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   Camping under canvas -  Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations
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Subject Topic: Help on pitching the Icarus 500 Post Reply Post New Topic
27/6/2014 at 9:12am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View geoffdegeoff's Profile View Profile   Reply to geoffdegeoff Reply   Quote geoffdegeoff Quote  
Joined: 27/6/2014

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I am new to camping, and this will be the first time I put up a tent.

I have read the instructions, which seem quite simple, but there were a couple of points that confused me.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

• Assemble poles and lay them on the ground
• Open out flysheet and position in required direction
• Insert all poles through the pole sleeves on outside of fly sheet
• Poles are colour coded to match corresponding pole sleeve entry points
• Locate one end of each pole at one side of the tent into the metal pin system attached to the groundsheet
• Make sure poles locate into correct pin system, all poles follow corresponding flysheet seams to pin system
• Push poles into an arch from opposite ends and locate pole ends into corresponding metal pin
• Tighten all the tensions straps at the base of the poles.
I couldn't see any tension straps at the base of the poles
• Attach all flysheet pole clips onto poles
• Securely peg out the rear corners of the tent
• Pull the tent forward until taut and peg out the main corners at the other end of the tent using the V pegs
This is where I start to get confused, what is the different between "pull the tent forward" and the next point "Walk flysheet forward"?
• “Walk” flysheet forward, away from pegged points, until tent takes shape
• Pull the tent until the groundsheet is taut and peg out the main corners at the other end of the tent
Isn't this the same instruction as 3 points back? Or are the last 3 points effectively the same point broken down?
• Ensure the tent is in a straight line
• Peg out the remaining poles and pegging points using pin pegs at the base of poles
• The groundsheet should be flat and wrinkle free
• Peg out ALL guy lines using pin-pegs ensuring that guy line fabric attachment points are evenly tensioned.

Also when I put the tent away, should I leave the bedroom in? Or will that make it difficult to roll up and put in the bag?

Thanks for any advice


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27/6/2014 at 9:48am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Vango Astoria 800
View George Hincapie's Profile View Profile   Reply to George Hincapie Reply   Quote George Hincapie Quote  
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Ignore those instructions.

Do it like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qSEeASXw68


27/6/2014 at 3:48pm
 Location: Derby.
 Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings
View Mucker1884's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mucker1884 Reply   Quote Mucker1884 Quote  
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Sounds like the instructions are mixed up!
No need for colour coding, as it's just 3 poles all the same length. And no, I don't recall tension straps on the ring and pins, when we had an Icarus.

And besides, George is bang on! Here's his link from above, but the ultra fast clicky variety!

If in doubt, seek Gary out...



-------------
2024: 38 nights thus far...
2023: 47 nights
2022: 40 nights
2021: 30 nights
2020: Just 24 nights
2019: A personal best 50 nights
2018: Just the 30 nights
2017: 34 nights
2016: 32 nights
2015: 38 nights
2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights


27/6/2014 at 4:00pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Vango Astoria 800
View George Hincapie's Profile View Profile   Reply to George Hincapie Reply   Quote George Hincapie Quote  
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I really wish I had seen Gary's videos before we tried to put our tent up the first time. The one showing how to deal with tight ring and pins in particular was an epiphany for me.


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27/6/2014 at 6:19pm
 Location: Hertfordshire
 Outfit: Anything I like !!!
View Cross Camping's Profile View Profile   Reply to Cross Camping Reply   Quote Cross Camping Quote  
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-------------
Gary Cross - The masked camping guru.


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27/6/2014 at 8:33pm
 Location: Saltburn
 Outfit: Vango Icarus 500 (2012)
View Mr+Mrs H's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mr+Mrs H Reply   Quote Mr+Mrs H Quote  
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I have to agree, the video's were a godsend when we first got our iccy.

We leave our bedroom pod in when we pack away.


27/6/2014 at 9:40pm
 Location: Stourbridge
 Outfit: Vango Icarus 500 outwell vermont xlp
View sammy101's Profile View Profile   Reply to sammy101 Reply   Quote sammy101 Quote  
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Gary's method is the best , all tunnel tents no matter their size are easy to pitch this way ,
Good luck


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01/7/2014 at 8:53am
 Location: None Entered
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View geoffdegeoff's Profile View Profile   Reply to geoffdegeoff Reply   Quote geoffdegeoff Quote  
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Thanks for the advice, I will give the cross camping method a go this evening.

I will be pitching the tent on my own, so might also suit this method better than the official instructions.


01/7/2014 at 10:13am
 Location: Derby.
 Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings
View Mucker1884's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mucker1884 Reply   Quote Mucker1884 Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by sammy101 on 27/6/2014
Gary's method is the best , all tunnel tents no matter their size are easy to pitch this way ,
Good luck



I wouldn't fancy the "front pole first", on a five poled polycotton tunnel tent. For that, we put the middle pole in first, then work outwards. Seems to spread the weight a little more evenly, particularly for the first pole.



-------------
2024: 38 nights thus far...
2023: 47 nights
2022: 40 nights
2021: 30 nights
2020: Just 24 nights
2019: A personal best 50 nights
2018: Just the 30 nights
2017: 34 nights
2016: 32 nights
2015: 38 nights
2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights


01/7/2014 at 11:39am
 Location: West Sussex
 Outfit: Coleman Galileo 5 & Raclet Moovea
View robg1's Profile View Profile   Reply to robg1 Reply   Quote robg1 Quote  
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I'm no expert, but isn't there a risk of breaking the front   pole if you lift it as demonstrated in the video?



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