I have seen a few pictures recently of tents in severe conditions (bit of a theme this year) and it was interesting to see how different designs seemed to cope (or not) in different ways
Poles seem to be the common breakage point (it certainly was what happened when our hoop tent was flattened in a storm many years ago) but is that always true ?
I am very curious to see more pictures - to understand what goes wrong and to consider what you might do to help
Having a Canvas Frametent and a Dutch Pyramid now, we have no pictures of our tents in distress to share though
Quote: Originally posted by Eldorado on 31/8/2010
Having a Canvas Frametent and a Dutch Pyramid now, we have no pictures of our tents in distress to share though
You have answered your own question really. The stronger the structure of the tent the less likely it is to fail in a storm.
If the force of the wind against the tent is greater than the structure of the tent can withstand then the tent will break at the weakest point. Once something has broken the tent is progressively weakened & it destroys itsself. Obviously this most likely to happen with a large cheap family tent.
Whatever the price range the tent is in, the smaller it is the less wind resistance it has so it will stay up better.
All tents are at their strongest with their back into the wind.Most tents have fibre glass poles and they bend , they need to bend to aid the shape and the putting up of the tent.
Tents side on to the wind are going to put stress on the poles which will bend and its this bending and flexing that in the end is the downfall of the tent.
I have been on a few sites that insist that all units face a certain way.It looks pretty but is useless to tenters in big winds.If i have a choice i always pitch the tent bum to the wind and if not i double guy and double peg.
I have seen first hand at Shell Island literally a hundred tents destroyed last year. As i see it normally its lack of attention by the owners and less to do with tent brand.
Tents not pegged out some no guys used at all, or cheap wire pegs. The pegs are not necessarily the cause but the catalyst. The problem is the owners ignore the the tell tale signs of a problem starting. The tent is flapping in the wind, tighten the guys, check the pegs are secure, check the forecast, Then stay with the tent do not go out for the day, recheck everything every few hours. Block the wind with the car
So its bed time and the tents flapping about in the wind, now my thoughts are, keep a torch by the bed have my coat and shoes accessible. If I hear something really flapping about go out and secure it down.
Now Mr "my tent was ruined in a storm" So its bed time and the tents flapping about in the wind, now your thoughts are well its a bit noisy so lets have some beers, that will help me sleep, Im not going outside its raining. Or daytime version its rough here lets go out for the day.
As I have said I have seen this happen, the tent is flapping about and either by some miracle they manage to sleep though it or they just cant be bothered. It starts a zip works itself loose one peg gets pulled out, the tent flaps even more, now corrected at this point no damage. It continues the wind gets in the tent as the zip works further open more pegs work loose as the tent flaps more, as each one comes loose it puts more strain on the remaining pegs, poles snap as the material whips about the tent is doomed.
------------- July 1-9 Nantcol Waterfalls meet Sept naturist week Sept SVR w/e Oct Secret meet Nov hopleys meet
Quote: Originally posted by floggitt on 31/8/2010
I have seen first hand at Shell Island literally a hundred tents destroyed last year. As i see it normally its lack of attention by the owners and less to do with tent brand.
Tents not pegged out some no guys used at all, or cheap wire pegs. The pegs are not necessarily the cause but the catalyst. The problem is the owners ignore the the tell tale signs of a problem starting. The tent is flapping in the wind, tighten the guys, check the pegs are secure, check the forecast, Then stay with the tent do not go out for the day, recheck everything every few hours. Block the wind with the car
So its bed time and the tents flapping about in the wind, now my thoughts are, keep a torch by the bed have my coat and shoes accessible. If I hear something really flapping about go out and secure it down.
Now Mr "my tent was ruined in a storm" So its bed time and the tents flapping about in the wind, now your thoughts are well its a bit noisy so lets have some beers, that will help me sleep, Im not going outside its raining. Or daytime version its rough here lets go out for the day.
As I have said I have seen this happen, the tent is flapping about and either by some miracle they manage to sleep though it or they just cant be bothered. It starts a zip works itself loose one peg gets pulled out, the tent flaps even more, now corrected at this point no damage. It continues the wind gets in the tent as the zip works further open more pegs work loose as the tent flaps more, as each one comes loose it puts more strain on the remaining pegs, poles snap as the material whips about the tent is doomed.
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: Pics of failed/failing tents ?
