How to maintain waterproofing of shelter?

**crashdive123** · 09-01-2010, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by kyratshooter

We kept them low and camoed them into the background with dabris. Most of the time using a ridge line about 2 feet off the ground and the corners about a foot off the ground. Seldom did we tag them completely down because we wanted to be able to roll out from under them in any direction and see 360 also.

Anyone advocating a tent for a bug out situation, and most people do, have never been in a bug out situation. It is one of the dead givaways that a person has never been in a tatical condition. So is the concept of sleep in said situation.

After the bug dope ran out we just delt with them. By that time we probably smelled so bad they wanted little to do with us. My worry was not the bugs as much as the centipedes and little yellow snakes.

Keep in mind that not all, in fact I'd say that most bug out situations are not tactical and do not require C&C. If I'm bugging out because of a hurricane, I'll be at a Holiday Inn not in the path of the hurricane. Likewise, if I bug out because of a gas leak, chemical spill, wild fire, etc. my tactical concerns are not to stay covered and concealed from others. War zone, or my military past ---- whole nuther story.

**Rick** · 09-01-2010, 08:34 PM

+1 Crash.....

**Tundrascout** · 10-27-2010, 01:04 AM

Picked up some "Authentic" Mil grade ponchos this last week that needed a bit of a refresh on the waterproofing. A Screaming Eagle relative said to try Nikwax on it. Seems to be some good stuff, but havent taken it into the field yet.

**wareagle69** · 10-28-2010, 08:34 PM

one question.....whats a tent????
when i do not make a shelter i use a tarp, usually set up in a thicker area of a forest and tied up taut( what the heck is taut anyways) tied up tight as possible to help repel and water that does filter thru the trees

**sgtdraino** · 10-29-2010, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by wareagle69

one question.....whats a tent????
when i do not make a shelter i use a tarp, usually set up in a thicker area of a forest and tied up taut( what the heck is taut anyways) tied up tight as possible to help repel and water that does filter thru the trees

I'd love to go this route, but I honestly don't see how you guys can tolerate the crawlies, especially mosquitos and chiggers. Chiggers in particular have made my life a living hell on multiple occasions. Do you guys just not have them that bad in the areas you frequent?

**RangerXanatos** · 01-23-2011, 10:27 PM

I bought this Bivy Tent: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=614096

It advertises:

1,200 mm polyurethane coating for awesome weatherproofing

I have only set it up once to see how it would work, but for the next time I set it up, should I go ahead and put another layer of waterproofing on it? Or should I wait a while after using it before even considering waterproofing?

**Rick** · 01-23-2011, 10:28 PM

It it's already waterproof what will you gain by adding more. Waterproof pretty much means it won't leak. Adding more won't get you "won't leak squared".

**RangerXanatos** · 01-23-2011, 10:30 PM

I didn't know if that was a poor rating of waterproofing?

**crashdive123** · 01-23-2011, 10:31 PM

I would at least seal the seams (I do on all my new tents, and periodically thereafter) and then take a garden hose to it. Better to find out if it leaks before you are going to rely on it to not leak. If it needs to be re-coated, FinallyME made up a solution of silicon caulk and mineral spirits to water proof his rip stop nylon.

**RangerXanatos** · 01-23-2011, 10:35 PM

Mine is polyurethane coated and he stated that silicone will not stick to urethane coatings. But I will go ahead and make sure the seams are coated well.

**Rick** · 01-23-2011, 10:37 PM

I'm with you. I understand.

**crashdive123** · 01-23-2011, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by RangerXanatos

Mine is polyurethane coated and he stated that silicone will not stick to urethane coatings. But I will go ahead and make sure the seams are coated well.

For sealing the seams there are several products available. Most go by the name (or name close to it) of Seam Sealer. It's an adhesive that works really well.

**finallyME** · 01-24-2011, 02:13 PM

That is an interesting tent rangerxanatos. Like crash said, I would seam seal it. Or at least check it. Set it up in the yard, get inside and let your kids spray it all up. You will see where it is leaking, or not leaking. Also, since it is polyurethane, don't use a silicon seam sealer. But, it is generally easier to buy a seam sealer for plyurethane tents, than silnylon (mostly because most tents are urethane coated). The seam sealer you can buy at walmart will probably work.

**RangerXanatos** · 01-24-2011, 02:55 PM

Thanks for all the help guys.

Originally Posted by finallyME

let your kids spray it all up.

That might take several more years as I don't have kids and am not looking for it in the near future.

**finallyME** · 01-25-2011, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by RangerXanatos

Thanks for all the help guys.

That might take several more years as I don't have kids and am not looking for it in the near future.

Well, there is always the wife/girlfriend. A 4 year old with a hose is pretty dangerous. But, then so is a woman you pi** off.

**Pocomoonskyeyes3** · 01-25-2011, 11:59 AM

Recently Randyt had a thread up about his trapping trip and showed his lavvu set up. this got me searching around and found that most manufacturers of these type of shelters use Canvas (Nautical or Marine grade was the term they used IIRC) It seems that the main problem with this is weight. However some of this might be overcome IF a design like George Washington Sears (AKA Nessmuk) Lean to set-up were used. The average weight of the "Tipi" designs I looked at was around 65 lbs for a "3-4 Person" size was used, but also rather pricey... basic package was around $400+. Another material used was "Sunforger Canvas" (I have no idea of the difference) but a "3-person" Lavvu was around $225 made from this material.
http://lavvu.com/index.html

If you are thinking Long Term use of a shelter From what I've read it would seem that canvas would be the preferred material, IF weight were not a factor......

All our canvas fabrics are 100% cotton army duck weave and the high thread count in the warp and weft creates the tightest and most water resistant canvas duck weave on the market today. We do not use synthetics or synthetic / cotton blends because of how rapidly they break down when exposed to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun.

This from this site....
http://www.tipi.com/tipifabrics.html

So I was wondering if it would be possible to make a lean-to type shelter (Like Nessmuk shows in the book "Woodcraft and Camping") this MIGHT cut down on some weight and provide a shelter similar to what Wareagle and Kyratshooter describe as their preferred shelters, and not too unlike what Rick shows as his... just more compact. Insect nets are fairly cheap in comparison. I saw one at Gander Mountain for @$15. My only problem is that I just can't seem to find anyone who makes a shelter like Nessmuk describes and shows. Guess I'd have to make it myself. But the Tipi and Lavvu sites gave some really good insight on the type of fabrics used in their construction.... again the weight being the main drawback.

**Winter** · 01-25-2011, 10:46 PM

Long term shelter should never be a tent. You should be building something, logs, sod, stone, clay.

For camping and adventures I use a 10'x12' sil-nylon tarp. It compacts to the size of a nalgene bottle.