Mutha Hubba Fly leaks?

[kanangra]

I went camping in the Mutha Hubba over the weekend and I had a fair bit of water in at both ends. OK it did rain none stop for 24hours but this was still disappointing. The tent is about 4 years old and is not used all that much because of its size. The fly is the old orange type that has a waxy feel and smell to it. Unlike the new yellow fly used on the Hubba Hubba HP. I haven't had a chance to investigate thoroughly yet as all my gear is still drying out but it maybe that the old wax seal on the seems has dried out and cracked? If so maybe only need to reseal the seams? If so would you seal on the outside or the inside?

K.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

I know there were problems with some of the early orange models losing their protective coating, which were replaced under warranty.

Have you emailed MSR? If you tell them you had one of the ealy orange models and now the fly is leaking, i expect they would replace immediately.

[kanangra]

Thanks I'll give that a go.

K.

[kanangra]

I just thought I should let you know that I have just heard back from Cascade Designs maker of MSR tents offering to replace the fly for me with one of their green ones. apparantly there was a problem with the orange ones. Very good service.

K.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Hi five!

[Ent]

I just thought I should let you know that I have just heard back from Cascade Designs maker of MSR tents offering to replace the fly for me with one of their green ones. apparantly there was a problem with the orange ones. Very good service.

K.

Top job. Was this via the local distributor or MSR direct?

Cheers

[kanangra]

No head office in the US. I sent them an e-mail and they responded within a couple of days. I have posted the fly off to them. I'll let you know how it all goes.

K.

[kanangra]

Just reporting in that I have received my new fly from MSR. It is green. Apparantly the failure of my old fly was a storage issue? I didn't realise this but these flysheets need constant airing? Apparantly they are dual coated and the PU coating isn't able to breathe as well as a single coated flysheet and moisture, even from humidity is able to be caught on the PU coating if not stored correctly. They recommend storing the flysheet hanging with the silicon coating outer touching allowing the PU coating to breathe 100% of the time.

They go on to say "Please store the flysheet dry and loose out of the stuff sack and every two months hang out and air tent.

Does anybody else do this? I am very careful to dry completely before storage and place in a cool dark cupboard. But now this as well?

What do other people do?

K.

[baldhead]

K

I store the fly dry, loose out of the stuff sac, in a cupboard with some moisture absorbent sachets on the shelve
I didn’t know about the requirement to air out every two months

This would be a good topic to post a thread re how do people store their tent
Cheers

[MartyGwynne]

Mmm does apply to the hubba hubba tents as well?
I might have to read the MSR web site now.

[Moondog55]

I did not know this either.
I think some tent coating are more susceptible to this.
I just lost a Katmandu ( Wild Country) fly that was fine last month

[ninjapuppet]

After reading this post, just took th hubba HP fly out to check, and the fly did appear to stick together slightly.
Its been stored for 6 months but I can imagine if its been stored compressed for much longer, then some of the coating can rip away as you unravel it out of its stuff sack.
Checked my Golite tent and it doesnt appear to have the same tackiness like the MSR fly.

Just makes me wonder now if other tent manufacturers recommend the same procedure even if they dont use a PU coating?

[kanangra]

Ninja,

That is exactly what i found. It was sticky or waxy in feel and seemed to adhere to itself when I brought it out of storage. Something to be wary of for sure with MSR fly covers at least.

k.

[Lady McGuyver]

Just reporting in that I have received my new fly from MSR. It is green. Apparantly the failure of my old fly was a storage issue? I didn't realise this but these flysheets need constant airing? Apparantly they are dual coated and the PU coating isn't able to breathe as well as a single coated flysheet and moisture, even from humidity is able to be caught on the PU coating if not stored correctly. They recommend storing the flysheet hanging with the silicon coating outer touching allowing the PU coating to breathe 100% of the time.

They go on to say "Please store the flysheet dry and loose out of the stuff sack and every two months hang out and air tent.

Does anybody else do this? I am very careful to dry completely before storage and place in a cool dark cupboard. But now this as well?

What do other people do?

K.

I store all my tents & shelters loosely folded (or stuffed) in big mesh/net bags. . and I too, had trouble with the fly on my Hubba Hubba (orange one) with the seam tapes lifting in places, rendering it potentially leaky. Easily fixed by buying a roll of iron-on seam-tape. Piece of cake to fix. Just had to remember how to use an iron!!
But I know what you mean about the odour and being a tad tacky. . .this seems very noticeable in my single-skin MSR’s, but doesn’t seem to affect their waterproof ability...
Mebbe I should hit them up for a replacement. . . .hmmm

[MartyGwynne]

Just read MSR web site and their care instructions state to store the tent and fly loosely in a dry place.
I read further and found that some people store them in a pillow case just loosely packed and this is OK.
Or you could purchase the made for purpose MSR storage bag for $$$$$$.....
I need to get to the shed and open my tent up now.