All About Tents

The parts to a tent consist of: The flysheet, the inner tent, the vestibule, the groundsheet, the poles, the stakes, the air vents and the groundsheet protector.

The flysheet is waterproof and protects the tent from water. Be careful not to allow the flysheet to have any contact with the inner tent otherwise the inner tent will become very wet if raining. The inner tent is the main body of the tent where people sleep and do whatever else they want to do inside the tent.

The vestibule is a section outside the inner body of the tent with no flooring or groundsheet. It is however still covered and can be used for the storage of equipment or the actual cleaning of gear. Most people use the vestibule as a place to cook however. The groundsheet acts as the base of the tent protecting the sleepers from damp floors or insects getting inside the tent.

The poles are used to support and shape the tent. These are usually made of metal or fiber glass.

Perhaps the best type of pole is the collapsible version. These are easier for transportation and storage. The stakes are made out of wood or metal or plastic. They are used to secure the tent to the floor and are also used with guy ropes to support and shape the tent. Air vents are required to let out water vapour and condensation from the inside of the tent. If its colder on the outside of the tent than inside the water vapors we breathe out when sleeping turn into condensation which will soak everything inside the tent.

The vents provide an invaluable service despite the fact that they do allow the cold into the tent. And finally we have the groundsheet protector which is used to protect the groundsheet.

Especially good when used on rough terrain and adds added protection from insects that want to come inside the tent. Ok so now we have all the necessary tent parts, the next stage is to erect the tent.

Follow all instructions very carefully for the first couple of attempts. When you have been camping a few times the need for instructions will no longer be required. Erecting a tent will be as easy as riding a bike. Now when you decide to actually go camping, be very selective in your place of erecting of you tent. Use a specified camping site with proper grading. If deciding to camp on farmland always remember to ask the farmer for permission.

And especially when leaving your place of camping please do always clean up after you and dispose of any rubbish properly. And finally one last piece of advice is under no circumstances pitch your tent in a field full of bulls. I'm sure no explanation for this advise is required. So go enjoy your camping, and as long as you don't forget any parts it should be a fun and memorable experience.

What Do You Know About Traveling Tents?

On your camping expedition, the most important item you will bring is your tent. If you are not familiar to camping, you may be confused to decide which tent is suitable for you. Do not go for the Taj Mahal of tents if you do not need it. And remember not to buy the smallest tent just because of its lowest price on the flip side. This article will give you a brief guide to different kinds of tents and the best uses for them. First, you should go over some key points as considering options.

 

Material: When shopping you'll run across three types of tent fabric - nylon, which is very lightweight and great for leisure camping; canvas, which is very heavy and ideal for hunting or more rugged outdoor excursions; polyester, which is great for standing up to the sun.

 

Waterproof: Make sure your tent is waterproof and able to withstand any weather conditions you might face while on your camping excursion.

I have seen tents cave in at some campsites during a heavy downpour. (Lucky for those guys, though, they had a camping car!)

 

Easy setup: You want to make sure that setting up your tent isn't labor-intensive. This may cause you to avoid camping altogether. Today's pop-up tents are easy to set up, and durable.

 

OK, on to tent styles.

 

A-frame tents: Just like it sounds, the A-frame tent forms a peak in the middle and is held up by two poles and stakes. These tents are good for overnight camping, particularly if you're backpacking. They are lightweight and easy to set up. This is not an ideal tent for a family camping trip, unless you plan to use it for the kids.

There is no headroom in this tent, so keep that in mind. Basically, the A-frame tent is for sleeping and not much more.

 

Dome tents: Probably the most popular tent in use today, the dome tent uses a system of geometric poles that overlap one another to form the shape of the tent. Dome tents come a myriad of shapes and sizes. The flexible poles create a curve in the structure, which opens up the tent's interior space. The dome tent is ideal for recreational camping. It is able to withstand just about any weather condition given its number of corners (which also provide great storage space inside the tent), it's roomy and can sleep up to six people depending on which size you purchase. Many dome tents come with a rain fly, which is basically added protection against the elements.

 

Pup tent: Ah, the pup tent. Probably reminds you of an episode of M*A*S*H. And it should as it's a classic tent style. The pup tent accommodates, at most, two people and provides little to no headroom. It's held up by two sets of poles in the front and back and a series of stakes. Pup tents have a window for ventilation, but we recommend you use a pup tent for an overnight car camping trip or backpacking trip, not a recreational family camping trip.

 

Tunnel or "hoop" tent: This style of tent is a favorite among backpackers. It's extremely lightweight and easy to set up. It uses a series of flexible poles that create a tunnel-like structure. Depending on weather conditions and terrain, extra stakage may be necessary.

 

There are several tent manufacturers to choose from, including Timberland, Coleman, REI, Cabelas, Ozark Trail and Gander Mountain. Or you can always choose to sleep in your camping car, assuming you have one! Check their Web sites for pricing options.