New (used) 2014 21TQX owner - tenting question

[LIW]

we are new to Hybrids after years of owning a pop up. We just purchased a FR Coachman Freedom Express 21 TQX. I'm now noticing that tenting on the inside where the camper meets the tent has some rotting/delamination. This is the section at the bottom of the tent bed, nearest the camper has a slight opening. Any suggestions for a DIY fix?

[rsdata]

even though you have a Coachmen, there are 100X the posts ( 260 Vs 3500+) in the Roo/Shamrock forum, and they are hybrids also...

I believe bunk end issues are certainly similar if not the same in the two...

Roo | Shamrock - Forest River Forums

start reading through this forum and there are dozens of posts about your problem and how to solve, including one guy who youtube'd his complete tear-out and repair of door...

good luck... water intrusion and delam issues are the worst thing about a hybrid and requires diligence in your maintenance...

[bikendan]

Pics are often more helpful than descriptions.
Confused by your term of tent delamination.
Delam is used to describe the filon door/wall construction, not canvas.

[LIW]

How do i post pictures of the camper on this forum? Thx.

[rsdata]

easiest way I have found is to use the paper clip icon to post up to 5 pictures to the forum from uploaded files on your computer...

if you use a phone, I have to say I don't know...

There is also a HELP section on a separate section of the forum that describes everything here
Forum Admin, News and Member Account Info - Forest River Forums

[LIW]

pictures attached

[LIW]

any thoughts on ways to repair this canvas/vinyl? Thanks.

[rsdata]

I think much depends on your craftiness and wallet...

There should be a tag sewn on the tent end somewhere that will tell you who actually made the tent... from there you might see if there is a replacement available.

OR, not kidding...
I would start with a roll of 3" wide Gorilla tape...
If you take your time the Gorilla tape could/would make a durable repair with tape applied to both sides, stuck together.

Is the vinyl part of the tent rotted or dry rotted or just mechanically torn?

If the rest of the tent end is in good shape, you can take off the tent material and either sew it at home, or look up a canvas place that might be able to stitch in some new material in the bad section.

Not sure what I am looking at by the hinge... certainly does not look much like my hinge on my 2014 model... not sure what the hole is in that area from.

Is the camper wall close (below) to that hinge area in good shape?

If the bunk door is soft in that area, I would take off the door and try to add some liquid epoxy designed to strengthen rotted wood areas and apply to strengthen that area and/or skin it with wither thin metal or 1/4" plywood.

More close-up pictures might help...

here is the wood epoxy I have used...

[LIW]

Awesome. Appreciate your reply.

The camper wall is fine. And the outside vinyl is fine. What you are looking at is the inside canvas, which is rotting/delaminating - not sure what word to use. Fortunately, the outside vinyl covers it, so that is good, but i still want the inside canvas (which again is rotting) to cover up any holes so mosquitos can't get in, or possibly rain.

So, based on your post, i'm thinking of looking for that tag to see who made the tent and see if they have some replacement canvas that i can sew in there. Does that sound like a viable option? And would you use any special thread/needle to sew it? (like the 'Speedy Stitcher'?)

Thoughts? Other suggestions?

Greatly appreciate your insights.....

[rsdata]

OK, after reading your reply, I think you are saying the torn material is NOT the screen that is on the tent sides, but the (in my case) cotton canvas that zips in the inside to block light and rain. My screen is on the outside, canvas on the inside. Canvas covers zip in and out from the INSIDE of the tent.

Brand new, this vinyl and canvas TENTING is sewn with a thick needle with COTTON thread. Once wet the thread will swell and close up the stitch hole... in a pinch, rub a candle or crayon edge and seal the stitch holes.

I think there is IRON-ON patches available in sewing stores, that adhere with heat...might be something to think of.

This hinge area on the bunk is critical to keep dry when stored as most DELAMINATION ( where fiberglass skin pulls away from wood/insulation core and bulges) happens in this area and weakens the hinge to the point of failure.

Anytime you get black mold/mildew on the tent make sure you get it dry and use something to kill that black mold, which sometimes forms in a matter of a couple of days. I use this stuff below that I get at Home Depot. Instant clean-up of black mold.

[rsdata]

a possible resource if you are thinking about replacement is this outfit...

Campers | Bear Creek Canvas

Although it says popup, it also says to call them if your tent is not listed.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by rsdata

a possible resource if you are thinking about replacement is this outfit...

Campers | Bear Creek Canvas

Although it says popup, it also says to call them if your tent is not listed.

They do have hybrid tent end replacements, as does this company:

http://canvasreplacements.com/

The problem is that Coachmen doesn't sell many hybrids, so both companies may not make any for your model.