2003 tent removal

[Terryo221]

We have a March built 2003 Tvan. Mark 2?
We have had it nearly 11 years and needs some TLC. The door zippers need replacing. Have tried the zipnfix but didn't solve the problem. We are just back from 3 weeks away in it and I managed to tear the tent just below the door zip by catching my foot on the zipper when exiting the tent and ripping it on one of the deck support pegs so the tent probably needs to come off anyway to fix that.
We are going to be spending a lot more time in it from now on and don't want to put up with zippers that don't quite work.
I have lined up a canvas repairer who has done Tvan tent zippers before.

Question is, has any one removed the tent from this model Tvan before?
I have read on here about removing the tents on later models and mine seems to be different.
It has 13 bolts around the tent that holds it onto the hatch and the tent looks like it is also held onto the hatch with velcro all the way around. There isn't any black clips or pinch weld as described in other posts here.
Just wanted to confirm this before we take it off.

Terry

[John Cherry]

Hello Terry,
We have a 2002 TVan,  the tent needed a few minor repairs like you describe. You are quite correct, the bolts attach  the canvas to the hard top, with the velcro also in place.
It was a relatively easy process to remove, especially with another pair of hands. The velcro did come off in places but it was easily replaced.
You shouldn't have any problems.

regards
John

[Terryo221]

John,

Thanks for that confirmation. Job is to be done on Wednesday so will post up the results.

Terry

[Terryo221]

Took the Tvan to the canvas repairer yesterday. After setting it up so he could have a look at the problems, I took the tent off by myself. He offered to do it but I thought I would save some dollars and do it myself.
Undid all the nuts and bolts. Separated all the Velcro. Had the tent on the deck in a pile in about 15 minutes.
Tent seems so much lighter than when it's rolled up and putting the net around it.
Repair is going to take 2 to 3 weeks due to the amount of work they have at the moment.
Said the canvas was still in pretty good condition for nearly 20 years old. I wonder how many overseas made campers will be able to say that.
The fun will be getting it back on, but that's a story for another day.

[Terryo221]

Got the tent back today. 2 days short of 3 weeks.
Replaced the mesh door on the kitchen side.Replaced all the zipper runners. Made up a new mesh bag for the tent with new zippers. Fixed two small holes in the tent near the floor and reinforced the top corners of the tent where it hangs from the hatch when set up and I got a canvas bag to fit my solar panels in. $660
Bell canvas Orchard Hills NSW. Was recommended by Camperact Narellan and now by me. He had done Tvan tents before.
Took about an hour to get the tent back on.
Wasn't too hard a job. Hardest part is the bolts need to go through two layers of canvas and the Velcro. Plus the 8 loops that hold the mesh, the bolts need to go through them as well. Not too hard to do. All the holes lined up fairly easily. Skinny fingers would have made the job quicker especially for the bolts along the highest side of the hatch when it is up.
Recommended to blow the dust out of the zippers with compressed air at the end of the trip and use a dry lubricant.
If you don't first blow the dust out it will just get mixed up with the lubricant and make things worse. Also had some waterproofing stuff made by the mob that make the tents. Basically wax that you melt down and paint on with a brush but only needs doing if you have leaks.