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Hi all,

Decided to put up our shiny new Hartford XL today, that we bought from Go Outdoors last weekend.

first of all we couldnt work out how the 'blue' poles secured the tent, when we checked the opposite side, we saw there are 3 pins on the ring for securing poles and only 2 on the other, so we acould only properly set up 1 bedroom area.

We then moved on to the front 'gothic style' porch, to find that when the pole was inserted and pinned it looked more like the leaning tower of piza, upon closer inspection I found one of the poles had split all the way along, so when under tension it wasnt holding the canvas as it should.

Called Go outdoors and they said we have no more XL's in stock, we can give you a refund - I dont want a refund I want my £500 tent that I payed £250 for.

They then said they will have to look athe faults and put it up, I told them they dont need to put it up, it just needs a new pole and what must be an off the shelf pin?

The pins have to come from the manufacturers as they dont sell them over the counter and we need to see the broken pole in the tent put up??????

So, my shiny new tent has to go back to the shop for how long, is anyones guess.

Can I ask, are either of these faults common on outwell's? I thougfht they were the name to beat at the moment?

unhappy

Lee

Hello Lee, you're making me feel a little uneasy here as I just had a Hartford XL delivered the other day and I haven't had time to put it up yet. The first thing I thought when I checked the contents was that I didn't have enough poles. Seems like there's one too many poles in the diagram. I've got 10 but there's 11 in the picture! Doesn't give me much confidence in the company when they can't even get the instructions right and can't be bothered to include something as simple as a checklist. Hopefully you'll get your problem sorted out. Could you maybe steal a pin off a cheap tent. I bought a tent from asda for £10 for the kids to play in last year  and that has a pin and pole system and the pins look pretty similar....?

Jim

Are you sure you're putting it up right and using the right poles in the right sleeves? I've not put up a Hartford myself but something in your description doesn't sound quite right.

Poles. Poles can get damaged in many ways but it's most common when erecting a tent. Split poles often mean they've been under extreme stress or twisting forcees when they're being placed on the pins. Things that help prevent this are loosening off tension straps fullt; making sure the pole is assembled correctly and sections pushed fully into ferrules and thirdly get someone to help suport the pole when you're standing the hopps of the tent up, or lifting the dome section.

Hi all,

It was not sold as a special, its as mentioned, end of season sell off.

I have put up many tents in my time, and understand poles etc, this one isnt particuarly load bearing, minimal tension etc, the instant we put it in etc and pinned it, it just looked wrong. Took it out and insereted it the opposite way, looked wrong on the opposite side. Upon closer inspection found the split when it was under 'tension' all the way down the length of that section of pole.

Just one of those things I guess.

Go outdoors say just to take the whole tent back so they can see the fault (not much to see really, a split pole on a missing pin from the back corner).

They have said I can have my money back or another tent (no Hartfords in stock currently) or a different tent. We really like this tent so would prefer just a new pole and pin.

Just wanted to make sure it is not a common fault, or we would have to consider a different tent.

Thanks all

Lee

Hi

I bought an Outwell Harford in May, and have had 3 split poles.  More recently the pole split actually damaging the fabric.  I went back to Yeomans where I bought it.  They gave me the option of another Harford or an alternative tent.  I have a friend who has had similar issues with the Hartford so I decided to buy an Outwell Arkanas 7 which is now up in my garden this weekend.  Sadly, it was more expensive, but as it had steel poles I was persuaded to part with another £200 to get it.  I am delighted with it.  I wouldnt buy another Harford - The weight of the fabric cannot be withstood by the weak poles.  Hope you get this sorted.

Hi

I bought an Outwell Harford in May, and have had 3 split poles.  More recently the pole split actually damaging the fabric.  I went back to Yeomans where I bought it.  They gave me the option of another Harford or an alternative tent.  I have a friend who has had similar issues with the Hartford so I decided to buy an Outwell Arkanas 7 which is now up in my garden this weekend.  Sadly, it was more expensive, but as it had steel poles I was persuaded to part with another £200 to get it.  I am delighted with it.  I wouldnt buy another Harford - The weight of the fabric cannot be withstood by the weak poles.  Hope you get this sorted.

Took it down and found another split pole, one of the blue ones, this one had seriously split open exposing the elastic etc.

Took it back today, they are doing an assessment on it.

all the reviews on the forum were singing the Hartfords praises, have I just been unlucky or are Katie1465 the norm?

Lee