its easy but watch how the poles go together (one end will have a double "ferrule" the other a single make sure the single ferrule is outermost) remove all the existing elastic then get some nylon garden twine with a large sailcloth type needle on the end (straight) then simply drop the needle with attached twine through each section (pushing them together as you go to the next)in the end you will have the pole assembled with a continuous string through.
remove needle tie elastic firmly to string, tie a large knot in elastic on the other end and gently pull elastic through poles.
pull end of elastic very tight when it emerges from last pole(make sure knot on end goes in the ferrule) then get an acquaintance to tie a knot in the stretched bit sticking out (put your thumb on elastic to stop it springing back) once the knots tied let go!if everything looks ok and the elactic is just right pull it out cut it above knot and let go.
if your knots are just right they will fit inside the ferrule but to big to pass through the pole
you want a little stretch in the elstic to allow the poles to be pulled apart but not too much otherwise the sections will be loose .
Thanks Debbie for the suggestion of starting threading the elastic cord at an end section of the poles and folding the poles afterwards. Yes you've guessed it, I am a complete newbie and need even the most basic help!
Also to fatbloke28 (are there really 27 other fatblokeson the UKCS forum?). I struggled to understand your instructions at first, couldn't understand why you would want to feed the twine through all the poles and then pull the elastic - I had intended to put the elastic through one section at a time. Then I twigged that your method is for when the replacement elastic cord is shorter than the total length of the poles. Very useful if the end knot has come undone/broken; your method allows you to use the old elastic cord.
I've ordered a length of elastic cord that in its relaxed state is a bit longer than the total pole length. It is 3mm diameter so I should be able to thread it one section at a time without needle or twine.
My query was really how tight to make the elastic? With the VRX500S tent you can only remove the last 2 metres of the poles from the sleeves of the tent by pulling them (?) - so I suppose the elastic has to be tight enough that the sections won't separate inside the sleeves when pulled. But then not so tight that you can't separate the sections to fold them. So tight enough that one section will not separate: but loose enough that all sections will separate for folding! Now I'm really confused! (ah, sudden ray of light - maybe you have to fold the pole one section at at time as they emerge from the sleeves to increase the elastic tension!??)
As you can probably guess I am a newbie to this camping malarky and am grateful to the advice of all you more experienced campers. Although I am a bit surprised that the replies I am getting don't indicate that this is a very common thing to have to do - considering that the elastic cord on my Outdoor Revolution tent broke first time I erected it (the pole sections have a ferrule at one end only - the bare fibreglass at the other end is a bit sharp so maybe that's why the cord broke?).
Quote: Originally posted by fatbloke28 on 16/7/2007
its easy but watch how the poles go together (one end will have a double "ferrule" the other a single make sure the single ferrule is outermost) remove all the existing elastic then get some nylon garden twine with a large sailcloth type needle on the end (straight) then simply drop the needle with attached twine through each section (pushing them together as you go to the next)in the end you will have the pole assembled with a continuous string through. remove needle tie elastic firmly to string, tie a large knot in elastic on the other end and gently pull elastic through poles. pull end of elastic very tight when it emerges from last pole(make sure knot on end goes in the ferrule) then get an acquaintance to tie a knot in the stretched bit sticking out (put your thumb on elastic to stop it springing back) once the knots tied let go!if everything looks ok and the elactic is just right pull it out cut it above knot and let go. if your knots are just right they will fit inside the ferrule but to big to pass through the pole you want a little stretch in the elstic to allow the poles to be pulled apart but not too much otherwise the sections will be loose .
Post last edited on 16/07/2007 22:33:54
AHAAAAA - I wish I had read that bit 2 years ago, It could have saved a hell of lot of swearing.
If you haven't got the threading needle, just singe the end of the elastic cord with a ciggie lighter - it makes it go hard enough to thread through without a needle.
maybe cos the pole sections don't have ferrules at the 'male' end they are a loose fit into each other. So if I try to erect the tent without the elastic cord pulling the sections tight together it seems quite likely that several of the sections will not be fully engaged. So it seems to me, that when you get to do the big bend of the poles (its a tunnel tent) it is quite likely that you will damage the end of any of the not fully engaged sections (one section did splinter at the end). Also the complete pole will be too long and will then be overstrained when bent?
its best not to pull the poles out using the elastic ,rather push them out from the opposite end if you have short "tubes",if your tent has a continous "tube" the pole runs through its far easier to carefully hold both the "tube" and pole together to stop it moving then put your other hand a couple of feet away and push the tube (not the pole) towards the other hand (a sort of shuffeling along motion),this pushes the tent off the pole rather than strain the elastic pulling the pole out of the tent ,once that 2 feet are moved hold the opposite hand and pole tight and pull the tube in the same direction until its tight then do it all again.
you will see your pole magically coming out the end (usually towards some obstruction ) it sounds complicated but it works with a little practice.
it also lessens the annoying habit of getting caught in the tube when the pole section insists on stopping on every fold in its path.
if you have ever replaced elastic in trousers using a safety pin its exactly the same motion.
the correct tightness of the elastic can be found with the string still attached to the elastic ,the idea is that its tight enough to hold the poles firmly together but just loose enough to let you fold the poles up to put back in the bag.
if its to stretchy (and the joints are loose)pull the string which will pull the knot back out of the ferrule ,undo knot and tie it further "in" and try again ,too tight pull string undo knot tie further out etc.
all the elastic does is stop the bare male bits of the pole coming out the female bits (ooerr mrs) in use and ofcourse stop you losing the bits .
you can erect it without elastic at all but its a fiddly job and is then dependant on the pin and ring holding it all together.
REMEMBER the knots need to be small enough to fit in the end ferrules but too big to go through the pole otherwise you will get a surprise black eye when you bend the pole to its correct curve and the elastic flies out.
"Also to fatbloke28 (are there really 27 other fatblokeson the UKCS forum?). I struggled to understand your instructions at first, couldn't understand why you would want to feed the twine through all the poles and then pull the elastic - I had intended to put the elastic through one section at a time. Then I twigged that your method is for when the replacement elastic cord is shorter than the total length of the poles. Very useful if the end knot has come undone/broken; your method allows you to use the old elastic cord."
no the elastic has to be shorter than the essembled pole so it pulls everything together ,the elastic acts like a spring.
say if your poles are 3mtrs long the elastic inside will be about 2.5mtrs long but stretched so it pulls everything together (i'm not quoting actual sizes just an example of how the elastic works)the extra "give" left in the elastic allows you to fold the poles
it sounds very complicated and the explanation is complicated but once you've done one its child play ,its far easier to demonstrate than describe unfortunately
Perhaps I can bring this to a conclusion by summarising the contributions. Responders have described two methods:
1) Obtain replacement elastic cord which in its relaxed state is longer than the poles. Can then simple thread it through each section. Then assemble all the sections; put a stopper knot at one end of the elastic and stretch the other end and put a stopper knot there too.
2) Obtain, or re-use, elastic cord that in its relaxed state is shorter than the pole. Thread a length of thin cord through the sections (maybe using a large needle if necessary). Put a stopper knot in the end of the elastic and then attach the cord to the other end of the elastic and use the cord to pull the elastic through the pole. Tie a stopper knot to keep the tension.
Update on UKcampsite support. Have now been contacted by Ian of the UKcampsite team who saw this thread - seems my previous emails went into their spam folder.
They have asked the manufacturer to provide a replacement pole.
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: How to Replace Elastic Cord in Poles?
) it sounds complicated but it works with a little practice.
