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Hi All

Used our new tent (Sunncamp Stratus) for our first camping trip last weekend but got caught in the rain on Tuesday. Sadly tent leaked round one of the doorway zips.  The zip has a flap over it on the outside so we assume the seam round the flap is where the actual leak is.  Would like some advice from all the seasoned campers on here if possible - as this is a new tent do we take it back and complain or do we just get some sealant?

We also have to take our new cooker back as all the rivet heads on the hinges for the lid/wind protector were sheared off so we couldn't use that. 

Suppose it serves us right for not checking everything before we went - although we didn't have anywhere to try the tent we should have at least checked the rest of the stuff (i.e cooker, etc.).  I did warn OH that we'd probably unpack the tent and half the bits would be missing.  Never mind didn't spoil a great weekend and can't wait until our next trip.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

We we bought out first tent we were advised that this can occasionally happen - and to use a seam sealant.   We always carry a little stick jut in case - and a case of Fabsil (silacone waterfproofer)  which is brilliant for sticking zips.

I know we're going to have to use an untried tent in a couple of weeks time - so will be armed with seam seal and Fabsil.

The cooker sounds as if you got a rogue one

You just need a dab of seam sealant on the offending spot...it`s a common problem in brand new synthetic tents and some manufacturers include a tube of seam sealant and instructions to do just that on any tiny problem drips in new tents.

Yes, take the cooker back.

Glad you had a great time!

I was! I agree on the weather, but where did you get the tent from, it might just be more cost effective to get some sealant and waterproof tape and if you can get that big b    ger in your garden just tape it up, then the water cant get through the seams.

our folder is in the front garden drying out, its been the first day that I could get it opened up since everything is soaked good job i covered the beds up with plastic before we closed it up. We could see you from our tent, I said to hubby that I felt sorry for those that turned up in tents as there was no way you could keep the mud out.

Depnds if you really love the tent or not ,If its a common fault with the tent ,swapping it for another wont fix it ,so they would prolly refund your money ,so I spose if you got your heart set on that tent then you need to seal the seams or ask the store to seal them for you ? We had a Eurohike tent and took it back because it leaked and got our pick of 3 tents that all cost over twice as much as the eurohike did ,so we were happy !!

There have been endless debates on leaky tents and whether to just seal it or take it back and ask for swap or refund. I think that some small leaks are inevitable, especially on the stitching on synthetic tents around the zips, as these seams cannot be taped. I just use one of those little bottles of seam sealant with a sponge applicator in the neck. Apply a thin line onto the fabric edge of the zip, from the inside of the tent, so that it soaks in around the stitching. Make sure it does not get onto the teeth of the zip. Leave it to dry for 24 hours  and make sure nothing touches it cos its very gluey and will stick togther. If you need to seal up any loops, just soak them with the sealant, and weight them down with a tent peg so they don't stick to the inside of the fly sheet whilst drying. Hope that helps.

And I hope you get a satisfactory resolution to the cooker problem. Glad to hear you enjoyed it though - so I wish you many more happy expeditions.

Thanks everyone for your advice and helpful tips on how to seal the leak.  Although we bought the tent locally I'm glad the general view is to seal the seam.  It seemed the easiest thing to do to me but OH wanted to take it back.  My argument was that at least we now knew where the leak was and it is fairly minor whereas if we got a new one it might leak worse than this one.  We do like the tent so it's not as if we'd be looking to change for something different.  Will definitely take the cooker back though.

We were camping in Wiltshire and had a great weekend until Tuesday when it came time for us to pack up and then the heavens opened.  Really looking forward to our next trip though when hopefully it'll be a bit warmer and lighter in the evenings and then the kids can spend more time outside than inside!

Thanks again everyone.

Nicki