RE: Canvas tear

[Starryart]

 
On our last camp trip, I noticed a bit of daylight showing over one of the beds. Upon close inspection I saw a small hole in the canvas seam 5 or 6 inches down from the roof. It is about 1 inch long and appears that the side panel fabric was stiched to close to the edge of the material and it pulled out of the seam. I am afraid (I know!) that it will leak on the next rain. I can sew but there doesn t appear to be any clean way to stich this together with out a big pucker that could hold water. Plus how to water proof the area if I  can sew or put it back together. Any suggestions?
 Thanks[]
 Camper is a  95 Rockwood. I am the second owner.

[garym053]

 Starryart
I would contact Rockwood. I have a Jayco and they reccommend candle wax to waterproof the stitched seams!

[Tsip]

 Starryart
Hi Starryart,
 
 Since your from the Texas Gulfcoast there is bound to be a Sailmaker or a boat store somewhere near you.  What you might be able to do is get some selfadhesive sailmakers cloth and press it over the ripped area.  If the rip is in the seam, you could repair it using a whip stich and them either use parafin wax or seam sealer.  In the past, I have purchased seam sealer at Academy and Oshman s.
 
 
 BTW, we love Boston s.  We have two - Buster and Dipper!
 
 
 Regards from League City, Texas

[jackgoesthepopup]

 Starryart
When i repaired our canvas. I use a carpet needle. I also use waxed carpet theard. But even before i start sewing i run the thread along a piece of beeswax. I want to get as much wax as i can on the thread. As you sew the wax will come of and seal the holes.  I have had grreat luck doing thhis. I got the idea from when i was taking a leather working class. Look and se if there are any tandy leather works store near you or look online. Just a idea.

[Gamecock Camper]

 Starryart
A couple of months ago, I was talking to an RV dealer who told me that the best way to repair most small holes and rips is by using caulk.  To me it sounded a little wrong, but he showed me repairs he made to a trade-in camper they had with two small holes.  It looked good and looked like it was probably the best way to repair instead of adding a patch and potentially causing more problems.   If your tear is small enough, you might want to look to see if this would work for you.  Good luck.

[Gamecock Camper]

 Starryart
Another thought, the PUT store has the tear / patch kits.  You might want to look at it to see if it will work for your repair.

[SheBantam]

 Starryart
Duct tape!
 The Jaycos seams have failed also on the upper corners of the bunks, they are duct taped from the inside

[Gamecock Camper]

 Starryart
Actually, SheBantam is right.  There are only two items needed in a toolkit, they are duct tape and WD-40.  If it moves and isn t supposed to, use duct tape.  If it doesn t move and is supposed to, use WD-40...... anyway, I hope you get your canvas repaired.