When it comes to erecting a tent, I know it sounds obvious but reading the instructions really does make a difference. It’s surprising just how much of us ignore them actually! Make sure you have them handy as well as following these handy tips in your quest for the perfectly-pitched tent.
Components
Check that you have everything needed to erect your tent before embarking on your camping trip i.e. all the poles, pegs, a mallet (believe me, it hurts trying to stamp in tent pegs with your feet!) and something waterproof, such as a tarpaulin, to situate your tent on (flattened cardboard boxes are not a good substitute!). Don’t forget the instructions either. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you to bring the tent itself…
Location, location, location
When you arrive at the campsite, give some thought to where you will pitch your tent. High, flat ground is perfect; you don’t want to find yourself in a puddle or sliding down a hill as you try to get some shut-eye. Also find out who your neighbours will be for the duration of your camping trip. If you have children, setting up camp near rowdy individuals may not be ideal (and vice-versa).
Erect your tent
Now you’ve found your spot, clear the area of anything you don’t want to be sleeping on (rocks, twigs, tree roots, rubbish etc.) and lay the tarp. Find the instructions to erect your tent. If the tent is not erected in the correct fashion, you could damage the poles or tent itself so lay out all the components in order to avoid confusion (the majority of tents will have numbered poles to make this easier). Pitch up the tent in accordance to the instructions. To ensure the tent is kept taught, peg down each corner one at a time, pulling the corner out as far as is safe. Tuck the tarp under the edge of the tent to ensure that water does not collect underneath the tent and make sure the tent pegs are secure.
Top Tips
- Practice erecting your tent and packing it back up at home. You will appreciate being a pro at it if the heavens should open!
- Taking an air bed or extra duvets to pad out the tent makes for a much more comfortable sleep than just a sleeping bag.
- If the camp site is on a slant, erect the tent in accordance to where you want your head to be.
- A broom or dustpan and brush is useful for clearing the area you wish to camp on.
Article by Emma Walters