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Camping under canvas

Topic: Coleman Darwin tent - leaks??

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donna23

20/5/2009 at 6:29pm
Location: None Entered
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We got to use our new darwin tent over easter and had terrible weather. Due to the high winds it got put up a bit 'wonky' but everything seemed ok. However after 2 days of bad rain we seemed to have leaks at certain points were the bedrooms are attached to the roof. The seams are very stretched at these points and we are not sure if they have pulled or are just like that. A friend also suggested it could be condensation and that is a 'natural' drip point!! We were wondering what you would do? Try to use seam sealer or just take it back??

sunvalleysue

20/5/2009 at 6:40pm
Location: The Love Shack
Outfit: BearLake 6 and a hot water bottle.

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Hi Donna,

I would take it back and see what the dealer says.If it was not new then yes I would try seam sealer.

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Sue & Phil
--------------------- I Love My AeroBed

PigletandTigger

20/5/2009 at 7:50pm
Location: Dorset
Outfit: Lots.mainly Cabanons!

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I'd pitch it again and give it a good soaking with a hosepipe and see if it leaks. I don't see how you can take it back at the moment as you don't really know what the problem is or even if it has a problem.

Condensation will drip from "drip points" as your friend suggests and given the time of year I'd be leaning towards thinking it was condensation.

If it does leak then you need to take a look at where it is leaking from and see if it is just a small seam defect or something bigger and then decide whether it warrants taking back.

Good luck!

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Piglet

donna23

20/5/2009 at 8:27pm
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Thanks - we got a really good deal on it from go outdoors (£110) but still thought it would be watertight!! It is at all 6 of these points which seem to pull very tight. I didn't want to mess with it if they then wouldn't take it back if we couldn't fix it. I'll just wait for a dry day to put it up in the garden and test it out (and zip the groundsheet back in - the mud was a nightmare!!).

cazza20

20/5/2009 at 9:49pm
Location: Atherton Manchester
Outfit: outwell Elddis Firestorm caravan

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We have the coleman Darwin 7 - Had extremely bad winds and rain last year but stood up really well and no leaks - however we found that the tension is very very tight and I have read on another thread somewhere on the board that some people have actually shortenened the main (largest pole) slightly to reduce the tension, reducing therefore the pull on the seams.

We're taking ours to Deer Park, Dartmouth in a couple of weeks - hopefully it'll be okay again for us.

julie-pooley

20/5/2009 at 10:04pm
Location: Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Outfit: Coleman Darwin 5 Quechua 4man popup

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We haev the Darwin 5. Is that the one you mean? Which bedroom did you have problems with?

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Jules :)

oliver67

21/5/2009 at 6:29pm
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as coleman tents are tested in lab conditions of winds of around 60 mph and rain rooms i would bet it is just condensation,however all tents through the seams can leak so look at buying seam sealer if in doubt.

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