Leaky Peapod

My Peapods flysheet is very leaky - I made the mistake of washing it and all the coating on the inside has frayed. Its a great tent and I am loathe to bin it. Has anyone any suggestions on how to get it waterproof again? I have tried a professional reproofer who said I had no chance!

Or, has anyone an old Peadpod flysheet in good condition they wish to sell?

They dont make 'em like they used to!

Well I think it's now knackered!

No point in trying to contact the manufacturer as Ultimate ceased to trade more than 20 years ago!!

The P.U coating as delaminated in the wash so you're effectively left with a Nylon flysheet that is at least 20 years old with no proofing.

Sadly I would say you've had your money's worth now and it's time to re-invest. If you're looking for a more modern aleternative to the Peapod consider Hillebergs Nallo range, the Lightwave Trek range, Macpac Minaret etc... All of these will be stronger and lighter than your Peapod.

You can save the tent materials for use as spares and repairs to other bits and pieces or perhaps you will be lucky to find a flysheet.

Thanks everyone.

It just seems a shame that its kanckered and cant be repaired. The Peapod does look very much like the Nallo 2, although I think it is a better tent, and with new materials would be very light. Suprised no one has tried to resurrect it (along with the Phoenix Phreerunner).

May use it one last time in the summer - as long as the forecast is good!

Why not chuck a bit of Nikwax treatment on anyway just to see what it does?

www.nikwax.co.uk

You never know!

It might make it a bit better for summer rain showers at least!

Yeah I will try that.

May use a couple of bottles, just to be sure!!

Richard Staunton wrote (see)

I have a mate who still uses a phreerunner - well the two skinned version. I reckon its the best tent ever made.

That'll be a Phoenix Phreeranger. Great tent but it's actually quite heavy in comparison to modern alternatives and the guy ropes could descent into spaghetti hell if not carefully managed.

I would love to see a modern take on the Phreeranger EB design.

I think its 1.8kgs, not bad for a one man - we both slept in it one night, so it can take two.

I would like the same design used with Terra Nova fabrics.

Richard,

Would a Terra Nova LaserLarge 1 be of interest as a potential replacement?

Thanks tmm but I will wait a while - I do have a Solar 2 which is pretty good.

btw I see you are based in my home town - very useful for Dartmoor!

 I have a Peapod and last year i saw another in the Dales .I started talking wiyh the owner and he had lost the PU coating from the fly

  He sprayed it with Thomsons water seal (the stuff you paint bricks with ) and was absolutely stoked with the result .It did seem to have stopped that flappy noise as well that you get with old nylon .His only reservation was that it needs to air for a few days after spraying .

Ah, thanks Jim, this was what I was thinking of - I had a vague recollection of something from a DIY shop that did the trick. I will give it a go as soon as I move the pets to their summer pastures from the garage!!

I will get nitwax for the outer as well, and will post the results in a few months.

I still think the Peapod is a great tent. The only downside is the need for some very good pegs for the front and back elastic pegging points. I bought some 'twizel' pegs years ago - they are effectively screws and are very secure. Much better than those huge yellow pegs!

There was recently some mention on here of how to re-coat a groundsheet using silicone sealant mixed with some sort of solvent to make it more suitable for painting on with a brush. I can't remember what the solvent was unfortunately, it may have been white spirit.

If it works on a groundsheet it should work on a fly. You've got nothing to lose by trying, except maybe a few quid.