16' Series Storm Covers

garfield28

Active Member
Jun 28, 2021
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NSW
Hi All,

Still new to Caravanning in general and also to our Jayco 16.49-2HL. We love it and the room it offers, but in our very few trips away the weekend just gone was our first trip away in it in heavy rain. Our bed, sheets and pillows leaning against the bed ends were all drenched, so we are no considering buying storm covers. First thoughts are RIP OFF for the price so just wondering do they make that much of a difference and are they worth the exurbanite price they are asking for them?

I am almost considering making the Mrs knock something up because around $1200 for a couple of canvas ends seems way over the top to me. My wife is pretty handy with a sewing machine so would be most interested if anyone out there has also had a crack at making their own. I have started looking at some possible materials that are light weight and also waterproof. Failing that wondering if I should just whack a tarp over the bend ends for those occasions when it is either going to rain or possible rain.

Any feedback and thoughts, pics of your solution other than storm covers much appreciated.

Thanks
Geoff
 

garfield28

Active Member
Jun 28, 2021
152
70
28
NSW
Yes agree @garfield28 the price is a bit much. Have you used the search function as this has been covered quite a bit previously. There may be some info there to help you.


Hi, Yes did try the search function but what I mainly found was more in regards to price, where to have them made. I would like that info but really more interested in someone perhaps making their own or a hack to cover the bed ends another way that looks good and also cheaper.
Thanks
 
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Drover

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Nov 7, 2013
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I would first be reproofiing the canvas bed ends, this entails giving them a good wipe down to remove dust and stuff, then once nice and dry I would be spraying them with liquid proofing, the stuff for canvas coats, using a spray bottle not the pressure pack rubbish, give it a good soaking inside and out and let dry fully before packing up........ I found my courtesy screens around the bed ends kept out the weather quite well, even some good gully raker storms, they are just like a shade cloth screen..... the canvas needs to be taught though and like all tents don't lean against it or the water will wick .......... Also don't close all the windows up or condensation will build up and will drop on you like a cloud burst, you need to allow the air flow inside, try to leave a bit of the roof flaps open.

Horse shops are good places to find the stuff 1lt bottles...
 

Boots in Action

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Mar 13, 2017
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don't lean against it or the water will wick .......... Also don't close all the windows up or condensation will build up and will drop on you like a cloud burst, you need to allow the air flow inside, try to leave a bit of the roof flaps open.
Right on @Drover . These are the main reasons sheets, pillows and cotton blankets get wet. Dry bedding if up against the inside of a canvas cover will absorb any moisture which may be on the outside of the canvas especially around any seams or joins in the canvas.
 
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garfield28

Active Member
Jun 28, 2021
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I would first be reproofiing the canvas bed ends, this entails giving them a good wipe down to remove dust and stuff, then once nice and dry I would be spraying them with liquid proofing, the stuff for canvas coats, using a spray bottle not the pressure pack rubbish, give it a good soaking inside and out and let dry fully before packing up........ I found my courtesy screens around the bed ends kept out the weather quite well, even some good gully raker storms, they are just like a shade cloth screen..... the canvas needs to be taught though and like all tents don't lean against it or the water will wick .......... Also don't close all the windows up or condensation will build up and will drop on you like a cloud burst, you need to allow the air flow inside, try to leave a bit of the roof flaps open.

Horse shops are good places to find the stuff 1lt bottles...

Thanks for that Drover. I take it you don't have the storm covers then? Are you saying also that the privacy screens that are basically just a shade cloth material will be sufficient?

When we got the van the bed ends were quite dirty so we gave them a real good scrub with some napisan which really lifted the dirt and also the small minute parts of mould that was forming... maybe thinking back we may have taken a lot of the waterproofing stuff off the canvas at the time also.

Right on @Drover . These are the main reasons sheets, pillows and cotton blankets get wet. Dry bedding if up against the inside of a canvas cover will absorb any moisture which may be on the outside of the canvas especially around any seams or joins in the canvas.

Thanks Boots
 

Crusty181

Well-Known Member
Feb 7, 2010
6,854
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Mentone, VIC
Hi All,

Still new to Caravanning in general and also to our Jayco 16.49-2HL. We love it and the room it offers, but in our very few trips away the weekend just gone was our first trip away in it in heavy rain. Our bed, sheets and pillows leaning against the bed ends were all drenched, so we are no considering buying storm covers. First thoughts are RIP OFF for the price so just wondering do they make that much of a difference and are they worth the exurbanite price they are asking for them?

I am almost considering making the Mrs knock something up because around $1200 for a couple of canvas ends seems way over the top to me. My wife is pretty handy with a sewing machine so would be most interested if anyone out there has also had a crack at making their own. I have started looking at some possible materials that are light weight and also waterproof. Failing that wondering if I should just whack a tarp over the bend ends for those occasions when it is either going to rain or possible rain.

Any feedback and thoughts, pics of your solution other than storm covers much appreciated.

Thanks
Geoff
I whipped up mesh privacy screens on my Janome. Wasnt so difficult, im pretty confident storm covers wouldnt be any more difficult
 
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Boots in Action

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Mar 13, 2017
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Thanks for that Drover. I take it you don't have the storm covers then? Are you saying also that the privacy screens that are basically just a shade cloth material will be sufficient?

When we got the van the bed ends were quite dirty so we gave them a real good scrub with some napisan which really lifted the dirt and also the small minute parts of mould that was forming... maybe thinking back we may have taken a lot of the waterproofing stuff off the canvas at the time also.



Thanks Boots
Definitely sounds that you have affected the proofing on the bed ends with the cleaning with napisan @garfield28 . In fact, on the inside area of canvas on my Penguin, there is a warning NOT to use detergents or cleaners on canvas, just warm water and a clean cloth or sponge. @Drover has suggested that you re-proof the canvas both sides with the proper liquids and I am sure you will find that will fix the problem. Also, have a good look on Google on how to treat stains/mildew on canvas and also restore the water-proofing. Hope this helps and good luck.
 
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Drover

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Nov 7, 2013
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Stuff like Napisan will get rid of the mildew but doesn't do the canvas much good if left on too long, mild warm soapy water and a scrubbing brush is the best way then proof again as I said before, ideally done every 12 mths wil keep it proofed......

Somewhere in my 14.44 thread there should be a pic of the screens I had, I thought the vinyl storm screens closed everything up too much and were too heavy.... never got soaking wet bed end using the privacy screens if the whole thing is set up properly, the screen and canvas do not touch.
 
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garfield28

Active Member
Jun 28, 2021
152
70
28
NSW
Thanks guys. I'll search that canvas stuff up and it seems after the rain on the weekend the canvas has a stain type look to it again now anyway, so will clean again but this time the proper canvas way