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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. |
