Hi all,
Newbie to camping here.
Me and my two boys, aged 15 and 13, did a camping pod this summer and loved it and have recently bought a second hand tent, Hi Gear Corado 4.
Now I know this tent isn't made anymore, but it was a bargain and I've pitched it for the first time today in my garden and I love it!
Just need some advice really.
The tent went up really easy, to say I've never put a tent up in my life. I've watched the video's on you tube and the Go outdoors site.
What order do you peg in the ground sheet?
Is it best to peg in just the corners or all at the same time.
There's also some rubber bands/rings where you peg the ground sheet in. Are these supposed to be pegged in as well? In the same place as the main pegged ring or with a different peg.
I hope I'm explaining this lol.
How do you make sure you don't get rain inbetween the footprint and ground sheet?
I wasn't able to peg out the guy ropes as it wouldn't fit in my garden! It's surprising how big a tent is when you actually get it up!
I'm gonna practice again at my sisters who has a bigger garden.
But anymore hints and tips for me in my new venture of camping would be most welcome.
Can't wait to get out in it!
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Yes peg everything out including the rubbers on the groundsheet but close the doors before you do any pegging and make sure the poles are in line looking down the side of the tent and in line with the seams. I peg the 4 corners first before putting the tent up, open the doors then start with the middle pole lifting the tent and then fit and lift the remaing poles from the centre out, close the doors and peg out
------------- 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
Strictly speaking, the ring and pins should be pegged first... four corners, then the side ones... having squared the groundsheet up, and put the poles in a nice straight line. The elastics are then pegged, with separate pegs, effectively pulling the skirt (Mud flap) out, which in turn, means water runs away from tent.
By pegging the corners first should ensure you completely cover the footprint sheet. Combined with pulling out the skirt, this in turn will ensure rain does not drip off fly sheet/skirt, onto any overhanging footprint (which there shouldn't be any!)
All this can be done with doors open/partly open (allows air in, when putting tent up). All doors/zips should then be fastened, before pegging any guy lines.
The ground sheet in general should be flat, and that front edge in particular, should be nice and straight... but neither should be overly tight, which would lift the edges of the groundsheet up off the floor, and be susceptible to straining, or worse!
Thanks guys.
You've really explained a whole lot.
I understand the elastics, and what they are for now, the skirt, and the whole footprint etc.
I'll be printing your intructions out for next time I put the tent up, just so I get it done in ther right order. Doors open, doors closed lol.
Thanks again.
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Looking at the photo it seems you have left a lot of 'sag' in the roof between the poles. This could be due to the space you have but when you erect it next time make sure you go to each corner and pull the tent as taut as you can so the the sides are straight and the poles all in line. Some of the sag may be taken out when you finally get the guy lines placed at the front and rear of the tent.
The footprint has to be slightly smaller all round than the tent groundsheet (hidden from view) so that rain/dew running off the fly falls onto the grass and not the edge of the footprint otherwise water will run underneath.
With regards to guying you may find that centre guy outside the front door is a bit of a hazard and you need to keep ducking under it. It is very similar to the front of my tent and I find that once the two other guys holding the front pole erect are in place I can dispense with the centre guy and bundle it up out of the way. I only use it for extra support if it becomes windy.
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: Newbie whose just pitched a tent!
