New 10.0 leaking

[charlie2922]

I purchased our 2015 8.1 used in May 2016. Previous owner said he only had it out 3 times. Very little wear showing on it. I was impressed in the design as I owned a 1968 Cox 412 in the 80's and the design is very similar. The Cox was steel framed and aluminum covered wood walls. Much heavier but had 75 Caddy to pull it. I put a new top on it from Canvas Replacements in Wisconsin. Heavy cotton duck with all flat seams sewn 4 stitches wide with heavy cotton thread. Fitted it and hosed it down never had the first leak. Sadly camper got worn out.
Fast forward 2016. We took grandkids camping in 8.1 on June 10. Hard rain first day. Leaked along each horizontal seam on the ends and along the side seam where roof meets side panels. Not a great deal but any is too much. You can see light thru the stitch holes and I plan on getting sealer on the inside when we set back up this weekend in Missouri. Since was used I didn't contact Livin Lite about it. I can tell you this, the needle used was too large for the size thread used. I made replacement cover for my 25' Carver Monterey rear with sunbrella and you need to match the needle to thread size. Also, possibly they used synthetic thread which won't swell like cotton will when wet.  Standing bias cap seams on the outside also will act as mini gutters on the high horizontal seams. Gravity pulls water down thru the stitch holes.
Will give an update as to how the seam sealing works.

Charlie

[admin]

Honestly the camper is made to be used. If you are enjoying the backyard camping while waiting to go on a trip than I say go for it. The truth is UV damage will occur but I'm willing to bet that other pieces will wear out before you have to replace the canvas simply due to UV damage.
As for leaking if you havent seen any leaks by now I would think you are going to be fine. Its been brought up a couple times around the forum which has narrowed down a few year where LL switch suppliers of the canvas tops which seems to be the root of the major leaking issues in the QS line. From the sounds of it they have since corrected this but time will tell.

[charlie2922]

We made our trip to Van Buren MO last week and I didn't use seam sealer so I could see if the prior downpour in June had possibly helped it. Last Wed we had a hard storm and were slightly protected by trees but still had a lot of hard rain hit us. Now I'm actually down to only 2 leaks and they were very minor. Since I haul freight and am out of town 5 days a week it is hard to set up and plan for taking it down before going back out. So I will check out either next time we go out or set it up in dry weather and check it. 

I did have good luck with drying it off so we could leave campground on Wed evening. Took 4 ft ladder so can get our bikes down from atop the Tucson and we have extra towels that are large. Had my wife to hold each end slightly loose and got on the ladder and threw a towel halfway across at highest point like you would a car to dry it off. Works great. 

Charlie

[charlie2922]

There is a tag on it like an upholstery tag on the inside sewn into one of the seams on the side the door is on.

Charlie