Are pop-ups REALLY waterproof
Nobody@NOWHERE
thinking about looking at pop-ups but are they REALLY water proof? Do
they get "stinky" inside when it rains? Since I no longer believe
there is such a thing as a waterproof tent, i'm curious if a pop-up
would be a good alternative or is it just a way of getting wet AND
spending more money.
Help please!!
meldx
you'll be able to get in and see for yourself..
Mel
"Nobody@NOWHERE" wrote:
--
MELDX....FAMILY AND CAMPING SITE
http://www3.sympatico.ca/meldx
family e-mail: mailto: me...@sympatico.ca
camping-RV e-mail: mailto: camp...@gosympatico.ca
Rich C
"Nobody@NOWHERE" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:ls0iiv8nicuogfbs8...@4ax.com...
Yes they really are RAINPROOF. I say rainproof and not waterproof because
while rain will not get in, there are issues with humidity. We camp in
Florida and the south, and even with an air conditioner, the camper can get
"wet" inside from humidity. The newer tent fabric "breathes" and this allows
the microscopic water droplets in. Usually, unless the humidity is very bad,
the air conditioner will keep on top of it. If you camp in more northern
climes, this is not so much of a problem. I would still recommend an AC
unit, as it will also remove moisture in the air created by people. :)
To me, who has done both kinds of camping, the two biggest advantages of a
popup over a tent are:
1) You are up off the ground, so when the flood waters come rolling through,
your sleeping bag stays dry.
2) Popups come with something really nice--a mattress!
--
Rich C.
2003 Coleman Santa Fe CP \o/\o/
1999 Ford Explorer 4.0 OHC
Tom
Yes, they are. In a nasty rainstorm if you sleep leaning on the
canvas, you may get a little seepage. I understand a lot of the new
ones use different material, and may not do even that.
Tom
snow
am asking for it. They are waterproof.
Rich C
"Mark Filice hotmail.com>" <m_filice@<nospam> wrote in message
news:bgbi9...@drn.newsguy.com...
> 3) You can actually sit on a couch and get dressed. I just hate having to
> struggle into my clothes while sitting on the ground.
>
At least my tent was tall enough that I could stand up (in the middle only
but it was enough) while getting dressed.
Miles
Nobody@NOWHERE wrote:
I've never had water inside my tent trailers. Most tents lack
ventilation. So they make the tent material out of a breathable
semi-water proof fabric and use a rain fly over the top to keep rain
from entering. That works but often not that well.
Tent trailers have fully water proof fabric that is thick, not
lightweight like most tents. The tent/bed ends are sloped inward from
the top to its possible to have the end windows partly open for
ventilation even in light rain. With an awning its possible to open the
front windows and door for ventilation. The result is zero condensation
forming inside...a common problem with regular tents that use water
proof material.
We have slept through many nights in hard driving thunderstorms with no
water getting inside. You're also off the ground so no run off water
getting in.
jay
A> the have seams where the canvas/material is sewn together. If not
maintained it will leak.
B> like somebody mentioned if your against the sided some moisture can get
in.
I used my aunts jayco 8 years ago...after 3days of on/off rain it started to
drip on the bunk ends a bit. Just at the seams. On some pop-ups the seams
stand up on the bunks and create a little dam holding the water from running
off well.
I have a tent that does better, but it takes very carefull setup and
maintance. Even then if you get a three day rain it will leak just a
little.
--jay
(long time tenter, and pop-up camper)
"Nobody@NOWHERE" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:ls0iiv8nicuogfbs8...@4ax.com...
Thomas
Spend the money! No water yet after many heavy rains! Sometimes I beg
for the rain during the night. SOOOO relaxing. Thomas
Rich C
"jay" <jay.d...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:vrtWa.735$m3.3...@news7.onvoy.net...
>
> I used my aunts jayco 8 years ago...after 3days of on/off rain it started
to
> drip on the bunk ends a bit. Just at the seams. On some pop-ups the
seams
> stand up on the bunks and create a little dam holding the water from
running
> off well.
>
of, and thru the canvas itself if objects are allowed to contact the sides.
On my old Coleman (1983) with canvas tenting the bed was too short for me
and my pillows pushed out the side considerably. It WOULD have leaked, but
we put a tarp over the top for this reason and that we did not trust the
roof.
My new Coleman with the vinyl bunk end tops and lower side panels (where
stuff is likely to touch,) and sunbrella on the rest, did not leak AT ALL
during our our 21 day trip, 15 of which it rained. 3 of those days it rained
quite heavily, including the remnants of TS Bob on July 1st in northern
Georgia.
Scout
trip). Our seams have leaked some in the past, but I now seam-seal
regularly. We kept our AC on and we were cooool and dryyyyyy even when the
rain pounded so hard and loud that we could not have normal conversation.
We saw the poor folks in tents near us having a miserable time, and we were
glad our tenting days are over.
--
Scout
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"Nobody@NOWHERE" <nob...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:ls0iiv8nicuogfbs8...@4ax.com...
Michael Pitts
sometimes, but I avoid rainy weekends. I think I must have had some
experiences like yours. I have a Rockwood, and it has vinyl canvasing,
and I have been in some fairly severe rain and wind storms with it. No
leaks yet, so I think they are water proof if properly maintained. Look
for one with a solid roof instead of the ones with a seam on them.
Barb
for one with a solid roof instead of the ones with a seam on them>>
Are there big problems with seamed roofs if it is a quality pop up?
Barb- Loves to camp
Owner of lots of furry pets and 2 great kids
Marc
camper - but it was surprisingly dry.
Want camping in VT for 8 nights in my '88 coleman - rain at some point every
day. As mentioned the only water that came in was from a open screen panel.
Some fabrics will weap water through them is your resting something against
it.
I found a big help is to spray the crap out of the canvas sides with
scotchgaurd ( red can), it helps prevent the water from penitrating.
A./C is a big help in driving out the dampness from the camper too ( first
year with a/c in mine) - I can honestly say worth the money for helping keep
the humidity down & for drying it out before storing.
Scout
Even quality seams are holes in the fabric. My Jayco is a quality pop-up,
and if not maintained (application of seam sealer) occasionally, it will
drip. Someone else here mentioned another issue though, regarding Jayco,
and I concur: they tend to pool water on the canvas roof right at the seam.
That can't be good.
Scout
"Barb" <ltlh...@aol.comdotamus> wrote
Barb
Even quality seams are holes in the fabric. My Jayco is a quality pop-up,
and if not maintained (application of seam sealer) occasionally, it will
drip. Someone else here mentioned another issue though, regarding Jayco,
and I concur: they tend to pool water on the canvas roof right at the seam.
That can't be good.
Scout>>
Huh? I thought we were talking about the hard roof, not canvas? BTW, I have a
seamed roof on our Starcraft and have never had a leak.
Scout
And since most of the sleeping equipment is under the canvas, I would
imagine most consider that fairly important.
How old is your Starcraft? My Jayco is almost 10 years old and didn't leak
until the 6th year.
Scout
"Barb" <ltlh...@aol.comdotamus> wrote
Scout
Thread started about pop-ups, water proof or not, then redirected to the
solid vs seamed 'hard' top.
My Jayco is a seamed hard top and has never leaked a drop, including the ac
unit.
The canvas ends, however, leaked at seams after about 6 years.
Scout
Barb
Someone specifically made a comment about a one piece roof vs.seamed one. That
is what I was commenting on.
Barb
until the 6th year>>
4th year camping. No problems with leaking anywhere yet. We've had some nasty
storms pass through this summer too. When it turns 6 I guess we'll trade it in.
<G>
Bruce B. Dimon
You wrote:
> Just got back from ANOTHER rain filled tent camping adventure.
> I'm
> thinking about looking at pop-ups but are they REALLY water
> proof?
Our first trip in our Jayco pop-up coincided with the record for
rainfall in a 24-hour period for North Idaho. We were stuck in
that camper all weekend while the rain came down. It stayed dry
inside and the furnace kept us warm.
I know your pain & frustration from enduring a wet, cold night
in a tent. We decided that we disliked it too much to continue
tenting. Years ago a dripping, sopping tent was an adventure. Now
it just sucks.
A pop-up stays dry because the roof is solid and it's off the
ground. If you touch condensation on the canvas interior, a leak
will start, same as a canvas tent.
Get a furnace to dry out condensation and an awning so ou can
walk in & out without rain coming in the door.
Enjoy!
--
Bruce Breiðfjörð Dimon
bdimon @ icehouse . net
Post Falls, ID
1994 Jayco 1207
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Barb
in a tent. We decided that we disliked it too much to continue
tenting.>>
We finally had it while tenting and a huge storm passed through. All those pop
uppers were so happily dry and able to stand up and walk around, not a worry in
the world. After that storm we went out and started looking. We love it in our
popup.
Rich C
"Barb" <ltlh...@aol.comdotamus> wrote in message
news:20030804104649...@mb-m06.aol.com...
> <<I know your pain & frustration from enduring a wet, cold night
> in a tent. We decided that we disliked it too much to continue
> tenting.>>
>
> We finally had it while tenting and a huge storm passed through. All those
pop
> uppers were so happily dry and able to stand up and walk around, not a
worry in
> the world. After that storm we went out and started looking. We love it in
our
> popup.
>
Almost forgot one of the biggest pains with tenting in a heavy
rain--TRENCHING!
We stayed at Lime Rock Park in CT one rainy Memorial Day weekend. These cars
run in the rain, so the weather did not spoil the racing, but I just
remember using one of those 2-piece boy scout shovels to dig huge trenches
around our tent so the water did not seep underneath.
With our popup there's no more of that. Plus they keep the campsite
environment nicer because you don't have to dig it up to stay dry. And you
don't need to lug heavy construction equipment with you. There's more room
for creature comforts like a TV and a portable stereo.
Barb
rain--TRENCHING>>
And a lot of campgrounds don't like that. I remember having to find a perfect
spot and clearing it from rocks and sticks and there was always that big rock
in your back that you forgot to remove. Yes, I love it in a waterproof popup.
al...@gpacable.com
Mine is 31 years old, with a seam. No leaks in all that time.
Tom
al...@gpacable.com
regarding seams. However, my 31 year old didn't leak at the canvas
seams either. I did replace this year the canvas from Bear Creek
Canvas, and the instructions said specifically to not use any kind of
sealer on it anywhere, including the seams. The owner of BCC told me
one reason canvas shrinks up and doesn't fit over time is because
various sealers are applied to it. This applies only to canvas. I know
nothing about the other fabrics.
Tom
On Mon, 4 Aug 2003 05:22:34 -0400, "Scout" <Scout...@hotmail.com>
wrote:
Scout
Matt Lavigne
My wife and I camp with the Texins Dive Club, out of Dallas, TX. They
go out each month to a lake in the N. Texas area for a weekend
camp-out and diving. We've been tenting it for a lot of years. After
taking several years off, we rejoined the campouts this summer. While
we were away, most of our peers have bought pop-ups. There must of
been 12 of them at the July dive.
Upon arrival at the campground on the Friday night, Susan and I toured
several of the pop-ups. When we got to number 6 or so, I realized
that we would probably be getting one. A friend invited us to stay in
his pop-up that Saturday night, but we declined. I don't know what
would have been more convincing: staying in Jeff's trailer or NOT
staying in Jeff's trailer. You see, the thunderstorm at 8:30 Sunday
morning blew our tent over on top of us! We evacuated to the pick-up,
but everything was drenched.
We now have a Coleman Carmel. Took it out this past weekend on its
maiden voyage and it was FABULOUS. Compared to tenting, this is
luxury at an almost sinful level. Towing was easy with my pick-up.
In addition to all the members of the Dive Club who shared their
knowledge, I would like to thank the contributors to this list. We
spent a lot of time reading past posts and learned an enourmous
amount. Can't imagine making this purchase without y'all!
Matt & Susan Lavigne
2003 Coleman Carmel
1998 GMC Sierra 1500
mattlavigne&yahooNS.com <remove the NS>
ltlh...@aol.comdotamus (Barb) wrote :
Barb
morning blew our tent over on top of us!>>
Seems a huge thunderstorm passing over while tenting is a huge theme in
deciding on getting a pop up. ;)
jay
Neither leaked, but the tent felt safer. Why? because the camper moved and
the tent stayed in one spot. Neither of them are good spots to be during
these storms but given the tenting was in Canada and the BWCA we didn't have
much choice. In both cases we where on an island. the popup experience was
N Wisconsin back in some remote NF campground.
Granted I have a $350 tent. It has been a wonderful tent. It is supposed
to sleep 8, but a family of 4 works nice. The tent did sleep 10 one time
or was that 11...that was a bit too much and one guy opted for the car in
the middle of the night....
--jay
"Barb" <ltlh...@aol.comdotamus> wrote in message
news:20030805180515...@mb-m02.aol.com...
William L. Toth
ltlh...@aol.comdotamus says...
> Seems a huge thunderstorm passing over while tenting is a huge theme in
> deciding on getting a pop up. ;)
>
> Barb- Loves to camp
> Owner of lots of furry pets and 2 great kids
>
>
>
I find the mention of AC works for a number of prospective buyers.
Barb
Oh I can see that especially if you live in the south. We just wanted something
that got us off the ground. Haven't even used the fridge, it stores books and
magna doodles and etch a sketches.
Steve Silverwood
says...
> Yes they really are RAINPROOF. I say rainproof and not waterproof because
> while rain will not get in, there are issues with humidity. We camp in
> Florida and the south, and even with an air conditioner, the camper can get
> "wet" inside from humidity. The newer tent fabric "breathes" and this allows
> the microscopic water droplets in. Usually, unless the humidity is very bad,
> the air conditioner will keep on top of it. If you camp in more northern
> climes, this is not so much of a problem. I would still recommend an AC
> unit, as it will also remove moisture in the air created by people. :)
Good point. We had a humidity problem in our pop-up the first time we
took it out and slept with all the windows closed up. Solved the
problem, though, by putting in a small electric heater. Since we don't
dry-camp much, we use the heater even if it's a comfortable temperature
outside. If we keep the tent just a few degrees above the ambient
temperature, we don't get all the condensation. Works well.
> To me, who has done both kinds of camping, the two biggest advantages of a
> popup over a tent are:
>
> 1) You are up off the ground, so when the flood waters come rolling through,
> your sleeping bag stays dry.
>
> 2) Popups come with something really nice--a mattress!
Amen to both! (With my back problems, I doubt I'd survive sleeping on
the ground, even if I had a good pad.)
--
-- //Steve//
Steve Silverwood, KB6OJS
Fountain Valley, CA
'97 Voyager minivan towing '96 Jayco 8' Eagle tent trailer
Email: kb6...@arrl.net
Web: http://home.earthlink.net/~kb6ojs_steve
Steve Silverwood
nob...@nowhere.com says...
> Just got back from ANOTHER rain filled tent camping adventure. I'm
> they get "stinky" inside when it rains? Since I no longer believe
> there is such a thing as a waterproof tent, i'm curious if a pop-up
> would be a good alternative or is it just a way of getting wet AND
> spending more money.
They get stinky if you put them away wet and allow mildew to take hold.
(Of course, mildew can rot your canvas, too.) We take good care of our
camping equipment. -- if we have to crank it down in the rain, we make
sure to open it up as soon as the weather's clear to make sure that the
canvas dries out thoroughly. If any mildew formed, we get rid of it
right away. We do this for both the tent trailer and the canvas tent we
use when the whole extended family is out camping (the trailer won't
hold everyone at night).
Steve Silverwood
mdp...@webtv.net says...
> I own a pop up, but I still have my tent, and I still like to use it
> sometimes, but I avoid rainy weekends.
Likewise. As I said earlier, we only take the tent out when we need
extra room for the kids, and then only when it's supposed to be fair
weather.
Then again, we don't PLAN to go camping in the rain, either.... ;-)
Steve Silverwood
hotmail.com> says...
> 3) You can actually sit on a couch and get dressed. I just hate having to
> struggle into my clothes while sitting on the ground.
Yeah, that's a nice plus, too.
> 4) I store 90% of my camping equipment necessary for the trip in the popup, so I
> don't have to take everything out of the truck after camping like I did when I
> had a tent.
We do the same for the bulkier items that we take EVERY time. We do
leave out the folding canvas chairs, though, because we wind up taking
them with us to Little League and soccer games when the grandkids are
playing. And it's easy enough to just open the door, toss 'em in, close
up and hit the road.
And...
5) If the weather's bad outside, we can sit inside and read, play games
or whatnot on the table. No need for dragging along a table and chairs
to use in the tent -- or worse, doing so on the ground.
Ed H
damp and chilly, the warmer environment inside the camper will cause
condensation to form on the tenting if the camper is not vented. This
happened to us last Columbus day weekend and once the condensation formed,
we could not get rid of it. It rained on our faces with every gust of wind
for three nights. Now with a little ventilation, we have no trouble.
--
Ed H
2001 Rockwood 1950
1994 Ford Explorer XLT
"Bruce B. Dimon" <bdimRE...@iceREMOVEhouse.net> wrote in message
news:BB51F...@iceREMOVEhouse.net...