Bought a second hand Corado 6 off Ebay a few weeks ago and just had our first trip away in it (its the older model with steel poles at the sides and fiberglass over the roof). All is well with it, with the exception of the front door zip. Having erected it with door closed (made the mistake of putting tents up before with door open and then not being able to close them!) all seemed ok. For some reason later on the door would not close as the zip was just far too tight.
I spent quite a while messing with the tension straps on all of the tent to try and get it right but to no avail. Eventually i gave up and unhooked 2 of the plastic hooks on either side to release some tension and it was fine for the rest of the week. My only concern is the tents integrity if is was windy, we were lucky last week as it was not.
I have a plan but wondered if anyone else as mad as me may have tried it and if it worked? I'm thinking the steel poles are obviously too far away from the side of the flysheet, hence too much tension when all of the flysheet hooks are fastened to the pole. So in theory, if i was to cut say half an inch or so off each end of the fiberglass pole for the section that sits over the front door and have the bottom of the pole by the ring and pin fully tensioned (Hi-Gear recomend having it tensioned about halfway) this should mean the steel pole sits closer to the flysheet, therefore less tension on the front door zip!
What does anyone think, good idea or insanity?
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Hi and welcome.
Personally I would think twice before I cut anything. As this has fibre roof poles and as the door was ok when you first pitched it I would think that the roof pole sags over a period of time and pushes the top of the side poles away. We had an fibre pole tent which drop 10cm over a week. I would first try pitching it with the 2 door poles pegged slightly in (nearer the door) with less tension on the strap as well, more tension will put more pressure on the roof pole.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do
------------- 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
I did try what you suggested, i let tension off and incresead the tension but neither worked enough for the zip to fasten. Even with the poles on max tension (i.e. pulling them in closer to the flysheet) they were still not close enough to the flysheet to enable the zip to work.
I'm a great believer in cutting bits off, and there was a tent mentioned quite a lot last year, where the poles were too big, so those involved with the topic, cut a small amount off. Would it be possible, to alter the clips, so they were adjustable and so could be made longer or shorter as required. Obviously stressing the zip and stitching is not good, and will probably end in disaster. I have about six tents where I have altered the pole length and they are better for it. Perhaps it's a question of tents and poles being manufactured within tollerencies, with fabric being at short end and poles being at the long end.
The post after yours has a pole length problem
------------- 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'd agree with asenaldes. You mention altering the tension on the straps but did you actually move the front poles a bit closer together and re-peg them?
Another option is that the original fibreglass pole has been replaced by a longer one but that wouldn't explain why it was OK when first pitched. May be GO (Hi-Gear) could advise how long it should be.
------------- Regards,
Richard
2011
May: Crowborough (*****)
June: Oldbury Hill (*****)
July: Rother Valley (*)
August: Gate Lodge (Cancelled)
September: Graffham
Yep, poles were moved an re-pegged when i altered the tension. The clips from the flysheet to the poles can not be altered as they are stitched, I've got some spare poles so i think i will give it a go with the hacksaw
I was thinking along the lines of cutting the webbing, and using epoxy resin to stick a longer length to it. I have done this, and they are still stuck together many years later. Also though not as tidy, but a free try out. A short length of guy line type rope round the pole, and clip onto that. Just for a trial run.
------------- 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
If it is the roof pole sagging you could use Velcro sewed/glued to the webbing to give you fully adjustable straps.
------------- 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
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: Corado 6 Very Tight Front Door Zip
