In years gone by i would have been the first to have offered help to anyone who i thought was struggling, and that sometimes ment looking after and entertaining small children, whilst the parents got on with pitching their tent, or lending a extra hammer, or warming a feed for a hungry baby at the end of a long journey, but due to some long term health problems, i easily got out of breath with the more manual duties of camping and pitching ect, although still had alifetime love for the outdoor life.
After a gap of 10 years away from caravanning, how peoples attitudes have changed, and im now afraid to offer similar help incase someone thinks im some sort of weirdo out to attract children into my awning, or speak to them for other purposes other than simply being kind and friendly whilst their parents get on with the task in hand.
I also feel guilty when i see someone struggling to put up a tent, and realise that I am now too physically disabled to give the help required, especially as from the outside, my problems being heart disease related are not clear for all to see, and some must think that im a right mean and lazy so and so, when i just sit and watch them stuggle, instead of going over to offer a hand. Luckily, upto now no one has asked us to help put anything up, only to borrow bits and bobs of kit, so i have managed to avoid the embarasement of having to say no to any requests for help in similar circumstances as mentioned above.
Im in total agreement with the other posters above, if you cannot manage to handle your own tent if help is not available on site, then you have bought the wrong tent. We are slowly getting to the stage where erecting an awning is going to become too much for hubby to cope with due to his arthritis, and if that then gets to the stage where hitching and setting up/packing away becomes likewise, we will then have to consider trading the caravan in for a motorhome, or giving up camping altogether.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
We would usually always be happy to help.....Just this week as we were standing under our porch with a beer in hand we saw a family arrive and try to pitch in torrential rain... I dispatched my hubby to offer help and ask if anyone would like a brew as the kettle was boiled..........Talk about grumpy.....you'd think he asked to borrow the mans wife or something equally socially unacceptable... No they did not want a brew and no they would soldier on...........Maybe we will think a bit longer before we offer help in future!!!
------------- "There is more to life than increasing its speed......"
The Orchard - Suffolk April 2011
Nantcal Waterfalls July 2011
I have offered help(and received it) in the past..and would consider myself more than willing to help anyone in most circumstances...But I do think body language and maybe a bit of unwritten "Camp ettiquette" comes into play in the decision to help..Other posters have recounted the rather abrupt refusal...or the owners of the tent "Downing Tools" as soon as you start to help scenario...and I have had that happen to me...I think thats disgraceful conduct on the owners part!!..More than willing to help...Hold a pole...tap a few pegs in...Bend that wayward pole into its pin etc etc..What I am not...is a one man pitching machine..nor a mug!!...
On the whole I treat the whole help thing(giving and receiving) as an ice breaker between me and the neighbours...but do tend to agree that campers should have a tent they can manage in all but the most extreme of circumstances...hight winds/rain etc...Thats why my Espace 6 has sat in storage for a few yrs...Way too big for me on my lonesome....or anything shorter than a 2 week holiday!! Have a wee think re that Kalahari..there are other managable tents for 3-4 people out there........
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
Agreed that most people on here would offer help to someone who is struggling. My problem is with the idea of a family deciding to buy a tent they cannot put up themselves on the assumption that strangers will always be on hand to do at least part of it for them.
This strategy seems risky, impractical and unnecessary.
With the range of tents on the market everybody ought to be able to find a tent which matches both their financial situation and their tent pitching abilities.
Post last edited on 22/08/2010 11:09:47
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
Ooo err, just had a look at the tent and it's hooooge! I would have thought that realistically that's more than a 2 person pitch isn't it? Ideally with that much fabric I'd want someone on each corner or at least someone at each end and one to roam around the middle.
I have to agree with some of the others, we are more than happy to help out with holding the occasional pole etc. but I don't really want to pitch your entire tent for you and it's never really occurred to me to offer to help when people are taking down (unless its really blowing a gale).
There really are plenty of tents that would give three of you enough space and the peace of mind of knowing that you could pitch them without outside assistance. I always think a modular approach of sleeping tents and kitchen/living space is helpful if pitching is difficult.
I would also be scared witless of turning up at a site that was empty and not being able to pitch.
I am a solo camper age 65 and have 2 tents, one a Kyham Freelander and the other is a Cabanon Noumea, both are small and easy for one person to pitch.
IF I needed any help I would ask the site warden, but so far have always managed on my own with no problems.
I did once borrow a mallet as I had put mine under the groundsheet and couldn't find it. I did when I went to bed though.
Also I have noticed one or two people watching to see if I could manage and congratulating me on pitching on my own.
That made me feel good and gave me lots of confidence. Thanks for that, it was appreciated.
I sold my bigger tents to get something easier to handle, perhaps that would be the way to go for this person, something you can pitch without the need to ask for help, unless it is a dire emergency. Like a gale or something.
Quote: Originally posted by PigletandTigger on 22/8/2010
Ooo err, just had a look at the tent and it's hooooge! I would have thought that realistically that's more than a 2 person pitch isn't it? Ideally with that much fabric I'd want someone on each corner or at least someone at each end and one to roam around the middle.
It's 4.00m x 7.10 m ...it's a sort of Montana/Outwell/Sun Valley wannabee, isn't it, and you can't pitch them safely solo. Sheer weight of canvas on the poles makes it too heavy for one person.
One thing that's not been mentioned is the risk to your tent if you try to pitch it with not enough pairs of hands, or hands that just don't know what they're doing. There have been several reports on UKCS about fellow campers "helping" and damaging the tent because they had no idea what they were doing with that particular tent. Bad enough when the owner is completely familiar with their tent and can issue precise directions but given that the OP is a newbie camper and has only pitched her tent once...well, not good. At least old hands like you and me, P&T, know what the pitfalls are and where to bang in a few emergency pegs, eh?
I watched a solo woman struggling with a tent and DIDN'T go over to help. The reason? She took it out of the bags, and the wind was blowing, and she shouted at her kids to hold things for her. When they didn't do it right, she said "you're F'ing useless!"... kids were no more than 5 or 6. She was not a nice woman... I also think pitching in high heels and a mini skirt was a ploy to get help, so I left her to it.
That night, a young couple with a four year old came next to us. Again, wind and light rain, they had a Coleman riverside I think, vis-a-vis anyway... They were nicely saying to their four year old "just let us do this and we'll play" but he was having none of it. So I sent my 3 year old granddaughter across to invite him in to play so they could crack on. The couple were very happy to get on with pitching together without worrying about him! As soon as they'd finished, they came and got him. when we were packing to leave a couple of days later, they came over with cups of tea for us. Really sweet.
And yes, that tent is flippin' huge! All I have to add is, wait till your pitching solo and the wind picks up the fabric!!! Your kids will look like ants when you wave goodbye from a cloud!!!
Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 22/8/2010
At least old hands like you and me, P&T, know what the pitfalls are and where to bang in a few emergency pegs, eh?
We went through only a very short polyester phase so didn't spend too long on this learning curve!
As I've said before my first "back to camping" (non borrowed canvas frame tent) was a Sunncamp Magnum 9 megadome inner first thing. The best thing I did was sell it, the worst thing I did was sell it to a friend who I camped with once a year (her husband has a collection of medical problems so we all pitched in to put their tent up).
Pitching the flysheet on that was an absolute nightmare and in anything above a slight breeze needed four people - 3 to hold it down and one to peg and attach things. The idea of something with that much fabric but with poles though it really scares me - it's so easy for the wind to pick it up and throw it around and either cause damage to someone else's kit or god forbid injure someone.
Personally speaking I wouldn't go and ask for help, UNLESS, someone approached and offered or struck up a convo etc, however, I would have no issue whatsoever with someone approaching me and asking for help... for anything really, and I would like to think that attitude is widely prevalent amongst people generally, no matter who is asking and who is being asked?
We were offered help and were really grateful. I was getting to the point of asking but think we looked stressed enough and people felt sorry for us LOL.
------------- Kent. Aug '10
Sussex. May '11
Wales, Aug '11
Hayling Island, Aug '13
As a single Mum, people often ask me if I need help, though much appreciated I never needed it with the Quechua.
Next week however, I shall be pitching the Wynnster by myself for the first time. I think it'll be ok - only 3 poles and have done it twice with assistance - but if anyone spots me struggling - HELP!
I wish I'd seen this earlier - I could have popped down and given you a hand if you're at the Buckle, I only live up the road!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Acceptable To Ask For Help Pitching Tent?
