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Hi all, first post and new camper needing help please!

I have just purchased a Gelert Alaska 8 tent, seems fantastic and managed to pitch it in about two hours which I though was OK for first crack. The problem I have is that the middle black pole and one of the gery poles to the side of it seem to be bowing out too much at the sides. Not a massive problem stability wise, but when it comes to hanging the pods, there seems to be too much slack at the top and the sides are under too much tension. I have tried adjusting, repegging etc but nothing I do is affecting this, has anyone else experienced this and can someone offer advice. Thanks in advance, Bill. 

hi Bill, and welcome to the site.

if i'm interpreting this right, the tent is too low and too wide for the bedroom to sit properly? yes?

does the tent have tension straps inside , running along the ground? can you tighten these to pull the tent poles  in closer together ? this would make it narrower and higher.

Hi,

Yes it has straps but they do not seem to be adjustable. Also pulling them in at the bottom might only serve to make it look odder. As it stands the bottom seems to be at the correct width but then instead of the poles going up vertically then over in an arch, they bow outwards. The best way I can describe it is as if something is sitting on top of the tent forcing the top down and the sides out but with out moving the poles in relation to the ground. Hope this makes sense, there's probably a proper camping term for it!

Just got back from our week at Park Foot, we used our Gelert Alaska 8 for the first time ....

Took us (2 adults) about 1 hour to pitch it, i do know what you mean about the tension on the inner pods, so i un pegged the grey poles and pushed them further inwards and this did seem to sort out the problem ...

Must say we was very happy with the tent ... just got to dry it out now after de camping in heavy rain ....

Thanks for the tips guys, I think you may be spot on about getting the poles even Ryan and Cubby. Still managed to camp out last night (backyard) to satisfy the boys, in what must have been one of the worst storms I have experienced. Apart from he fact I had forgotten to peg out the mudflaps the tent stood up very very well. Dry as a bone this morning, one guy rope loose but l intact.

Probably try and get somewhere next weekend for a proper run and a bit more space to pitch properly.

Thank you all.

____________

Bill