Message Forums

Quote: Originally posted by HappieAnnie on 25/3/2009

---

If I invest in a spare pole for emergencies it sounds like I would need to get it from belltent

---

OK then, that's it done.

Soulpad 5000 lite ordered. I thought long and hard about this one, as this will probably be my last tent purchase. From now on, any new tents will be bought by my wife, if I still have one when she finds out.

 I think the 5000 ease would be slightly easier to pitch correctly, as the sewn in ground sheet holds the shape for initial pegging out, but I supose that once the guy lines are done, the side walls will hang about where they should be. In the end it came down to price, and having studied the ground sheet arrangements, I think the lite will be just about as draft proof. I can always add velcro if required. If I wanted to be really clever, I could probably lace the ground sheet to the mud flaps for ease of pitching. I don't want to end up with an ovoid. I may even consider having a couple of webbing straps fitted to the pegging down points as used with some ring and pin systems to hold the basic shape initially. I just remembered watching a utube video, where the lady had a line from the centre of the pitch and marked out the pegging positions before starting. I will just have to see when I get it pitched. This will probably only be used for solo camping, so acres of room and plenty of time to PLAY about with the best way to do things. Now I just have to get about seven of my new or almost new tents on ebay to get some space in the bedroom and  lounge.

Hi HappieAnnie,

Thanks for that link. I handn't noticed it.

It's supposed to be here Friday, hope it arrives before swmbo gets in from work at about mid day, then I can stash it away some where. My friends got a five storey house that he shares with his daughter, perhaps it could go there. Just think how many tents he could have. I don't have a spare room or a garage or shed. 

Hi Hush,

I have the same version as you, and also echo your comments. As yet I have not fitted the extra eyelets, but I intend to fit a second set in the ground sheet not the mud flaps. I also spoke to them regading this, and they said to pull the tent sides out a bit to make them line up. Well you can't do this, as the circumference of the tent rules where the side walls end up. (unless you leave the doors open!)

I have also found a better way to use the A frame, as this slides away all the time on the slippery ground sheet, and I found the ties don't work, and just make the walls of the tent look a mess. On my last camping trip, I put the A frame outside the tent, and it works perfectly. I hooked a twin guy line from the top of the A frame pole pin in an upside down V, so the two lines hook over the pegs that the guy lines either side of the door go to. This means that there is nothing in front of the door when you go in and out. I also made up a single middle pole which I swopped to at night. But I could have left the A frame outside. The only reason I did this was that the single pole sits on top of the ground sheet and mud flaps holding them all down, saving pegging down, and stopping drafts during the night. I really love this tent, and the few mods I have made, make it feel more like mine, as I have had some input into the final design.

I'm sure the next few trips will see me adding more personal  touches to what is a great original design. One word of warning. One of the side wall loops has torn where it stitches to the mud flap, so dont peg out the mud flap to tightly as I think this is what caused it to tear. (mentioned by The Bell Tent Co) The pegging down loop allows the mud flap to flex with the wind. I also have a heavier duty pole as I thought the original one was not up to the job. Or as I posted before, take a splint to give extra support to the pole in windy weather. The pole on my Argos tipi was twice the strength!  Obviously this is only my opinion. I also have a one piece wooden pole that I will take when I have the roof rack fitted. It looks more tradtional, and brackets can be screwed to it for lights etc to hang on it.