Hi there
Going away this weekend for our main Summer break to Isle of Wight, and I'm worrying about the weather.
When we get there, if it's raining as much as it is now - torrential in Nottingham at the moment - how on earth do we put the trailer tent up.
The awning bit is huge, and heavy, and there's no way to do it in 5 minutes.
So what happens is the canvas gets wet inside and out? Will the rain come through?
Previously had nylon Dome tents, and threw them up quick in showers, but this is a bit daunting. I still don't quite understand how canvas keeps the rain out anyway!?
Even worse, after a week there, we are transferring to the New Forest, got to pack up and re-pitch on the same day - seemed like a good idea at the time - but what do we do if it's wet?
Help!!
In a bit of a tizz at the mo, can anybody make me feel better? Or is it bad news?
we turned up at newquay a few years ago i can tell you it was a damm sight worse than this, the people next door took the kids in gave them juice and biccies the blokes came out and helped as best as they could following hubbys instructions and it was done and waterproof in about 15 mins, we have found this to be the normal practise on campsites that everyone helps each other out
the weather is going to get better after the weekend anyway so just makesure you ve got wellies and coats and you ll be fine
I have it in my mind that if the canvas gets wet inside and out it will breach the waterproofing (or some such technical term) and the water will be able to come through.
Think it goes back to when I was little - I remember my Dad saying "Don't touch the sides" when we were camping in the rain. (Of course we then had to touch it, but I don't remember what happened next).
We had a raclet t/t for many years, which is probably similar canvas-wise to your cabanon. Yes, I can remember my dad saying that to me when I was little, too! I can assure you it doesn't apply now (if it ever did then???). I even experimented touching the inside in the early days to see if that started it leaking - it didn't! We've survived floods and torrential rain in ours and stayed beautifully dry inside.
As I'm sure you know, the real issue is when you get home at the end of your hols, because you must make sure the canvas is completely dry before you put it away. It's ok to keep it folded for 24 hours or so when wet, but any longer than that and the canvas will start to shrink.
If it looked like rain for the last day or two of our hols, I used to pack up the main awning early in the dry. Bit of a pain, but we've just got nowhere to put it up again at home to dry it out. On several occasions the trailer unit had to sit out on the drive for days opened drying out!
Home isn't a problem, as we live in school grounds and can use the playing field in the holiday.
So if we have to fold it up wet to take the ferry back, and then put it up again for the second week, the water won't soak through while it's compressed and ruin it?
We have to live in it for the second week.
Sorry to sound like a complete wimp, but it's all new to me, and I feel really responsible if it all goes wrong (kids very excited now).
>>>> the water won't soak through while it's compressed and ruin it?
No, it won't, kinza.
I'm sure there's someone far more qualified than me to comment on this, but my understanding of how canvas tents work is this:-
1) they are sprayed with the usual water repellent stuff to make most of the rain bounce off, but
2) they are also made of very tightly woven cotton that swells when it gets wet, which stops the water that doesn't bounce off from penetrating.
Both effects will still work for you even if it's wet on the inside. I think the reason that our dads lectured us as they did is because the weave technology didn't used to be as good. A bit of water could get through and set up a capillary action, drawing more through, if that makes sense. It doesn't seem to any more.
All I can tell you is that in ten years of owning a Raclet and getting it fairly wet inside and out on many occasions, I never experienced this.
Having recently gone back the other way to you (from canvas to nylon), I have to say that the old raclet was much warmer and cosier than ever our new tent will be - tho' it has other virtues!
I'm sure you'll have a great time, and don't worry about it.
We're off to newquay friday night, i try not to look at the weather forecast - your on holiday - relax and enjoy. If it should be persisting down when you arrive hang on for an hour or two.If there's no sign of a let up we get into the T shirt and shorts and get on with it.Like Ian we keep a weather eye open at the end of our hols as we would find it difficult to dry a huge awning out at home. we tend to pack up the day before and put a small dome tent up for the last night. Makes things a little less frantic,
Moden fabric on folding campers and TT's are really waterproof and don't worry bout touching the inside of your unit as chances are you worrying bout nothing. if your really worried, take some fabsil with you and cover the fabric when its dry. Have a great time.
Get yourself a Dandy camper ! You,ll have none of this to worry about!! Seriously thou, If it don,t dry in the Forest your lucky to have somewhere to put it up to dry at home. Problems only really occour when they are packed wet and left for months. Best regards THUMPER
------------- The British soldier must be driven to digging in the moment he occupies a piece of ground,lest he waste time in sightseeing,souvenir hunting & drinking tea.....
Maj Gen F.W. Festing (GOC 36 Inf Div )
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Rain - panicking a bit now!!
