Before we go away for our first camp this season , is it best to check the tent is still ok , could it have gone mauldy or something , stuck in the attic over winter ?
Yes, at the very least take it out its bag, unfold it, have a good sniff and lookover and then put it away again. Same for inners, groundshets and poles....especially, check the poles for splits and that the shock cords are still sound. And make sure the pegs are still in the bag!
Personally I prefer to check my tent by going for a weekend to the campsite ten minutes drive away...the kids love it, I can pop home for anything I`ve forgotten (or a replacement tent!) and it`s a nice campsite! I`ve been known to check all my tents in one weekend...erect and live in the TT and use a neighbouring pitch to check out the other tents. (With permission, of course.)
Yes, always best to check... I remember a family that turned up at a site one Easter, unpacked their tent only to find the guylines were missing!... Apparently, the dad had taken the guylines off whilst packing up the previous summer, with the intention of replacing them and forgotten about it!... These things do happen, though in that case I think it was a long time before his wife & kids let him forget it!...
P.S. It all ended happily, as the campsite was only a few miles from the nearest camping store, so replacements weren't too difficult to come by...
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Checking Tent
