Last time we went away in the tent, one of the poles broke it survived that trip but we are going away again in 2 weeks, so need to get it fixed, does anyone know any camping shops that fix them or is it a diy job? Sorry for the lack of knowledge, we are still very new to all this!
Go outdoors will fix for you ,and many other camping shops too but its not fiddly really.
Singe the elastic with a flame. Then drop it down through the pole,stretching and holding the elastic tight to the previous pole and hold the pole upright. dont try to push it through with the pole lying down . Its just like stringing beads .
If you have to buy a replacement section, it may need cutting to the right length. Wrap masking tape around it and cut with a junior hacksaw, rub with sandpaper to remove any sharp bits.
I carry a 1m length of the copper earth out of a stripped 2.5mm twin& earth electric cable,ideal for passing down the pole.some insulation tape to atatch the elastic. Pulls through like a dream, also the tape can be bound around the split pole as a tempory measure to get out of a fix
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we carry duct tape for emergency onsite repairs and we pop any broken ones to winfields camping shop (have to park in their car park to do the school run ) they charge £5 but it's worth it to know i drop it off in the morning and when i go to pick DS back up from school it's done!!!
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you can gaffer tape it (always carry a roll for emergency) 99% of camp shops carry poles and it is easy.
Take the pole with you to the shop so you get the right diameter and enough length.
If you need to cut it down put masking tape around the pole where you need to cut and with a small saw and saw cut through but do 2-3 strokes and then turn the pole 90 degrees so you don't split it.
Undo the knot at the end of the elastic take off poles till you come to the damaged one hold the pole vertically and drop the elastic back through each section may help with 2 people this bit.
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Thank you all, this site is wonderful(well not the site the people!) Your all do helpful and full of knowledge. Now who knows where to get some nice hot sunshine for when we go down south in 2 weeks?!!
Millett's sell spare poles as a kit, with elastic and a wire tool for threading. I got my backpacker fixed using one of their kits, and they showed me how to do it in the shop.
Quote: Originally posted by kim81 on 16/7/2010
Now who knows where to get some nice hot sunshine for when we go down south in 2 weeks?!!
I'm sure you'll have a great time whatever the weather! Hope you get your pole fixed and sorted.
I recently discovered a method for taking the strain off tent poles. I bought a Relum Giant Pearl ridge tent from Bay which is at least 30 years old and is as good as new condition. What I noticed when I pitched is that the previous owner had fixed rubbers to the guy ropes through which you knocked your pegs. I wondered why he did this and last weekend I observed just why. It was quite windy and I was sat outside the tent just watching and with each gust of wind the rubbers stretched and were acting as shock absorbers instead of the tent and poles taking the winds energy the rubbers were receiving most of it. This could explain why the tent is in such a good condition.
new tent, one gust of wind, two broken poles. luckily winfeilds replaced, with new poles. cautionary tale beware reighton sands, camping on cliff's, beautiful views, very little shelter, can be very windy. will try the rubbers on guy ropes.thanks for the tip
we bought the new poles and fixed it ourselves, such a simple thing made me very proud!!! We are all ready now for next week, our first full week away in tent, going to bournemout, cant wait.
I too recently had to replace a couple of broken pole sections after strong wind caught me out in Fort Augustus. Gaffer tape and a spare uncut pole acting as a splint got me through the rest of our trip.
First time I've ever done this as all my previous tents have either had steel or wood poles (yes, wood). I found it on the whole an easy thing to do, with the hardest part the shock cord (which Isn't hard at all if you have a suitable clamp - read on). It is quite a therapeutic exercise as it restores your faith in the tent and you can't wait to get out there and test your repair (as if you really need an excuse).
My top tip (tool) is an improvised clamp. Get you hands on a couple (one will do, but two is better) of pairs of pliers and some rubber bands. Put said rubber bands round the handles - you now have a clamp that you can hold the shock cord, under tension, to stop it shooting back down the poles. As others have suggested if you have trouble threading the cord in the first place then use something like wire or thread (I was going to use wire, but used some cotton and a big needle) to pull the cord through.
Reighton sands is a great place to camp btw, but I've seen many a tent pole broken there. I've always used my steel pole tent, but have had a Gelert Horizion with us which survived admirably after pitching bum in the wind.
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Topic: broken poles?
) they charge £5 but it's worth it to know i drop it off in the morning and when i go to pick DS back up from school it's done!!! 
