New Kelty Tent - care for first use

tpicciani · 08-09-2011, 05:32 PM

Hello. I'm new to this forum.

I'm actually an amateur astronomer who's been tent/car camping in select dark sky locations for almost 20 years. I camp during star party gatherings of anywhere from 10 to 200 people, depending on the event and the weather. I use a large tent, admittedly overkill for a single person, to allow setup of both cot and table and chair.

Recently, my 5 year old Columbia Cougar Flats tent had the rain fly tear. Then it leaked over the other half of the tent where my cot and sleeping bag was. Not too bad but enough to perterb me. I think I ruined the rain fly with silicone spray (mostly Camp Dry). It appears brittle and it split along the pocket where the rain fly pole went in as well as two parallel slits a few inches higher up the fly. Since I've already replaced 5 poles in the last 5 years due to high winds, I've decided enough is enough.

So I bought a Kelty Palisades 8. Will be setting it up in back yard to see how it goes together. I used to own a 4 man Kelty back in the early 90's and remembered it to be excellent.

My question is should I weatherproof it and would Nikwax solar be a safe and proper spray? If so, would I need 2 bottles? Or should I leave it alone for the first year. I do tend to occasionally touch walls by accident so the idea of leaving them untreated makes me wonder if that's OK.

FYI, my camping location is the Northeast, usually northern Pa, western Ma, and eastern Maryland.

Thanks for any advice,

Tom P.

Grandpa · 08-09-2011, 06:25 PM

I would make sure the seams were sealed but other than that, leave it alone. Nikwax makes a good product but the way you described your previous tent sounds like you have overdone the weather treatments. Brittle? Cracked? Parallel splits? Also, if you are breaking that many poles, first, check your pitching and striking procedures. Are you putting too much stress on the poles at this time? and second, do you have all your tie downs in place during winds? One or the other has to be the reason for so many poles to break.

tpicciani · 08-09-2011, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandpa

I would make sure the seams were sealed but other than that, leave it alone. Nikwax makes a good product but the way you described your previous tent sounds like you have overdone the weather treatments. Brittle? Cracked? Parallel splits? Also, if you are breaking that many poles, first, check your pitching and striking procedures. Are you putting too much stress on the poles at this time? and second, do you have all your tie downs in place during winds? One or the other has to be the reason for so many poles to break.

Thanks. As to the poles breaking, in almost every case I was dealing with 40-50 mph winds so I suppose some of the breakage was expected. I do stake every guy rope and every hold down. I've also lost an easy-up awning and a Kelty shade house, torn to shreds by wind. Those weren't guy roped. Oops!

This is the first version of the Cougar Flats tent. A search on the web showed that 1. the rain fly seams tend to leak a lot, and 2. poles tend to break on this model. The 2 places that the poles broke were in the bay windows and on the roof cross poles. They're thin. Window poles broke in winds, just snapping under pressure, even when held down with guy ropes. Roof poles split down length, found after taking down tent.

Also, water pools above window on outside between the roof mesh and the seam above the window.

Yes, I used too much spray. I have to admit guilt there. Sprayed fly 3 times over 5 years. Had to. Got wet after a year of use. Seams were not very well done so I had only so many options.

Anyway, 15 pole tent goes in back of shed. New Kelty is here. I think I'll leave tent untreated as suggested. Ground cloth for sure. Might get a bathroom throw rug or two for inside. Easier to pack than another tarp.

Thanks for suggestions.

Tom P.

Grandpa · 08-09-2011, 07:53 PM

Ahhh, If the poles are known to be weak, that would explain it.

By the way, Tom, welcome to OBC forums. I'm sure you have some great experiences to share. The sky and stars are of interest to all who spend time outdoors.

tpicciani · 08-09-2011, 08:26 PM

Thanks. This is my 20th year doing amateur astronomy. Just got back from the Berkshires and had a great time both visiting the area's restaurants and doing night-time observing. As for my favorite spot, Cherry Springs State Park, in Potter County, Pa. the skies are so dark it's a religious experience. The stars are so bright I sometimes can't make out the constellations.

Tom P.

IndianaHiker · 08-09-2011, 09:33 PM

Welcome to the forums Tom. I have to wonder of the fly became brittle more due to time and UV rays over the 5 years. I have used the Camp Dry and never had that problem very interesting. On the backpacking tent I used to carry once a year I sealed the seams and sprayed camp dry on the fly but can't recall doing that more than once a year. However that being said as stated just seal the seams and you should be fine.

Would be interesting to camp with you or someone that share your hobby. As a backpacker I often found myself out away from light pollution but never really now what I am looking at when looking at the stars.

tpicciani · 08-10-2011, 09:37 AM

You may have a point about the UV rays. I always camp in the open field with no shade available. Also, since the center guy rope connects right below where the tears happened, I'm sure the stress of that connection contributed to the tears. Anyway, I get to play with new tent this weekend, which is usually pretty comical. Only 2 weeks till the Black Forest Star Party. Last I heard, 450 people registered!

Tom P.