Post by: WaltAlpine on August 23, 2016, 08:12:40 PM
I last used it in 2012 when it rained so hard that all my stuff got wet.
QUESTION
Is there anyway to make it waterproof again? It seemed to be leaking everywhere, not just the seams.
I bought it 22 years ago and it performed nearly flawlessly before that week.
It's an REI 10x12
Post by: JimmyHoffa on August 23, 2016, 08:26:22 PM
If it were me, I'd probably use seam seal on the seams and then spray everything with camp-dry. There are two types of camp-dry--one is for breathable fabrics and the other is just silicone spray.
Post by: Fl0und3rz on August 23, 2016, 08:28:10 PM
Post by: Happy Gilmore on August 23, 2016, 10:49:20 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 24, 2016, 07:14:38 AM
A giant $50 tarp you can put on the ground and wrap all the way up back over the top.:yeah: I did tent camps for years. Tarps above everything is the key to a dry and comfortable camp.
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 24, 2016, 07:18:52 AM
A giant $50 tarp you can put on the ground and wrap all the way up back over the top.
I would probably just go this route.
However, there are lots of ways to seam seal with homemade silicone based mixes. There are also lots of commercially available products that spray or brush on but most that I can think of would cost a fortune.
Tarp is what I'd do
Post by: ghosthunter on August 24, 2016, 11:56:35 AM
One of my old tents like yours is over 30 years old. Non of them where what I would call water proof. The problem is with the external frame design.
The frame going through the loops on the eaves creates a pocket which catches rain. and will hold enough water to break a pole. The water will sit there and soak through..
If you want to keep using this tent you need a rain fly. As other have said.
Set the tent up ,measure from ridge to eave and add 2 ft. than double that measurement.
Next measure front to back and add 7 ft.
Find a poly tarp close to that size. I suspect you will be some where around 12 x20. I buy a white tarp for all my flys and only use them for that purpose.
Once you get your tarp lay it over the set up tent.
Position it two feet from eve each side and 1ft extra in back.
The other 6 ft is at the door and creates a porch like area.
Next take a marker and mark all four corners where they touch the frame.
Write front and back on the edges. This makes it easy to throw the fly over the tent , just match the marks and you know its in the right spot .
Now I like to set my tent up with a tree front and back aligned with center. Than I run a ridge line over the tent, throw the fly over that and tag out the edges all the way around. If no trees, throw six mental fence posts in your truck.
The water dripping two feet way from the walls is key.
I may let the fly touch the ridge but nothing else. I like a air pocket between tent and fly. This allows tent to dry after a storm if it clears up.
Also if the fly is not tied to the tent. If it is raining when you break camp you have a nice cover to work under while you take your tent down. :tup:
In all the years in the heavy down pours or wind storms I have never got wet.
Once you get the system you will be happy.
Post by: Davis4507 on August 24, 2016, 12:14:22 PM
Post by: ghosthunter on August 24, 2016, 09:18:47 PM
Post by: ghosthunter on August 24, 2016, 09:20:14 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 25, 2016, 07:04:53 AM
Post by: wadu1 on August 25, 2016, 08:54:01 AM