Living in a throw away society as we do, it makes me sad that there are not many places that fix tents.
Yes you can buy new poles, get glue and do things yourself, but half the time these days no one has the time.
So I would like to take up the challenge myself, but I'm not too sure how to start.
I've done the usual tent repairs on my own tents and bits, but never ventured into the realms of doing it for others.
Any ideas, information or free bits would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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There ARE companies that do repair tents and awnings but quite often their prices are not viable in what it costs to buy new or a replacement second hand item. As an example, I bought a lightweight caravan porch awning at £42 but found that the plastic skirting had about 3 peg rings torn out so had to have it repaired by a professional canvas repair company. I was quoted about £60 to £80 so went ahead and had it repaired hoping to sell it afterwards in excellent condition but when I went to collect the awning they provided me with a bill for £105 to which I wasn't happy with as someone from the company should have informed me first before proceeding. I would have told them to let me have it back and dumped it at the nearest waste tip. However, at a total cost of £147 I advertised the awning on several places for £140 and after 4 weeks still had no replies. I dropped the price down to £100 to which I had just one reply from someone who seen it on the UK Campsite advertising page. Being helpful, I took the awning to their home address so they could try it on their caravan to which the guy was happy but said I'll give you 85 quid as a final offer. I took it because I needed the space at home but adding up the financial loss and all the hassle involved it wasn't worth having it repaired in the first place.
I suppose it depends how much you pay for a tent as to whether it is worth paying somebody to repair it, or to patch it up yourself.
There is not a lot can go wrong with a tent really except normal wear and tear, and accidental rip and maybe a torn pegging point and these can be resolved with patches and clingons. Maybe not a professional repair but then tents aren't supposed to be a fashion statement and a few patches here and there are no problem.
Many campers enjoy buying new tents anyway so in a perverse sort of way look forward to a bit of damage giving them the excuse to buy a new one
Thanks for the info.
Looks like I will have my work cut out with this, but I am still going to give it a go, start small and work up.
I'm in Cornwall, and most repairers are up country, so everything has to go by post or courier at added cost.
thanks again
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I suppose living in Cornwall you could become an emergency mobile tent repairer. You would need to spread your business cards around all the campsites and ask if they would put up an advertising poster.
However, in my experience, travelling anywhere in Cornwall in the height of the season might take several hours - lol
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Topic: Tent Repairs
