I've just put up my Bear Lake 6 2016 for the first time, and I did it by myself. As a result, I'm sure I haven't quite got the poles situated perfectly or the various straps tightened right. Anyway, it's up and looks pretty good.
The specific problem I have is that the SIG groundsheet under the main front door (I haven't got the canopy up at the moment) won't sit flat on the grass. It is taught and lifted off the ground. Even when I untoggle it so it should lay flat, it only reaches the ground by pushing it down. So, I'm trying to work out which bit of the tent isn't in the right place, or tightened in the right way. I guess I'm hoping it is a common problem (due to poor pitching) with a known solution.
Any ideas?
Many thanks,
Ben.
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It sounds to me that this is similar to what I used to experience with out Filey 6... and I'd put it down to a very mild case of "user error"!
I had the habit of pulling out the feet of the poles, on the assumption that a tight groundsheet is a happy groundsheet! This leaves the corners of the groundsheet too rounded. (Where it transfers from flat floor to the start of the upright wall... Think skirting board!)
Assuming all is currently fully pegged at this stage, simply remove the peg through the ring and pin at the base of the pole, lift pole an inch off the ground, move it in an inch or so, drop it back down, and re-peg. Repeat to each pole either side. If need be, repeat to all poles, down each side.
Go inside, and gently walk into the edges... the floor should be flat, the "skirting board" should be vertical, and the corner in between should be almost a sharp 90 deg... not rounded.
This should take any strain away from the flat section of SIG, and allow it to lay flat naturally.
In a nutshell, your pole feet are spread just a little too wide, ergo your SIG is a little too tight.
OH... and don't over-do the tightening of any tension straps at the ring and pins either... that was another bad habit of mine! Just a gentle tug is usually enough!
Hope that makes sense... because it worked for me!
... Should have added... just slacken off the guys before lifting and moving the pole feet in, particularly if your guys are as tight as I used to have mine!
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Topic: Calling Bear Lake 6 owners - need advice
