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  lulu moonwood murakami June 26, 2012 at 10:11pm

  Thanks for all these suggestions.  We used our Caravan for the first time last weekend and had trouble getting the zipper to meet in the middle.  I used clamps the first night as Stan mentions.  The rest of the time my husband managed to adjust and readjust over and over the side walls so that the zipper would meet.  I plan on adding the 6" panel that Don suggested to make the whole thing easier before the zipper breaks.
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  Geoff Coe June 25, 2012 at 6:21pm

  If you are near the water, you'll find a canvas repair shop around that can replace the zipper for you. 
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  JoAnne Hauser Warren June 25, 2012 at 5:24pm

  I had a similar problem a few years back and was tired of dealing with cheap zippers so I ordered a replacement zipper from Flourish (the people who make Trimline Canopies) and had a local seamstress sew it on. zipper was only $7 at the time, Thank God I now have a Lite Dome now...there zippers are fabulous!
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  Paul Strohman June 25, 2012 at 2:01pm

  I have the same problem with Caravan sides.  I ended up simply sewing the two bad zippers together and have one larger piece.  Kind of crazy, but it works very well.  I have less pieces to deal with as well.  I also cut apart one side and added a 10 inch space to make the sides wider.  That helps tremendously, as the sides that are currently available are just too small.  A fabric store has the nylon material that you would need.  Now how about somebody making a super strong Caravan or EZ up tent?
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  Martha Quigley June 25, 2012 at 9:51am

  I had them all replaced with heavy duty zippers by a local sailmaker. They also added a couple of 3" panels and a zipper for the back wall in the middle.
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  Don Mabry June 24, 2012 at 2:30pm

  There is a lady in Arizona who can replace the zippers for you with heavy-duty zippers and, she can sew in an extra panel about 6" wide to give you more to work with.  Her name is Jeanene Graham and her email is

  grahamcrackers1933@live.com  She's a very nice lady to deal with.  I haven't used her but was going to awhile back for my E-Z Up but decided to buy a new - guess what - Caravan.  Obviously, I'm thrilled to hear about zipper problems with the Caravan and, as soon as I break one, I'll send the whole thing to Jeanene for "overhaul".  Good luck.
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  Jacki Bilsborrow June 24, 2012 at 12:50pm

  We have a canvas shop near us that we have used.  YOu can always get an estimate.  Or, check out the classifieds here.  You might be able to pick up some spare sides that someone would even be happy to get rid of.
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  Karla Howard Heartsfield June 24, 2012 at 9:40am

  Try the "Good Ole Duck Tape" as a temporary fix. It works every time. I've seen it at Ace Hardware in fun patterns and colors too. Have a Great Show.
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  Carol Lyon June 24, 2012 at 8:51am

  All good suggestions, but after having to get two EZ Ups in two years for similar problems, I bit the bullet and bought a Light Dome.  I've now discovered that that's what I should have done all along as I would have had $800 put toward it already!  However, do this only if you plan on continuing this gypsy lifestyle for a few more years.
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  Stan Bruns June 24, 2012 at 8:14am

  If the issue is (as I suspect it might be) what to do RIGHT NOW, with whatever you have on hand, there are several things you can try...

   

  If you can relieve the hard tension caused by the tent sitting on uneven ground or become splay-legged (which often causes the over-tight problem), you may be able to align the remaining teeth and get the zipper closed (leaving a small gap where the missing teeth are located).

   

  Another emergency solution would be 2 or 3" clamps (you do carry a bunch of these, don't you?  If not, check with another artist, most of us do) and perhaps some duct tape (same comment as the clamps, LOL).  I have had to mend torn side curtains with white garbage bags before, for instance...

   

  Replacement Caravan side curtains are available cheap from Dick's Sporting Goods (I believe they sell an entire set for about $69, or the individuals might be available).  I have found that carrying a spare side panel is a good policy (I have plenty, having lost 2 complete tents and displays to a brush with very high winds at Snellville, GA (bad show, don't do it) a few years back.

   

  I zip down the side curtains BEFORE pegging down or setting up my general display, early in the process, which prevents over-tight problems later.

   

  Hope you have a good show!