Wet Tent Ends

[mjw1048]

So...we took our new camper out for an extended trip last week. First time it's been in the rain. After a decent (not too heavy) rain, I noticed the inside section of my tent end was saturated. It's just on one half. I put a rag under it to keep the mattress from getting wet. When we came home, I put up the camper, everything was dry, etc. I got the hose out and wet it down again to see if it would happen again and it did. Its just one section of a tent end, not all of them.

Has anyone else ever had this problem? I called the dealer and I'm taking it in for them to inspect next weekend. When I first got the camper i lightly sprayed it down to "seal up" the ends and didn't notice any problems. Any advice? The camper is new and still under warranty.

[Trevor43]

How old is the camper and when was the last time you water proofed the canvas section of your window?

[mjw1048]

It's a 2014 that i purchased in January. I wet the tent ends down in April when it warmed up enough. Didn't notice any leaking/saturation at that time. I also purchased a protective coating/spray, etc. at the dealership to prevent the black streak marks.

Should you have to waterproof a brand new canvas?

[Trevor43]

Probably not but the portion over the window is just canvas and not canvas backed vinyl........I haven't had to do it yet either on my 2014 but it is something I would consider as a yearly thing.

[gettawaydriver]

Little bit of scotch guard works great for window canvas. Welcome to pop-ups where water will forever be your nemesis.
If you do scotch guard a bit on the cushions is a good idea too.


2006 Flagstaff 228D pup, 2012 F-150 Eco-boost Crew tv

[bikendan]

it sounds like the dealer didn't inform you that you needed to "season" the canvas ends before going camping.
there also should be a sheet from the canvas manufacturer, in your owner's manual paperwork, recommending you do this.

you're supposed to completely wet down the canvas and allow to dry, BEFORE you go out camping. this allows the threads to swell and fill the seam holes.
there's no need to "waterproof" modern vinyl/canvas.

secondly, are you sure it's not a result of condensation, since you mentioned that it was on the inside of the canvas.
if you don't use Popup Gizmos and don't allow for air movement, you'll probably get condensation.

[Trevor43]

It has more to do with the thread used and not the actual canvas......the thread swells when it gets wet and seals the hole it is in.

[mjw1048]

I'm 100% certain it's not condensation. I wasnt' running the A/C when I came home and wet the canvas down again to see if it would soak thru. I did "season" the tent ends back in April before taking it out and no issues were noted at that time.

Strange how it's only soaking thru on one half of the side. You can clearly see "the line" between the wet and dry side of the canvas.

You are right about one thing...the deal should have told me that, however I learned that I was to 'season' the tent ends on this website. The dealer was horrible.

[jpfaff88]

We just bought a hw276 and same thing..wet on left and right sides of bunk ends.no vinyl on sides ..only ends of bunks

[exploreco]

We bought our new pop up in November and have spent a very rainy week this week with no issues like what you are showing. We have had many storms with driving rain and no wet canvas. Just one corner had some dampness. Our dealer sets them up until they are bought I think. Ours had been up a month or two and the canvas seems to be properly seasoned.

[rdrcamp]

We just bought a 2013 HW276 and it's been dry through the past couple of rainstorms. Now if I could only get the lift winch to work properly...

[dalew20121]

We had condensation on the ceiling tent ends


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[rockfordroo]

I don't think you seasoned your tent well enough. Get them real wet and let them dry.

Condensation is due to lack of ventilation. You may need to crack open the window at the end of the bunk and running the bath fan.

[jpfaff88]

I wonder why every window is vinyl covered but the bunk end sides are plain canvas? Makes no sense..

[exploreco]

Originally Posted by jpfaff88

I wonder why every window is vinyl covered but the bunk end sides are plain canvas? Makes no sense..

That is how every pop up I have owned has been. This is my third and all have been different brand and all have been canvas.