I bought a second hand Aruba too; we are going away next week. So far I
have only pitched in the garden but managed ok. Just watch that you don't bend
the poles whilst it is "on its knees" and don’t tie the tent onto the
triangular corner struts inside as it may rip as it shrinks; keep the knots
loose on the frame and make sure that they can slide up and down the poles and
always use the guy lines.
You probably know all of this.
Forest camping in Ringwood were great and offered loads of advice, they
sent me plans, provided replacement poles and told me the size of the
breathable groundsheet I’d need.
I have attached some info (mostly borrowed) that may help, I will
attempt to post pictures and diagrams, and in the mean time I have pasted some
of the instructions from here that were helpful. Good luck, I think that you
have bought a cracking tent.
Putting up
the tent
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=32&TopicID=250295&PagePosition=1
Organise your four main sections and lay them on
the ground, you will see that there are just x 4, they are held together with
springs. You can see which ends go at the front because they have the small
stub canopy poles affixed. These are linked by roof poles running the length of
the tent.
Next slot each of the four main sections together
and link the adjoining roof poles. At this stage keep the frame legs in the
'broken' position, so the tent is on its knees.
Fold your canvas over the frame carefully; the legs
are vulnerable to bending in the broken position, slotting it over the front
stub canopy poles. Square up the roof as much as possible so that it fits
nicely on the frame and spend ages faffing about.
Lift the frame into a standing position, adjust the
legs to make the canvas fit, then peg and guy out (not forgetting to fasten the
canvas to the frame, inside keeping your knots loose for shrinkage), using the
ties which are at roof level.
Now install the kitchen frame, which consists of
two side upright poles (each with a bend in) and a cross bar (with a plastic
fitting at each end, which fits into the holes on the side uprights). Just
extend the cross bar so that it tensions the canvas, and then screw the fitting
to secure.
Fit inner tents, roof linings and curtains. It is
helpful to put down your groundsheet to avoid them getting dirty. The roof
liner makes a huge difference to the insulation of the tent.
Apologise to the other campers for your language.
Drink beer quietly whilst you recover.
Pictures: http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/tents/p/Cabanon-Aruba/180
Cabanon
Instructions: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnx0aGVqb3lvZmNhbnZhc3xneDo3NmEzYzQ3ZThmZGY2ZjVm
------------- August 2013 Trewen Hall
August 214 Trewen Hall
August 2014 Galmpton Touring Park
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