I have played around with the Montana 12 today and put it up and took it down many times. We have been using the 2005 model last season and had our method which worked fine for us and allowed us to fully errect the tent in around 30 mins. But, whenever you see anything from Outwell they tell you to insert all the roofpoles first ( we didn't do it this way, we did one pole at a time ).
After viewing the Outwell video I can see why it seems so difficult putting all the poles in first. After seeing my mistake, I have found it far easier to connect ALL the poles first before putting it up.
The knack is to make sure you are lifting the tent WITH the weight of the poles and not against them. If you watch the Outwell video, you can see that the tent is laid out so that when you lift up the poles they are not pulling against any weight ( too difficult to describe, but watch the video ).
Tried it a few times this afternoon and now prefer to put all the roof poles in and connect all the side poles before lifting any of the tent.
Definitiely have Pete, its the case of how you lift the poles. If you have the poles so they are pulling against the weight of the rest of the poles it is a task and a half. If you do it so they lift up away from the weight ( i.e. the weight helps you lift the pole ), then it is the easiest method available.
I only really spotted it after watching the Outwell video. I couldn't understand how they were able to lift the pole so easily with all the other poles in ( even the side poles ). Then I watched it again and it clicked home. I tried it on my Montana 12 and from now on thats how I will do it. I reckon I can knock a considerable amount of time off the pitching of it by doing it that way. If I knock much more time off, it will be erected before I get it out the bag.
My record so far is 32 minutes for doing the 12 and the new way seems easier. Aiming for the 20 minute mark now for a Montana 12. That includes all the pegging out. But, I do have the advantage that the kids have already put the poles together why me and OH are positioning the tent on the tarp.
New Monty 4 2006. Put it up on Monday for the first time as in the Outwell video and it was a doddle easy in 30 mins .
All the poles in first then pull and peg from one end. It was not windy so the ground sheet was not pegged out and this helped when putting the pins in the poles as the groundsheet was not tight and the hoops could be moved to ensure the groundsheet was flat and the flysheet at the right tension. Only needed two people to get the first arch upright and before and after that it was a one man job. We are delighted with it.
Only had two problems no porch pole when it came but this was sent very quickly after an email Mark Jennings at Oase .
But and big BUT it is, one of the wires snapped in an upright as we took it down. Another email to Mark and hoping for a satisfactory outcome. Will let you know.
New Monty 4 2006. Put it up on Monday for the first time as in the Outwell video and it was a doddle easy in 30 mins .
All the poles in first then pull and peg from one end. It was not windy so the ground sheet was not pegged out and this helped when putting the pins in the poles as the groundsheet was not tight and the hoops could be moved to ensure the groundsheet was flat and the flysheet at the right tension. Only needed two people to get the first arch upright and before and after that it was a one man job. We are delighted with it.
Only had two problems no porch pole when it came but this was sent very quickly after an email Mark Jennings at Oase .
But and big BUT it is, one of the wires snapped in an upright as we took it down. Another email to Mark and hoping for a satisfactory outcome. Will let you know.
Would you be able to email me marks email add
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Quote: Originally posted by Digilution on 18/4/2006
Quote: Originally posted by pomo on 18/4/2006
Hi
New Monty 4 2006. Put it up on Monday for the first time as in the Outwell video and it was a doddle easy in 30 mins .
All the poles in first then pull and peg from one end. It was not windy so the ground sheet was not pegged out and this helped when putting the pins in the poles as the groundsheet was not tight and the hoops could be moved to ensure the groundsheet was flat and the flysheet at the right tension. Only needed two people to get the first arch upright and before and after that it was a one man job. We are delighted with it.
Only had two problems no porch pole when it came but this was sent very quickly after an email Mark Jennings at Oase .
But and big BUT it is, one of the wires snapped in an upright as we took it down. Another email to Mark and hoping for a satisfactory outcome. Will let you know.
Would you be able to email me marks email add
mj at oase-outdoors.com ( replace the AT with the email at sign ).
We pitched our Montanna 4 for all of our trips last year, as the Outwell instructions and never had a problem. All poles in and pinned, then lifted with guyropes and holding poles.
Just watched the outwell video and it has made us want to go camping (even on this rainy day).