Hello all, was out in the van last night in all that heavy rain. Got up this morning to a rather wet seat in the dining area.

Not sure if this was because we didn't drop the top. Wasn't raining when we turned in and we both sleep like logs!!

As we are newbies to Eribaing not sure if we should have or not. We are thinking of re- proofing anyway as we want to do some winter trips. Can anyone recommend what to use and the best way to go about it please.

Didn't like the soggy bottom syndrome

Joan

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Don't understand how the rain got in unless you were un-zipped.
Clean your fabric with Fenwicks awning & tent cleaner, removing any mark/stains (careful when washing down)
Seal with Grangers Fabsil (UV waterproof & sealant) 5ltrs should be good for 2 treatments. Apply with brush in one operation moving round,do not let edges dry.
You can use a spray, but its more expensive and not as accurate as brush application.
Fenwick's & Fabsil are cheapest on EBAY.

Hello Joan
I think you may find the water did not come from the pop-top but travelled along the awning rail or window frame and found it's way in that way. This happened to us...we found we had wet feet in bed but the water had entered through the awning rail behind the bathroom and then travelled along until it found a way out.
It took us a few attempts with a hose pipe to find out where the water was coming in from the outside...in our case the awning rail. We since have repaired this and have had no problems since with the leak.
Regards Chris

Thanks. You people are a font of knowledge. Looks like a weekend with a hose pipe and a paint brush then.

Joan

It may have been something as simple as a vent open in the canvas?
I have had rain bounce off the roof and in through the vent.

It may just be condensation dripping from the lower roof rail, especially at this time of the year when the nights are a lot colder. If your going to reproof the the poptop the canvas is acrylic, the recommended waterproofing product is fabric guard 303

Fabsil Universal Waterproofer is suitable for both natural cotton canvas and synthetic materials including nylon, polyester and acrylic.

The first evening we had in our Betty, the rain was dripping in at the back. Yann found that it just needed a screw tightening on the rail above the window. No probs since.
We've had the top up in some heavy rain and it hasn't come in, but we always shut the top at night now if wind and rain is forecast - for the noise if nothing else.

Hello all,

It did enter my head that it might be condensation as we have had a few drips previously. The wet patch was directly above the metal thingy that the pop top drops down onto. It was right in the corner. I soaked it up with a tea towel which was left quite wet, so I thought it maybe to much water but I suppose it could have run around the rail and found it's get out point.
Never mind I still love my Erica

we had a problem with water coming in through the top of the door seal, very rainy night and we didn't have an awning up and the roof was down. The way the van was set up all of the water was running off the roof down the front of the door and coming in through the top of the door. I cured it by adjusting the legs so the water ran off the other side of the van by putting a slight slope on the van roof.

Quote: thecolliss wrote in post #7

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Fabsil Universal Waterproofer is suitable for both natural cotton canvas and synthetic materials including nylon, polyester and acrylic.

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Sometimes there is a lot to be said for not being too fussy about levelling a caravan !
After all, it's not a billiard table. :) and it only needs a small slope.

As stated above Fabric Guard 303 is the recommended proofer for Eriba canvas. Fabsil is not a suitable product.

Stewart

fabsil is suitable and cheaper

Thanks for all the comments.

Have looked at all options and have decided to reproof in the spring due to drying time. Had a look at the leak prospect and cannot find anything untoward.

So it will be pop down in the rain for the time being.