Probably a good idea to have the rain cap. I've ordered some as I had rain running down the A frame on the wild and windy trip and pooling at the bottom, although this had never happened during rain before. Apparently I should have had a rain cap with the tent but I've never seen it, so I'm not sure how they fit.
------------- Sarah
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The reason that all your center poles snap is propably because you haven't set the tent up propperly. Tension the guylines as tight as possible! And with tight I mean realy tight.
With regards to setting up a bell tent propperly. When I received my bell tent, I took one look at the bowed toothpick thin multi section loose fitting pole, and decided it was going to fold in half the first time I used it, and this was exactly what happened. Any vertical top and bottom loaded pole if it has a bow towards the middle, will fold in half. Even Tentipi had problems that year, and it would not supprise me, if they all sourced poles from the same supplier. The heavy duty pole I sourced from SoulPad never gave any trouble, and the same person (me) used it for two or three years. I do agree that all guy lines should be tensioned as near as possible the same to stop a downwards force from one direction. A bit like how much downwards pressure can be put on the top of an egg before it will collapse.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
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Personally I wouldn't use copper, it's a bit too soft & as live cables & live gas pipes are being ripped out for scrap I don't think you'd keep your poles for long if you left them unattended.
Quote: Originally posted by Gumball on 16/5/2012
Personally I wouldn't use copper, it's a bit too soft & as live cables & live gas pipes are being ripped out for scrap I don't think you'd keep your poles for long if you left them unattended.
Yeh
Had crossed my mind about the thieves but as they are free i wont worry and as for being a bit soft i really think it should be ok
My centre pole in the wind. You don't want yours to do this. Watch the pole between the 25 - 35 second mark. It gives a lovely jiggle at 30 secs. (This was before the winds got so strong that I dismantled the flue and abandoned tent!)
Post last edited on 16/05/2012 22:54:03
------------- Sarah
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Agree with Gumball, copper would bend quite quickly since too soft.
Bamboo could be better when enough big/seasoned , one young pine tree would be much better (with upper branches to hang things!)
Metal and lightning: any idea?
Just been to a local army surplus store and picked up 2 alloy poles for the centre pole and 4 alloy poles to make an A frame so took the advice on Copper and ditching that idea.
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Topic: Bell Tent Owners Help
