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Old 11-26-2013, 07:51 PM   #1
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problems in cold weather

Does the canvas shrink in cold weather? Setting up at campground in below 40 degree weather. Had to force bunks to open fully and couldnt latch the shepard hooks to ceiling. Also seemed that roof couldnt raise completely.
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Old 11-26-2013, 08:25 PM   #2
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Canvas isn't the only thing that'll shrink severely at that temperature!

Because the canvas is so cold and stiff it would be very difficult to stretch it enough to set-up properly.

Camping in a tent camper at -40F...you're a braver man than I.!

Dave
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Old 11-26-2013, 08:31 PM   #3
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Canvas isn't the only thing that'll shrink severely at that temperature!

Because the canvas is so cold and stiff it would be very difficult to stretch it enough to set-up properly.

Camping in a tent camper at -40F...you're a braver man than I.!

Dave
Not -40°, below 40°.
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Old 11-26-2013, 08:33 PM   #4
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Not -40°, below 40°.
Good catch, delta 80 burr!!
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Old 11-26-2013, 08:42 PM   #5
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Oops! As Rosanne Roseannadanna would say...



Oh.........never mind!
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Old 11-26-2013, 08:45 PM   #6
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Canvas isn't the only thing that'll shrink severely at that temperature!

Because the canvas is so cold and stiff it would be very difficult to stretch it enough to set-up properly.

Camping in a tent camper at -40F...you're a braver man than I.!

Dave
I didnt word that very well.
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Old 11-26-2013, 08:49 PM   #7
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Oops! As Rosanne Roseannadanna would say...

Oh.........never mind!
Now you're just making me feel old.
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Old 11-26-2013, 08:49 PM   #8
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I didnt word that very well.
It just that I'm from the Great White North!

Below 40 and 40 below are definitely quite different!

Dave
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Old 11-26-2013, 08:51 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Dave_Monica View Post
Canvas isn't the only thing that'll shrink severely at that temperature!

Because the canvas is so cold and stiff it would be very difficult to stretch it enough to set-up properly.

Camping in a tent camper at -40F...you're a braver man than I.!

Dave
When I was a scout leader we camped at Gettysburg in 20 degree temps. The propane for the stoves was freezing we had to wait for the temp to rise before cooking.
Sleeping was not bad, the mummy bags are good for 0 degree temps. Just really hard to get out of them in the morning. The boys would not crawl out until we made a campfire.
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Old 11-26-2013, 09:34 PM   #10
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I am in pigeon forge right now. It is 30 now and will be down into the teens tomorrow night. With snow. I have both sets of the popup gizmos, set for top of bunks and a set for inside the bunks. They are keeping us incredibly warm. Best investment for my camper I have ever made.
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Old 11-26-2013, 10:24 PM   #11
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I seem to recall the instructions with my last trailer specifically saying not to completely raise the roof below 40 degrees or so. Something about the window vinyl cracking if it got too cold....probably from being stretched tight and shrinking a little while being more brittle than the canvas.
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Old 11-26-2013, 10:34 PM   #12
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I seem to recall the instructions with my last trailer specifically saying not to completely raise the roof below 40 degrees or so. Something about the window vinyl cracking if it got too cold....probably from being stretched tight and shrinking a little while being more brittle than the canvas.
I had no issues with that. I guess that makes sense, but I have never heard that before. I would think that it would be the opposite: not to lower roof in freezing weather because of vinyl windows. Raising it would be okay because in a closed camper the temperature would be higher (I think, because not exposed to the elements?). Me no good with science stuff.
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Old 11-27-2013, 09:41 AM   #13
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Cold... shrink... stiff... So many possible jokes here...
We camp in 5 degrees F or colder all the time. Once the heater gets going, things usually loosen up.
My classmate from Alaska had -70 F once. No propane at all, and all the fiberglass on the shell of his class C cracked while going over the bumps!
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Old 11-27-2013, 10:23 AM   #14
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I had no issues with that. I guess that makes sense, but I have never heard that before. I would think that it would be the opposite: not to lower roof in freezing weather because of vinyl windows. Raising it would be okay because in a closed camper the temperature would be higher (I think, because not exposed to the elements?). Me no good with science stuff.
The manual states that the windows have a -20F cold crack and not to crank your tent up to maximum height in extremely cold weather (defined as 0 degrees). You will risk cracking your windows otherwise. As long as the temps stay above 0F, it looks like not much to worry about.
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Old 11-27-2013, 10:23 AM   #15
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Get things most of the way set up turn heat on full, let warm up for a little while and canvas will expand then finish hooking it. Oh while the heat is on you will want to start the campfire and sit next to it or you will roast in the trailer. This should help so you don't rip anything.
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Old 11-27-2013, 10:50 AM   #16
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You'll be fine, we've camp at temps significantly lower than that our both our 1977 Bonair Pop Up and our newer Sun Valley Pop Up. The Sunbrella material stayed quite supple. Enjoy the cold weather camping!
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Old 11-27-2013, 10:52 AM   #17
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...because in a closed camper the temperature would be higher (I think, because not exposed to the elements?). Me no good with science stuff.
A closed camper will have the same temperature inside as outside. Assuming, of course, there is not a heater running inside.

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Old 11-27-2013, 09:03 PM   #18
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Cold... shrink... stiff... So many possible jokes here...
We camp in 5 degrees F or colder all the time. Once the heater gets going, things usually loosen up.
My classmate from Alaska had -70 F once. No propane at all, and all the fiberglass on the shell of his class C cracked while going over the bumps!
You mean like "I was in the pool!" LOL.
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