Tent trailer question

dragonflyannie · Post by **dragonflyannie** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:36 am

Just bought a 1978 Coleman tent trailer to bring to the playa this year... wondering how other people have faired with tent trailers out there. How did they hold up with the wind and the dust?

jbelson · Post by **jbelson** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 11:42 am

I did a tent trailer last year and bought one for this year. Last year during the dust storm on sunday we loved it. We felt so safe inside when the wind and dust was ripping. Everyone actually took a nap.
This year I bought a used one. SO I've taken the time to make sure it's ready. In the older tent trailers, the canvas isn't connected in a way that makes it impervious to the wind. The canvas would kind of tuck into the frame. I've reinforced all the canvas attachment points, sewed velcro to the part where the canvas attaches to the door frame. Also screwed it in around the top by taking a thin peice of wood trim and screwing that to the canvas to the wood backing. Also check around the bed area and make sure that the canvas is secure. It should atach under the bed frame by an elastic cord at least. Around the door I've replaced the foam striping so there is less leakage. Tape up any holes in the canvas, I used clear duct tape. I've also sprayed all the canvas with a scotch guard type product in case it rains.
But when your inside, look for any light leaks from outside. That is here you dust breach points are. Cover those up. So after all this, the only way dust will get in is when you open up the door. No way to stop that really. Also bring a little broom and dust pan.

Gothalot · Post by **Gothalot** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 1:26 pm

Last year I brought up an old 1950-60s tent trailer and we faired very well. We were on the side of BRC that didnt get as many dust storms but weathered the ones we did get pretty well concidering we had just snap down restraints.

jbelson · Post by **jbelson** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 1:33 pm

which side of the playa gets less wind?

Gothalot · Post by **Gothalot** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 1:45 pm

Hmmm thats a trade secrete... actually we noticed last year that when you enter BRC fork to the right side, it was the clearest most often. We were middle to the right and we noticed center camp and to the left was often white out. Great now cause I'll be in Center Camp this year. GASP.

Watch I'll have caused BRC to be insanely crowded on one side now, causeing trampling of playa, in turn causing MORE dust due to the amount of people. Sooo just call me a liar now so when you return with playa lung you save yourself the trouble of having to e-mail me for giving you bad advice.

Gothalot · Post by **Gothalot** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 1:47 pm

Less wind? One side or another? Are you on crack? If you want wind direction look at the BRC weather reports, then look at the position of BRC.

heat · Post by **heat** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 6:57 pm

I have been taking a 30 yr old tent trailer, snap down green canvas and all. I silicon-sprayed it and tried to hit any leak holes. Held up pretty well, was bouncing my side off the tire during one windstrom but was fine. Make sure the stabilizer feet actually go down all the way. This year afriend bought an old RV, way strange after all the years of tents and the old trailer!

jbelson · Post by **jbelson** » Tue Aug 24, 2004 12:46 am

here's a look at my trailer. Should be all ready fot Black Rock.

http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?& ... rt_order=0

dragonflyannie · Post by **dragonflyannie** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:45 pm

I love what you did to your trailer!
I re-upholstered mine too... just had to, it was god awful. My boyfriend and I had the idea to paint it and add flames! Looks like you beat us to it! We'll eventually get around to it... just too close to BM now... too many priorities.

Another quick question for you guys... we just bought this trailer and are learning the little quirks about it. One being the water pump. Any tricks you know to get the air out of the faucet? Seems like it takes a while before water actually starts pumping...

Gothalot, what kind of silicone-spray did you use and where can I find that sort of thing? Never heard of it...

Thanks you guys for your feedback! I appreciate it a LOT!

dragonflyannie · Post by **dragonflyannie** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:45 pm

I love what you did to your trailer!
I re-upholstered mine too... just had to, it was god awful. My boyfriend and I had the idea to paint it and add flames! Looks like you beat us to it! We'll eventually get around to it... just too close to BM now... too many priorities.

Another quick question for you guys... we just bought this trailer and are learning the little quirks about it. One being the water pump. Any tricks you know to get the air out of the faucet? Seems like it takes a while before water actually starts pumping...

Gothalot, what kind of silicone-spray did you use and where can I find that sort of thing? Never heard of it...

Thanks you guys for your feedback! I appreciate it a LOT!

Tent trailer question

Tent trailer question

have done this last few years