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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. |
