How to Repair Canvas Tent Trailers

Many families and campers enjoy the sensation of being in the woods with nature, but roughing it by backpacking or tent camping--not so much. The popularity of tent trailers has swelled over the last several years, and learning to repair the minor yet inevitable damage to the trailer is easy and necessary.

You need

• Scissors


• Measuring tape.


• Canvas patching kit with adhesive


• Matching canvas fabric

1. Remove any loose threads or ragged edges, burnt fabric or rotted areas from the canvas. Start your repair with a clean, even hole or tear. It is best to repair any damage with a patch, as sewing compromises the integrity of the waterproof fabric.


2. Measure the hole's width and length.


3. Cut a pair of canvas patches two inches larger than the hole or tear all the way around. The patches need to overlap the hole or tear in all directions.


4. Apply canvas adhesive from the patching kit to a side of a patch. Put this over the damage from the inside of the trailer. Hold firmly in place, smoothing out any wrinkles. 


5. Wait five minutes before moving on to the next step. Make sure the patch has firmly adhered to the canvas.


6. Apply canvas adhesive to one side of the remaining patch. Put this over the damage from the outside of the trailer. Hold firmly in place, smoothing out any wrinkles. 


7. Wait five minutes. Make sure the patch has firmly adhered to the canvas.


8. Leave the tent trailer up for 24 hours to ensure patches are smooth, stretched out, wrinkle free and now a part of the canvas.