Canvas top questions

[aznighthiker]

Since I moved last year to an area that snows I am thinking of removing the top for winter storage. How difficult is it for one person to completely remove the top and reinstall ? I think I noted someone mentioned that they don't fold the canvas top up between camping trips but completely removed the top, any one do this ?

[chuck893]

Removing and replacing the entire tent can be done by one person, but it's probably easier if you have a helper. The whole process is spelled out in the owner's manual: http://www.livinlite.com/pdf/service/Quicksilver2012web.pdf  Winterizing starts on page 35.

[dp]

Most people here do not remove the top for winter. I don't but when I put it away it stays from November to April untouched. See what others have to say but I don't think it is necessary to remove tent for winter.

[chuck893]

[quote source="/post/11187/thread" timestamp="1432239497" author="@ron10"]Most people here do not remove the top for winter. I don't but when I put it away it stays from November to April untouched. See what others have to say but I don't think it is necessary to remove tent for winter. [/quote]We don't take ours off, but we have had Rose in a more-or-less heated garage for the last three winters. The first two winters she was outside wrapped in a tarp with the tent on and me inside worrying myself sick that the tent would mildew, but it did not (yay). I always keep a bucket of Damp Rid inside the camper and check it periodically. It's never been used up, but Wisconsin winters tend to be low in humidity. It's Wisconsin summers you have to watch out for. That said, though, Livin' Lite recommends taking the tent off so I worry every winter, but that's me, a born world-class black belt worrier. 

[mary59mac]

I took the top off mine last year because I had to have a new zipper installed. I just kept it off until this spring. I don't plan on taking it off this year though.
It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to get it back on but I had 2 other people helping. It took us about 20 minutes and very little swearing!

[chuck893]

[quote source="/post/11229/thread" timestamp="1432318519" author="@lillipets"]I took the top off mine last year because I had to have a new zipper installed. I just kept it off until this spring. I don't plan on taking it off this year though.
It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to get it back on but I had 2 other people helping. It took us about 20 minutes and very little swearing![/quote]Uh, oh... If there was very little swearing you didn't do it right.  (rofl)

[hiker74]

I've heard that its best to leave it on, but make sure you don't try popping it up when its under 40 degrees C or you can get tears in the canvas

[chuck893]

[quote source="/post/11404/thread" timestamp="1432649420" author="@hiker74"]I've heard that its best to leave it on, but make sure you don't try popping it up when its under 40 degrees C or you can get tears in the canvas [/quote]You are absolutely right that you can damage the tent in very cold temps, but are you sure about that 40 Celsius? I think that converts to 104 Fahrenheit. Maybe you meant 40 F? I looked up in the manual, page 36. It just says ---

Avoid opening and closing tent in
extreme cold temperatures. Vinyl may
become less pliable and more prone to
damage in extreme cold.
See enclosed warranty sheet from the
tent manufacturer for more information
on tent care, cleaning and warranty.

I think I saw on a tag on the tinted vinyl windows that they had a "cold crack" temperature, but I don't recall what it was. I know for sure that when we are taking the tent down in chilly weather (yeah, think 40 F) the tent is stiff and hard to handle. It packs down easily when it's warm!  

[aznighthiker]

Replaced the top it was quite easy, was surprised when the top is folded up that it did not take up much room.