Used Tramplite shelters

[gixer]

Just to confirm Mr Ibbotson does what it say on the tin, so to speak

Bought a used tramplite in April and he has been extremely helpful in answering any and all of my questions

 

[oreocereus]

Sounds about right. That’s many years for most hikers. By the way I would also rate silpoly as similar lifespan. The highest quality silnylon can last longer (12+ months) but the zips will probably have failed long before then ;-)

interesting re silpoly. That’s not the line touted by other manufacturers - generally seem it marketed as having closer to the same life as silnylon.

 

[Rog Tallbloke]

interesting re silpoly. That’s not the line touted by other manufacturers - generally seem it marketed as having closer to the same life as silnylon.

All these numbers are predicated on packing down in the morning. In sunny conditions, tents left up during the day will be done in by UV a lot sooner in fabric strength terms.

 

[Robert P]

All these numbers are predicated on packing down in the morning. In sunny conditions, tents left up during the day will be done in by UV a lot sooner in fabric strength terms.

I seem to recall polyester being less susceptible to UV than nylon; interesting that silnylon might have the edge in longevity, thought I guess it depends on the specific fabric (eg the 7D nylons are unlikely to be the longest lasting).

 

[oreocereus]

Yeah, my understanding of polyester is that it breaks down a lot less due to UV. Silnylon, with good amounts of UV exposure, is weakened significantly - more than 20% of it's original strength, if i'm remembering the numbers in a podcast @dandurston was talking about this stuff on. In fact that was my general understanding of silpoly vs silnylon - lower tear strength than silnylon initially, but silnylons tear strength will degrade quicker than silpoly, so after a length of time they're fairly comparable.

I might be misremembering here, so please correct me if i'm wrong. And of course, tear strength isn't as much of a determinant on expected life as abrasion is.

 

[Tramplite]

interesting re silpoly. That’s not the line touted by other manufacturers - generally seem it marketed as having closer to the same life as silnylon.

I’ve been long term testing silpoly for the last few years. Of course I’ve only tested a few brands but I have a good feel for how it ages now. The silicone layer is not impregnated as deep (if at all) into the fabric like it is in silnylon and it wears off quite quickly. One that’s gone the outer face can wet out. You still have a PU coating to keep the rain out but it too is very thin and rather fragile. Once that’s failed the fabric can leak. My test shelters have all seen some leakage after extended use. Shame really as I quite like the idea of silpoly, hence all the testing.

 

[oreocereus]

That's interesting and disappointing. I suppose in the next few years we might start to see a spate of premature failures from silpoly users - unless there are certain silpoly fabrics that do last better. It's the first I've read of this.

 

[Mole]

That's s pity, I always hoped for a production Silpoly or Silnylon Tramplite. I know you've tried both fabrics?

There must be some pretty well used Trekkertent models out there by now?
Anyone?

He's been using 1.1oz Silpoly (I think from RBTR) for over 5 years?
( Thought some silpolys only have silicone?)

 

[oreocereus]

Haven't seen any complaints on the trekkertent owners facebook page, but that group seems to be dominated by a few over-complimentary folk. Has anyone here had one that long?

 

[Tramplite]

That's interesting and disappointing. I suppose in the next few years we might start to see a spate of premature failures from silpoly users - unless there are certain silpoly fabrics that do last better. It's the first I've read of this.

I would be a little surprised if these fabrics don’t all come from the same factory. I actually don’t see it as that big a problem given that for most this is many years use.

 

[Tramplite]

That's s pity, I always hoped for a production Silpoly or Silnylon Tramplite. I know you've tried both fabrics?

There must be some pretty well used Trekkertent models out there by now?
Anyone?

He's been using 1.1oz Silpoly (I think from RBTR) for over 5 years?
( Thought some silpolys only have silicone?)

I’m a tiny home builder and stocking various materials in numerous colours just isn’t viable. I can’t keep up with DCF demand never mind adding silnylon and silpoly!

 

[oreocereus]

I would be a little surprised if these fabrics don’t all come from the same factory. I actually don’t see it as that big a problem given that for most this is many years use.

Tis, but one of the big draws of silpoly for me was that I assumed it would last about as long as silnylon (i.e. maybe twice as long as DCF) at about half the cost.

Of course, it's still a lot more affordable, obviously, and the pack size is a big positive.

 

[Tramplite]

Haven't seen any complaints on the trekkertent owners facebook page, but that group seems to be dominated by a few over-complimentary folk. Has anyone here had one that long?

It will depend a lot on how they are used. My testing is always continuous use over multi-month hikes, which is really tough on gear. The majority of owners will not use their gear that way

 

[Robert P]

I’ve been long term testing silpoly for the last few years. Of course I’ve only tested a few brands but I have a good feel for how it ages now. The silicone layer is not impregnated as deep (if at all) into the fabric like it is in silnylon and it wears off quite quickly. One that’s gone the outer face can wet out. You still have a PU coating to keep the rain out but it too is very thin and rather fragile. Once that’s failed the fabric can leak. My test shelters have all seen some leakage after extended use. Shame really as I quite like the idea of silpoly, hence all the testing.

That aligns with my less extensive experience, at least with silpoly as a groundsheet material: on wet ground I've found some seepage in areas under pressure (weighted) following less usage than I've experienced with comparable weight silnylon groundsheets.

 

[oreocereus]

It will depend a lot on how they are used. My testing is always continuous use over multi-month hikes, which is really tough on gear. The majority of owners will not use their gear that way

But would still extrapolate to general life expectancy. Is that wear coming from UV? Abrasion of being stuffed and set up over and over again?