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Camping under canvas

Topic: Lone female camping query

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ValiantRunner

19/8/2015 at 11:18am
Location: Staffordshire
Outfit: Outwell Nevada S

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Hi All

First time posting, I've browsed the site many times and finally took the plunge to register.

My hubby and I have just purchased a smaller tent (Outwell Nevada S, we currently have an Outwell Idaho but its far too large for me and my dog).
We both love camping so have decided to downsize to one that is more manageable. I really didn't want one that I couldn't stand in. I will unfortunately be camping alone with my dog in the not to distant future (illness not divorce!).

My question is.... If you go on a fully certified campsite, is there anyone that helps pitching tents, even if it's just 10 minutes of their time. Just wondering if anyone has every needed the help of someone from a site who you could pay?

Daft question but wondered if someone has experience of this.

Ronni54

19/8/2015 at 12:02pm
Location: Shropshire
Outfit: None Entered

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You probably wouldn't need to pay - most campers are only too happy to help if you ask. I've never actually come across a site which provides help but have been on many sites where folk have rushed to help where needed.

-------------
Ronni

paulr5604

19/8/2015 at 12:14pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: 1994 Elddis Typhoon XL

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The last time I went camping I saw someone struggling on his own so offered my services. At the end of the day everyone there is there to enjoy camping the same as yourself so I would like to think that if anyone saw someone struggling that they would offer a helping hand

Bob61

19/8/2015 at 1:02pm
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If you go onto Utube you can find lots of videos showing how to erect tents single handedly. Most are pretty simple once you have seen how it is done. When you have done it once (try in your garden or a local park) you won't worry again.

That said, as already mentioned, anyone would be more than pleased to give you a hand if you ask and I am sure a member of staff at a campsite would also help if required.

I recently helped a couple of people erect their tents (after I had a laugh first of course

). Both had borrowed their tents and didn't know the first thing about them. I am not sure if I was a help or a hindrance as they weren't the easiest of tents to erect but I think they were grateful eventually.

This is a video of the Outwell Nevada S being erected by two people. I would erect it slightly differently on my own.

Fit the poles through the sleeves as shown and then go to the front of the tent and fit the pins to the front pole only, while it is laying on the ground (don't try to lift it). It will then be in a hoop on the ground. Grab a tent peg, then take that centre guy rope on the front hoop and haul the hoop upright and peg the guy rope so the hoop is just slightly leaning backwards held up by the guy rope. The air will then go inside the tent and help lift the other poles up.

You can then pin the other poles one side at a time and they will pretty well raise themselves. Then adjust the pegs on the rear of the flysheet and pull the flysheet taut and straight along each side and widthways. Zip the doors up and then go round and place the rest of the pegs and guy ropes.

Hope that helps.

Post last edited on 19/08/2015 13:20:38

AlisonBob

19/8/2015 at 1:08pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Holtkamper Kyte Karsten 300

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Hi ValianRunner

this video may help in putting your tent up single handed CrossCampingMethod

its not the same tent but the method is used by a lot of people, practice in the garden

Bob

ValiantRunner

19/8/2015 at 4:01pm
Location: Staffordshire
Outfit: Outwell Nevada S

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Thanks all for the replies. I tried erecting the tent alone today and needed a little help. It was the first time out of its bag, so that's the worst pitch out of the way.
Watched the video and that's the way I tried alone, but ended up needing the help. My husband suggested as you have Bob61 that it'd be best if I could pull the from on the tent by the guyline.
We're away this weekend, so will be giving it another go, hopefully alone.
Managed to put it away very easily single handed, that too was a relief.

Thanks all again, and I'll keep you updated after the weekend

Happy Camping!

Bob61

19/8/2015 at 7:47pm
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In the video when the two people lift the rear pole it snakes awfully! The pressure on that pole must have been immense.

If you pin the front pole then raise it from the centre guy rope it comes up smoothly like a pram hood.

Once the tent is fully erected with the guy ropes either side of the front hoop you may wish to dispense with that centre guy because it gets in the way of the front door. I roll mine up and leave it dangling above the door. If the wind starts getting up I can put it out again as extra support.

I also use that centre guy when dismantling the tent. I peg it out and then leave it until last. Once all the other pegs and guys have been removed I can then gently lower the tent to the ground like a pram hood. Then carefully unpin all the poles.

ladycake

20/8/2015 at 9:03am
Location: norfolk
Outfit: vango tempest 200 icarus 500

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just practise a couple of times. it gets easier each time and you`ll find a routine that works for you. when i pitch the icarus 500:

lay out the tent, peg corners loosely, loosen straps. (then it won`t blow away!)
feed poles. for me worst part. i take off my shoes and walk across tent doing it.
making sure the main front door`s open start ring and pinning. roughly peg a front guy if needed (just to hold it up). then work back and rear guy. then position tent proper. peg out. pullin straps on corners.

DONE. give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy that smug feeling of " who needs a man" lol!

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gym bunny hugs!

gekko

20/8/2015 at 10:35am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Vango Iris 500 Vango Pulsar 300

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We have the Vango Iris 500 (similar to Icarus). I've never pitched it alone but I don't think it would be a problem.

Similar to ladycake, I peg out the four corners loosely (with straps loosened). We then thread the poles. We have pitched from both the front and the back in the past. Pitching from the front is probably easier if you are on your own as the tent will stand up more easily. However, I'd ensure you are bum to the wind. We tried pitching from the front in a swirling wind and the bloody thing nearly took off. It took both of us to hold it down! If you can't be sure the wind is behind the tent, it may be safer to pitch from the back.

I like the idea of roughly pegging out a front guy to hold the tent up ladycake - will try and remember that.

-------------
2019 trips booked so far:

Easter - Red Shoot, New Forest
May - Secret Campsite, Sussex

Bob61

20/8/2015 at 12:30pm
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Quote: Originally posted by ladycake on 20/8/2015

DONE. give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy that smug feeling of " who needs a man" lol!

Your mother needed one once upon a time

VangoMan02

20/8/2015 at 1:06pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Bob61 on 20/8/2015

Quote: Originally posted by ladycake on 20/8/2015
DONE. give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy that smug feeling of " who needs a man" lol!

Your mother needed one once upon a time

-------------
It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.

ValiantRunner

24/8/2015 at 7:57pm
Location: Staffordshire
Outfit: Outwell Nevada S

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Yay, thanks for the advice, my husband was amazed at the successful erection single-handed

Loosely pegged out, threaded the poles then secured one side and pegged that in then moved to the other side, this made it much easier.
Used the front guy line to pull the tent up. Easy !

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