CARING FOR YOUR EUREKA TENT
SEAM SEALING:
We recommend use of a sealer such as Kenyon Seam Sealer 3 or McNett Outdoor SeamGrip®.
Work in a fully ventilated area.
Set the tent up or lay the tent out flat. Taut seams allow for even application and penetration of the sealer.
Decide which seams need to be sealed. For example, seams that will be exposed to rain, runoff, or ground level water are a must for sealing, while seams on uncoated nylon or mesh panels don't need treatment. There is no need to seal the seams in the roof or the factory taped seams. We recommend sealing both floor and fly seams and reinforcements.
Apply sealant to the inside and outside of all exposed seams. Several thin layers will work better than one thick layer. Read and follow manufacturer's instructions.
STAKING:
All tents need to be staked down to keep them from blowing away. Securing the tent by placing heavy objects inside is just not adequate.
Pull the base of the tent taut between each web stake out loop or ring and pin. Make sure that all corners are square. It is important that you don't stake the tent out too tightly. You will know it's too tight, if the door zippers can not be easily operated. Drive stakes through the web loops, or with ring & pin, drive the stake just outside the ring so that the J- hook catches it. Tie a piece of cord or web into a loop through the ring to be used as a large stake loop if needed.
Do not attempt to remove the stakes by pulling on the tent becket loop, as this could cause the fabric to tear. The best way is to pry on the stake itself
Staking in special conditions:
Sand - Use long, broad stakes with plenty of surface area in loose soil.
Hard, Rock, or Frozen Soil - Steel stakes work best. Store steel stakes separately. Their sharp edges can cut fabric and leave rust stains, which might damage your tent.
Snow - Use "dead man" anchors. Tie tent to buried objects (branches, tent bags, or stuff sacks filled with snow; or tie tents to snow shoes, skis, or ski poles, which are stuck in the snow.
GUY LINES:
Do not depend upon staking alone to keep your tent secure during high winds. It's important to put in the extra time guying out your tent. Correctly done, it can save your tent during exceptional weather.
CONDENSATION & VENTING:
Through perspiration and breathing, an adult gives off about a pint of water overnight. If it cannot escape, the water vapor condenses to liquid. Most often, water found in the tent is a result of this condensation rather than from the tent leaking. Condensation often forms where the sleeping bag touches the side of the tent, under the sleeping pad, or on coated surfaces such as the door flaps. A tent's double wall construction allows vapor to escape through the roof to the outside, keeping the inside of the tent dry.
Leave the windows partially open at night to provide cross ventilation and further reduce condensation. Cross ventilation becomes more important in very humid or extremely cold conditions when the permeable roof is less effective. The features that enhance ventilation are windows, short sheeted flys, roof vents, and High/Low venting doors.
Given the importance of proper ventilation Eureka! uses High/Low venting in most of their tents. This allows cooler air in through the low vents and the warmer, moist air up and out through the roof vents, doors and windows. It is important to vent the vestibule. Unvented, it can inhibit airflow into the tent. Eureka! tent vestibules profit from the ability to "short sheet" by means of zippers & toggles and staked vestibule pull outs create a bellowing effect.
Most Eureka! tents are equipped with a High/Low venting door. This design allows increased airflow into the tent from the bottom. Open the vent/window to admit cool air, allowing the warmer air out through the high roof vents. When rain and wind prevent the low vent from being opened, the high door vent can still be used. Fly overhangs or vestibules protect it.
ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT:
Ultraviolet light damage to tent fabric is caused by excessive exposure to sunlight. While Eureka! tent fabics are UV resistant, any synthetic fabric is susceptible to UV degradation. UV damage will cause nylon and polyester to become brittle and tear easily. We recommend that you use the rain fly even on clear days. It acts as a sunscreen to the tent. A rain fly is both easier and less expensive to replace if damaged. UV damage can be minimized by erecting tents on shaded sites with low exposure to direct sunlight.
GENERAL POLE CARE:
Never let tent poles snap together as this can damage the pole end.
Do not drop tent or pole bags on their ends and do not bounce a tent bag on its end to get the tent out. These actions may cut the shock cord and damage the pole ends.
The aluminum frame may bend slightly and take a set through usage; this normally does not affect the performance of the frame.
GENERAL TENT CARE:
Sweep the tent floor daily to prevent damage from stones.
Try not to wear shoes inside your tent.
Use a ground cloth whenever possible
Do not keep food inside a tent. Hungry critters will chew through tent fabric in search of food.
STORAGE:
Make sure the tent is completely dry, then store loosely rolled, in a dry, cool place. To prevent dust from collecting on the tent, cover it with a cloth. This allows the nylon/polyester fabrid to breathe.
Ideally, the tent poles should be stored in their fully assembled state. This reduces the tension on the shock cord, prolonging its life.
The tent bag should be used only as a carry sack and not for storage.
COLOR TRANSFER:
Do to the nature of tent fabrics, color can transfer from darker to lighter fabrics when the two fabrics are in contact over time when wet, damp, or exposed to the combination of moisture and high heat. This does not affect the tent's performance. To prevent or minimize color transfer, always make sure your tent is completely dry prior to packing and storage.
CLEANING:
Clean the tent by setting it up and wiping it down with a mild soap (liquid hand soap) and lukewarm water solution. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely. Never use detergent, washing machines or dryers because they can damage the tent's protective coating and seams. After cleaning, be sure the tent is completely dry, especially the heavier double-stitched areas such as the seams, before storing or mold and mildew are likely to grow.
Clean the tent poles with a cloth and lubricate them with silicone spray. This is especially necessary after oceanside camping to remove salt spray so the poles don't corrode or stay gritty.
Clean the zippers with a quick dip in water and then dry them off. This is especially important if you have been camping in a location with sand or dirt. If you don't clean the zippers, the sliders will wear out and the teeth will become inoperable.
