Leather Washers for tent post

[LRB]

Need Help! I have a small marquee tent and I am having trouble with water comming around the side poles when it rains. As I use the poles to hang gear on the gear sometimes gets wet. I have heard about leather washers being used to prevent this. Can anyone tell me the size, how thick, and how they are used (inside or outside) and any other information about their use. Does anyone have any other ideas as how to prevent this problem. Thanks for any help.

 

[MSzychulda]

Hi Wick, if you mean the water is coming down the pins where it goes through the roof, you can use caps over the pins. You can turn wood "balls" to slip over the pins with a flat base (larger than the hole) to slip over the pins. It allows the water to run off the sides and not down the holes. I use this on my wedge tent and it works well in heavy rain. I have seem some good looking caps at most the major home stores, I think they are used for curtain rod ends and post tops. From what i understand these were painted in regimental colors. I can find the documentation if you need it.

The leather washers i have seen are placed on the poles before they go through the roof. The leather swells when they get wet sealing the gap some. The washers can also be placed under the wood caps to further seal the gap.

Hope this helps, Matt

 

[LRB]

Thanks Matt, problem is the canvas is at an angle to the poles, I don't think the balls would work. On my wedge I have used O rings between the ridge and canvas, but they sit flat to the grommet.

 

[Birdman]

Wick I've seem them cut about the same size as the outside dia. of the pole they are used on and a hole punched into it a touch bigger then the pin in the pole. Place the washer over the canvas of the tent n the rope over that. The rope helps wick the water away n the leather seems to aid in the process. I' haven't actually done it but have seen several people that did n they seem happy with the way it works that way

 

[LRB]

Thanks, I will give that a try.