Replace canvas, or sell?

[PCALcampers]

We've been "lurking" on these boards for a couple of seasons now and finally registered so we can get some advice from all of you knowledgeable campers out there.

We have a 1999 Jayco Eagle, bought used in spring 2005 so this season will be our third with it. Everything is in great shape except for the canvas. No rips or tears but we've tried everything to stop the mold/mildew problem and it keeps growing. Waterproofing could be better too. 14 days/nights of camping in pouring rain last season did not help!

Looking for opinions on whether it's worth it to replace the canvas or should we sell for what we can get and buy another "new to us" popup. What would you do? Thanks for any advice/opinions.

[wavery]

We've been "lurking" on these boards for a couple of seasons now and finally registered so we can get some advice from all of you knowledgeable campers out there.

We have a 1999 Jayco Eagle, bought used in spring 2005 so this season will be our third with it. Everything is in great shape except for the canvas. No rips or tears but we've tried everything to stop the mold/mildew problem and it keeps growing. Waterproofing could be better too. 14 days/nights of camping in pouring rain last season did not help!

Looking for opinions on whether it's worth it to replace the canvas or should we sell for what we can get and buy another "new to us" popup. What would you do? Thanks for any advice/opinions.

PCALcampers WELCOME TO PUT!!!!

If you like the camper....replace the canvas. It's easy to do and not that expensive. Buying another camper may well end you up with more problems than you already have....it"s just an un-known.

If you buy a 3-year-old PU, you will get 3-year-old canvas. Re-Canvasing will give you brand new canvas and after-all, that's the heart of the PU.

The other consideration is, it will be hard to find a buyer that can get past the mold issue. The new buyer will certainly want a substantially lower price on the unit. Anyway that you look at it, you will be paying for new canvas, whether you buy it or the new owner buys it (with the $ he saved on the purchase).

We got lucky and found a near perfect 3 year old PU. It doesn't happen that way every time.

http://www.canvasreplacements.com/
http://www.bearcreekcanvas.com/

[ScouterMom]

I'd have to agree - If I had to buy a used camper with moldy canvas, I'd pass on it, or expect the price to be at least the price of a new canvas less than it's value otherwise.   So many people have allergies, and mold can make for some serious health problems.

I'd get a new canvas.  

however, if the canvas is moldy, other things probably are, too. you've got to make sure that you get all the mold out.

After this, you will know that every time you bring the camper home, you've got to air it out until it's bone dry -or have the problem again.

laura

[flyfisherman]

We have a 1999 Jayco Eagle, bought used in spring 2005 so this season will be our third with it. Everything is in great shape except for the canvas. No rips or tears but we've tried everything to stop the mold/mildew problem and it keeps growing. Waterproofing could be better too. 14 days/nights of camping in pouring rain last season did not help!

Dealing with canvas mold, mildew and dampness is a popup camper way of life.
The camper has to be dried out after use; people just breathing inside during the night will emit a certain amount of moisture. At the beginning and the end of a season I have to clean and remove mildew from the canvas on my Starcraft. I suggest going to Jayco's website and see what proceedures they have for cleaning canvas.

Another thought ... if excess mold and mildew persist even after a though drying out, that may indicate a leak, perhaps in the roof of the camper.



Fly