Tent question - seam sealer required?

[Biker George]

Hello -

I recently got a Mountain Hardware Wedge 3 tent. Seems pretty cool to me...

My backpacking friends insist that I should apply seam sealant immediately - before I use the tent.

I have bought the sealant and plan on doing so, but my question is this:

Does everyone routinely seal the seams on their tents before use, or is that something that only "picky people" do? As you might expect, I prefer a tent to keep me dry.

:tent7:

Your thoughts are solicited.

Regards to all,

-Geo

[Tombstone]

Better to be safe than sorry.....I seam seal every tent before use and about every two years after that. Many campers do it more often.

[Trekker]

Yep.... It's easy insurance. Every two years min sounds about right.

[Trailace]

I did mine first thing.:D

[JCS]

Agreed on first thing and about every two years.

[sandman]

I didn't last year...Now I do, don't ask why.


Gordon

[Dread]

I didn't last year...Now I do, don't ask why.


Gordon

:D I just got a Eureka Zeuse 1LE.... I won't ask why, I'll just seal it up. :D

[Mellow]

Hmmm... Guess what I'm gonna do when I get home today... LOL

[motomac]

I guess I'd better take my sealer along to Stagecoach and when I get the tent set up apply the stuff. I've had my Eureka Apex 2 for several years and never been in rain yet. I guess that can change at any time, so I will seal the seams. Thanks for the heads-up. :storm1:

[Trailace]

I guess I'd better take my sealer along to Stagecoach and when I get the tent set up apply the stuff. I've had my Eureka Apex 2 for several years and never been in rain yet. I guess that can change at any time, so I will seal the seams. Thanks for the heads-up. :storm1:
You might get a bonus High from the sealer. :p

[apopj]

I have always sealed mine as soon as I get home.... Once I use it, it is wet (it always rains the first time!!) so to make sure I stay dry, it is sealed immediately. I have a single wall Zeus and it has always kept me nice and dry, no condensation, no leaks... Jeff

[Mellow]

I have always sealed mine as soon as I get home.... Once I use it, it is wet (it always rains the first time!!) so to make sure I stay dry, it is sealed immediately. I have a single wall Zeus and it has always kept me nice and dry, no condensation, no leaks... Jeff

Jeff, it would be great to get a review of the Zeus in the product review section. I've been looking at that one for a couple years when I settled on my Apex. Mainly because of the warm Texas weather.

[apopj]

I just bought a Eureka Zues 2LE and the first thing I did was seam seal it. Especially since it is a single wall tent.... but, I seam sealed all my rain gear and my winter gloves, even though they said "tape sealed at factory". Like was mentioned, better safe than sorry.
It only takes one wet trip in a wet down bag with wet clothes before you seal the crap out of everything. Don't ask, just trust me on that.... Jeff

[Trekker]

It only takes one wet trip in a wet down bag with wet clothes before you seal the crap out of everything. Don't ask, just trust me on that.... Jeff

So True! Ain't it amazin how we gain that kind of experience? :D

[Trailace]

So True! Ain't it amazin how we gain that kind of experience? :D
Some just sooner than other. :think1:

[Trekker]

Some just sooner than other. :think1:

You been spyin' on me ???? :storm1::storm1::storm1::storm1:

[Tx White Knight]

I am looking for seam sealers and I find this thread but it does not talk about kinds of sealer.

I take it that mainly the seams get sealed, so is the sealer a spary or is it brushed on?

Are there some that work better than other?

Is it applied on the inside or ourside or both??

Lets see what your thoughts are.

btw here is my tent (http://www.bigagnes.com/str_tents.php?id=bh4)

:tent8:

[Trekker]

You can get seam sealer almost anywhere tents are sold. Here is the stardanrd stuff to use. It has a felt applicator built in. All you do is coat any and all of the stitching inside & out. Set thetent up in the yard and go to it! Doesn't take too much time.

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=12389&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1

[Diggers1300]

And don't forget to seal the rainfly!!!

I forgot to seal the fly on one of my tents and the fly leaked, dripped onto the mesh window, and then onto the sleeping bag!

Luckily, I had an extra tarp and quickly fed it between the fly and the tent so the light wind (thank God it was light) wouldn't blow it away. Dried up what came in with dirty clothes and went back to sleep.

Seam sealer is cheap! SEAL EVERYTHING!!

[Tx White Knight]

seam sealer is cheap! SEAL EVERYTHING!!

so if there is a stitch seal it?? :)

Thanks

[motomac]

OK, I camped in my NEW Eureka Tetragon 8 in Alabama over the weekend and it rained on and off all the night long. I didn't seal the tent before I left home and I did not get nary a drop of water in the tent during the night. Man, I love my new tent, I can get dressed standing up even though I have to bend over a little. I will seal it before I go again. (Probably some time next year.)

[Tx White Knight]

OK, I camped in my NEW Eureka Tetragon 8 in Alabama over the weekend and it rained on and off all the night long.

sounds like you did Stagecoach?? :tent8:

[motomac]

I did Stagecoach. And I have done rain before, but never four days of it back to back!!!! And never above 50 degrees.

[Tx White Knight]

I did Stagecoach. And I have done rain before, but never four days of it back to back!!!! And never above 50 degrees.

Just think of how much characture that give you :D

Did you see Jumper's pictures?

[Ironheadziggy76]

I am looking for seam sealers and I find this thread but it does not talk about kinds of sealer.

I take it that mainly the seams get sealed, so is the sealer a spary or is it brushed on?

Are there some that work better than other?

Is it applied on the inside or ourside or both??

Lets see what your thoughts are.

btw here is my tent (http://www.bigagnes.com/str_tents.php?id=bh4)

:tent8:

Tx White Knight while looking at tents in the Bass Pro Shop this weekend one of the sales guys that is a backpacking camper sold me a seam sealer for my old tent. It's called Seam Grip by the McNett company. He said it is the best he has ever used. According to the package if you can believe that, it has been approved and field tested by the American Alpine Institute and has some Everest climber sealing up his boot on the front of the package. You know it has to be wonderful with all of that acclaim.:D It has a small brush that you use by hand and also a circular one that screws onto the end of the tube.

The sales guy recommended sealing both sides.

[Tx White Knight]

I might have to go checking tomorrow, I have a Bass Pro about 5 miles, a Cabelas about 14 miles, and REI 15 miles :D

[Ironheadziggy76]

I might have to go checking tomorrow, I have a Bass Pro about 5 miles, a Cabelas about 14 miles, and REI 15 miles :D

Lucky dog, I have to drive over 100 miles. I do have a Gander Mountain about 50 miles away.:(

[Tx White Knight]

Lucky dog, I have to drive over 100 miles. I do have a Gander Mountain about 50 miles away.:(

I hadnt thought of them, do they have a good selection of camping stuff?

Guess you could always do a road trip, leave empty and return loaded down??? :)

[ImRubicon]

I sealed mine about 5 years ago.
After I had it and used it around three years.
I sealed it when I moved to MN. as it rains there a lot more often.
I have been in TX about 6 years and have yet to seal it again.
I have noticed tiny snags in the bottom but it hasnt linked yet through two light rains.
It doesnt hurt to seal it but lightling wont strike you if you wait a bit either

[Tx White Knight]

well sounds like I need to get it sealed next saturday, wife will be gone for the day.

This will sound dumb but I take it that you set the tent up and then seal as opposed to trying to do it just laying on the ground spread out?? :think1:

[Diggers1300]

Yes, seal it while set up. The seams are stretched out. That way the sealer gets into all the areas that need sealing.

[Mellow]

Yes, seal it while set up. The seams are stretched out. That way the sealer gets into all the areas that need sealing.

+1, you can do it either way but I think it's a better approach to have it setup..

[Trailace]

This will sound dumb but I take it that you set the tent up and then seal as opposed to trying to do it just laying on the ground spread out?? :think1:

Don't forget to check the rain fly, most of them now come with the seams tape sealed but sometimes the zipper area and other are not. I did the fly spread out on the ground on my last fly.

[Tx White Knight]

Don't forget to check the rain fly, most of them now come with the seams tape sealed but sometimes the zipper area and other are not. I did the fly spread out on the ground on my last fly.

guess the best bet is if two edges of material come together, seal it or Murphy law will apply :)

[Tx White Knight]

Hmmmmm I also just figured out I only have to seal the tub of the tent but both sides of the rain fly "LOL"

Went to Cabelas today and came home broke "LOL"
I did add 3 water proof bags, tent sealer, DragonFly, Large MSR bottle. One thing I did not realize is the pump is seperate :eek:

I am getting there:)

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee49/super8mm_photos/Tent/100_1058.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee49/super8mm_photos/Tent/100_1057.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee49/super8mm_photos/Tent/100_1056.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee49/super8mm_photos/Tent/100_1054.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee49/super8mm_photos/Tent/100_1053.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee49/super8mm_photos/Tent/100_1052.jpg

Note: No one was injured in this process
:takepics1:

[Mellow]

LOL Came home broke, yeah, I'm not allowed out much after a few of those.

Looks like a great start.

[Ironheadziggy76]

I hadnt thought of them, do they have a good selection of camping stuff?

Guess you could always do a road trip, leave empty and return loaded down??? :)

Looks like you have everything under control, but yes our Gander Mountain has a pretty good selection on camping gear. I'm afraid to go until I get Christmas paid off.:)

[Trailace]

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee49/super8mm_photos/Tent/100_1053.jpg


:takepics1:

I'm not 100% sure but I think the other side goes up.

[Tx White Knight]

I'm not 100% sure but I think the other side goes up.

I will turn it over and give it a try :D

it did make sealing the bottom seam a lot easier :)

:tent7: