Hi!

My otherwise trusty tent (has kept me dry on a day when 3 1/2" of rain fell while camping along the Pigeon River on a Grand Portage trip) has failed! The glue they used to hold the "windows" on the rain fly to the fabric partially let loose last year, and the rest let go over the winter while stored. I've attached a couple of pictures.

What would you all recommend I use to glue this back together? Or is it "toast" so to speak?

Thanks!

Colt

I don't have any first hand experience with this type of repair. If it were mine I would try using 100% clear silicone as an adhesive. Maybe mask off the area of the window you don't want the silicone on and figure out a way to clamp them together, assuming a curved surface.

Option 2, use it as an excuse to buy a new tent.

Don't they have a life time warranty? I have shipped one of tents in for repair 3 or 4 times over 10 years. It was always covered.

I think I agree on trying out their warranty. kelty warranty

Warranty & Repair

Something you love not working right? Get it taken care of quickly so you can get back on the trail. Hey, adventure is waiting.

Learn more on our warranty page or give us a shout at 800-535-3589 (M-F 8 A.M. – 4 P.M. MST).


Failing that....Gorilla Tape, it's just a tent.

agree with trying a warranty.

I'd try something other than silicone adhesive - maybe something like aquaseal. Somewhere I read that if the silicone adhesive peals off it leaves a coating of silicone on a surface that prevents other glues from sticking. That fits my experience with delaminating soles of water shoes. The silicone adhesive I tried first (because it was on hand) didn't last very long and after that other adhesives that were recommended for shoe repair didn't stick at all.

I sent a note off to Kelty. The only warranty work I've ever had done for anything is on a few Duluth packs - one dating from the 1950s that was coming apart at the seams. I'll post back after I see what they decide to do. Thanks!

If the warranty doesn't pan out, what about just sewing in a patch and sealing the seams.
Do you really ever use the window?

I think the presence of the window is a waste and wouldn't mind if it was gone. But - I can't sew in any fine manner.

We had the exact same problem with our Kelty last year. They made one attempt to repair the rainfly which was a total failure. After some back and forth with their customer service dept. they agreed to send us a new tent after I sent them pictures of our old one cut in half. The slightly updated model we got looks good.

I just got the fly back - it looks OK. Will give it a shot for a bit and hope the repair holds.

I had that problem and called the service dept. They had me send in the tent and it was repaired and sent back. Works fine now.