I have an old family canvas tent in my parents loft ... my question is, do you think it's got any life in it now? I need to get rid of it, but am not sure if it's a dump job (I don't know if I have the heart to just dump it) or if it still has any value. Would anyone be prepared to pay anything for it or has it just seen better days?
I reckon it's probably 40 ? years old. It's a seriously big old frame tent and we had lots of fantastic holidays in it around France in the 70's/80's. There's a side kitchen area we used to cook in and 3 double bedrooms plus big lounge. Colouring is blue and orange. I don't have a make name at the moment but will endeavour to get in the loft and find this out. It's definitely had good use, and, as far as I know, it went away for the last time in reasonable condition.
It's not seen the light of day for probably at least 20 years but has been kept in a good dry environment over this time and has one careful owner. I offered it to the local guiding centre but apparently they don't take canvas tents anymore!
So, canvas lovers out there, what would you do with your old loved family tent??? I just don't have the space.
All advice and suggestions welcome, thanking you in advance for your help.
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Get it out of the loft, check it over for damage etc. If you still want to get rid of it and it is still in reasonably good condition then take some photo's and stick it on ebay. somebody will buy it. Or advertise it on the free ads section on UKCS
Get it out one weekend and check it over, even if it needs a few minor repairs it will be worth it waiting for the stores to have thrier end of season sale, when you can pick and buy the model you really want.
Take it out and pitch it.
Have a good look over it - if it's all ok then give it a good brush down to get rid of any dust/dirt and then give it a really good soaking, let it dry and give it a good soaking again.
If it's all fine and no major water ingress then it's a good 'un and I can't see why it wouldn't sell.
If it's letting water in then it will need reproofing - so you could sell it with this info (or do it yourself)
Make sure you take lots of pictures - they help when selling (any ou could scan of when you had family holidyas in it?). Also let people know that you know about tents and it will give buyers confidence in the tent and how it has been looked after all these years.
Free ads on here, eBay, Preloved etc.
Even if the canvas is not salvegable then you might sell the poles as spares.
The canvas can also be sold as spare - old canvas is good for making bags for canvas tents - or any tents/pole sets
Please come back and let us know what the tent is - pics if possible.
------------- Keely :-))
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Well, it's a long time since my original post but I did get the tent out as you suggested...I didn't manage to pitch it but I did take lots of photos. You can check them out at
http://gallery.me.com/jleedelisle#100031
Would love to know what you think. I will put a ad for it on the for sale board here and see what interest I get.
But from what I've seen on the pics it's a Walkers Tencate - very good make! Definitely don't bin it, whatever you do! Lordy I'd love this - how far are you from Leicestershire?