I have camped for many years and once upon a time storm-setting a tent was easy - you simply added extra guy ropes to the poles inside your tent. However, these days the poles are likely to go through sleeves on the outside of the tent, making matters more complicated. I have just bought an Outwell Monterey 5 and for the life of me I cannot figure out how to storm-set the beast without putting undue extra pressure on the guying and/or pegging points. Any ideas on how to make a tent more secure in high winds would be much appreciated.
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I think the usual failure point is the pegs, as long as you have it all pegged out correctly then it should stand up well. At Easter I was in a busy campsite in 30-40mph winds and none of the tents were damaged, the ground was very firm and probably helped a lot.
Hi zyggi10. I have a Vango Columbia 600 steel poled tent. I was camped in North Devon earlier in August and it got quite breezy so I decided to add some extra guy ropes. The Columbia's poles are similar to the Monterey's first three looking from the front. I chose points to attach direct to the poles in different positions to the existing manufacturers points (I figured these were doing a reasonable job already so no point doubling up there). I tied the ropes to the point using a clove hitch with the loose end finished in an ordinary knot. The clove hitch tightens when pressure is applied so was ideal for strong winds. To stop the rope slipping down the pole I wound about a foot of duct tape around the pole and tied off above it. The knot tries to pull down but digs into the ridge and in doing this creates a bigger ridge so never actually goes over the tape. The Columbia doesn't have guys attached to the poles for front and rear stability so I added a one as high up as I could, in each corner as it were, same trick with the tape. You might devise a better method for stopping the guys slipping down the pole I have no idea whether I created additional stress to the poles but the tent was rigid and when I put it away the poles showed no signs of bending or bowing.
Would the rolling hitch be the type of knot you need - attached to a pole and doesn't move under lateral forces? Sort of remember it from my Sea Cadet days many moons ago - hence the link.
Must admit that with the TBSII system, deltas and using rock pegs at the base of the poles our Columbia hasn't moved yet! It is a very strong tent.
We've double pegged with rock pegs occasionally when we haven't got deltas with us for one of our tents when its windy, being ultra cautious, and double pegged at the base of the poles. With fibreglass poled tents long bungee straps help take the strain, may be these could be used for steel poled tents too without adding additional strain on the guying points - although haven't felt necessary with our current more modern style steel poled tents as yet.
The suggestion of extra guyropes to the poles could be a good one, pulling against the dominant wind direction, but whether the poles are designed to take it and whether it would make an difference....?
Post last edited on 06/09/2011 18:23:02
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I'm not convinced extra guys on the poles is a good idea, it will subject the poles to forces they weren't designed for and could cause them to buckle.
Outwell tents have a lot of pegs already, just make sure they are all in if you are worried.
Many thanks to those who have responded to my cry for help re making safe a tent in high winds. As said, I have camped for many years and, like most campers I have managed to adapt to all sorts of circumstances. Touch wood, I haven't lost a tent yet! I fully agree with those who placed emphasis on correct pegging. I always carry a variety of pegs, some for rocky ground and some for soft, and I always hammer them in as far as they can go. I tend to cross-peg the most vulnerable points as a matter of course. The extra weight and bulk is a price worth paying for the peace of mind. Again, my thanks.