Sticky rain fly?

[Zak S]

I had the same tent, maybe a couple years later.  I used it a lot (mostly for motorcycle camping) the first couple years, then it’s mostly been stored packed.  I took it out about two months ago, and the seam tape on the floor was coming off and the fly was sticky- I maybe could have peeled off the tape and seam sealed it, but I thought it had failed too early, so I took it back to REI.  They did push back a bit (“well, this does happen to tents eventually”), but I was firm that this was well cared for, and other older tents did not have this failure- I do expect to see this sort of thing after 10-15 years though.

 

They took it back pretty quickly.  I think they’re obligated to push back these days, but you bought during the days of ironclad warranty, that still applies for those items.

 

Zak

[Elliott Wolin]

You might try MiraZyme, it kills the mold that makes PU smell real bad.  I’ve had great success with it.  Never used it on sticky PU coatings, though…

[Jennifer Mitol]

Zak that’s interesting because that’s EXACTLY what is happening to this tent – the tape is coming off the floor and the fly is sticky.

I kept it outside in the sun for several days and that helped a teeny bit, but I agree that it’s shot in the current state.

I’m going to pick up some of that tent repair stuff that Nick suggested and give that a try. I am a little disappointed that they didn’t offer to exchange it. It’s not that old…and it really was taken care of. This seems like a defect to me…….this should not be normal for a relatively expensive tent.

Interestingly…I got way more nights out of my cuben fiber duomid than I got out of this supposedly “more durable” REI tent.

Hmmm…..

[James holden]

personally i would keep going after REI …

when they changed their return policy a few years ago they stated that items purchased under the pre change guarantee would be honored with the old unlimited warranty … in fact many on BPL here said “dont worry it will still be covered” … obviously REI is trying to squirm its way out of its previous “lifetime warranty”

theres other alternatives such as the BBB, or their facebook page ….

i remember when they changed their warranty how some BPLers were crowing gleefully about how it would only affect “abusers” … and how regular honest BPLers would not be affected

well we now know this is no longer true …

if that doesnt work i would simply buy a new kelty, alps mountaineering or eureka tent for ~100$ … dont waste the moolah on sprays

i own and use this one for car camping …

as a side note LL bean has stated over and over again that they will stand by their warranty as they have fore decades even if REI does not … so their tents might be something to look at for those interested

;)

[Link .]

.HOW TO KEEP YOUR TENT FOREVER .

[Matt Dirksen]

“personally i would keep going after REI …

+1 to that.

Bring it in, and simply tell them: “I AM NOT SATISFIED…”

It’s a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee. If you genuinely never expected this tent to fail in this way, then share with them your dissatisfaction with it.

 

[Daryl and Daryl]

I have several tents with the sticky flys.  They became sticky while stored, completely dry, in stuff sacks in my house.  One of them had never been used and I returned it to REI for a refund.  I’ve since loosely stored my other tents  in open boxes.  So far so good.

The sticky flys that remained have been hanging from my ceiling for over 6 months with brief outdoor hangings when weather allowed.  The stickiness has been significantly reduced but it isn’t completely gone.   I will continue with this treatment until they are cured or I get tired of them hanging from my ceiling.

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