Canvas or acrylic tent?

[ockyfib]

Time for a tent replacement on our '89 camper. We have two local options for replacement, one uses OEM canvas tents one does the acrylic. My gut tells me that the acrylic would be a better modern day choice but the canvas tent installer claims that they are better and longer lasting.
Thoughts and advice would be much appreciated!

[PDXWesty]

I've had my acrylic tent installed for 18-19 years now. Looks great and no wear. Seems to be pretty waterproof. I have no complaints.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[dabaron]

the acrylic tent is stiffer, less drafty, and not as factory in fit. if you plan on camping in wet and windy conditions more often, pick acrylic.
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1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo

BiWerks Design, LLC

[bobbyblack]

Ask both places for pictures of what their installs look like when they are done. Might make a difference to you. I did my own, and it looks fine. It was hard. My fingers hurt for a week afterwords. I got a canvas reproduction except it has added side windows which I like. I haven't noticed drafts, and similarly to the EuroVan tent from the factory (I bought an EV brand new in 2003) I do make sure to open the top back up after any camping trip to let it air out, regardless of if there were dew, rain, what not. The tent will be most either inside, outside or both, no matter what your night has in store for you. The key to a long life of any tent is to air it out completely before long term storage. Unless you like mold.

Oh, and just after I finished my tent install, I swore I would have to charge anyone who asked me to do such a thing for them as a job at least $1000. Its that crappy of a job. Others make it look easy, and don't ask that much for the work. I hope yours falls in the latter group.
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[coqcitywesty]

Installed an Ateliers PK tent (Sunbrella material) two years ago and while it is definitely thicker and perhaps a tad less 'manageable' (i.e. folding/rolling) than the original, the quality and fit was perfect and the with the addition of the side windows, the interior certainly cools down quicker with a cross breeze.
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1991 Westfalia EJ251, 1972 Volvo 1800 ES

[Howesight]

Being located on Bainbridge, you know how much it rains in Cascadia. Go acrylic - - you will regret it if you go with canvas. I love my dry Sunbrella pop-top tent!
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[valvecovergasket]

[Ahwahnee]

Acrylic probably makes the most sense for your climate - I went with canvas as our trips are mostly deserts & mountains in fair weather.

Not all canvas is the same - the tent I got was a much heavier material than the original factory tent.

I definitely like the 3-window version and the installation was easy - but again, not all tents are the same.

Just because I already had a pic in the gallery:

[Wellington]

[kamzcab86]

Master Tent topic: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6794425#6794425 .
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~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子

[dobryan]

[Squidfish]

I prefer the acrylic for our wet climate. Stay away from the GW tents IMO.
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1985.5 - Vanagon Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg Edition - LH8U - "Penny"
- 2.6i 5-Cylinder 10v (2004)

[ockyfib]

Thanks everyone for all the comments, they are really helpful. So it sounds like my best bet in the PNW is to go with the acrylic rather than canvas which is what I was leaning towards.

[Wildthings]

My original canvas tent was destroyed by mice. Doubt that they would do the same amount of damage to acrylic but don't really know.