We've all been there: it's getting dark, it's cold, the wind is coming and tonight you have to sleep outdoors. Basically it's the worst time to forget the camping tent instructions. Before taking a hike in the woods, it would be better to know by heart how to set up a tent, in order to avoid wasting time and clumsy attempts at camping. Learning to find the right area to pitch your tent, how to assemble it and how to take care of it will make the camping experience much more enjoyable. Go to Step 1 to start learning how to pitch a tent.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Set up the Tent
Step 1. Lay an oilcloth on the ground before setting up the tent
When you set up the tent, it is important to put a barrier between the ground and the bottom of the tent to protect it from moisture. Good quality vinyl or plastic canvas should be included with any tent.
Fold the canvas following the shape of the curtain, but make it slightly smaller. No part of the canvas should protrude from the edge of the tent, otherwise it will collect water underneath in case of rain. Fold in some longer edges and tuck them under the curtain
Step 2. Take out and examine all of the tent components
Most modern tents are made from lightweight nylon, multi-function rods, and pegs, while older military-style tents often feature more intricate rods and fabric coverings. Last but not least, you will need the curtain and rods and the method of setting everything up is generally the same.
Step 3. Spread the tent on the tarpaulin
Find the underside of the tent and lay it low on the tarpaulin. Orient the curtain door and windows in the direction you would like them to face. Leave it stretched out and turn your attention to the chopsticks.
Step 4. Connect the curtain rods
Depending on the type of curtain, they might be connected with bungee cords or they might be numbered and you should be the one to connect them. Group the rods and place them on the spread curtain.
Step 5. Insert the curtain rods into the corresponding slots
Most regular curtains will have two rods that cross to form an X that will form the basic structure of the curtain. To insert them into the curtain, you will usually pass the end of the rod through an eyelet in each corner and slide the rod through small slots placed in the upper part of the curtain or you will attach plastic clips at the top of the curtain to the rod.
Read the instructions for your tent or take a closer look at it to determine how the rods are strung. Each tent is designed differently
Step 6. Lift the curtain
This step requires some coordination, so someone's help is usually useful. After threading both rods through the joining points, they should probably flex on their own as a result, straightening and lifting the curtain into what basically looks like where you might be sleeping.
- With some curtains it will be necessary to insist a little. Separate the corners so they are square and make sure the sticks are firm and untangled.
- Depending on the type of tent used, there may be plastic hooks attached to the tie rods that are part of the structure. After raising the curtain a little, hook them to the structure at the appropriate point. Attach any other structural components necessary for it to remain standing to the tent.
Step 7. Secure the tent to the ground with pegs
When you have the square tent frame resting on the tarpaulin, use the supplied metal pegs to thread through the slots near the ground at the four corners and push them into the ground. If you are on rocky or particularly hard ground, you may need to use a small hammer or other rounded object to push them a little into the ground. Some pegs fold quite easily, so be careful with this step.
Step 8. Add the outer tent if you have one
Some tents are equipped with a rain protection consisting of an outer tent. In practice it is another sheet that covers the tent. Some have matching rods and are more elaborate than others, so read your tent instructions to learn how to assemble it if you have a complicated model.
Part 2 of 3: Store the Tent and Preserve It Over Time
Step 1. Allow the tent to air in the sun before putting it away
If it rains while camping, it is important to let the tent dry completely inside and out before putting it away, otherwise the next time you want to go camping, you will find mold as a surprise. Hang it on some easily accessible branch or on the line where you hang out your laundry when you go home so that it dries completely and then store it safely for next time.
Step 2. Wrap each item separately and pack it individually
If you have a bag to store the tent in, at first it may seem difficult to put everything back inside. There is no secret method of folding a curtain, but in any case it is usually better to roll it than to fold it. Spread out each item (the tent itself and the outer tent) and fold it lengthwise, then roll it up as tight as possible and store it in the bag.
Step 3. Do not fold the curtain the same way every time
It is important not to form folds on the curtain, which can begin to weaken the fabric in some places, then spread out to form holes. Roll up, press, push the curtain into the bag, but avoid folding it and creating marked folds on the fabric.
It is better to have a wrinkled and pressed curtain the next time you set it up, rather than to have creases so marked that they form holes. Remember, the curtain is not a style statement, it is a protection against the elements
Step 4. Finally add the pegs and rods
Once you have tucked the outer tent and inner tent into the bag, push the pegs inside carefully on one side. It is likely to be very tight on the inside, so be delicate and do not let the rods get caught on the edge of the curtain and then tear it off.
Step 5. Open the curtain and let it air regularly
Sometimes a little time can pass between one camping trip and another. It is a good idea to open the curtain regularly and let it air out to make sure that the humidity does not damage the fabric and that the mice have not settled in your house. You don't have to mount it, just take it out, shake it and put it back in a different way.
Part 3 of 3: Finding a Point
Step 1. Find a suitable spot for camping
Choose a large enough open space where you can assemble the tent. If you are in a national park, be sure to pitch your tent in a camping area. Make sure you are not on private property and comply with all the laws in force in that area that regulate the campsite.
Step 2. Find a flat area on the campsite to pitch your tent
Remove rocks, twigs, and other debris from where you will pitch the tent. If you are in an area where there are pines, sprinkling the ground with a thin layer of pine needles can make it a little softer and better for sleeping.
Avoid pitching your tent in depressions, holes or hollows in the ground. Any point lower than the surrounding area will be filled with puddles in case of rain. Even if you have a waterproof tent, the situation will become difficult when the tent begins to float. The ideal terrain is flat and raised above the surrounding area
Step 3. Pay attention to the wind direction
Arrange the side of the tent where there is an opening away from the prevailing wind, thus reducing the likelihood that the tent will swell and create more tension on the pegs.
- Try using the natural tree line to create a windbreak if it's particularly windy. Move closer to the trees, so as to prevent the wind from creeping in.
- Avoid camping on the dry bed of a river / stream in case a flood should occur, or under trees, which can be dangerous during thunderstorms, as the branches can break and fall onto the tent without warning.
Step 4. Determine where the sun will rise
It may be a good idea to predict the path of the sun in the morning so that you are not brutally awakened. In the summer time, the tents can become ovens, which means that if you pitch the tent directly towards the path that follows the sun, you will wake up sweaty and short-tempered. The ideal location of the tent will allow you to stay in the shade during the morning so you can wake up comfortably at the time you prefer.
Step 5. Plan your camping site appropriately
Keep the area where you sleep well away from the area for cooking and going to the bathroom, preferably upwind. If you light a fire in the camping area, make sure it is not close enough to throw sparks on the tent and make sure you put it out completely before going to bed for the night.
