HERE ARE SOME USEFUL CAMPING TIPS, SO YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR CAMPING TRIP.
Please note you are responsible for the tent once it has left our premises. Each tent is checked before each hire and tents returned damaged, missing poles or excessively dirty, could mean the loss of your deposit. Therefore please read the information below as it will save you time and make the trip more enjoyable.
Selecting the area to pitch your Tent
- Pitch on a flat area as possible.
- Make use of natural windbreaks such as wall hedges but avoid pitching under trees as water/sap will continue falling after the rain has stopped, as well as branches and other debris
- Avoid lowland areas as these could be prone to flooding, they can be spotted by the longer green grass.
- Once selected remove any stones or other items that may damaged the ground sheet.
- When pitching try and take notice what direction the wind is blowing. Try to pitch with the lowest part facing the prevailing wind. This will help the wind to blow over the tent without causing disruption and will place the door so that rain won’t be blown in.
- Are you close to water supply? Consider your layout; where to cook? Wash up? eat ? light a fire? How close are you to your neighbour?
- If you have one, can you park your vehicle close by?
- If there are toilets/ showers facilities, are they within a reasonable distance?
Erecting the Tent
- If you have a foot print we suggest laying this out first so it gives you an idea of the size and then you can pitch the tent over the top of it. It also acts as a second ground sheet. Making it more comfortable for you.
- The poles and other components are under the most stress and strain during pitching and care should be taken, so as not to put undue stress on to the poles. Make sure the poles are connected together properly. Fibreglass poles will split if over tensioned. If you need to overly strain any section of the tent during assembly, chances are, you are doing something wrong!
- We would advise that all zips should be fastened and windows left closed during pitching.
- Make sure any of the guy ropes are not caught up around the clips for the poles this will stop you pulling the tent taunt.
- Lay out the tent and put the poles next to the sleeves ready to be inserted. Normally the poles are colour coded by the middle pole and there is a colour tag on the sleeve to match the correct pole. When sliding the poles through the sleeve push them in. If you pull they will split inside the sleeve and the tent will fall down!
- Pegs should be pushed in by hand (or you can use a mallet if the ground is quite firm) at roughly a 45 degree angle and you should always remember never to remove a peg by pulling it out with the guy rope. This can often rip the tent so if you've pushed the peg in too far, the best method for removing it is by hooking it with another peg.
- If it is windy have a few pegs ready so you can peg in the ends closest to the wind first, while you adjust the tent and holds down without the fear of blowing over.
- Check inside that the ground sheet is smooth and not wrinkled.
- When set up, the tent seams should be lined up and the fabric taut with no sag lines. This will ensure that the outer and inner tent do not touch so that the interior is kept dry.
