A camping tent can't really offer you all the comforts of home. But tent manufacturers try to get as close as possible, with zip-close windows, doors, and sometimes even separate rooms in very large tents. Because there are so many different shapes, sizes and types of camping tents, each one sets up slightly differently from the last.
Shapes
Most camping tents conform to one of several basic shapes. Dome tents have two or more poles that cross in the center, forming a square or round dome. Wedge tents are a two-pole version of the dome tent, but instead of forming a square or round dome they form a long, narrow rectangle. Hoop or tunnel tents are a series of one to three poles, arranged to form a tunnel. The ends of these tents must be staked out to stay upright. Less-common, super-lightweight pyramid tents have only one vertical, central pole; you stake the corners out to create a pyramid shape around the pole.
Freestanding vs. Non-freestanding
Most large tents are freestanding -- they don't have to be staked down to stay upright. You can even pick the tent up by the poles and move if it around, if you decide you'd like to sleep in a different location. Many one-person tents, and some two-person tents, are non-freestanding -- they must be staked out to stay upright. Examples include hoop tents and pyramid tents. In general, freestanding tents are easier and faster to set up than non-freestanding tents. The exception is very large family tents. Although freestanding, such large tents are often so complicated to put together that it's not just a matter of getting the right pole in the right grommet, but assembling them in the proper order as well.
Setup Methods
Most camping tents consist of a tent body, which usually has mesh panels and windows for extra ventilation, and a separate waterproof rainfly. You can pitch the tent with the body only on a nice night, or add the rainfly to keep wind or rain out and increase the tent's ventilating properties.
Some tents offer a third option: You can pitch the rainfly only on the poles, leaving the tent body behind for ultralight travel. This is only an option if you can secure the poles directly to the rainfly, instead of the usual method of securing the poles to the tent body, then securing the rainfly to the tent body.
Preparation
Even if the day was beautiful when you set out, odds are good that if it's your first time setting up your tent, you'll end up struggling to find all the pieces and put them together in the dark, wind, rain or snow. Avoid this potential disaster by setting the tent up at home several times before taking it on the trail. This also makes it clear what materials you need to successfully pitch the tent, so you don't accidentally leave something critical like guy lines or stake at home when you pack for camping.
Setup
The first time you set the tent up, lay the tent body out flat on the ground. Weight it down with rocks or other heavy objects so it doesn't blow away. Assemble the tent pole sections and slide them through the clips or sleeves on the tent body. Insert the ends of the tent poles into the grommets at the corners and sides of the tent, or insert the small pins attached to the tent into the hollow ends of the poles. Stake out the ends of the tent, if necessary, to keep it upright. Practice adding the rainfly, too. Usually it attaches via grommets on the tent poles, or by clipping directly to buckles on the corners and sides of the tent, or both.
Considerations
Even though you don't have to guy out or stake down freestanding tents to keep them upright, you should still at least stake the corners. Otherwise the tent might blow away in a strong wind.
Another major convenience of freestanding tents is that emptying dirt and debris is easy: Just upend the tent and give it a shake.
Member Comments