Firstly, it is more expensive than normal canvas, because rip stop canvas is the latest development is tent material and also has military applications. It is a waterproof blend of cotton and polyester, is breathable and has a unique weave. This weave pattern makes the canvas very strong and in the event it suffers a tear, then the tear should be limited to a small area, not like normal canvas that can continue to tear.

It is also highly durable and very suited to Australian conditions.

A bit about canvas.

The reality is that it is not the weight of the canvas that is the all important thing. Remember a piece of glad wrap will keep you just as dry as the heaviest canvas. So it is the quality of the material and it’s water proofing abilities that really counts.

By using too heavier a canvas, the tent will very heavy to erect and fold, also suffer fold marks in the canvas and make the overall weight of your camper trailer heavier.

After field testing various weights of canvas, we have settled on a 370gsm ripstop canvas, which we feel provides durability, has good waterproof qualities and is not too heavy to erect.

The other thing that should be done and as recommended by most tent manufacturers is that you “weather” the tent before you go camping. This means that you should erect the tent and hose it down a few times before use. Make sure you take out the mattress before hosing down the tent. We suggest you hose down the tent, let it dry and then repeat the hosing down another 2 times. It is a good idea to consider using a clear spray or paint on water proofing treatment along the seams, or a wax stick both which can be purchased from your local camping shop.

The reason most manufacturers recommend you “weather” the tent, is that most tents even though the canvas is waterproofed, the tents will leak, particularly around the seams. By weathering the tents this causes the stitching holes to tighten up and prevent leaking. If water is allowed to pool on the tent, then this can also cause leaking. So it is important to make sure that your tent has been “weathered” and is erected to try and eliminate any areas where water can pool on the roof of the tent. Use the guy ropes and pegs supplied in wet or windy conditions and this will help make the tent taut and give it good shape.

If you fold up the tent during wet weather, it is important to open it back up as soon as possible and dry it out.

Do not use any chemicals on your tent. Only use proper cleaning agents and waterproofing products purchased from your local camping store.

• • We include a high quality waterproof awning (not an extra)
  • We provide a light weight aluminum ladder that won't hurt your kids if it falls on them.
  • Our annex wall is included and it fully encloses the annex
  • Our windows cut be put half way down when it's raining to allow light to still enter through clear pvc half windows,
  • All windows have mini awnings that can be pegged out
  • Double size bed, 80mm thick
  • All windows are mosquito proof
  • Includes heavy duty 2 piece zip on cover, which is big enough to put extra items under
  • We also include a second internal travel cover
  • Our bed base is heavy duty construction ply
  • Free Melbourne pickup
  • Be sure to compare the above with other camper tents. We offer the biggest "Bang for your Buck" bar none.

• • Remember that a wall that is nearly all fly screen will be weakened and likely to catch and tear when being folded up or erected.
  • Some manufacturers still falsely advertise that they use marine ply when it in fact is just painted ordinary ply, which is notwaterproof and will not last very long. In addition the black paint used may contain lead and other harmful chemicals.
  • Tents with a dark roofs will absorb the heat, that is why don't use dark coloured materials on our tent roofs.
  • Make sure the annex floor can be attached with velcro to help keep out insects and water.
  • Check you are getting a heavy duty zip on the travel cover - not a cheap light weight one that will tear easy
  • It is important that the ladder is lightweight aluminum rather than heavy steel
  • Check that all ropes/pegs and ladder come in the own separate carry bags

There are a number of different ways to mount the camper tent to your trailer. If you want to use your trailer for everyday use and only use it occassionally for camping, then the quickest and easiest way is to bolt the the trailer tent to the top of your trailer. As a guide this will require you to drill and fit bolts through the bedbase and the top of the trailer. It is suggested that 2 heavy duty galvanized or stainless steel bolts be bolted through either side of the bed base and two at the front, being a minimum of 6 heavy duty bolts used to secure the top to the trailer. Heavy duty brackets can also be used to mount the tent to the trailer.

If you wish to use the trailer only for camping and mount the tent permanently to the trailer, then you may wish to have gas struts fitted to the bed base, along with hinges so that you can raise one side of the bed base base for additional access to the trailer.

Please consult your local hardware, engineering or trailer shop to ensure that you are using the correct size bolts, brackets or other equipment to safely and securely attach the tent base to the trailer.

The above information is a guide only and it is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that the tent base is correctly secured to the trailer.