When going caravanning or camping one of the key things that the traveller needs is, protection against the elements. To underestimate the value of a high-quality camping fabric or caravan fabric which will probably be waterproof canvas or PVC fabric is to potentially lead to a problem during your holiday.
Let’s take a closer look at these fabrics:
1. Australian made waterproof canvas
This fabric has been manufactured and sold for generations and is arguably the best quality canvas in the world. Designed to be breathable and long-lasting it is an ideal product for larger camping tents and caravan annexes as well as pop-up camper trailers. With a base cloth that is generally made from a polyester/cotton blend of yarn, the fabric is made in a variety of weights from around 350 gsm (grams per square metre) to around 600 gsm. The special chemical finishes used to complete the fabric are designed to allow for the fabric to breathe while allowing you to stay ‘bone dry’ even under fairly extreme weather conditions outside. There are also mould and mildew inhibitors in the formulation which means that when you dry the fabric out and store it away it will be ready to go as good as new when you undertake your next holiday away.
2. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
When it comes to caravan or camping fabric then PVC is seen everywhere – particularly when you are spending time in a caravan park or on a long-distance sojourn. Usually, the PVC is comprised of a polyester base fabric which is then coated or laminated with a PVC layer on top and bottom. These PVC fabrics are particularly popular for caravan awnings and annexe walls. Being totally synthetic they are easy to clean as they are impregnated with additives to make them even more resilient to mould and mildew as long as they are stored dry. PVC products also come in a large variety of colours and designs and these days caravan annexe walls can be printed on either a solid substrate or a mesh which still allows excellent sun and rain protection as well as allowing for airflow.
3. Other textiles
There are also a variety of other fabrics that are used in the caravan and camping space including polyethylene for floors, woven and coated nylons for tent flys and covers as well as various types of PVC coated mesh fabrics for windows and door flaps. Of course, if a small or medium size tarpaulin is required on your journey then this can be manufactured from a number of the above-mentioned textiles.
The final piece of the puzzle is to ask questions about the products you are buying or having made. It is most often the hidden things that are needed to make sure that your caravan or camping fabric will ‘go the distance’. In the harsh Australian weather conditions, it is critical that the fabric that you are depending on for protection is one that has been manufactured with the quality required to perform in our climate. Cheap products that are sold to consumers most often do not have the chemical formulation required for the product to last for many years.
What will perform in other parts of the world will not necessarily perform very well here in our tough Australian climate. If a fabric is cheap then there is a good reason for that and that it is probably not quite up to the standard required. Products that have stood the test of time and that have been produced and sold into the Australian market for many years have done so for a reason and that should not be underestimated.
Most people look forward to their holidays away and being out in the elements is one of the pure joys for many people. You do not want your holiday ruined when your protection does not perform as you desire. Caravan and camping fabrics made and used for Australian conditions will always give you a great experience.
Now that you have yourself protected, Happy Travelling!
At Ricky Richards, we stock a wide range of fabrics which have been specifically designed for outdoor use. Get in touch with the team for advice, product recommendations and referral to one of our customers who can complete your project.