Did you camp in a lot of raining weather? The postive here is the only time it was susceptable to rain/water were the times you were camping in the rain. It was safe and dry while stored on none camping days. Trying to find some postive news for yai have 4 inch wide gorilla duct tape but I will get what you recommended hopefully wood not too rotten in that area. It could have been there for months. Sent picture to Alliance just so that they know.