Read nothing but great reviews of this unit, so we upgraded from an Outwell Trout Lake polycotton tent 2mths ago. Is it just us with problems? On it's 3rd outing this weekend we've had water seeping down the bedroom window seam onto the bed. The canvas, (is it?) was wet to the touch on the inside in the bedroom, is this right? The draughts are unbelievable around the unit itself and when the awning's up, from 2 of the corners. We really thought going to a trailer tent was a step up from a tent, but we are, at the moment, seriously disappointed with the Solena. Any ideas?....
We've had our Solena from new in 2011 and have been very pleased with it. You don't say which year yours is. Ours has a zip-in groundsheet to the awning which certainly helps with draughts but the very nature of the design means it is never going to be as draughtproof as a tent with a sewn-in groundsheet. We knew this would be the case when we bought it, from seeing the unit on display, but for us the benefits are far greater than the downsides. Certainly the canvas is very good quality.
It's been up in some horrendous weather including torrential rain and a most amazing hailstorm and we've never had a leak (tempting fate now ) except for the time I left the bedroom window rolled up when we went out. I would think a little seam sealer on the offending area should sort that out.
After 4 years we are still very happy with our purchase and looking forward to taking it out again next week for our 4th trip this year.
I hope you manage to resolve your issues and have as much fun with your Solena as we have with ours!
If Canvas is very wet it will wick through very quickly if you touch it, so it can feel wet, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's leaking. Seams are a weak point in any tent, if it's new I'd be expecting the dealer to sort that out, if not then as suggested try some seam sealant. I seem to recall someone with a Trigano Alpha having similar problems, same style, same company! It might be worth trying a search on that.
I don't know why it's draughty though? Ours is very snug, apart from the rear awing, which is a bit of a problem admittedly. Can you elaborate?
We've had a few Raclets, never had issues with the canvas, it's an extremely heavy weight.... Why are you able to touch the canvas in the bedroom, isn't there the lining?
As previous poster said, don't touch it and the water won't wick through.
Be helpful if you could let us know the year....
You may find that someone has waterproofed it in the past which will mean that the natural proper of the canvas have been lost and you might simply need to re waterproof it....
Thanks so much for your quick replies, you're very kind. The Solena is 2014 model, ordered brand new from Camping & Caravan Show in Feb 2015 & picked up from dealer early April 2015. It's the seam on bedroom window that leaks, it drips from the window down the canvas & onto the bed frame, which then absorbs into the mattress. My husband tested the tent yest & found the 3 times he wet it, it leaked. There is a 'pod' the bed is in but the compartment next to the bed, effectively the upturned roof, is were the fabric is wet to touch. I can understand about the wicking tho, so thank you. The draughts are coming from the fitting of the tent to the trailer. Were the bed is, at the joint were the trailer tent folds, you can see outside, there is such a gap!
I really don't feel, after spending over £4300 on this unit, we should be in a position of sealing seams!
I'd be inclined to speak to the dealer, I agree, with a new unit you shouldn't have to seal the seams! Can't help on the draughts though I'm afraid, there aren't any gaps on ours, but although it's similar its a different make. I'm very sorry you're having problems though, and do hope you can sort them out.
I'd take it back & get a refund...... Not fit for purpose....
Then I'd stick £3800 in the bank & use £500 to buy a 2nd hand Solena that didn't leak and didn't have draughts.....
We've owned & used upwards of a half a dozen Raclets, all 2007 or older & never ever had a leak...... As well as those I've bought and sold approaching twenty and none of those leaked either and we've had them out in torrential rain & storms....
I agree with what others have said: take it back to the dealer and negotiate (demand) a refund as not fit for purpose. It shouldn't leak. It shouldn't be condensation either as, since you've also mentioned drafts, you've clearly got plenty of ventilation in the cabin!
Seam sealant is for synthetic tents, not cotton canvas. If you start messing with it, it could invalidate your warranty.
Does the stitching look okay around the window? Has the canvas ever been touched with greasy hands, or has any detergent been on it? Have you cooked near it? Sorry to state some obvious reasons for waterproofing impairment, it just seems odd for new cotton canvas to leak so badly that you end up with a wet mattress.
One other thought, is your inner tent and mattress by any chance touching the outer canvas? Always something to beware of, since rainwater will wick through if there's any contact. It seems the most likely explanation.
I have been wondering whether to stick my nose into this one but I think I should.
Of course second hand tents are less likely to leak as they have been weathered, brand new ones will leak 90% of the time as they have not been. This can vary how much it does depending on the type of stitch, thread used and obviously the weather is has been in. They will not shrink/expand sealing up the canvas until it has been wet and dried out, so if it is continually wet and it is leaking it will not get better at that point in time. It may take a good soaking a drying 2-3 times before the process is completed.
Stitching leaking is very common and expected, if there is a leak through un-perforated (i.e. not stitched) canvas this is potentially a problem but it is very unlikely with a new tent.
Also to point out I have seen customer error with this, as I say the canvas needs to shrink to close up the canvas and the stitching holes. If tent has been tensioned out to its furthest point when the canvas shrinks, it will get tighter and tighter on the frame so the stitching holes are then pulled on making them bigger allowing water through.
I really wouldn't advise any seam sealer, it really shouldn't need it on canvas. Weathering yourself with a hose is fine but remember it needs to penetrate into the canvas and stitching, so 20-30min each time is a must really.
Hoping not to get burned at the stake for any of that.
Regards
Chris
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Quote: Originally posted by ChrisBCC on 19/7/2015
I have been wondering whether to stick my nose into this one but I think I should.
Of course second hand tents are less likely to leak as they have been weathered, brand new ones will leak 90% of the time as they have not been. This can vary how much it does depending on the type of stitch, thread used and obviously the weather is has been in. They will not shrink/expand sealing up the canvas until it has been wet and dried out, so if it is continually wet and it is leaking it will not get better at that point in time. It may take a good soaking a drying 2-3 times before the process is completed.
Stitching leaking is very common and expected, if there is a leak through un-perforated (i.e. not stitched) canvas this is potentially a problem but it is very unlikely with a new tent.
Also to point out I have seen customer error with this, as I say the canvas needs to shrink to close up the canvas and the stitching holes. If tent has been tensioned out to its furthest point when the canvas shrinks, it will get tighter and tighter on the frame so the stitching holes are then pulled on making them bigger allowing water through.
I really wouldn't advise any seam sealer, it really shouldn't need it on canvas. Weathering yourself with a hose is fine but remember it needs to penetrate into the canvas and stitching, so 20-30min each time is a must really.
Hoping not to get burned at the stake for any of that.
Regards
Chris
Weathering is all good and fine.......
However, I find it very hard to believe that only one area of stitching and one area of canvas needs weathered with the rest being fine.
If, as the OP says it leaked on site when they were away.........and its still leaking back home when tested then there seems to be an issue with it.
On top of that as an aside, if I paid out £4300 for a new trailer tent I would expect to be able to take it away immediately and camp in it.......not have to "weather" it two or three times before I could use it without getting wet.......
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Topic: Raclet Solena TT
) except for the time I left the bedroom window rolled up when we went out. I would think a little seam sealer on the offending area should sort that out.
