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This is a plea for advice, recently purchased an Arkansas 7 and took this tent on the first outing this weekend.

Well did we struggle.... first request on advice:

Are all curved poles the same size as we struggled to id the short pole, ok two straights had blue tags easy to id but is there a short curved version or is the short pole only the two blue id poles and any curved?

How did you erect we struggled to lift all the six poled sections in one, even with four off us?

After two hours eventually had the tent up, very impressed except small hole on bug net on one side door, this is right in the left hand top corner so we are worried that this may be a stress point and eventually tear.

Coming down another nightmare ,separating the curved poles, we broke three internal spring ties but struggled to separate even twisting opposite directions this was very time consuming and at times painful..:-(

The tent is fantastic when fully 'erect' and with matching carpets looks the business however there must be an easier way off constructing/ dismantle this tent.

Any advice PLEASE or even a contact at Outwell who may provide valuable user information which warrants this expensive purchase?

Thanks in advance

Alex

Hi,

We have the Outwell Arkansas 5 which is very similar.  Firstly I would say watch the footage on www.youtube.co.uk  just put in erect tent Outwell Arkansas and it gives you a full video with two people erecting the tent (and believe me it really does help!!).  We had a lot of trouble putting up our Arkansas until we watch the youtube video footage and now it is much easier.  Excellents tips and advice which really do help especially erecting a tent in bad weather.

Good luck and Happy Camping :-)

SAD

Hi, we have this wonderful tent and yes we struggled as well!!

We watched the video and tried to do it the same but the tent was just too heavy to lift in one go so... with the help of the children we started at the back (the two blue marked poles) and worked to the front and it was fairly straight forward! Once each arch has the pins in either side it was easy for the kids to hold as the adults did the next arch. (not sure how we'd have doen it without the kids but I think arches would have stood on their own).

With the exception of the blue marked poles which are slightly shorter at the back the rest are the same (apart from the hanging rails and the side door porch).

We had the same problems separating the poles and broke a couple (which we fixed at home with plyers). I spoke to the camping shop and they suggested tapping them on hard ground or wood rather than pulling, so we'll give that a go next week.

We absolutely love our tent, I was seriously worried about putting it up but we got there and can't wait to go again!

Hope this helps

SR

Hi. I notice that the 2011 video to put the Arkansas 7 on the Outwell website has changed since 2010. We struggled the first time, but now have it worked out.

If you peg the back only and then assemble all the poles laying them over the back of the tent you can walk forward dropping them off as you go. I notice that the 2011 video does it different, so need to try the new version to see if it is easier.. 

Here's the newest video pitching instructions

It is a hard tent to get right but practice makes perfect and boy do you have a big area once it's up!

Thanks for the link. It changed from last years video, but that was for the Arkansas 5.

Do you know if there is a video for the 7 front awning ?

I have an Arkansas 5 and although we haven't yet practised pitching it I did seek advice from Outwell on seperating the poles when packing down. Their official response is:

We recommend that you give the pole a good sharp tap at the joint with e.g. another pole or a mallet. This will help the poles come apart.

With regards to pitching, I intend to follow the Yeoman's video on YouTube - lay out the tent, thread all the poles through with the tent laying down, peg out the back corners, insert the poles into the ping/pins starting at the back and then lift it and walk out the tent - I suspect this is easier with the Arkansas 5 than the 7!!