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Important Information About Your Tent
Practise pitching your tent before the initial camping holiday to familiarise yourself with your new tent, and to check that all necessary components have been included. If you are unsure please contact us and we will guide you as best we can.
Properly maintained and pitched, your new tent should resist most weather conditions, but remember it is a folding, lightweight structure, storm damage, and general misuse is NOT covered by the guarantee, good insurance cover is highly recommended. The step by step guide below will explain how to erect a tent.
Pitching
1. Select an area on the camp site which is as flat as possible and avoid marshy, low-lying ground which could flood under conditions of heavy rain.
2. Clear the site of sticks, stones or sharp objects which could pierce the groundsheet or damage the tent.
3. Ensure the groundsheet is securely fastened to the ground; any loose material can cause children or adults to trip over the sagging material.
4. A sheet of strong polythene beneath the groundsheet is advisable as it will give extra protection and help keep the groundsheet clean. This is especially important if your new tent has a sewn in groundsheet, as they are difficult to replace or repair.
5. Try not to pitch your tent under any trees, besides dripping long after it has stopped raining, some trees may drop sticky sap onto your tent, this will not only make the tent dirty and difficult to clean, but it could also affect the waterproofing of the tent.
6. Try to make good use of natural safe windbreaks such as hedges and where possible face the tent door away from the prevailing wind. This will help shield your tent from any excessive winds that could build up over the course of the day or night.
7. Tent fabrics will be affected by exposure to ultraviolet light and acid rain, the colour will change and the fabric will become weaker. If you’re planning to keep your tent erected over long periods of time then seek a site which is as shaded as possible.
8. It is recommended that all pegging points and guy lines are securely fastened down at all times, this will help prevent damage of the tent or fibreglass poles.
Guylines, Tent Pegs and Zips
1. Always ensure your tent is pitched with all the zips closed, this will ensure the tent stays the correct shape once it has been erected.
2. DO NOT FORCE. Treat all zips carefully, and try not to tread on your tent (especially if wearing boots).
3. DO NOT DRAG. Ensure your tent is carried safely. Dragging your tent across the ground, (especially over gravel) will tear holes in the bag and flysheet.
4. Keep zips clean, especially in sandy or muddy conditions.
5. Drive the tent pegs into the ground at an angle to the direction of pull to get the best grip in the ground. Ensure to peg inline of the seams of the tent.
6. Cross over the pegs situated at the base of the zips, this will relieve any stress on the zips of the tent.
7. Rubber guy loops should be stretched sufficiently to tension the fabric of the tent without over stretching.
Using Your New Tent
1. Pitch the tent a minimum of 6 metres from the adjacent tents and awnings. If a neighbouring tent blows down in the middle of the night, this will help avoid it crashing into your tent.
2. Do not place heating, lighting or cooking equipment near the sides or the roof of the tent or tent fabric.
3. Ensure the tent is well ventilated.Ventilation whilst cooking is essential as sources of heat and light which depend on burning fossil fuels emit carbon monoxide.
4. Keep the tent exits clear at all times.
5. Never allow children to play around cooking, heating or lighting equipment.
6. Always carry a tent repair kit as well as spare tent poles.
7. Condensation often occurs in synthetic and even in cotton tents. Do not confuse this with leakage. Good ventilation will help reduce the condensation.
8. The moisture from the air, cooking, and even your breath can under certain conditions form beads or drops of water when it comes into contact with cold surfaces.
9. Always ensure all items are not in contact with the sides of the tent and nothing causes the inner tents or materials to touch the inner of the flysheet as the condensation will then be drawn into the tent.
Storing Your Tent
1. Before storing your tent please ensure it is completely dry. It is ok to take the tent home wet, but before packing it away for more than a day the TENT MUST BE COMPLETELY DRY. Mildew sets in very quickly and is impossible to completely repair. A footprint groundsheet of your tent will help prevent the bottom of your tent getting wet.
2. Tents are best cleaned using warm water and a detergent free soap. Detergents can strip the waterproofing of your tent.
3. DO NOT SCRUB. Rinse well and dry thoroughly and re-proof with a tent proofing solution (Fabsil or Storm) if necessary.
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