Forum Discussion

waterman7474's avatar
waterman7474
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014

Tent attachements on Thor Wanderer....snaps don't cut it

I have a 182dt Thor Wanderer. The tents snap down to the base much like a boat cover (this is just on the outboard ends parallel to the trailer, the other two sides wrap around and under the floor and are pulled together with a bungie)

The trailer has 3 tents (front and 2 wings) We have a 2 1/2 year old and we usually make the one on the door side a "play room". The minor problem is that this tent gets used the most and the snaps are pulling out of the flap.

The major problem is that the snaps don't really secure the tent to the floor very well and we have already had a close call with her leaning on the screen to talk to us (while we were outside) and the snap popped off/open and she almost fell out 3 feet to the ground (made it half way and we caught her). We have a workaround in that we now open the screens and put the flap under the blanket and when she sits on the blanket it essentially holds the tent in but we are now nervous about sleeping.

In another year or so, they can sleep in the tent by themselves but I am concerned about rolling out. We could put pillows and stuff along that side but that doesn't really solve the problem.

Are there any other ways to attache that one side to the floor better?

Zipper?
Heavy-er duty snapping system?

Thanks.

7 Replies

  • Hybridhunter's avatar
    Hybridhunter
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2014
    That's exactly what ours had. I removed the snaps and Velcro, and used the aluminum strips to hold the inner fold in place.
  • Jerry9n's avatar
    Jerry9n
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2014
    Our canvas ends are only attached to the door by velcro, BUT it has "roll out" straps. You can see them in the picture. They snap on to the door and if you were to roll out of the bunk you would roll on them first, making them almost impossible to come loose. We haven't used with any young ones, but they do seem to work. I would think a canvas shop could sew them on to your ends if you were so inclined.
  • Hybridhunter's avatar
    Hybridhunter
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2014
    I replaced our snaps on our 2011 Thor Hybrid with aluminum strips that hold down the material all the way on each side and end of the bunk. No need to snap anything, it holds tight, and keeps the bugs out. Ours also had Velcro around the edges that was a p.i.t.a.
  • Bob_Olallawa's avatar
    Bob_Olallawa
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2014
    Not sure that set up was ever built to handle the child pushing from the inside. You might reinforce the snap area when you replace them and use a combination of extra snaps and heavy duty Velcro.
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2014
    since you have a hybrid that probably 10 years old, since Thor hasn't made a hybrid since 2004 i think, stuff is wearing out.

    i would take the hybrid to a canvas shop or boat canvas shop and ask them what they would advise. they might have some creative solutions along with replacing some of the worn out snaps.

    or you can send the tent ends to Bear Creek.com or CanvasReplaement.com for rehabbing.

    pics generally are more helpful than written descriptions.
  • waterman7474's avatar
    waterman7474
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2014
    Unfortunately, I don't have a picture and can't get one till this weekend at best.

    But the short answer is yes... I have both problems.

    The snaps come off the base easily, well....some of them you just lightly tug on and they unsnap.

    Others are so well snapped that they now pull out of the tent material...

    Snaps just seem like a bad/antiquated solution.

    Unfortunatly, I don't know of any other way this could be solved. Zippers seem problematic and might not line up properly and velcro I don't guess would be that strong and fall apart over time.
  • llowllms's avatar
    llowllms
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2014
    Not sure what you are saying. Are the coming apart from the material or are they unsnapping from the unit? If you had a picture or two it may help some what or define a little better. There has been discussion on this before so if you can clarify I am sure you can get a good solution. Some times it requires pulling on the material hard enough to cause the snaps to go in place easily. I have had the issue of the snaps coming loose from the rig when I didn't take enough time to see they were aligned correctly and the material pulled out enough to allow for the snaps to snap easily. If it's loose from the fabric you may have to repair or replace.

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