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Hi, I have a Raclet Minto, just bought off ebay, any suggestions for packing away canvas when wet? Having opened the cabin up it is obvious the wet canvas would touch the mattreses, do you guys cover your beds with plastic? I know ideally you should pack away only when dry, but with the British weather ...

Also apparently the awning hasn't been used yet, do I need to 'weather' it? - am I right in thinking this just means wetting with a hose pipe to make the cotton / stitching swell?

Sorry last question, I have read on here about people using a breathable groundsheet under a plastic one (to stop worms and water coming up through) - is there any benefit in this or can I just take the plastic groundsheet (trying to cut back on equipment where I can!)

thanks

Quote: Originally posted by moorewild on 08/7/2009

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Hi, I have a Raclet Minto, just bought off ebay, any suggestions for packing away canvas when wet? Having opened the cabin up it is obvious the wet canvas would touch the mattreses, do you guys cover your beds with plastic? I know ideally you should pack away only when dry, but with the British weather ...

Also apparently the awning hasn't been used yet, do I need to 'weather' it? - am I right in thinking this just means wetting with a hose pipe to make the cotton / stitching swell?

Sorry last question, I have read on here about people using a breathable groundsheet under a plastic one (to stop worms and water coming up through) - is there any benefit in this or can I just take the plastic groundsheet (trying to cut back on equipment where I can!)

 

thanks

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Basically...yes, yes and yes.

Some TT's come supplied with wet-pack sheets, which are basically big sheets of plastic that fit over the mattresses. Sure you haven't got them somewhere if the TT is almost new? Otherwise, any garden centre can supply wide plastic sheeting off the roll. Get a couple of spare bits to put under the undertents too, to keep them clean.

Yes, weather yoiur awning. It makes sense to do it up front, just in case the first time it gets wet otherwise is during a monsoon! It's good to practice putting up the awning before you go camping anyway.

Worms and water will come straight up through a permeable groundsheet. I think you might have read this the wrong way round...many people put sheets of plastic under their permeable groundsheets to stop this happening, which kind of negates the purpose of permeable groundsheets don't you think? A loose lay plastic groundsheet it easy enough to lift, wipe down then clean and dry at home. You don't need anything else. Sometimes I don't even bother with a full groundsheet...just a three foot wide strip of plastic along the front of the cabin area, so the kids can step down onto/crawl out onto the groundsheet. I hate groundsheet down where I'm cooking...it just gets greasy and slippery.

Thanks!

Think I'm nearly all set!

If you pack away wet its crucial you get the unit opened up again within 24 hours otherwise it will start to mildew.

Its better to have to put it up in the rain at home and possibly get it wetter than when you packed it away than have to start fighting mildew which is a battle that cannot be truly won. Once you've got it up on the drive at home the pressure is off and you can leave it up till it stops raining and dries out.

I lay my old army issue poncho over my mattresses when packing wet. The good thing is tho owning a Dandy, theres no hurry to open up & dry out.

THUMPER.