Having a real struggle to put up my brand new Vango Calisto 400. All the reviews say its easy to pitch, but either it isn't or I am fundamentally misunderstanding something! The difficulty is locating the pins in the bottom of the steel poles. The instructions suggest that this is easy, but my son and I have now tried this in every way we can but its WAY too tight. We've been very careful to extend the adjustable straps to their maximum extent, but despite this, the distance between the pole-ends and the pins is a good six inches, and so we really have to stretch and stretch the material. This surely can't be right?
We have managed to put the tent up, and, once up, it looks fine and just like the pictures on the box, so we clearly have all the correct size poles etc. However this was very difficult and we are scared we may rip the fabric.
If anyone can help us we'd really appreciate it, cos we're planning to go camping on Sunday!!
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Have you tried putting the pins in the poles while they are lying flat on the ground and not while trying to lift the tent? Also make sure the material over the roof pole is not bunched up and dont clip the tent to the poles until the pins are in and the tent is lifted
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
With the tent on the ground - you need to put the pin in on one side and then pull the roof pole sleeve firmly towards the side you have yet to pin. Keeping the tension, you can then insert the pin. We find with our Vango Columbia that its how you have the pin in your hand that makes it difficult, basically pull the strap down and out and position the pin towards the base of the pole. It will go in at an angle and straighten up as it enters the pole (if this makes sense).
You'll get the hang of it. It certainly helps keep the flysheet taught when up and reduced any flapping...
Oh yes, whatever you do - do not peg the tent before putting in the poles, you need the flysheet to move around to help. Otherwise the pegs are working against you. Also, as said - do not add the clips to the poles until they are upright and pegged. You are doing right extending the tension straps too.
------------- Love our set-up and need no more tents or gear, so trying to stop looking!
Thank you for these tips. The instructions say to lay everything on the ground to assemble, however, I've just done some experimenting (how I LOVE having Wednesday morning off work when its sunny!) and have found that if I start with the middle roof-brace (only) first, you can then, if necessary, raise the whole tent slightly to help with getting 'em in! This is much easier if you HAVEN'T inserted all the other roof-braces, as you then don't have to lift the whole weight of the other poles. Once the middle one is done, pins 'n' all, the other two poles can go in one-at-a-time and be assembled whilst they're still on the ground. (You have to 'flap' the completed mid-pole structure over from one side to the other to allow this).
Works for me - at last! Thanks again folks!
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Quote: Originally posted by ziggy1976 on 25/5/2011
Thank you for these tips. The instructions say to lay everything on the ground to assemble, however, I've just done some experimenting (how I LOVE having Wednesday morning off work when its sunny!) and have found that if I start with the middle roof-brace (only) first, you can then, if necessary, raise the whole tent slightly to help with getting 'em in! This is much easier if you HAVEN'T inserted all the other roof-braces, as you then don't have to lift the whole weight of the other poles. Once the middle one is done, pins 'n' all, the other two poles can go in one-at-a-time and be assembled whilst they're still on the ground. (You have to 'flap' the completed mid-pole structure over from one side to the other to allow this). Works for me - at last! Thanks again folks!
Well done! I did forget to say that we do our poles one at a time too - daaaar!
Wish I could have put our tent up this morning. Its a lovely day here too...
------------- Love our set-up and need no more tents or gear, so trying to stop looking!
Had a go putting up our new Calisto 400 in the garden this afternoon, and have to agree that to erect it following the instructions is near impossible. We've definitely learned some lessons for next time.
Our garden isn't big enough to peg out the guylines, so have taken it down again. Going to visit my parents soon who have a much bigger garden, so will take the tent there and put it up properly.
Yep, we're just back from Loch Ken, nr. Castle Douglas. We got the tent up according to my own scheme and despite some strong gusts of wind! Tent itself worked really well for my son & I, and was very pleased with its performance overall. One tiny gripe though - the zip on the inner tent is rather flimsy; not sure how many outings it will last for.
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Topic: Vango Calisto 400 erection
