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With the tent on the ground - you need to put the pin in on one side and then pull the roof pole sleeve firmly towards the side you have yet to pin. Keeping the tension, you can then insert the pin. We find with our Vango Columbia that its how you have the pin in your hand that makes it difficult, basically pull the strap down and out and position the pin towards the base of the pole. It will go in at an angle and straighten up as it enters the pole (if this makes sense).

You'll get the hang of it. It certainly helps keep the flysheet taught when up and reduced any flapping...

Oh yes, whatever you do - do not peg the tent before putting in the poles, you need the flysheet to move around to help. Otherwise the pegs are working against you. Also, as said - do not add the clips to the poles until they are upright and pegged. You are doing right extending the tension straps too.

Quote: Originally posted by ziggy1976 on 25/5/2011

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Thank you for these tips. The instructions say to lay everything on the ground to assemble, however, I've just done some experimenting (how I LOVE having Wednesday morning off work when its sunny!) and have found that if I start with the middle roof-brace (only) first, you can then, if necessary, raise the whole tent slightly to help with getting 'em in! This is much easier if you HAVEN'T inserted all the other roof-braces, as you then don't have to lift the whole weight of the other poles. Once the middle one is done, pins 'n' all, the other two poles can go in one-at-a-time and be assembled whilst they're still on the ground. (You have to 'flap' the completed mid-pole structure over from one side to the other to allow this).
Works for me - at last! Thanks again folks!

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Well done! I did forget to say that we do our poles one at a time too - daaaar!

Wish I could have put our tent up this morning. Its a lovely day here too...

Had a go putting up our new Calisto 400 in the garden this afternoon, and have to agree that to erect it following the instructions is near impossible. We've definitely learned some lessons for next time.

Our garden isn't big enough to peg out the guylines, so have taken it down again. Going to visit my parents soon who have a much bigger garden, so will take the tent there and put it up properly.

Have you been camping in it yet ziggy?