now i love my icarus 500! dh and me put it up together in minuites. i fancy taking ds out camping (just me and an 8 year old) and it would be awesome if i could pitch the icarus instead of a 4 man dome which i can pitch myself easily, but doesn`t have the living room space.
is it possible to pitch the icarus on your own??
I have put up my Icarus 500 solo a few times. The poles sometimes come out of their pins before you can run round the other side to push the pole and get tension but only takes a few times. Most fellow campers will come to the aid of someone struggling. I would and sure you would too!
You just
1) peg the 4 corners,
2) open the front door to let the air in,
3) insert the pole nearest the front door into it's sleeve and engage the ring and pin on one side
4) then go around the other side and, while pulling on the fabric to prevent bunching or pinching, sort out the pin on that side too. The pole should be in its upright position.
5) Then, just do the same with the other poles, working towards the back of the tent.
6) Finish pegging and guying
This works on any fibreglass pole tunnel tent. I solo pitch my Tigris like this and that's huge.
There are videos on YouTube on how to do this. Look for "Cross Camping Method". Gary Cross is legend on this forum because of these.
I pitched our Outwell Nevada M last week with a little help from my 11 year old son. Probably could have done it by myself but it did help having him when threading the poles
It's undoubtedly a bit easier with a second person but not much. But as long as you are prepared to go from this side to that side a few times there's no reason why not.
I find it helps to peg out the tent on the ground but not too tightly. It can always be adjusted later.
Did it all the time when I had my Icarus..Absolute doddle...And as others have said folk on site would not see you struggling if you were having problems.. ie...Gusty wind for example...Or so I have found anyway...
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
Would ds be able to help? 8 years should be able to help pitch a tent, even if its just to hold something or pass tent pegs. Having said that my 15 year son is a pain when it comes to helping.