First Post...

[brisco]

Hello all, This is my first post here, but I have got a lot of useful info off of this site. I currently own an 86' Coleman Sun Valley (basic no ac, furnace, or installed fridge). I love this little camper and have been on a few "dry" outings already and it has done well. My TV is a 97 Kia Sportage 4cyl. which does an excellent job pulling with great gas milage (versus my F-250 which made long trips too expensive!) I would like to know about canvas sealers as my PU has new canvas and I can see a tiny bit of light thru a couple of seems where the treads are stretched while popped-up. Thought about wax but did not want to mess up my new canvas. Thanks, brisco (Brian).

[txsarge]

I would check with the manufacturer of your canvas.  Most of the newer 'canvas' tenting is not canvas and wax may not be the best waterproofer.  

Its great to hear from another basic camper.  We do have AC because it is so hot here in TX that camping w/o it is miserable (can't sleep in that kind of heat).  We have an 88 Coachmen Clipper that we can pull with our minivan and we love it.  You say no 'installed fridge'.  Do you have a dorm fridge or do you use something like a PowerChill?  We tried the PowerChill but the temps are so high outside here in TX that it can't keep up and when we put it in the PUP it froze up.

Keep enjoying your PUP.

[fritz_monroe]

Welcome.

As txsarge, talk to the canvas folks.  I know there are many kinds of sealants out there, I doubt if the wax based sealants would do damage, but they probably aren't the best product for your use.

We picked up one of those PowerChill coolers.  We will be using it for the first time next week.  I know the temperature inside the cooler is directly impacted by the outside temp, so we will probably be using it for beverages mainly.

[dthurk]

Hello all, This is my first post here, but I have got a lot of useful info off of this site. I currently own an 86' Coleman Sun Valley (basic no ac, furnace, or installed fridge). I love this little camper and have been on a few "dry" outings already and it has done well. My TV is a 97 Kia Sportage 4cyl. which does an excellent job pulling with great gas milage (versus my F-250 which made long trips too expensive!) I would like to know about canvas sealers as my PU has new canvas and I can see a tiny bit of light thru a couple of seems where the treads are stretched while popped-up. Thought about wax but did not want to mess up my new canvas. Thanks, brisco (Brian).

Hello Brisco and welcome to PUT!
 
 One of the really interesting things for me, at least, on this board is picking up on inadvertant typos in messages and having fun with them.  I really enjoy your mis-placed apostrophe.  I know you meant an '86 Sun Valley, but just imagine what it must be like in a "basic" 86' popup, especially one that can be towed by a 4 cyl. Kia.
 
 I know this is your first post, and hope this doesn't discourage you from future posts.  I've certainly had my share of typos also.

[brisco]

Thanks for the welcome. I spent a night in Arcadia Virginia at the North Creek campground (National Forest) and had a great time. I've got my pop-up time down to about 15 minutes and take down about 20 (extra time to quickly brush off the bunk-ends). I'm hoping to do a lot more camping this summer and fall. Thanks again for the warm welcome to the group

[tlhdoc]

Welcome to PUT!

I had the same model camper.  If yours has the original tenting it is called Evolution 3, and is a textured material.  I would use Marine Goop to water proof the holes.

[wavery]

Waterproofing stitching holes really isn't a big deal. I used to build a lot of canvas covers for boats. When I built cockpit enclosures, I would sometimes run over any threads, that looked like they might leak, with clear silicone sealer.

I would dip my (clean) finger in mineral spirits, then put a tiny amount of silicone on my finger. I would then just rub it on the threads. It doesn't show and lasts for years. I think that you could do the same with "Marine Goop". Moderation is the key.

Now, having said all that, you may find that the holes in question might not even leak in the first place.