Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Camping under canvas
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: pitch dome tent solo any advice ? Post Reply Post New Topic
04/10/2011 at 5:54pm
 Location: lincolnshire
 Outfit: kampa filey 6 & Perran 4
View lisamae's Profile View Profile   Reply to lisamae Reply   Quote lisamae Quote  
Joined: 02/9/2009

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   10
Tent Reviews:   3

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

 

      I have just purchased a Kampa Perran 4 for weekends away and am struggling to put it up alone .It only has 3 poles but can't seem to lift it up on my own.I wondered if anyone had any advice.Don't want to break the poles on my first outing with it this weekend.

 



04/10/2011 at 6:02pm
 Location: E Yorkshire
 Outfit: None Entered
View raf48's Profile View Profile   Reply to raf48 Reply   Quote raf48 Quote  
Joined: 13/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2955
Tent Reviews:   9

Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I often pitch dome tents on my own, and it can be a problem. The way I do it, is to do the first pole flat on the ground, and fit both ring and pins, then lift it and fit the second pole into the pin system. Then fit the front pole after. (all poles being fitted through the sleeves first)

Having said that, I have a Relum geodesic with five poles, and I managed to break two poles last week. Turned out I had mixed the poles, and had a longer pole through a shorter pole sleeve.



-------------
Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.


04/10/2011 at 6:21pm
 Location: lincolnshire
 Outfit: kampa filey 6 & Perran 4
View lisamae's Profile View Profile   Reply to lisamae Reply   Quote lisamae Quote  
Joined: 02/9/2009

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   10
Tent Reviews:   3

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I tried putting all the poles in the sleeves first but the tent was just too heavy and thought the poles would split.Thinking about what you said i will try putting the first pole in that goes across the width and lifting it like a tunnel tent.then  try fitting the other  ones one at a time.hope fully it won't be raining.Thanks.


04/10/2011 at 7:56pm
 Location: E Yorkshire
 Outfit: None Entered
View raf48's Profile View Profile   Reply to raf48 Reply   Quote raf48 Quote  
Joined: 13/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2955
Tent Reviews:   9

Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I just had a look at a picture of your tent. Was thinking about a two pole dome style with front porch using the third pole.

I wonder if perhaps you could take some sort of inside pole with padding to support the roof from inside while you fit the remaining two poles. Perhaps if you peg the four corners down first to hold the basic shape that would help.



-------------
Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.


04/10/2011 at 8:35pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Various tents
View Hacksaw Bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hacksaw Bob Reply   Quote Hacksaw Bob Quote  
Joined: 26/7/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6502
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 10
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Or, after pegging the corners as raf48 suggests, and raising the middle pole as you suggest, temporarily pegging out the central rear guyline (assuming there is one) before working on the diagonal poles?


Advertisement



05/10/2011 at 9:24am
 Location: lincolnshire
 Outfit: kampa filey 6 & Perran 4
View lisamae's Profile View Profile   Reply to lisamae Reply   Quote lisamae Quote  
Joined: 02/9/2009

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   10
Tent Reviews:   3

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

The Perran does come with 2 porch poles so i could try proppping it up with them .Thanks for the interest i'm sure i'll have fun experimenting.



05/10/2011 at 10:18am
 Location: Sunny south coast
 Outfit: Columbia 600 Bude 4
View Speedcamp's Profile View Profile   Reply to Speedcamp Reply   Quote Speedcamp Quote  
Joined: 21/9/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3173
Tent Reviews:   8

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Be careful not to puncture the fabric with the tip of the porch pole. A tennis ball with a hole in the bottom on the tip of the pole should stop this happening. The rubberish exterior of the tennis ball should be strong enough to stop the pole piercing it.

Must admit there is no way we can pitch our Kampa Bude 4 single handed. Its easy with a second person going inside but hopeless without. I tried lifting the poles but the weight of the fabric plus other poles just held the centre of the dome to the floor. Hadn't tried just putting in one of the poles on the pins before lifting though...which may be worth trying, especially as the Perran has a lighter weight flysheet and shorter pole sleeves so you should be able to add the other poles after its up (won't work for our Bude though with its long pole sleeves).

You could also try lifting with one of the cross poles and the centre pole pinned on the ground, as the fly should accommodate this.

Good luck!



-------------
Love our set-up and need no more tents or gear, so trying to stop looking!


10/10/2011 at 9:05am
 Location: lincolnshire
 Outfit: kampa filey 6 & Perran 4
View lisamae's Profile View Profile   Reply to lisamae Reply   Quote lisamae Quote  
Joined: 02/9/2009

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   10
Tent Reviews:   3

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Tried pitching the Kampa perran 4 for the first time last thursday.Big mistake.We got caught out with 30 mile an hour gust that twisted the poles inward and pushed the front of the tent in.Living room what living room.The wind then changed direction and battered us from the side.It destoyed the poles on the windbreak so rang my OH and he came to the rescue with our filey 6 metal poles and all.Got back yesterday now have 2 tents to dry out .Will probably have another go pitching it next weekend (in a friends garden).I don't think i'll be able to do alone though as the fabric is quite heavy.It took and hour and a half battling with the wind to pitch it .Then another 2 hours from bag to kettle on with the filey.It usually Takes 2 of us an hour with the filey.we slept better though.

-------------
Kampa Filey 6,
Kampa Perran 4,
Terra Nova Laser,
Vango Zetes 300.


10/10/2011 at 9:43am
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Gelert cabana 4 Gelert Stratus 4
View DerbyDog's Profile View Profile   Reply to DerbyDog Reply   Quote DerbyDog Quote  
Joined: 04/9/2009

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   266
Tent Reviews:   4

Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Unless your camping in the middle of nowhere, the best advice I can offer is ask for help from another camper.


17/10/2011 at 4:33pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: VauDe Badawi L Space 2 1970s frame
View vealmike's Profile View Profile   Reply to vealmike Reply   Quote vealmike Quote  
Joined: 13/8/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   46
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Lay tent flat.
Insert poles fully, but do not bend into position.
Poles will stick out of the canvas at one end, the other end will be fully enclosed - OR the other end will have a pin that fits into the pole. Fit the pin.

Peg the groundsheet at the end of the pole that is fully inserted. Repeat for second pole.

Grasp canvas at the loose end of the pole and feed pole into canvas. Pole will bend, canvas will tighten. You may push against the pegged end of the pole (that's why you pegged it.)

Should be a doddle.


Advertisement



17/10/2011 at 5:01pm
 Location: Sunny south coast
 Outfit: Columbia 600 Bude 4
View Speedcamp's Profile View Profile   Reply to Speedcamp Reply   Quote Speedcamp Quote  
Joined: 21/9/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3173
Tent Reviews:   8

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by vealmike on 17/10/2011
Lay tent flat.
Insert poles fully, but do not bend into position.
Poles will stick out of the canvas at one end, the other end will be fully enclosed - OR the other end will have a pin that fits into the pole. Fit the pin.

Peg the groundsheet at the end of the pole that is fully inserted. Repeat for second pole.

Grasp canvas at the loose end of the pole and feed pole into canvas. Pole will bend, canvas will tighten. You may push against the pegged end of the pole (that's why you pegged it.)

Should be a doddle.


That's the technique we've used easily with our low domes. However, it just does not work with the far longer and heavier weight fibreglass poles and heavier weight flysheets of Kampa's full stand up-height tents. The poles S-bend rather than curve and with the 3 poles on top of each other at the centre you just can't get them to raise off the ground at that point without someone inside to lift. Your only chance is to do 1 or 2 poles initially and put the others in once up.

We initially thought that the good old method you describe would work, but experience has proven otherwise... Its so simple and quick with 2 people though!


-------------
Love our set-up and need no more tents or gear, so trying to stop looking!


17/10/2011 at 5:15pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: VauDe Badawi L Space 2 1970s frame
View vealmike's Profile View Profile   Reply to vealmike Reply   Quote vealmike Quote  
Joined: 13/8/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   46
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Try not to let the first pole lift as you bend it into position, let it form a hoop that lies flat on the ground. This way you're not trying to lift the canvas.

The second pole will try to stop you doing this, but with a bit of judicious shuffling of the canvas over the second pole, you should be able to insert the first with the tent roughly flat on the deck.




In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping under canvas - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














5400 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Open Today's Window