Can you get a zip replaced on a tent?

HurdyGurdy

My son has had his tent (for Glastonbury and other festivals) for a few years now. It is brilliant - goes up like an umbrella opening, and has a rain cover over the top. It's perfect for him.

Unfortunately, the door zip keeps splitting open. It is the only thing that is wrong with the tent, and he'd rather pay to get the zip replaced, than buy a new tent, as he's not found one that matches his current one in terms of ease of use, and waterproof-ness.

He has asked in a couple of shoe-mender type places in town that are advertising replacing zips, but none of them replace tent zips.

I cannot sew a button on straight, so I definitely can't do anything to help him.

Does anyone know if it can be done? Is it a very specialised thing?

Mojisola

There used to be a local company that did this work but last time I made enquiries, they had shut down. People tend to buy new rather than repair.

If you have a firm around you who makes kites, they would have the professional machines and large tables that are needed for a job like this - worth asking if they could do a new zip.

martinthebandit

HurdyGurdy wrote: »

I cannot sew a button on straight, so I definitely can't do anything to help him.

If your son is old enough to go to festivals then surely he is old enough to sew his own zip in without your help?

Failing that I'd google tent zip replacement or repairs.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=tent+zip+repair&client=safari&hl=en-gb&prmd=simvn&source=lnt&tbs=ctr:countryUK%7CcountryGB&cr=countryUK%7CcountryGB&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjAusS9r9vTAhUqLcAKHROzDP8QpwUIFQ&biw=1024&bih=672

unholyangel

A seamstress should be able to do this.

However word of caution, it may affect the waterproofing of the zipped area depending on the design of the tent (shouldnt be a problem if its double skinned or has a bit that comes over to protect the zipped bit). Any decent seamstress should be able to tell whether its possible just by looking at it.

onlyroz

In the town where I work there are a number of places that do clothing alterations or repairs. Often places like laundrettes or places that do service washes have a sideline in clothing repairs. I'd have thought that they would be able to repair or replace a tent zip.

paddy's_mum

Try a saddler.

If they can sew bridle leather, many layered horse rugs and harness, a tent should be a doddle!

Artytarty

Agree with normal clothing repair places. It sounds like a nylon tent so should be easy enough to do even on a domestic machine.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

They're usually under too much tension in use for them to stay attached - and even the thinnest needle is likely to cause further tearing.

I'd suggest he looks at fishing bivvies as an alternative - their purpose is to be easily carried, put up and waterproof, they're often quite a lot tougher, resistant to people wanting to gain entry to steal stuff and can be patched up with duck tape/gaffer with good results - they're also not as likely to end up raining on the inside as many festival style tents do.


Oh, and whilst I'm here, I want to say well done on him for not being one of the vacuous sheep who just abandon their tents and half a ton of rubbish on the fields after festivals for other people to clean up.

penguingirl

Do you have any local caravan supply shops? They may have experience of doing similar (or knowing someone) with caravan awnings which are more expensive/less economical to just replace.

nearlyrich

http://www.lancashiresportsrepairs.co.uk/tent_repairs_awning_repairs.htm


These guys can help they do mail order if you are not local... I have used them for a rucksack repair...

sooty&sweep

Hi

Try asking on https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk

They know everything about tents !

Jen