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Post by liv4mtns on Nov 20, 2020 13:15:17 GMT -8
Got back from a backpack trip last weekend where my tent got wet. After returning home I laid the rain fly out to dry. When picking it up after drying I noticed lots of white particles laying on the driveway. I inspected the fly and saw the seam tape had started to separate from the fly. It's a Nemo Losi 3 tent. Contacted Nemo and they initiated a return for me. This tent is not in circulation anymore, and one of the emails I got from Nemo stated that this problem was not fixable. So my concern is what do I do next? I'm going to send it to them as they asked, but if they can't fix it, or do not have a replacement fly, what are my options? Tent is only 4 years old and hasn't been used all that much since I have 5 tents that I rotate through.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Nov 20, 2020 14:28:07 GMT -8
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Post by liv4mtns on Nov 20, 2020 14:44:39 GMT -8
You are correct about the lifetime warranty HSF. One email I received stated in was "unrepairable" and they would assess the damage. Confusing on that email. I submitted a claim, and they sent me a RA# so it's ready to ship to Nemo this weekend. Will have to wait and see what they say once they receive it.
When I said the tent got wet, I meant to say the fly got wet from a light rain. Never came through to the tent, but once I saw the seam tape damage, I wanted to nip this in the bud before it goes any further.
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Post by trinity on Nov 20, 2020 14:53:08 GMT -8
This has happened to me before, with an REI tent. Though it was past its warranty, they agreed to allow me to return it, like yours it was probably about 4 years old, and had received very little use. To my knowledge, there is nothing to be done once the seam tape starts to pull away. I hope NEMO will do the right thing and offer you some kind of replacement, but if not, I don't know what options you have but to purchase a new tent. If there is anything that can be done to refurbish a rainfly with this problem, I would love to hear about it.
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Post by liv4mtns on Nov 20, 2020 15:01:45 GMT -8
This has happened to me before, with an REI tent. Though it was past its warranty, they agreed to allow me to return it, like yours it was probably about 4 years old, and had received very little use. To my knowledge, there is nothing to be done once the seam tape starts to pull away. I hope NEMO will do the right thing and offer you some kind of replacement, but if not, I don't know what options you have but to purchase a new tent. If there is anything that can be done to refurbish a rainfly with this problem, I would love to hear about it. Nemo's a great company, so hopefully they can make this right. The Losi LS 3 has been discontinued, so likely no chance for a new tent. I really like this tent. Scores of room in it for 2 people and gear, and light weight to boot when you split the weight up. Don't see anything in their current tent line that compares to this Losi. I was thinking that if you could remove the remaining seam tape, why couldn't you then take a seam sealer and go over the seams with that. A simple foam brush applicator would do the trick. Then again, maybe that's just crazy talk. |
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franco
Trail Wise!
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Post by franco on Nov 20, 2020 15:21:14 GMT -8
It can be fixed but it isn't economical to do for a company.
However if you like the tent a lot and are prepared to put a few hours work on it, you can indeed peel off the rest of the tape, clean the area and then seal with something like Seam Grip.
Gear Aid had a video on their site to show you step by step how to do it.
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Post by liv4mtns on Nov 20, 2020 15:35:01 GMT -8
It can be fixed but it isn't economical to do for a company. However if you like the tent a lot and are prepared to put a few hours work on it, you can indeed peel off the rest of the tape, clean the area and then seal with something like Seam Grip. Gear Aid had a video on their site to show you step by step how to do it. Thank-you franco for that suggestion. Went to Gear Aid and watched the video. I seam sealed a fly before, but it was many years ago. Didn't care for it, but if it saves the fly and tent, I'll give it a go. I'll wait for the reply from Nemo first of course. |
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FamilySherpa
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Tangled up in Rhododendron
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Post by FamilySherpa on Nov 24, 2020 6:50:40 GMT -8
yeah, 4 years old is way to short a time for the rain fly tape to be failing.
I usually have to re-tape or liquid seal the seams on the floor of our tents after about 3 years, but they get far more abrasion than the fly.
Hope they make it right with you.
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rangewalker
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Agitate, organize and educate.
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Post by rangewalker on Nov 24, 2020 8:40:45 GMT -8
Eight to ten years has been my experience on coatings or seam tape delamination. On two shelters they were dying of use and sunstroke too.
Only one shelter, an OR Deluxe Bivy, did I pursue the company for a remedy. The entire PU coated floor blistered up yet the GoreTex top fabric looked like it was fresh from the mill, but dropped on the floor for some scuffs. After a few emails and photos were exchanged, OR gave a credit of $250, and that bivy was no longer in production. In the interim, I found a OR Highland bivy on a Fb marketplace, and bought that. I used the credit to get a three season short jacket that is really too heavy for backpacking but perfect for day hiking and skiing under a shell.
Note: Pertex is no match for Gore-Tex Respiraire in bivy top construction. (Highland versus Deluxe)
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Post by liv4mtns on Nov 24, 2020 11:37:53 GMT -8
Shipped the rainfly off to Nemo today. Hopefully will know something next week due to the short Thanksgiving work week this week. Will post up when I know something.
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