Bit of technical question for my post on the forum...
My Vango Icarus 500 has suffered a busted zip on the "front" door. Prior to it coming off the track completely, it was zipping but not sealing the zip properly (this is apparently a sign of a worn zipper).
I'd like to repair using a Zlideon zipper but they're asking for dimensions of the zip. The tent's not accessible right now so can anyone assist please?
I need to know what model Zlideon zipper I need to buy. Has anyone replaced a Vango zip this way and how were the results?
I can't help with your specific zip but I once tried to measure a zip that the hasp had pulled off in order to buy a Zlideon zipper and it was impossible without a micrometer. The measurements I came up with didn't seem to match anything Zlideon were selling.
In the end I repaired the zip myself and the way I did it was to cut across the bottom of the zip with a pair of scissors so that I could fit the existing hasp back on and then taped up where I cut (you could sew it) to prevent the hasp from pulling off again. It worked a treat.
A tent door zip works the opposite way to a pair of jeans shown in the video as it opens from the bottom, so cut across the zip at the bottom on the side which the hasp has pulled off from (it would be very difficult to do it at the top), fit the hasp then tape or sew just that one side to stop the hasp pulling off again.
Jeans open from the top down, so she cut and re-sewn at the bottom.
Tent door opens from the bottom up, so it must need cutting and re-sewing at the top? It would then open 99% of the way (to where it is sewn, near the top).
Good tip though... apart from your bit of tape! Get a needle out next time!
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 22/7/2015Have you got that the wrong way round, Bob?
Jeans open from the top down, so she cut and re-sewn at the bottom.
Tent door opens from the bottom up, so it must need cutting and re-sewing at the top? It would then open 99% of the way (to where it is sewn, near the top).
Good tip though... apart from your bit of tape! Get a needle out next time!
No, I got it the right way round. If most tents are like mine there is a second hasp at the top of the door zip which opens the zip from the top down (I have never understood why unless it is just for ventilation). If you cut below that it will render it useless. You could try opening it slightly and then cutting above it but also within that small space in the top corner of the tent door you probably have a fly net and zip as well, so trying to fiddle about up in that top corner would be a job and a half.
Far easier to make a snip at the bottom of the main zip which opens the door, slide the hasp back on to the teeth then run the hasp back up to the top. It will of course be opening the zip as you run it to the top and the zip at this stage will be open above and below the hasp, but then when you reach the top and run the hasp back down again, it will zip the tent up as normal. A stitch or tape on the one side where you have made the cut will prevent the hasp pulling straight off the teeth again.
Quote: Originally posted by Bob61 on 22/7/2015
No, I got it the right way round. If most tents are like mine there is a second hasp at the top of the door zip which opens the zip from the top down...
Ah, apologies, Bob! I only envisaged a single zip, opening up, and closing down, as my previous tents have all done.
That'll teach me to stick my oar in!
(It won't stop me, just teach me!)
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Topic: VANGO Zip Dimensions?
