Hi all ... as it was a beautiful day today we decided to go and have a trial run at putting up our new Outwell Hartford XL before our first trip in it in May. We were really pleased as we got it up in about an hour and then another half hour for the canopy. What a fabulous, roomy tent too ... can't wait to go away now. However, we have had a bit of trouble packing it away back into it's bag ... just about managed, but it without the poles in there too (it came all packed together) and it was a bit of a struggle.
When it comes to fitting in bag, roll it up, then un roll it, then roll it up then un roll it (!) then on the third 'roll up' it should fit with ease! My husband has got some bouncy castles he hires out and uses the same technique! Works every time!
It is question of squeezing the air out, so lay it out flat, gather it into a long folded length that is the same width as your bag is long, ensuring that the fabric is roughly equally distributed so that you don't end up with a "fat end" as you roll up.
Then roll it up around the poles & Pegs, squeezing and tucking in straggling bits as you go. As barends said above, re-rolling it again enables you to squeeze it smaller too. ALso, I have recently bought some broad luggage straps for exactly this task, so I can cinch the tent roll in tightly before plopping it in its bag. Have had atrial run ( on the kitchen floor as it was wet outside) and it worked very well.
You can also try packing the tent in the bag and leave the poles bag held on the outside by the straps.
When you fold the tent, bring it into itself all the time to get the air out, then roll along the length of the folded item to push the air out ..... then roll it up!
Like most things, you'll find your own method which suits you.
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Topic: Tips for packing away a Hartford XL
