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ABOUT CANVAS TENTS -
"Finished size" of a tent is the size after
it is sewn together. Canvas is 100% cotton and
cotton shrinks. You should expect your tent to
be smaller after the tent has been
preconditioned.
SHRINKAGE -
All tents made from natural fibers, like cotton,
will shrink and this will affect the "finished
size" measurements of the tent. The exact amount
of shrinkage is impossible to predict.
PRECONDITIONING YOUR TENT -
In order for your tent to have its own natural
water repellency, the tent must be wet down
thoroughly to allow the fibers to swell and
shrink to a tighter weave. The easiest way to do
this is to set the tent up, you must guy out the
sides, the front end and the back end, and stake
down the bottom if using a freestanding frame.
If you do not guy the sides, the roof may sag
and water could collect above the eaves causing
the frame to collapse under the weight. . Before
wetting down the tent, zip the door shut. If the
front corners of the tent is guyed out too
tightly toward the sides, the zipper door may
not operate smoothly. Check the tent often to
make sure it is not straining or sagging. If
using a freestanding frame be sure to allow your
tent to dry thoroughly on the frame before
putting it away. NEVER PUT A DAMP TENT INTO
STORAGE.
FREESTANDING FRAMES -
Because of the unpredictability of fabric as to
shrinkage, it is almost impossible to get an
exact fit on any tent frame. Our years of
experience with fabrics have given us an
"average" shrinkage factor. This average is what
we use when figuring what measurements to use
when making frames. However, there are still
times when some adjustment of your framework
will be necessary to get a good fit. The best
time to decide if adjustment is necessary is
after the tent has been set up on the frame, wet
down and dried thoroughly. When using a free
standing frame, it will be necessary to use a
fly or tarp over the top of the tent. If the
tent roof is allowed to rest on the rafters,
water will have a tendency to "wick" through and
you will get drips inside the tent. A fly will
keep the roof of the tent dry and wicking will
not occur.
MILDEW -
One of the most common problems that occur
in canvas is mildew. Even if the tent or tipi is
made of a fabric that is mildew resistant, it
will mildew if left damp. Mildew is very
destructive to cotton fabrics as well as other
materials. Mildew usually forms when tents are
put in storage when damp but it can start while
set up for no apparent reason. Mildew can start
in a very short time and under certain
conditions of humidity and temperature. If
mildew has started to grow, it can be stopped
from spreading by thoroughly drying the tent,
preferably in the hot sun and applying a cleaner
such as IOSSO Tent & Camping Gear Cleaner®. This
cleaner is made to remove tough dirt and mildew
stains. Afterwards you may find it necessary to
treat the tent with a water-repellent compound
such as Canvak®. If using another treatment, be
sure to read the label to make sure it is safe
for use on canvas. After any treatment has been
applied, make sure the tent dries completely
before putting into storage. If the tent is left
up for an extended period of time be certain to
occasionally air out the tent so that the
humidity inside the tent, from cooking, bodies,
etc, can dry. Keeping grass and weeds trimmed
around the bottom of the tent is also important
since dampness clings to foliage and does not
allow air to get to the fabric. Do not delay in
drying your tent when you get home!!!
WOOD BURNING STOVES -
Always use caution when using a wood burning
stove in your tent. Even flame retardant fabrics
will burn when in contact with a flame source.
Unless flame retardant material is specifically
ordered, we use non-flame material in our tents.
With a little care and common sense you will
have no problem with these fabrics. There are
several things you can do to reduce the chance
of damage when using a stove in your tent.
Sparks and embers that make it out of the
stovepipe and fall back on the tent are the main
problem. Remember to set the tent up so the
prevailing wind will blow sparks away from the
tent and not onto it. Use of a spark arrester
cap over your stovepipe is highly recommended
and in fact, required in National Forests.
Additionally, it helps to put small holes in the
stovepipe above the ridgeline. This provides
oxygen for more complete combustion of the
sparks before they leave the pipe.
WINDS -
Intense winds can cause extensive damage to your
tent and frames. Be sure to set you tent up
using all the stakes and ropes provided, even if
using a freestanding frame. It will be necessary
to also guy the tent out front and back using
the grommets provided in the ends of the ridge
if used in windy conditions. Frequently checking
the stakes and tightening the guy ropes if they
loosen during periods of high winds will keep
things together.
SNOW LOAD - Snow should not be allowed to
accumulate on the tent. The simplest and most
economic method of dealing with snow is to use a
common plastic tarp as a tent fly. It not only
provides a waterproof and slippery surface for
snow to slide off of, but also provides an air
space for greater warmth in the tent. If
possible, maintain an air space between the fly
and the tent roof to increase breathability and
insulation. If you do not like the looks or
noise of the plastic flys, Reliable does offer a
woven fabric (XL-Tex) that is made to fit the
configuration of the tents and will provide
excellent protection.
Proper use and care of your tent will insure
many seasons of camping pleasure. |
