Bunk end seasoning/maintenance products.

RichDesiletsJr233S · 03-23-2016, 09:18 AM

I am totally new to hybrids. I have a 2016 Rockwood Roo 233S. With 3 bunk ends I'm sure I will have a good amount of maintenance. Aside from:

1- seasoning/wetting the seams.
2- ensuring to store the canvas dry.
3 - general cleaning.

Are there waterproofing or other products I should use to maintain??

Thanks!

Rich

jking46 · 03-23-2016, 12:42 PM

You shouldn't need waterproofing products. The tenting material is not the old time canvas. Water should run right off.
You will need to buy a cleaner/ conditioner for the bed end and slide seals. They need to stay clean and pliable to ensure a perfect seal. Otherwise, water intrusion. I don't remember the name of the product I bought and the camper is still in storage, but I got it at my dealer. I'm sure any dealer will have a similar product in stock.
Can't think of anything else specific to hybrids. Go have fun.

RooVader · 03-23-2016, 01:06 PM

Don't panic on the first heavy rain. I thought I had sprayed mine down nicely and I had a meltdown when the first heavy rain had water coming in everywhere. Clearly I didn't season it enough because it has been dry as a bone ever since that soaking rain and i have been in some nasty storms. I think it was just hard to simulate that kind of soaking but I am pretty impatient and no one should ever hire me as a bunk seasoner.

RichDesiletsJr233S · 03-23-2016, 01:15 PM

Thank you guys! After reading other comments I was starting to worry about what I was getting myself into. My wife and I loved the aspect of "tenting" and the room a hybrid provides!!

jking46 · 03-23-2016, 03:09 PM

One thing I forgot....be extremely careful when you raise the bed ends. Be sure no tenting is closed in the door seal. Don't want to be Mr Obvious here but that would keep the bunks from sealing leading to water intrusion. Usually wife is inside tucking in the tenting while I raise the bed. It's worked for us and no water the first 2 years of ownership.

RACarvalho · 03-23-2016, 03:15 PM

On my tents I used a Ozark product that Walmart sells to seal seams... It worked very well for years. Have anybody used something like this?
Is it really necessary "seasoning"?

jking46 · 03-23-2016, 03:56 PM

It is necessary to season the tenting. Actually, you aren't seasoning the tenting...just the stitching. The thread will expand after exposure to heavy water application. After they expand, you shouldn't get any water through the stitching.

RACarvalho · 03-23-2016, 05:55 PM

Why not use a stitching sealant instead of season?
I have a tent that I used this sealant several years ago and it still doesn't leak even under heavy rain...
Just trying to understand.

Tks,

RichDesiletsJr233S · 03-23-2016, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RACarvalho

Why not use a stitching sealant instead of season?
I have a tent that I used this sealant several years ago and it still doesn't leak even under heavy rain...
Just trying to understand.

Tks,

Great question! I have zero experience. Interested to learn.

**bikendan** · 03-23-2016, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RACarvalho

Why not use a stitching sealant instead of season?
I have a tent that I used this sealant several years ago and it still doesn't leak even under heavy rain...
Just trying to understand.

Tks,

Hybrid and also popup tent ends are designed not to need seam sealers.
but it shouldn't hurt to use them.

i recommend doing the seasoning first, to see if it does the trick.
you can always do the seam sealer later, if you still have issues.

RichDesiletsJr233S · 03-23-2016, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

Hybrid and also popup tent ends are designed not to need seam sealers.

but it shouldn't hurt to use them.

i recommend doing the seasoning first, to see if it does the trick.

you can always do the seam sealer later, if you still have issues.

Awesome. Thanks!

RACarvalho · 03-23-2016, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

Hybrid and also popup tent ends are designed not to need seam sealers.
but it shouldn't hurt to use them.

i recommend doing the seasoning first, to see if it does the trick.
you can always do the seam sealer later, if you still have issues.

One thing I learned with boats is that leaking is always something fixed after the fact... We only know that it is leaking when your mattress / pillow, etc is wet... so I took the decision to be preventive since day one.
In 1999 I bought a brand new tent and besides the fact that the manufacturer had a long explanation on how their new system would prevent leaking, I bought bathroom silicone (the one that comes with anti-mold stuff) and sealed all the seams from inside.
It was difficult because this silicone is thick, etc...
Last year we threw this tent in the garbage (the roof canvas was so thin after these years that ripped by itself) after 15 years of camping w/o any leak. I spent 2 hours of work in 1999 and had 15 years of peace of mind...
In 2009 we bought a second tent and used the Ozark sealant and so far the tent (a cheap Ozark model) is leak proof. We took some really heavy storms in Florida and no leaking...
To make a long story short: we should pick up our 23IKSS in 2 weeks and I intent to call the canvas manufacturer and get authorization to use the sealant. If he grants it, this will be my first action when bringing the TT home.

Just sharing so maybe some can benefit or share their experience too.

Tks,

deartruc · 03-23-2016, 09:31 PM

FR does use a seam sealer. You will find it where the tent meets the door. So, I'm sure the dealer has it.

Dave Lyon · 03-24-2016, 12:02 PM

Buy yourself a set of PUGs as well. They have many benefits, including protecting your bunk ends.

Kanga99 · 03-24-2016, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichDesiletsJr233S

I am totally new to hybrids. I have a 2016 Rockwood Roo 233S. With 3 bunk ends I'm sure I will have a good amount of maintenance. Aside from:

1- seasoning/wetting the seams.
2- ensuring to store the canvas dry.
3 - general cleaning.

Are there waterproofing or other products I should use to maintain??

Thanks!

Rich

I followed the advice and instructions that FR have in the manual and got mine good and wet two times. I actually hooked up a lawn sprinkler and let it run for probably and hour for each end. Then let it dry a couple days and repeat.

Always ensure your ends are dry before storing. If we need to break camp with wet tend ends, they are opened the first chance we get.

I have not really needed to clean them at all so can't help on that part.

A great trick when closing the ends it to close all the windows, turn on the exhaust fans and close the door. You can see the slack get sucked in as the air is drawn out of the trailer. Then it is super easy to tuck in any remaining slack as you close the ends.

2X on the PUGS. They really keep your fabric clean and perhaps add to the comfort a bit but that is hard to tell. I will test the reflectivity theory this summer in Florida. Get the super high wind version. Well worth the money. I put them on any time we are staying somewhere for more than a night or two, especially when under trees.

DocRob · 03-24-2016, 02:49 PM

Others posted a trick that I will pass on to you concerning closing the bunks as not to get the fabric in the seals.
First of course remove the support pole and fold down the end frame then:

1. close all the windows, screens, etc.
2. open one or both of your exhaust fans and put them on high.
3. close the main door from the outside.
4. slowly lift the bunk ends and latch them shut.
Done except turning off the fans.

If you want to see how well this works get someone else to lift the bunk ends while your inside. It's wild how well the fans draw the fabric in so that none ends up in the seal areas.

As others have stated the "new" fabric is a plastic product and while you can spray sealer on the seams the fabric doesn't require any special treatment. The rubber seals can be treated with ArmorAll type products to protect them against deterioration.

I did notice that some water will enter the ends if you close them wet. I think it's on the screens and runs in along the zippers when the ends go vertical.

Happy Camping

RichDesiletsJr233S · 03-24-2016, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lyon

Buy yourself a set of PUGs as well. They have many benefits, including protecting your bunk ends.

What are PUGs? I apologize if it's a dumb question. I haven't heard this term before.

**bikendan** · 03-24-2016, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichDesiletsJr233S

What are PUGs? I apologize if it's a dumb question. I haven't heard this term before.

PUGS is Popup Gizmos.
Check out their website for info.
A quick search here will bring up thousands of posts about them.
They are talked about here probably every week.

RACarvalho · 03-27-2016, 09:45 PM

Just a follow up.
I picked up my 23IKSS yesterday and the manual do say to season the tent ends.
It also says that if after 2 seasoning it still leaks, we should use one of those (do not specify) tent sealers sold in the market....

wicked1 · 03-28-2016, 09:27 AM

I open mine before I go out every time to clean and spray with water then I dry them off before folding. I only use warm water with OxiClean mix and it works well, and use a rag to wash it no brush, also rinse it carefully and dry it as best as you can. I also check all the seals and material to make sure it is seated correctly and have not had one leak even in 25 degree weather. A little prep time before and after each trip to clean them goes a long way from what I have seen.

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