We pitched ours for the first time at the weekend. (At the campsite!) We bought it from Go Outdoors a couple of moths ago when they had their special offer..... When we put the inner tent in, it appears that one of the loops on the fly sheet was sewn in the wrong place.
It's the bottom rear middle one. The toggle on the inner in precisely in the middle, where we would expect it. (Opposite the middle divider/organiser) The loop on the outer tent is to one side (About two thirds over) and there is no way we could ever connect the two together. We ended up just doing the two corner ones with no problems thankfully.
I also completely forgot to take photos! But I will try and mark on a diagram if anyone wants clarification.
Does this sound like a manufacturing error, or did we do something wrong?
From your description, it sounds 100% a manufacturing error.
If it was the inner toggle/hook that was positioned wrongly, the inner (only) could have been exchanged, but as it's the receiving loop/D Ring to the main tent that's in the wrong place, I'd say take it all back for a complete exchange*. Deal with the shop you bought it off, not the manufacturer.
Trying to connect them, if at all possible, will cause a strain. Not connecting them leaves you with a saggy floor/rear wall at best, and possibly a dangerous trip hazard at worst, so "Not fit for purpose", imo.
*Your dealer may suggest it goes back to Vango for the required alteration, rather than a straight exchange. No idea where you stand legally, but at least "Try your best" for an exchange there and then.
All that aside, this is precisely why many on here advise and advocate a practise pitch at home (or local park/neighbours garden.... wherever you can!) be it a new, or used tent, to ensure all is well before embarking on a trip.
You "got away with it" on this occasion, but next time, it could be a bigger problem that you "wouldn't expect with a new tent"!
Been a while since I put my Icarus up....And mine is a year or two older....But I seem to remember a basic colour coding system for hanging the inners up in the correct fashion so the rest of the toggles/loops match all the way round both front and rear of the inners....
If memory serves me it was a blue toggle at the rear and a yellow at the front....Once these were lined up all the toggles/loops should be of equal number and match all the way down both sides....
Sounds like you have missed a toggle/loop out somewhere......If not.....Then there is a serious design fault.....
I would put the tent up in the garden (or any spare ground) and have another go/look at the situation...If you still cant get them to match after pitching I would then contact GO.....But the fact you waited a couple of months to pitch and check the tent might have a bearing on what GO decide to do about the situation...
Another wee tip....Make sure the tensioning straps on the main tent(Inside) are loose/unbuckled before attatching the inners....That might have a bearing on toggle/loop alignment....
One more thing...The good folk on here highly recommend a test pitch of any new tent within days of purchase....This sorts out these little niggles at home and not on the campsite where you might not have the wherewithall to sort any problems that arise...
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
Quote: Originally posted by jelboy53 on 25/8/2014
Been a while since I put my Icarus up....And mine is a year or two older....But I seem to remember a basic colour coding system for hanging the inners up in the correct fashion so the rest of the toggles/loops match all the way round both front and rear of the inners....
If memory serves me it was a blue toggle at the rear and a yellow at the front....Once these were lined up all the toggles/loops should be of equal number and match all the way down both sides....
Sounds like you have missed a toggle/loop out somewhere......If not.....Then there is a serious design fault.....
The 500 I had came with the inner already in, so I never had to fit it. However, I vaguely recollect that there are 2 top toggles at the front, either side of the storage pouch bit. That panel is like a triangle with the top knocked off, afairc, so no central loop.
However, I'm elderly AND blonde, so remembering things correctly isn't my strong point. I could be muddling it up with the 600 I have now, or my Khyam, or the Pro-Action that lasted just one trip ....
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Topic: Does anyone have an icarus 500?
