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Topic: Pitching advice please.

Willowpop

09/4/2012 at 8:24am
Location: London
Outfit: Coleman Mackenzie Cabin 6XL

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Hi lovely campers,
Can anyone offer a bit of advice?
On Saturday we hired a pitch for an afternoon so we could practice getting out new tent up.
The tent is a Coleman Mackenzie Cabin 6 XL.
We've never had a tent with a SIG before.
We found it really easy to get up, but had we actually been staying in it we would have had a problem.....
The loops on the SIG that you would normally fasten to the ground wouldn't reach the floor at the front, and the front of the bedroom pods looked too high.
We erected the tent from the back as advised by the salesman so the back pole went in 1st and we worked out way along the tent towards the front loosely pegging the guy ropes in as we went.
Should we have pegged the base down first and then put the poles in?

Can anyone help with how best to pitch at tunnel type tent with a SIG?

Otherwise, we LOVED the tent and can't wait till of summer hols!

Thanks in advance.

shirleys

09/4/2012 at 8:46am
Location: Stalybridge
Outfit: Outwell Oakland XL

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the best way for us to pitch is What we call the Cross Method.

Peg all 4 corners loosly then insert poles.

Heres a link to a video that may explain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWbdjZJU-F4&list=UUWb41Kp4YgXJ_8MK_K50x7g&index=10&feature=plcp

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Phil + Shirl

tonyb21

09/4/2012 at 9:12am
Location: Hull
Outfit: Elddis Rambler 550 Frinton 4 Classic

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I agree the Cross method is the best way to pitch any tunnel tent. We use the same principle for all our tunnel tents no matter what size

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2016
Feb - Bridlington CC Site
March - Bridlington CC Site
May - West Ayton CC site
May - Thorpe Hall
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Willowpop

09/4/2012 at 9:46am
Location: London
Outfit: Coleman Mackenzie Cabin 6XL

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Guys, great advice, thanks....and I had never thought of looking on youtube.
So, peg the corners and then start from the front then? Would you guys also start at the front and work back?
Also, when putting it down do you keep the doors open? we closed them and ended up with a bouncy castle as we tried to put it down as it was full of air!!

russandjax

09/4/2012 at 9:59am
Location: Lancaster
Outfit: Abbey Vogue GTS 417

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Yes you unzip the doors to take it down, but you need them closed when pegging so as to get the tension right.

Freebird

09/4/2012 at 10:15am
Location: Dutch Mountains
Outfit: Sharp talons beak and a hernia!

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Start from the back by pegging the tunnel's end (and SIG loops) then insert the first pole and let it rest against the back. Insert the second and so on. Then close the tent door and "pull" the loops to the front as if pulling a harmonica and peg the front end (and the front SIG loops). Do not pull the tent taut, yet, but fumble about to get all the wrinkles out around the poles, if any. Only then, peg out the sides back to front and thus tighten the flysheet. Do not over-tighten! If the wrinkles have gone, it is taut enough. You don't need to bounce off money from it.

Use all tent guys and check them daily. It's just a routine to get used to in the morning and it makes sure you wont be surprised tent less from a sudden gust of unexpected high winds.

Besides, it makes you look an expert and you will certainly enjoy your tent for a few years to come if you care for it like this. Decades even if it's a canvas tent.

Happy pitching!

shirleys

09/4/2012 at 10:21am
Location: Stalybridge
Outfit: Outwell Oakland XL

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when you Peg all 4 corners loosly, start at front or back makes no difference, doors open to let air in. when putting away leave open and when folding take note where the doors are then when ready for the final roll up of tent lay on it and roll yourself towards where the door is to get air out( Kids love this), then go back and roll up the tent in the same direction.

remember to close door when pegging out as mentioned

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Phil + Shirl

insider

09/4/2012 at 10:52am
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Re starting from the from the front or back... With a tunnel tent with a big front door like the Outwell month 6 it would always be best starting from the from roof pole or possible the second one back at the furthest if the tent has say a flat front. This allows the air in easier than starting at the back. If on the other hand you have a tent that has two side doors like the Vango Maritsa or Tigris 800 etc you can open just the side doors and start with the middle pole and then work out from there one at a time. This method that some call the Cross is by far the best. I wouldn't ever start with the rear pole as you have less chance of getting any air in the tent which causes a vacuum when pitching. The most important thing is to peg the tent corners first, all this just pegging the back then putting the poles in and the lifting the tent from either side like a pram lid is madness. Imagine you have to pitch in slightly windy weather and the tent is a six berther, kite flying comes to mind.
The insider.

Lummo

09/4/2012 at 12:26pm
Location: north yorkshire
Outfit: outwell nevada xl

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Everyone find the best way for them. I have an Outwell Nevada xl and i always lay the tent out then insert all the poles then peg down both rear corners and tention with the straps. I then get the front pole bring it into the next pole and so on until at the last pole, then starting from the rear pole insert all the poles keeping the canvas loose until all poles are in then stretch out the tent like a consateena making sure it is straight down the sides and then peg down both front corners and tension as required and then peg the sides. The last operation i carry out is putting all the guy ropes in. Hope this is of some help, it works for me. Not saying this is the right way to do it.

Willowpop

09/4/2012 at 4:30pm
Location: London
Outfit: Coleman Mackenzie Cabin 6XL

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Thanks so much everyone, you've all been a great help.

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