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 Topic: My new Hypercamp Escala 4
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20/10/2011 at 10:25pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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Just a few pics of my new Hypercamp Escala 4, a budget Dutch pyramid canvas tent, imported from Holland, as listed on Obelink's English site:
Hypercamp Escala 4
I shall include issues I encountered during the test pitch, how I overcame them, and a revised sequence of pitching based on what I have learnt from the test pitch.
More information with regard to the tent, purchasing process, pitching instructions from owners of Dutch pyramid tents could be found in this thread:
Cabanon vs Hypercamp
And Ratty, I shall submit my tent review later, promise!
DK 
The canvas was a bit saggy in places, however, it was my first attempt, and with practice, I believe I should be able to achieve a taut and smooth look.
Post last edited on 20/10/2011 22:40:18
Post last edited on 20/10/2011 22:42:18
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* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *
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20/10/2011 at 10:47pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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Issues discovered during the test pitch (in no particular order).
Fitting the inner tent after raising the central main pole in its final position
Once the central pole was up and the tent guyed, I discovered I was too short to hook up the inner tent without steps to help me.
Hence I had to lower the pole in order to hook up the inner tent, which was not easy to do when the tent fabric was taut.
Once I moved the central pole back into position, I discovered the central vertical zip on the inner tent was too slack.
I had to repeat the process of lowering the pole twice more in order to achieve the right tension for the inner tent.
I also discovered that fitting the inner tent after guying the canvas could result in slack points on the canvas, and had to re-tension certain guys on the canvas as a result.
Lesson learnt:
When raising the central pole for the first time, raise it to approximately 80 degrees from horizontal, this should still provide sufficient stability for the canvas while the inner tent is being installed.
Install the inner tent and hook it up to the main pole, lower the main pole if required.
Raise the main pole to its final position.
DK 
-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *
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20/10/2011 at 10:50pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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Joined: 19/6/2009 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 9577
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Definitely front frame first!
Instead of the recommended “main pole first” as instructed by the manufacturer, I decided to adopt the “front frame first” approach as recommended by a number of experienced Dutch pyramid tent owners.
During the course of the test pitch, after raising the maim central pole, I started to fit the middle frame (see separate section regarding fitting the middle frame), and realised there were sleeves in the canvas to hold the frames in place. DOH!
After fitting the middle frame, I decided to correct my earlier mistake with the front frame by not fitting it inside the sleeves, and found it a struggle with the canvas drapping over my head.
Lesson learnt:
Get it right first time with the front frame first.
DK
-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *
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20/10/2011 at 10:54pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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Fitting the middle frame
During the test pitch, I found fitting the middle frame being the hardest of all the tasks.
I managed to fit it with relative ease when the pole was not fitted inside the sleeves in the canvas, and with the third party rain cowls holding the corner sections in place by fitting the rain cowls outside the canvas.
Since I found it difficult to push the rain cowls in place once the middle frame was pushed into position, I decided to fit the rain cowls that were supplied with the tent onto the spikes on the corner sections first before fitting the canvas over the spikes.
This way, the eyelets would fit snuggly over the rain cowls.
However, when I tried to fit the middle frame inside the sleeves without the help of rain cowls on the outside, I found it a real struggle.
I tried fitting the corner sections first, then the middle sections, and was unsuccessful, as it required significant upper arm strength in order to pull the canvas taut for the poles to slot in place in the middle.
After struggling with different approach without success, I remembered it should be easier to fit canvas over the frame when it was slack.
So I moved the legs of the middle frame so that the frame sat at an angle.
With one corner section in place, I pulled the canvas over the other corner section until the eyelet fitted over the spike. At last, result!!!
Lesson learnt:
Raise the middle frame so that it sits at an angle before fitting the canvas over it.
Care needs to be taken though when pulling the canvas over the second spike on the middle frame so as to prevent putting too much stress on the stitching.
DK
-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *
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20/10/2011 at 11:17pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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Joined: 19/6/2009 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 9577
Tent Reviews: 6
| Site Reviews Total: | 56 |
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| Site Reviews 2024: | 9 |
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My sequence of pitching after resolving the issues above.
1. Assemble the poles
2. Peg down additional groundsheet if used
3. Roll out the groundsheet on top of the additional groundsheet
4. Peg down the four corners of the groundsheet
5. Roll out tent canvas (minus the front panel) on top of the groundsheet
6. Zip the canvas onto the groundsheet
7. Peg out the four corners of the canvas loosely
8. Fit the front frame onto the canvas
9. Guy out the front frame loosely
10. Fit the tent carpet if used
11. Raise the central main pole to approximately 80 degrees from horizontal
12. Bring the EHU kit inside the tent, unroll the cable, and feed the socket through the opening where the zips meet at the back of the tent
13. Position the EHU cable to one side of the tent
14. Fit the inner tent, and hook it up to the main pole
15. Raise the main pole to its final position
16. Fit the middle frame and raise it to a lowered position
17. Zip on the front panel
18. Raise the middle frame to position
19. Close the zips fully and hook up all the hooks on the groundsheet and front panel
20. Peg down the remaining eyelets on the groundsheet
21. Peg down the canvas, starting with the one in the middle at the back, then the middle one on each side, alternate between back, right and left etc., until all the guys are in place
22. Adjust the position of the front frame and guys
23. Adjust the guys on the canvas until it is taut
24. Fit the front groundsheet section if use
I am only 5'2", female, nearly 50, and relatively fit, and managed to pitch this tent on my own.
Raising the main canvas without the front panel was much easier than I had expected.
As already mentioned above, fitting the middle frame was the hardest for me. However, I know it is doable as I have done it.
It is very spacious for just me and my dog, and can easily accommodate another person if required.
All in all, I am very satisfied with my new purchase, and would have given it a 10/10 if the imperfections on the canvas do not exist.
As it is, I would give it a 9/10.
I hope this helps for anyone who may be considering a Dutch pyramid canvas tent in future.
Feel free to ask any questions and I'll see what I can do to help.
Thanks to all the contributors in the "Cabanon vs Hypercamp" thread - I would not have done it without you!!!
DK 
-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *
|
21/10/2011 at 10:36am
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
View Profile
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Joined: 19/6/2009 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 9577
Tent Reviews: 6
| Site Reviews Total: | 56 |
|
| Site Reviews 2024: | 9 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 9 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 8 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 9 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
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| Site Nights 2024: | 45 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 47 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 46 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 34 |
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When I decided to purchase this tent, I was already made aware that its quality is unlikely to match those that cost double or more.
Also, I am aware that if there are any issues with the tent, the process of getting a replacement etc. would involve a lot of hassle, time and effort.
On balance, the flaws are minor, and I can live with them.
I guess I should inform Obelink about the issues with the flaws, however, I do not expect them to compensate me.
Life is too short to let something trivial like this to bother me.
DK 
-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *
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