Tenting Tips for everyone....

[renodesertfox]

Howdy Campateers,
The list goes on and on but to get you started here are a few that have popped into my head now that spring is right around the corner. However, winter dies hard this year! Summer will be a grand time...getting back to honest good camping! One reason I'm not fond of Vegas any more is that the Strip and downtown both are nothing but tease and hype! Back in the day, when your were seated at a show, two comp drinks were brought to your table one at a time. Now, you gotta go stand in a long line and the booze is watered down. If you are at a dinner show and you order steak medium, then is was right the first time! Now it comes rare and cold as ice. Camping it's an honest activity! And dang-it, I'm an honest tent camper!

Avoid camping in low places--Air flow gets stagnant and typically moisture settles more. Also, if it rains whilst your tent is up, there's a greater chance of water collecting when you're camped in a low lying area. Lastly, position your tent so that your head is uphill wherever you camp (seeing as most locations are rarely ever flat).

Ventilation--It's better to face the tail of your tent into prevailing winds. This will maximize air flow. Scrutinize the area--Check the area for sharp objects that may damage your tent before setting up camp.

Set Up-- Once your tent is set up, if you notice wrinkles running from one corner to the next (interior), this means that you've pulled the tent too tightly in that direction. Reposition the stakes until the floor evens out.
Looking Good--Last but certainly not least: If you've never set up your tent before, it's best to practice at home until you can do it in your sleep (bit of an exaggeration...but you know what I mean). This will save you any embarrassment later on in the 'Real World'.

Tent Care
Keep it dry-- Never store your tent when it's wet or damp! Consequences of forgetting this cardinal rule is mildew damage and tent stink. So, dry it after use (but not in direct sunshine).

Reduce condensation build up--Sometimes condensation may become a real issue, especially in certain types of tents. One of the ways to combat this, is to spray the outside of your tent with a product like ReviveX which beads up water so it rolls off the tent's surface (think of water rolling off a duck's back). Ground Cloth--Use one. It will protect your tent bottom from protruding objects.

Sweep out your tent--accumulated dirt between your sleeping bag and the floor will gradually erode the tent floor. Sunshine--Don't leave your tent in the sun for prolonged periods--ultra-violet rays damage the tent fabric and its waterproofing capabilities. If you can, set up in the shade.

Seams--Seal them all. In this particular case, water is not your friend. Keep it out!

Transporting your tent--Constantly folding your tent the same way will eventually cause creases that will compromise its weatherproofing and ultimately crack the fabric itself. Solution? Stuff it for transportation.

Packaging of your tent--The keyword here is "carefully" (assuming you have any concern about its lifespan). Poles dent, break, chip and cords stretch. Also bear in mind that poles and stakes can tear and poke holes in the tent fabric. Good luck, it'll be a great summer 2010, yes sir it will!

Feel free to add anything of value here! There are a lot great honest campers here and that ain't no bull. Just remember you gotta be a registered camper here or as I say, a "Campateer"(sorta like a mousekteer only we camp and don't dance on a TV set! Savy?

Camping brings out the honesty in everyone...either you like it or you don't. And if you don't, move along now and let someone read this that does!

[familycampman]

Great post. The one thing I'd like to add is to keep it organized. Like you said, set up your tent ahead of time to avoid trying to put it up in the dark, but I'm a fan of labeling the boxes my gear is stored in. This helps out tremendously if you need to find some gear whether it's in the dark or in the rain.

Thanks again

Eric

[Eaglebait Ranch]

Speaking of "labeling", I put colored duct tape on stuff, so I know where it goes. Things i MUST NOT LOSE I put orange duct tape on so when I break camp and do my last "look around" I can easily spot something I might have missed that I truly don't want to have to come back and get (water bottle, fuel bottle, GPS holder, map bag, dog leash, etc.)

[SilverMaggie]

What I would like to add here is:

ALWAYS KEEP YOUR TENT ZIPPED UP!

Leaving it unzipped/open, even for a few minutes, invites unwanted creatures in! Imagine finding a snake or scorpion in your sleeping bag?

[renodesertfox]

Great points added friends! Hope more will follow...one person alone does not a forum make!

[Eaglebait Ranch]

Originally Posted by SilverMaggie

What I would like to add here is:

ALWAYS KEEP YOUR TENT ZIPPED UP!.........

I laughed because I didn't even think to write that because (after experiencing the effects of not zipping up the tent every time) I zip up the tent every time. Sheez, the things we do automatically, and don't think to put out to others

[Bigdog57]

Yep, I had to evict a BIG ground spider once - it was nip & tuck for awile, hard core 'hand to leg' combat - but I prevailed and he had to seek lodging elsewhere.......

I haven't had any serious problems with rain or flooding, but the wind can get wicked! I make sure my guy lines are very secure! Those little wire stakes a lot of tents come with are useless in my sandy soil - I use the larger plastic stakes - they hold very well.
Up in Northern Alabama though, they have harder rocky soil - the wire stakes do work well there.

[Waterfowler84]

In addition to all these excellent tips a very important safety recommendation is to mark your tent's anchor lines and stakes with brightly colored (I recommend fluorescent green or orange) tape or string. The most common and most avoidable injuries occur when individuals trip over anchor lines or stakes, especially after dark. Simply twist the tape or string up and down the length of the anchor lines in a wrapping motion so the entire line is visible, and make sure the tops of the stakes are visible as well using the same method.

[Ashx]

Here is a site that has some great new tent stakes.

They don't bend or rust and you can pound them into the ground (or even a 2x4 check out the video!) with whatever and the head won't mushroom. They are also really lightweight.

http://www.x3anchorstake.com/

[tplife]

We've seen BigDog's ground spider, and she's actually quite the lady about the campsite!