Campertrailer tarp cover thingy..

[Dion]

Well my second cover has faded MASSIVELY.. Extremely disappointing...

Is yours stored outside or inside?

[Bird]

Is yours stored outside or inside?

It was outside for a while maybe 2-3mths without a tarp on it, but then always tarped up... it was right next to my $1000 campertrailer thats been sitting out in the weather for 3-4 years and its cover is still (or was until I sold it few weeks ago) bright green.

[DaveL]

Bruce,

Sounds like a manufacturer cutting corners.  I have the SCC tent and the camper has been out in the weather now for around 2 years and no noticeable fading.  They seem to use the truck tautliner (SP) curtain material and it is bomb proof (though haven't tested this yet).

Zip and Shock cord and doesn't give any trouble.

- David.

[Dion]

It was outside for a while maybe 2-3mths without a tarp on it, but then always tarped up... it was right next to my $1000 campertrailer thats been sitting out in the weather for 3-4 years and its cover is still (or was until I sold it few weeks ago) bright green.

Interesting.  Have you mentioned it to Lifestyle at all?

I know red is always a hard colour to sunproof (look at early 90s Toyota) but I would have expected better than that.

[Bird]

Interesting.  Have you mentioned it to Lifestyle at all?
but I would have expected better than that.

Agree, I had a red ute years ago, it was crap to try and keep red!

Not yet, I havent mentioned it to them... Last time i had problems with my cover I pretty much copped a mouthful off the owner, which everyone said is an awesome bloke.  Considering the original cover turned up looking like a rag covered in battery acid, I didnt really expect much more out of it.

I'll try and get photos tonight.

[Bird]

Bruce,

Sounds like a manufacturer cutting corners.  I have the SCC tent and the camper has been out in the weather now for around 2 years and no noticeable fading.  They seem to use the truck tautliner (SP) curtain material and it is bomb proof (though haven't tested this yet).

Hey Dave.
Apparently this is *Tautliner* stuff from memory. Look, fairs fair, until I get photos and send them off I wont know what the go is, but again Im very disappointed with it.

Maybe it was just a bad batch and I got 2 duds out of them. But i'd expect 4-5yrs out in the weather before it caused any *serious fading*.... maybe Im on wrong planet again (I am while Im gettin prices on chekerplate toolboxes!!!!)

[DaveL]

Maybe it was just a bad batch and I got 2 duds out of them. But i'd expect 4-5yrs out in the weather before it caused any *serious fading*.... maybe Im on wrong planet again (I am while Im gettin prices on chekerplate toolboxes!!!!)

I would say bull$hit to that.  How many trucks do you see driving around with faded curtains and it isn't like they get wrapped up in cotton wool each night.  And my red cover has survived the last 2 years in the elements next to the shed and no fade.

Looking forward to what the manufacturer has to say.

[Malcur]

My CT has the zip and shock cord, but no velcro. I don't find it too difficult to zip up. And it keeps the dust out.

Mal

[Bird]

I would say bull$hit to that.  How many trucks do you see driving around with faded curtains and it isn't like they get wrapped up in cotton wool each night.  And my red cover has survived the last 2 years in the elements next to the shed and no fade.

Looking forward to what the manufacturer has to say.

Firstly I'll post a photo show it and to see if people think I am over reacting.



As you can see, the sides are fine - thats the original colour.
I have a reply from the company owner. What would you expect a reply to be - remembering this is a 7-8mth old cover, the first one didnt even make the trip from Qld down here without ripping, and the trailer itself is <12mths old.

[SpoonyAU]

Ours has a zip covered by shock cord and a small velcro cover over where the zip starts and stops.  It has been perfect so far.

[Darcy7]

that's a lot of fading...!

I would expect they should replace that. Looks like something has gone wrong in the manufacturing of that tarp.

The thing I would be concerned about is what will happen a few years from now.  The material itself might deteriorate.

[Bird]

I would expect they should replace that. Looks like something has gone wrong in the manufacturing of that tarp.

Maybe I expect too much in this modern world, but I expected that with a smile – no questions asked OR a microscopic bit of concern at the wear. I thought something like "That is not right mate, it shouldn't fade like" or "I have never seen that before, SORRY for your problems" might have been the reply.

After all it was a friendly letter I sent, no abuse, no demands, just let him know about it, and that I was disappointed and expected more. I'm dumbfounded.

But alas no, a 1 line reply, we will sell you another one less than ½ price + freight. I'd have accepted that and been very happy with the offer if I'd had the 5+ years.
Yea, awesome, send me one every 7-12 mths.

Maybe mine is a one off problem- maybe it has never happened before, maybe it will never happen again, but there wasnt even a question or request to post it back to them to investigate/test which I would have happily done.

The thing I would be concerned about is what will happen a few years from now.  The material itself might deteriorate.

Exactly!! That's what I said in my email to him.

I'll leave the rooted cover on there for others to see, I see that as the best form of advertising When it fails then I'll get one made elsewhere.

Very disappointing, I love my Explorer + trailer, it is outstanding, its that good, a mate sold his Obriens he bought at the same time I bought mine as he was disappointed with the little things compared. He was going to buy a LS but got a Tru Blue now. Mine is perfect apart from the cover. Does everything I need brilliantly, everything else is great. 22 days in the Flinders coming up in Sept/Oct with several cars.
   
Anyway, he will be happy to know they will never hear from me again, or get another cent off me, not that I feel they would care.

[aremac]

I hadn't really noticed the fading on my cover (same colour) until after reading this thread.

Last night had a quick look around and mine has started to go the same way after a bit over six months.

I could almost understand it if it had been out in the open for this time, but it's always been stored under a carport.

I'll have to keep on eye on it making sure it doesn't leak/split.

[Bird]

I hadn't really noticed the fading on my cover (same colour) until after reading this thread.

Last night had a quick look around and mine has gone the same way after a bit over six months.

I could almost understand it if it had been out in the open for this time, but it's always been stored under a carport.

I'll have to keep on eye on it making sure it doesn't leak/split.

Contact them, I'd love to see what reply you get.

[PK]

I have the drey cover and no probs here with fading or anything else , but I don`t leave mine out in the weather .

[Bird]

I have the drey cover and no probs here with fading or anything else , but I don`t leave mine out in the weather .

it may have started life as a red one LOL!

[speewa158]

Out with the factor 30+ or is that over kill ?

[mcbadger2]

Lost,

I would have been under the impression that seeing the unit is <12 months old that this would have been a warranty problem.
You do have statutory warranty rights where a product should last a reasonable amount of time. That is if the product is sold to you as being of high quality. If you havent alraedy done so i would look at your rights through fair trading.

Mark

[Bird]

Lost,

I would have been under the impression that seeing the unit is <12 months old that this would have been a warranty problem.
You do have statutory warranty rights where a product should last a reasonable amount of time. That is if the product is sold to you as being of high quality. If you havent alraedy done so i would look at your rights through fair trading.

Mark

I would have thought so. Then I thought they would have offered to replace it with all this "AWESOME SERVICE" I keep reading about, specially since there are more and more reporting issues. I still feel living so far away is my issue. I cant tow it in there and show them, and tell them face to face how pist off I am with a Shit attitude I keep getting. Everyone that GOES IN THERE seems to get this outstanding service I keep readin about.

But I might go Fair Trading just for the fun.

[Dion]

You have a right for the goods to be fit for purpose and of merchantable quality, irrespective of warranty. This is covered by federal Trade Practices Act. The cover should not fade like that.

However I will say that under those same laws, they were not obliged to replace the cover damaged in transit as the same laws considers delivery damage to be buyers responsibilty (even if they arrange, unless separate insurance arranged). So be prepared for that.

Edit: That is not to say it is an excuse for replacing it with something that fades quick.

[Bird]

You have a right for the goods to be fit for purpose and of merchantable quality, irrespective of warranty. This is covered by federal Trade Practices Act. The cover should not fade like that.

However I will say that under those same laws, they were not obliged to replace the cover damaged in transit as the same laws considers delivery damage to be buyers responsibilty (even if they arrange, unless separate insurance arranged). So be prepared for that.

Edit: That is not to say it is an excuse for replacing it with something that fades quick.

Yea, basically they can jam it, wont give them the pleasure of taking money off me to give me another Shit cover.

I'll take pleasure in having some other company spread their name across the new cover, and make sure I get it out to as many people/places/internet sites to show how poor their gear and service to interstate customers reallly is.

[Slain]

mine works great, i have a nylon bag that covers the tent. then the extra space is used on top for tables etc which has 6 straps (4 side to side and 2 front to back) then a zip on and velco cover.

[Bird]

I hadn't really noticed the fading on my cover (same colour) until after reading this thread.

Last night had a quick look around and mine has started to go the same way after a bit over six months.

I could almost understand it if it had been out in the open for this time, but it's always been stored under a carport.

I'll have to keep on eye on it making sure it doesn't leak/split.

so how is it these days?

[lockyer]

You have a right for the goods to be fit for purpose and of merchantable quality, irrespective of warranty. This is covered by federal Trade Practices Act. The cover should not fade like that.

However I will say that under those same laws, they were not obliged to replace the cover damaged in transit as the same laws considers delivery damage to be buyers responsibilty (even if they arrange, unless separate insurance arranged). So be prepared for that.

Edit: That is not to say it is an excuse for replacing it with something that fades quick.

While working for a large paint manufacturing company here in Brisbane 18 years ago all staff were told that when selling or mixing any paint(house - car or boat) whether lacquer or enamel that red and pink colours will start fading immediately once applied. This is due to the amount of pigment used to make the colour, it would be the same for all products whether vinyl, plastic or steel.

It would be interesting to find out where you would stand with the office of fair trading regarding the colour - the vinyl would be find and should last if looked after but the colour won't last thats for sure.

[Dion]

Take a look at any red 1990s Corolla, Excel etc.  All faded.