Zpacks Duplex problem

**andymc** · 04-22-2019, 13:39

Anyone have experience with this loose seam tape? The tent is brand new and I have places like these all around the apex points and the ridgeline.

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**JC13** · 04-22-2019, 13:52

No, I have a new one as well and everything was immaculate. I specifically checked the seams after multiple people complained on reddit about the stitching. I would probably email them about the issue.

**andymc** · 04-22-2019, 13:56

Originally Posted by JC13

No, I have a new one as well and everything was immaculate. I specifically checked the seams after multiple people complained on reddit about the stitching. I would probably email them about the issue.

Thanks, I have emailed them, they're just busy right now and I'm trying to research in the meantime. Not gonna lie, makes me want a refund seeing this tent hasn't even been used yet!

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**blue indian** · 04-22-2019, 14:27

Unfortunately that seems to be a common theme with Zpacks these days...

I fully agree that when paying $500 + bucks for a tent, it should be immaculate. However, it doesnt seem like Zpacks agrees.

Ive heard getting ahold of them for any kind of customer service is a nightmare. I hope they start reading the forums and do something about it.

It doesnt seem to be a structural issue, rather sloppy work.

**CalebJ** · 04-22-2019, 14:34

I wonder if they got a bad batch of tape? That's bizarre.

**andymc** · 04-22-2019, 14:44

Originally Posted by CalebJ

I wonder if they got a bad batch of tape? That's bizarre.

Yeah, there’s a lot of places it appears to not be bonding correctly and most of the edges of the tape look frayed? I think I will ask for another tent or a refund. I don’t feel comfortable keeping this one. Bad thing is it’s been 3 months now since I bought it.

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**andymc** · 04-22-2019, 15:14

Well I took some more pictures to send in and asked for a refund. We will see what happens. I typically hammock camp anyways, I wanted this tent for the JMT next year, and some other above tree line adventures. I guess I’ll be hangin in the trees for the foreseeable future.

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**blue indian** · 04-22-2019, 15:19

Originally Posted by andymc

Well I took some more pictures to send in and asked for a refund. We will see what happens. I typically hammock camp anyways, I wanted this tent for the JMT next year, and some other above tree line adventures. I guess I’ll be hangin in the trees for the foreseeable future.

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For whats its worth...

I too am a hammock camper.

I too purchased a duplex for my JMT thru last August

To be honest, I could have used my hammock. There was only one time where hanging was not an option, at guitar lake below Mnt. Whitney

Other than that, I camped in the valleys. Its just the way the trail is setup, go up and over a pass in the morning and camp in the valley that evening.

**andymc** · 04-22-2019, 15:29

Originally Posted by blue indian

For whats its worth...

I too am a hammock camper.

I too purchased a duplex for my JMT thru last August

To be honest, I could have used my hammock. There was only one time where hanging was not an option, at guitar lake below Mnt. Whitney

Other than that, I camped in the valleys. Its just the way the trail is setup, go up and over a pass in the morning and camp in the valley that evening.

Cool. Yeah I should research hanging on that trail some more. It just seems like enough of a logistical nightmare just getting on trail, I just wanted to simplify by taking a tent. So did you wish you had your hammock on the JMT?

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**jgillam** · 04-22-2019, 15:38

I've had a Duplex for years and it's still perfectly fine. I hope there is a reasonable explanation and understand your frustration.

**blue indian** · 04-22-2019, 15:43

Originally Posted by andymc

Cool. Yeah I should research hanging on that trail some more. It just seems like enough of a logistical nightmare just getting on trail, I just wanted to simplify by taking a tent. So did you wish you had your hammock on the JMT?

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I agree...the logistics were a pain. But completely worth it for sure

TBH I didnt mind tent camping on the JMT. I almost always had a flat spot and its kind of nice having your own little enclosed space

But if you really prefer hammocking, I dont think youll have much trouble at all.

**fastfoxengineering** · 04-22-2019, 16:41

Umphhh...

This is the EXACT problem I had with my duplex a month into the AT.

Zpacks didnt want to fix it. Even Joe Valesko told me he would send me seam tape, I could take a zero, and fix it myself.

On a tent with a few dozen nights on it and only a month into the factory warranty.

They were disappointing to deal with.

RETURN it. And buy something from someone else.

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**andymc** · 04-22-2019, 16:46

Originally Posted by fastfoxengineering

Umphhh...

This is the EXACT problem I had with my duplex a month into the AT.

Zpacks didnt want to fix it. Even Joe Valesko told me he would send me seam tape, I could take a zero, and fix it myself.

On a tent with a few dozen nights on it and only a month into the factory warranty.

They were disappointing to deal with.

RETURN it. And buy something from someone else.

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Dang, not what I hoped to hear. I hope they’ll take it back.

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**andymc** · 04-23-2019, 14:17

Well, so far I’ve only been offered an apology and some repair tape. Looks like I’ll be repairing this myself unless I get a different response from my second email asking for repair, possibly different tent, or maybe a partial refund given the time frame it happened and basically zero usage.
If anyone has any experience repairing these seams, let me know. If I have to, should I repair with a taut pitch, should I remove the old tape and do a whole section, do I need to clean old residue? Hopefully it’s easy to work with and it quits coming loose or I’m gonna need a LOT more tape.

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**CalebJ** · 04-23-2019, 14:43

That's pathetic customer service. Those aren't seams in need of repair after they've worn out - that's a faulty product that needs to be made right by the supplier.

**andymc** · 04-23-2019, 14:50

Originally Posted by CalebJ

That's pathetic customer service. Those aren't seams in need of repair after they've worn out - that's a faulty product that needs to be made right by the supplier.

That’s how I feel completely. I hope they can come through with a better solution than me fixing it myself, without even any instruction.

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**CalebJ** · 04-23-2019, 14:52

If that's their response, I'd be tempted to do some research into credit card coverage as well. Some provide versions of warranty coverage that might prove useful here?

**andymc** · 04-23-2019, 15:04

Nice thought!

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**johnacraft** · 04-23-2019, 15:52

Originally Posted by andymc

Well, so far I’ve only been offered an apology and some repair tape.

Post edited.

**andymc** · 04-23-2019, 16:43

It appears they have authorized me to send the duplex in for a refund. I’m very satisfied with that and the timeframe they handled it in. Thank you for your cooperation Zpacks. I don’t think I would feel comfortable with a different or a repaired duplex after this experience. Hopefully mine was one of few lemons and everyone else has years of service with theirs. It’s truly a great design but after this, just not for me.

Thanks to all for the support and insight!!

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