Hello..I'm a newbie on these boards and last week we had our first camping trip (2 adults, 2 children & a puppy). Weather was a bit breezy when we were setting up and by night time it was very windy (& a bit scary, if I'm being honest!). We were fortunate that the tent didn't blow down, but I think it was luck rather than technique really. I have been reading lots of posts on here and have read some references to tips on pitching in high winds, but I haven't found any yet.
Would anyone be able to help by either providing me with a link, or advising me on their own experiences?
It hasn't put us off though..we are going on our 2nd trip on the 7th September!
hi, pitch tent "bum into the wind", use every guy rope, they are not there for decoration, and use a peg for EACH one, dont double any up. The pegs that come with the tent are crap, replace them with deltas or other good pegs. if really windy, crosspeg, ie cross guy ropes over each other to give extra strength to them.
If the wind is strong, take down windbreaks, they will only blow down anyway. Look for a sheltered pitch if possible with a hedge etc, you can even position the car for shelter if its bad.
One other thing, please dont use gazebos, in a wind they can be really dangerous flying about a site.
I think you're supposed to pitch with the back of the tent getting the brunt of the wind. Sometimes easier said than done.
We pitched in high wind last week and got the tent laid out. I stayed at the front and my hubby put a steak at each corner. Then we quickly put the poles in the sleeves (we have steel poles). It worked pretty well.
Sometimes I feel we should just have a good ole jump on it and see how fast you hit the ground. My toddler has tried that!
Welcome to the forum and camping. If you look in the equipment forum there is a topic about the worst camping item. It has been agreed upon that it is the "toaster" and it is a form of initiation into the world of camping.....
All good advice. Also, don't peg guys too close to the tent. They should meet the ground at a 45 degree angle and the pegs should go in at a 45 degree angle as well so that there is a 90 degree angle formed between the guy and the peg, thus the wind pulling the guy will hold the peg in the ground rather than pulling it out.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
We were on the coast last weekend in really bad winds and those "cheapie" pegs that came with my tent never budged. It got to the point where we put our car as close as possible and the windbreak because we were worried. The pins of the windbreak poles broke off in the ground and those same cheap pegs where right where my husband hammered them into the ground.
My cheapies have yet to let me down and to me a delta purchase isn't needed.
Quote: Originally posted by MamaBear on 29/8/2007
We were on the coast last weekend in really bad winds and those "cheapie" pegs that came with my tent never budged. It got to the point where we put our car as close as possible and the windbreak because we were worried. The pins of the windbreak poles broke off in the ground and those same cheap pegs where right where my husband hammered them into the ground.
My cheapies have yet to let me down and to me a delta purchase isn't needed.
you must have been really lucky with the ground so far, i find most of them buckle beyond recognition the first time they meet a stone. I didnt say they wouldnt stay in the ground, its more that they wont go into anything but soft soil.
Well, we're new camping here, only twice so far and that's why I said they haven't let me down.....yet.
Who knows what will happen next trip. We have rock pegs, but havent' really used them but lug them around just in case. Part of me says get the Delta's, but just going to use my cheapies as long as possible.
I didn't think you meant they wouldn't stay in the ground, but you're right when you say we have been fortunate to get soft ground. We've hit some rocks here and there, but no damage yet.
Quote: Originally posted by MamaBear on 29/8/2007
Well, we're new camping here, only twice so far and that's why I said they haven't let me down.....yet.
Who knows what will happen next trip. We have rock pegs, but havent' really used them but lug them around just in case. Part of me says get the Delta's, but just going to use my cheapies as long as possible.
I didn't think you meant they wouldn't stay in the ground, but you're right when you say we have been fortunate to get soft ground. We've hit some rocks here and there, but no damage yet.
I did like your tip about pitching BUM first!
yes its handy to carry the rock pegs just in case. Bum first just seemed easiest way of describing it
We had to pitch last Wednesday with a strong breeze blowing and were lucky that two girls from another pitch came and helped to hold the tent down. If you're members of UKCS and are reading this, thanks girls. Your help was much appreciated.
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Topic: Tips please, on pitching in high winds
