsheets, contact Vango about it.

I had a pole snap on my Aurora, it caused a stress on the fly sheet.  I contacted Vango, who asked me to return the whole tent to them for assessment.  2 weeks later a cheque in the post that also covered my return postage.

Smashing service.

This is an interesting one I have had a similar problem with mine, however mine had been packed away for 2 years.  Mine is a Vango ventura 500 from 2004.  I just put it down to the fact it hadn't seen the light of day for so long,  but we did keep coming out of the tent funny shades of blue.  My mum thought it was the fly but that seemed to weather the rain ok and fortunately we had no leaks .  Please keep us updated on this one.  Thankyou

I had a Gamma 350 the ground sheet had done exactly what you say, little blue flecks coming off all over and letting water in I emailed Vango, they told me to write a letter and send them the affected part so they could examine it. a week ago a recieved an email saying that they are going to replace the tent. all in all vey good customer service, although haven't recieved the tent yet!!!

I suggest that you do the same.