Quote: Originally posted by TraceyD on 31/7/2013
A couple of days on and it's still holding strong, much better than tenacious tape for this sort of tear.
Glad it's holding firm....lets hope this is the problem sorted!
I'd have used a strip of duct tape on each side of the torn section, then a double row of stitching right through. It wouldn't have looked pretty but it would have held. Clear tape looks nicer though, must say!
Top tip for anyone doing machine sewing on tents btw, especially canvas ones. Most modern domestic machines are not powerful enough to stitch tents easily but your granny's old black Singer will make it look easy, especially if it's a hand crank or treadle machine. A hand crank machine is especially useful as you can take the machine to the tent and do the repair in the garden, where there's more space to move. You can get extra strong needles intended for denim sewing to use on canvas, either that or use a size 18 which is a heavy needle for tough fabrics. A size 16 (more common) for synthetic canvas. New needle for each job , that way you'll be sure it's sharp.
Quote: Originally posted by gillybobs75 on 09/8/2013Hi it would seem to be a common problem!!! Ours did it on our last camping trip, exactly the same tent and place! Will try the tape mentioned. Thanks.
It certainly does seem to be a design fault doesn't it if three of us have been affected in exactly the same way, wonder if it's worth contacting them, mind you, that said, I did contact them when ours went last year and I'm still awaiting a reply! The Tear Aid #2 is brilliant gillybobs and I think the answer is to apply small strips rather than adding one big piece. We're away again from next Friday so will see if it's all still held.
Val, can appreciate the strength of your method, but i'm no sewer, even of the simplest things and my repair is practically invisible, you wouldn't know it was there unless it was pointed out to you.
AND I have a bit of an aversion to duct tape, that horrible stickiness that comes with it!
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
I actually "wowed" when I saw TraceyD's Fforest Fields pics.
It's a very impressive looking tent, imo.
Now I've twigged it's the same tent as has now been mentioned 3 times in here, that "wowiness" has certainly wavered!!
This is not something minor, in my book, and is plainly obvious that the problem isn't caused by some clumsy user, so I think Gelert need to start coming up with some answers.
Being able to mend it oneself, with some tape, is fine, in a one-off "unlucky" situation, but folk should really be taking this a step further, imo. It's clear there's a problem, and a serious one at that. Time to start looking at refunds, I'd have thought...... not that it's any of my business, as I don't own one!!
I've tried to speak to them about it being a common fault but they simply stopped responding. I think they answered once on twitter but ignored my emails. Don't think I will be buying one again. Not worth £400 odd pound if this is what happens and the service you get.
Had ours 3 years now and this is the only issue we've had with it. I often read on here about complaints about customer satisfaction so I guess it happens with all tents. I find our Corvus to be very sturdy in the wind and very waterproof in heavy rain. Even when the window had the tear down the seam it still didn't let any rain in! Nope, I'd still defo have another one - not that we need one for a while yet
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
Agree we've had ours for at least 3 years and this is the only issue and, like you, never had a leak even with the front window issue. Just would prefer at least some response from gelert
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Quote: Originally posted by croutledge on 09/8/2013
Agree we've had ours for at least 3 years and this is the only issue and, like you, never had a leak even with the front window issue. Just would prefer at least some response from gelert
Totally agree with that, poor customer service!
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
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Topic: Fixing PVC Window Tearing at Stitching
