What a great resource this is, there’s so (too) much information here!
Anyway, I’m a bit of an old fashioned camper, only been under Egyptian canvas ‘til this latest outing. I thought I’d try a new nylon dome tent since I’m getting a bit too old and stiff for my small canvas Itsa. The new one is a StormProof USA dome tent that sleeps 6.
We had to put it up in the rain, which I’d rather not have done, but the weather wouldn’t give us a choice. It went up pretty easily, but we had to walk on the material to thread the poles through. This got me a little worried as you can imagine.
Anyway it leaked, not just the seams but all over. We had a pleasant if little damp night. As well as the expected sweatiness I thought we might experience. But pleasant enough, despite the huge amount of rain that dropped on us.
So my question is, can I put anything on the tent’s nylon material outer to stop this happening again?
I’ve only a small garden so can’t put it up there to waterproof it. Other threads here have made suggestions about Fabsil, Fabsil Gold or something called Thompson’s. I guess I can do it in pieces, or even go away again and do it on the campsite!
Any suggestions gratefully received, and thanks very much for all the great stuff on here.
Graham
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Graham, if you do a search (using the icon at the top of this page) you will find that other folk have reported similar issues with this brand of tent.
A new tent shouldn't have to be treated, as it shouldn't leak. If it does, it surely is not fit for purpose, in which case I personally would ask the retailer for my money back.
Synthetic tents have a pu coating on the inside of the fabric which gives them their waterproofness. I don't think Fabsil will help much with synthetic fabric, it works with canvas as it can soak right into the fibres.
Personally I feel you have every right to demand a full refund on this tent, as it proved to be unfit for the purpose it was sold as. A new tent shouldn't leak like that on it's first outing!
------------- Jean
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Hi all, I have just managed to pick up a secon hand Vango aspen 700. I am looking to Rewaterproof it,
Does any one have any idea on how I should go about this?
Do I have to remove the old waterproof by washing the fly sheet?
I have bought some paint on stuff but do I paint it all over or just the seams?
Does anyone know if you can get Replacement porch groundsheet for this modle?
Im a bit new to all this and the kids cant w8 to use it!!!!!
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Tina
Hi Tina; you shouldn't have to re-waterproof the outer for the same reasons that JK says above. Do you have the 700 or 700 DLX? The DLX has the extended porch with a seperate groundsheet but I'm not sure about there being one with the 700. You could post a wanted ad in the Free Advert section on this site.
------------- HelenD
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We must be experts - we are out standing in our chosen fields!
Like me you are a newcomer to the site. I'm sure you'll find it a wealth of information.
I own a Stormproof Alaska 9 berth among a few other smaller tents. I have camped in the Stormproof twice and it has been fine. Admittedly it has only had to deal with lightish showers so I cannot say how it will perform in a real downpour.
In your case I think the fact that you had to walk all over the tent to put the poles in whilst the tent was wet may well have affected its waterproofing temporarily. One thing I've learned is that if you touch the tent whilst wet it lets water through. This seems to be a particular aspect( or so I'm told ) of all modern synthetic tents regardless of make.
I suggest that in future you might want to let the shower pass before erecting the tent or take care not to walk all over it whilst it is wet!
Don't give up on the tent. You will find plenty of people who will confirm that your tent may yet turn out to be good value for money!
------------- Life is what you make it...Just get on with it!
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Topic: Modern nylon dome tents, waterproof?
