Quote: Originally posted by Kitty14 on 19/7/2010
So bascially my understanding is that I pull as hard as possible - do I put all my weight into - is it possible I can break it or should I just pull as hard as possible?
when we got our Eldorado I couldnt judge it, so went round about 4 times tweaking it firmer and firmer
I suspect you might just do some harm if you tensioned the guy with your leg with all your might (big strong muscles there) but if you went round bit by bit you can judge for yourself what tension works. The lines arent hugely tight, but they are firm
In a way the joy of Pyramids is there is a bit of art in pitching them nicely - I get better each time but still not a smooth canvas master
My first attempt at the Djakarta looked a bit like that in places! Our garden isn't flat either. How I sorted it, was to pull the guys out longer as suggested, starting from the middle of the back working forward. That seems to be my way of getting it taut. Then you can finish on the front poles and get them upright.Make sure you pull the front 2 guys forward rather than out to the side like the others. Mine looked much better after getting a good rainy soaking as well.
It gets much easier, you just need to keep tweaking
Thank-you so much - I think I now have a clear understanding of what I am aiming at and how to get there! Put it up make sure I tension and front then go round and tweak and ensure that I have a slight curve in the fabric between the guy ropes. All very very helpful. Brian you have already very kindly typed me a set of instructions when I first mentioned my difficulties - which I was following I think the key is the lack of tension as the instructions you gave are very clear.
Everyones replies have been wonderfully helpful as I really was very dishearten looking at my effort this afternoon and worried about our camping trip next week. Now I am feeling more confident - I just couldn't work out what was wrong - thanks to all you good people now I know. It is always part of the fun of camping learning how to persuade your tent to look how you want rather than how it thinks it would like to be.
Thank-you for advice and inspiration,
Kitty
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That's the beauty of this Forum.
Everyone helps.
I have had similar problems and the help on here that I received enabled me to go on and be successful.
Hi Kitty. If it helps at all .... Pyramids ares so easy to put up but the first time I tried to put up my teeny Noumea I made a complete dogs breakfast of it. Looking back, it seems almost inexplicable but I was getting in a right muck sweat and I just could not get that centre pole to stand up. Lol. But from then on, plain sailing. Happy camping!
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
Firstly, ' there's nothing wrong with your tent, it's just badly pitched ' is what I was going to say when I first started reading your post.
BUT
now I understand, first pitch and wrist problems, I'm not going to say that at all.
You may find it much easier if you replaced the sliders with a different type. I have found the sliders on some of my tents almost impossible to use. There are some Vango style that turn through 90dgrs. to lock, or others that use a V grip which have been well mentioned on this forum. I'm sure someone will post pictures of them, I'm rubbish with the interweb thinghy so can't.
I'll pop off, and try to find a reference in the mean time. OK back with this offering. Type in GELERT GUY LINE RUNNERS this is the twist type, with a picture. There was also another long plastic one in the next picture, but not sure how they work.
Can't find any info on the other type, but there will be someone along who knows what I mean, who can give a ref. or picture etc.
FOUND EM. Line-Lok guy line runners. These would probably be the best for you. All you have to do, is pull the loose end of the guy line, as hard as you like. The rope stays where ever you stop pulling. To release, just lift/pull the loose end side ways
Post last edited on 20/07/2010 10:15:42
Post last edited on 20/07/2010 10:20:51
Post last edited on 20/07/2010 14:50:37
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
I find that to obtain the most pleasing appearance of most tents is not to tighten a guy rope and progress to the next one but to adjust the first guy rope and then move round the tent and adjust the guy rope diagonally opposed to the first one...keep repeating until all the guy ropes are tensioned.
Sorry to hijack this thread, but I have a question. I have a tiny Cabanon Noumea which I might use this weekend rather than my Kyham Freelander. It is a but sturdier in case of gusting winds.
My question is this, I am always afraid of damagaing the SIG when outting up the pole. What do you do?
I use picnic rugs for carpets inside, but always feel a bit upset that there is nothing underneath the pole.
I always use a thick tarp underneath the SIG by the way.
I use a small plastic cup(available from most camping supplies shops) you could also use a pringles lid, Had to do this once when i forgot the small plastic cup
There was a post a while ago, where they used a stainless steel flat bottom dog bowl. They used the area inside to put keys change etc. so they knew where the small bits and pieces were.
I use a thick circle of ply wood under mine.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
They are made by clamcleat, and are called Line-Loc part number CL206/R. Having just read the instructions, you have to pull the cords sideways to release, not the loos end as I said previously.
I used to sell earlier versions in the boating sailing dinghy trade, and the company produce a first class item.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Thanks to Brian and Raf48 for that bit, I shall go and look out some things for my pole now. The dog bowl idea is a good one. I have a few aroound. lol.
Apologies I have only just written this post my computer had some sort of breakdown and refused to work at all yesterday or the night before - after a little TLC it is reconsidering its options - thank goodness. I would be lost without it.
The tip about the Line loks is ace - thank-you so much I have ordered them. I am now hoping that they arrive in time to trial them before our trip. They are beng dispatched today so I'm hopeful that they will be here by the weekend so plenty of time to try them out.
Again I feel so lucky that everyone is so helpful and considerate about how to overcome problems that are specific to me.
Thank-you all,
Kitty
P.S. As soon as I get the cleats and put it up again I shall post a piccy! I am much more optomistic after all the hints and help and also knowing others have had issues after the first pitch I'm glad I'm not the only one!!!
I did manage to pitch okay even though our pitch was on quite a slope. I wasn't sure about whether the pole should be upright or 90 degrees to the slope - which is how the De Waard tent close to me pitched. I wrote this on the dutch pyramid appreication society page and I think the advice is what I will do in future pitch with the pole at 90 degree.
I still can't upload my photo to here but I have added a photo from our trip to my profile. Loks line are ace!!!
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Topic: Help why is my pyramid crinkly
