I have seen this at various exhibitions last year and I think it is a great tent with good specs, so good choice there. - just out of curiosity, how much did you pay? (Have seen it at £319).
In terms of putting the beast up, I have not got direct experience with this model, but looking at the layout, my guess is that most steps can be done solo, but I think there is one bit which will need two people. I don't know how much experience you ahve so I have assumed zero - if what follows is too insultingly simple then please accept my apologies.
I think it goes like this. Having laid out the fabric at your chosen plot and got it oriented so you know which bit is which....( you can work this out by locating doors/windows )
1. Put the metal poles through the diagonal sleeves to create the cental dome area.
2. Put the fibre glass dura-wrap poles for the bedrooms and porch through their sleeves.
(NB the poles and sleeves will most probably be colour coded to help you match them up correctly). I think there is a fabric top cap to fasten over the crossing point of the dome poles (this will be because there is a mesh area there for ventilation and the top cap keeps the rain out).
3. The one moment that I think will need two people - one of you gets inside the tent by crawling in through the door and lifts the poles at the centre of the dome where they cross over. (This is the safest way to do this bit. Trying to lift that amount of fabric just by pushing the poles up could lead to damage.) Once standing inside holding it upright, the person on the outside needs to run around and fasten the feet of the poles in place. I can't remember the fastening mechanis, but it will either be an eyelet that the pole slots into, or a metal pin that goes up inside the hollow end of the pole.
4. Once the tent is up, it is a question of ensuring it is where you want it ( and "walking" it around into place if not) and then pegging it out, starting by securing the pole feet. There may be tension bands between the pole feet to help you work out their optimun positions. Then you can pull the corners of the tent out in straight lines from the secured pole feet. Doing it this way should minimise sagginess (though the first law of camping is that there is always ONE sagging bit, usually because of uneven ground...at least that is what I blame!)
With a tent this size you can do the pegging out solo but if two of you do it together it is easier to get the tent properly tensioned (because two of you can grab 2 opposite corners and pull them to tension simultaneously, thus ensuring that it is square-on.)
However, it is perfectly possible for one person to do this pegging and tensioning, you just have to ensure that you are being logical and methodical (start at one end and work your way down both sides, don't just circle round or attack randomly, or you can end up all squewed!)
Also, make sure you have closed all the zips before pegging out, otherwise you could put too much tension on the fabric and find that you can't close the zips.
5. Then peg out the guy ropes, pulling them out in a straight line to the seam they are attached to, for max stability.
6. Attach inners (? if it has separate inners...I can't remember)
7. Put yer bedroom and kitchen kit in there.
8. Open a beer!
Post last edited on 20/01/2007 16:41:50
|
Topic: Erecting a Coleman Magellan 9
