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We have an outer pitch first tent. Generally we get the outer up and losely pegged. I then do the pods and beds etc, while OH pegs the rest out.

Then tea.

Quote: Originally posted by sunvalleysue on 30/8/2008

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Hi,just wondered what tips people have for pitching their tent when its raining.

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Quote:

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Do you manage to keep the inside dry.

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We pitch our Vermont in exactly the same way in rain or shine. It's SIG & all-in-one pitching, so stays dry inside - unlike us!

ours is inner pitch first. only pitched in drizzle. the inner is shower proof and we are usually quick at erecting anyway. the inner soon dries

As well as our  big 'proper' tent we have a pop-up tent and if it's raining, or dark, or we're en route to somewhere and just want an overnight stop, we just pitch that for the night. It really is up in seconds and a three-person version is really comfy for the two of us, with a bit of manoeuvering / storage space in addition to a double airbed. We like the Decathlon make (which I think was the original of the pop-up type, since much copied by other manufacturers). Ours has proved totally waterproof in days and nights of downpour (Wales, need I say more?)  Pop-ups don't have a porch so for cooking and general extra shelter we sling a tarp over the tent  so that it extends partly over the entrance. Hey, aren't proper tarps expensive? So instead we use one of those cheap green things that look as though they're made of woven plastic and that does the job with a few homemade eyelets punched in it for guylines. We feel really cosy and comfy in the pop-up and our bigger tent stays dry till we're ready to put it up. Same goes in reverse if we're due to leave a site on a day when we know rain is coming, or if we need to leave early next day; we pack up the big tent in the dry and spend the last night in the pop-up. All this is fine for us (two adults) but not a solution for those with families of course. And you do need to be sure you can collapse the thing back down - the three-person is a bit cumbersome but practice makes perfect!

I cower in the car and let hubby do it. Well..... no sense in two of you getting wet is there?