Date: Mon, 25 Sep 1995 11:25:46 -0400
From: Bob Rosebrough <rosebro@GGPL.ARSUSDA.GOV>
Subject: Eureka Tents
I experienced a zipper jam on my Eureka Special Edition for the umpteenth time this weekend, but was lucky in unjamming this time. For you who are using this tent, you know what I mean. The zipper catches the storm flap that is supposed to prevent water invasion during storms and may be difficult to fix, especially in a driving rain. The usual suggestion has been to hold the flap away from the zipper and operate slowly and carefully.
I bought some Kenyon repair tape (this stuff with adhesive on one side) from REI. The stuff is sold in 3 x 18 inch lengths for $3.00. I then cut the tape lengthwise and used these sections to apply to the underside of the storm flaps to reinforce them. Presto, looks like no more problems with jamming. The flap is slightly thicker and does not appear to be as prone as previously to catching in the zipper.
Bob Rosebrough
ASM Troop 601
Columbia MD
Date: Sun, 3 Sep 1995 19:11:05 -0400
From: "Bruce E. Cobern" <bec@PIPELINE.COM>
Subject: Plastic Zippers on Tents
On Sun, 3 Sep 1995 Tom Turba x6774 <turba@UNIRSVL.RSVL.UNISYS.COM> said:
>My guess is that there is something worn, broken, or
caught in the metal part
>that joins the edges.
>Does anybody know if there is an easy way to fix this?
And, what is the
>activity that causes this condition.
You are correct that when a zipper is "broken" especially on a Timberline or other Eureka tent it is almost always the "zipper pull" and not the zipper. I have no idea what happens to the pull, but I have never had to have the entire zipper replaced on any of my (3) Eureka tents, although I have often had to have the pulls replaced.
I have them fixed a Campmor, a local large camping supply store. It takes about 5-10 minutes and they charge me either $7.50 or $10 (I'm not sure what the current rate is.) They take the staple out of the bottom of the zipper, slide the old pull off the bottom, slide the new pull onto the zipper and usually tape the bottom of the zipper to prevent the new pull from sliding off the bottom. They do not, I do not believe, restaple the bottom of the zipper. However, I have never had a problem with the repaired zipper pull sliding off the bottom of the zipper.
I am sure that if you could have someone show you how to do it once you could get the replacement pulls for much less than the price that Campmor charges me. The troop has some TL Outfitters and some of the zippers need repairing and we are considering finding a member of the committee who is handy and has room in his basement to do the repairs who is willing to learn and take over this responsibility instead of having to bring the tents out to NJ (we are in Queens, NY) to have Campmor repair them.
Bruce E. Cobern
MC, Troop 1
Flushing, NY
Date: Sun, 3 Sep 1995 21:03:21 -0400
From: Stephen Hoar <hoar@AGDIS01.NEWARK.AF.MIL>
Subject: Re: Plastic Zippers on Tents
In your message of 3 Sep 1995 at 1849 EDT, you write:
>I have long ago learned that plastic zippers on tents and
Scouts do not mix
>well. I don't know that it is. Maybe it is just some unknown
chemistry.
>But, it seemed that whenever I would loan a tent (especially
a Timberline
>tent) to a Scout for a campout the plastic zipper would
almost always be
>non-functional afterward.
>
>Does anybody know if there is an easy way to fix this? And,
what is the
>activity that causes this condition.
We have 20 Timberlines for our troop and periodically, one of the zippers (a couple per campout) will experience this problem. Every time you pull the zipper closed it tends to spread the grip or'jaws' of the zipper pull. I always take along a small pair of 'vice grips' to fix the problem. I just squeeze the slide top and bottom slightly together and it generally fixes the problem. Its kind of hard to give you a precise amount of squeeze required, just play it by ear. It seems to be a law of nature that they only jump the track at 11pm in the rain. Maybe its the combination of water and darkness that causes the pull to quit.
Eventually we may have to replace a zipper but this little fix sure keeps us going.
Steve
T-8
Newark
Date: Mon, 4 Sep 1995 09:52:00 EDT
From: Tim Purdon <tpurdon@MICH.COM>
Subject: Re: Plastic Zippers on Tents
If you call Johnson Camping, Customer Service, at 1-800-572-8822, they will send you all the sliders you need to repair Eureka products. They also include a little how-to sheet. Pay attention to the old slider since Timberlines have used two different sliders over the years. You must request the proper one. They'll have them out to you in a couple of days. Great service. What causes this? When you remove the defective slider look carefully inside from the front edge. You will notice wear, both on the center divider and to the top and bottom edges. It's amazing how much wear the nylon teeth can cause on the metal slider. One additional note. Squeezing the slider with pliers is often a good fix in the field but is temporary at best. If sqeezed too much it may make the zipper totally inoperative and/or cause damage to the teeth. Hope this helps.
YIS,
Tim Purdon (tpurdon@mich.com)
Troop 775
Westland, Michigan
12/08/95