Wet mattresses from rain

AdJo

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May 13, 2013
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Hi, I'm Jo
i was wanting to know more about the problems some people have mentioned about the mattresses getting wet from the rain. Is this only a problem with the older Expandas? Or can it happen with the hard roof later models?
As we are so excited to be putting our order in with final requests, I was hoping for some experiences advice about how to prevent this from happening.
Lastly, is it worthwhile asking for the seat covers to be scotch guarded - and can we ask for this to be done.
So, a couple of girly questions - different to Adams lol
Thanks for any advice
Jo
 

relgate

Superstar
Staff member
Feb 2, 2012
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Sydney, NSW
Hi Jo
My wife reckons that the seats are already scotch guarded, or at least the fabric is very easy to clean. Mess seems to wipe straight off.

Re the beds, your mattresses can still get wet if the side walls get wet from rain.
Some people's theory is to (like any canvas tent) not touch the walls when raining. We find this a little impractical.
Others (Like us) have made a plastic outer cover, similar to the privacy screens from Jayco. They are cheap and do the job. There are many pictures and 'how to's' on the site about these.
Another option is a professional after-market bed end cover from someone like Holiday Annexes or Kakadu. There is many threads and discussions on this forum about these.
Hope that helps. Try a search on the items above or if you cant find any threads I will try to find some for you.
 
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Antman

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Jul 18, 2012
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almcrae.blogspot.com.au
Hi Jo :welcome:

We have a 2012 16.49-3. In light rain we don't get any water inside however when condensation is high if you touch the canvas then it does come through. We have found in these situations we try very hard not to touch the canvas. Some people on here have removed the small section of the mattress so that the mattress is moved away from the canvas. We are going to do this now also. I don't believe there will be any size issues with the mattress being slightly smaller and im sure that the others who have done will confirm this. :)
As far as preventing this, spend the coin and get the high quality, heavy duty bed end screens. Lara can confirm these and you can see her post here

We did not get our seats scotch guarded but you can do this yourself quite easily after the fact. Not sure if Jayco will do this?

Cheers
Ants
 
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Brad

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Jan 2, 2012
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Rowville, Victoria
Hi Jo,
If either of you are 6ft or above then I think not touching the sides is a tall ask.
my wife and I are both 6ft and it just ain't happening.

So after a few wet pillows and damp patches, we went with some waterproof bed ends also.
they make great insulation too.
Good luck.
 
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Billrw136

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Jun 20, 2011
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We just spent a week in the Grampians - before we went we were having some issues with water coming through the hinges on the hard lids and sitting on top of the canvas of the beds. This did not happen when new. I sealed the hinges with Sikkaflex (see my thread Bills 16.49-3). We also purchased Holiday annexes bed end flys.
Result - no water ingress. Especially impressed as the weather in the Grampians was poor to say the least!
The only thing I would would be to add another 2 press studs each side to hold flys more securely - when wind gusts were extreme last Thursday night one of the sides pulled away (press studs released).
Bill
 
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AdJo

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May 13, 2013
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Thank you all for your advice, i now have somewhere to look to avoid his happening :)
 

Expandaman

Member
May 24, 2013
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Dalby - QLD
Hi, I'm Jo
i was wanting to know more about the problems some people have mentioned about the mattresses getting wet from the rain. Is this only a problem with the older Expandas? Or can it happen with the hard roof later models?
As we are so excited to be putting our order in with final requests, I was hoping for some experiences advice about how to prevent this from happening.
Lastly, is it worthwhile asking for the seat covers to be scotch guarded - and can we ask for this to be done.
So, a couple of girly questions - different to Adams lol
Thanks for any advice
Jo
Bed end flys are what you will need. Holiday annexes made ours (Fantastic and easy to fit). They sell them for $990 delivered Aus wide. Check out their web site. Hard lid models will still get wet beds. It's the sad reality of the expanda brand. You can try and wet seal the canvas but you will be beating your head against a brick wall without flys. I've had 3 Expandas, Soft top and hard lid. All 3 I've needed flys. The stupid shade cloth privacy screens that Jayco supply are only good for use as bin liners. As for the scotch guarding, I went with a dark fabric, (3 boys and still no major staining). Hope this helps.
 

cruza driver

Hercules
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Nov 9, 2010
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Bed end flys are what you will need. Holiday annexes made ours (Fantastic and easy to fit). They sell them for $990 delivered Aus wide. Check out their web site. Hard lid models will still get wet beds. It's the sad reality of the expanda brand. You can try and wet seal the canvas but you will be beating your head against a brick wall without flys. I've had 3 Expandas, Soft top and hard lid. All 3 I've needed flys. The stupid shade cloth privacy screens that Jayco supply are only good for use as bin liners. As for the scotch guarding, I went with a dark fabric, (3 boys and still no major staining). Hope this helps.
Mine have never got wet with the Jayco screens, see how you go Ad's and let us know mate :thumb:
 

Expandaman

Member
May 24, 2013
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Dalby - QLD
Mine have never got wet with the Jayco screens, see how you go Ad's and let us know mate :thumb:
Like I had mentioned, I've had 3 expandas, all have gotten wet bed ends without using flys. Then again I'm talking QLD rain. The kind of rain that is 100mm in very short time frames. The straw that broke the camels back for me was when we were stuck in an ex-tropical cyclone on Australia Day this year. So much rain you would almost need flippers. I ordered the flys as soon as we got home. Never been wet since.
 

AdJo

Member
May 13, 2013
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Thanks Expandaman - at least we know that there IS a product available If we end up having some problems and that is what i like to have. :) Jo
Cruza, my topic not Ad's ;) lol