JCP Camping & Leisure: Hints & Tips

PURCHASE OF A NEW TENT

If you have purchased a new tent it is recommended by Manufacturers to try and familiarise yourself with your tent and all its components before you go away. This will make life a lot easier when you use it for your first holiday and will also ensure that your tent is undamaged and complete.

We recommend that you insure your tent against theft, accidental damage and storm damage as these items are not covered by the warranty.

Tents are portable structures which will provide shelter from normal weather conditions. However extreme weather conditions can make a tent uninhabitable.

After extreme weather conditions always check guy lines and pegs.

USE OF A NEW TENT

Although the main seams of most tents are taped for added water resistance, seal the seams regularly to ensure complete waterproofing, and re-proof the flysheet every other year.

A great addition to any tent is a “footprint” to protect the floor of the tent from sharp rocks. If you cannot purchase a custom made footprint then a piece of polythene can be cut to the shape of your groundsheet. This must be trimmed to 2” inside the outline to prevent water pooling between the footprint and the groundsheet after running off the flysheet.

Condensation that develops on the inside of the polyester fabric should not be confused with leakage. Condensation can be reduced in many ways, mainly by good ventilation by opening vents, doors or windows whenever possible. Let sleeping bags dry out during the day and try to avoid storing damp clothing within the tent.

Always take care with shock corded poles when erecting and taking down tents as they can easily be broken.

Cooking within your tent is not recommended as it can be very dangerous.

Storage of your Tent

We would always advise that a tent must be completely dry and cleaned prior to storage to prevent mildew forming. There may be times when the weather is so bad that it prevents you from drying out the tent, in this case we would recommend that you try and lay out the tent indoors to air within 12 hours to avoid damage. All poles, including tent pegs, should be cleaned, dried and stored separately from the fabric parts of the tent.

Should however you find your tent in a mouldy condition do not use a detergent but an appropriate recommended cleaner.

Remember that if you take care with your tent you will get the best out of it. Manufacturers can easily spot misuse of fabric and components. Don’t be too quick to blame the tent, when it sometimes it could be a fault on your part?