Message Forums

Hello

We're new to this camping malarkey.  We've just been away in our SV8 to Somerset.  The site was very windy and our tent was pitched so the wind bashed into the side of it causing it to almost implode.  But it did'nt, it held firm. However we hardly slept for most nights expecting it to collapse.  Is this normal??  Next time we do it we'll pitch so we're facing inland but it was a bit scary at times!!  We also had some rain and found a damp patch in the corner behind one of the bedrooms.  This worries me for future use...I would appreciate anybodys comments.

Welcome to the forum!!

General pitching advice is bum to the wind . Look for clues if in doubt . Look at the direction others had pitched in . Use whats available as shelter , trees, hedges, cars , walls , other tents . Look at the lean of trees to see what the prevelant wind direction is . If in doubt , a child's windmill will act as a good wind gauge .However wind is not fixed, nor is it practical to constantly repitch . Shows you how good the tent is if despite being side on , it still stood the the test . The movement you describe is normal . If the poles did not move like that they would snap. As regards the damp patch ,watch the area next time you use the tent . If possible pitch in the garden and use a hosepipe to see if there is a point of egress .

Before we "crossed over" to the other side (tin tent  ) We had a Sun Valley 8 as well.  Fantastic tent.  We managed to survive some horrendous storms.  Winds from both the sides and the ends with no problems.  At one point in Seadown (Charmouth in Dorset - great site ) we had 12 people in ours as the tent was hit so hard it seemed to fold in half.  Stood up to it really well, but have to say that Delta pegs and Line-Loks certainly helped lots.

After that we pitched the tent how we wanted rather than trying to guess wind directions.

Enjoy the SV8

Thanks for the info guys, we'll keep a close eye on it in France.  We'll also look to get some Delta Pegs and Seam Sealer.

Thanks again everyone!