Hi,
Finally cracked the wife and persuaded her to buy a tent for weekend use!
After a little digging we decided on a Coleman Coastline 6 (there will be just us and 2 kids camping).
My last camping experience was as a child 40 years ago in a frame tent so you could say I'm new to this!
We decided to pitch the tent in the back garden so we wouldn't look totally incompetent on the big day!
My question is this, is it just me or are the main poles really difficult to put in and take out?!! We really struggled to do either, we tried everything but the poles were really tough to get through the tent. Another question, there doesn't seem to be any way of tensioning the poles to ensure they stay together, the elastic seems way too slack, is that the norm?
Any advice on pitching technique would be appreciated!
cheers
Dave
------------- If it ain't broke I'll break it!
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The cord tension does seem to vary sometimes between different tents, but it's really only there to keep the sections together when packed, and to help when pushing (not pulling) the poles through the sleeves.
Would agree with Hacksaw bob, the tension of the cord dose not affect the stability of the tent. The more you erect the tent,the more supple it will become. Always remember when erecting the tent Take your time. Everthing dose fit .
Yes its just you
If you think about it you are trying to get a straight pole through a curved sleeve just practice and take your time, never try to force them through
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
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I always take note of what way the poles are connected together - there is a metal ferule at the front of each section and I always feed it through by pushing the 'lead' pole through. When I take the poles out again, I pull from the opposite side so that the poles don't keep disconnecting from one another. It helps to have one person at each side of the tent to ease it's way through the pole sleeve.
That's not a very good description...we need a diagram
Hi Folks,
Thanks for all of the responses, I kinda already figured the comment about getting a straight pole around a bend!
Victoria 1, I do see what you're saying about pushing them in from one side and pulling them out from the other!
Now I know that this situation is "the norm" I'll work on the patience and take more care!
cheers
Dave
------------- If it ain't broke I'll break it!
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
I have the same tent, and experienced similar when pitching it (which I always do on my own). Remembering to push not pull the poles through helps - the cord is as described - quite slack if you pull one section). It's just practice that makes it easier, honest!
------------- Pete B
Coleman Coastline 6 + extension and too many extras..lol
June 13-21 Cotswolds
August 20-21 Swinderby
September 15-19 Cotswolds
November 19-20 Hopleys
When I had fibreglass poled tunnel tents the thing that took up all the time erecting it was getting the poles through the sleeves...like trying to thread knicker elastic...it all rucks up. On your own it is a pain keep having to run round the other side of the tent, find the tip of the pole and release it. One reason why I bought a metal poled tent. It still has short sleeves but the poles slide through easily.