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04/15/2017 08:12AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Another thread got me thinking... I have an Alps Meramac AL Outfitter Tent. It is 10 years old and seen under a hundred nights of use. No leaks from above or sides but twice the floor wicked through in the middle. Both times were my fault from bad tent site choices. First time it was 2-3 yrs old and I set it up on a nice soft bed of pine needles with a floor saver (I consider them mostly useless other than helping keep the bottom cleaner) and a Tyvek "innie" a foot wider than footprint. ( IT kept us dry). In the morning after 4+ inches of rain; our comfy bed of pine needles had washed out under the front and left us in a slough/ pond 5-6 inches deep. It was UNDER the floor but had soaked/wicked through dark damp on the inside of the floor. We were base camping and lifted it elsewhere to dry before moving it to a good site.
Used it several more years (and through some heavy rains) no problems. My son borrowed it; set up over a low belly spot and brought it by the morning he broke camp. A 4' diameter damp circle in middle of floor. I set it up and flipped it on its side to dry.
My impulsive hillbilly mind has half a notion to take it outside, pitch it ;flip it over and disregard chemical compatability and pump spray or even brush on some super thinned 100% silicone. As Jim Carey said in the movie: "Somebody Stp Me " ! I doubt if I will call Alps Mountaineering or check out McNett; but....? Thank in advance for help. oth
 
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04/15/2017 02:50PM  
Never mind. After reading Dan Cook's reply on the other thread.... I should look for a proprietary urethane as I remember reading somewhere that is what Alps uses. It has not been stored damp or even rolled up except to and from excursions and no sign of peeling or wear. But there is bound to be some wear from my knees and feet from door to center 'aisle'. I will probably just pick my spots more carefully and continue with the tyvek innie pan.
 
kennk
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04/16/2017 07:44AM  
Are you sure its not condensation caused by cold wet ground meeting the higher humidity inside the tent? That would be my first thought, especially if its in the middle of the floor. I have a few Alps tents and have no problems with leaks in floor or fly.
 
04/16/2017 08:04AM  
Quite sure.
 
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