How to Set Up A Camping Tent for Beginners, by The Bear Essentials on YouTube. 10 min 19 s.
- Video length
- 10 min 19 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Pick a flat, clear spot. Look up for dead branches, look down for roots and rocks, and stay away from low ground where rain collects.
Lay the footprint down and unfold the tent on top of it. The footprint should sit just inside the tent edges so rain does not run under the floor.
Turn the tent so the door faces away from the wind and the prevailing weather. Point the low end of the tent into the wind.
Stake the four corners of the tent floor first, pulling the fabric gently taut. Leave the pegs angled away from the tent at about 45 degrees.
Feed the poles through their sleeves or clips and raise them one at a time. Work from one end so the tent does not flap or blow over while you set the other poles.
Clip or pin the tent body to the poles and check the shape looks even. Adjust the corner pegs if the fabric is twisted or sagging.
Drape the rainfly over the top, line up the vents and door, and clip or buckle it to the poles. Stake out the fly corners so it sits away from the tent body.
Run the guylines out from the fly and stake them at a wide angle. Tie a taut-line hitch so you can tighten the cord later without untying it.
If a peg will not go in, move it a few centimetres or push it in at a different angle. Do not hammer hard on rocky ground or you may bend the peg.
To pack up, remove guylines and pegs, take off the fly, then lower the poles and fold the tent loosely. Shake out dirt and let the tent dry fully before storing it.
Tips and common mistakes
Pitch the tent before your first trip so you know how the poles and clips go together.
Keep the door zipped shut while raising poles so wind does not balloon the tent.
Angle pegs away from the tent and keep guylines low so people do not trip on them.
Never store a damp tent. Dry it at home to stop mould and smells.
Questions
Can one person really set up a tent alone?
Yes. Stake the corners first, then raise one pole at a time and clip the body as you go. The staked corners stop the tent blowing away while you work.
What if it is windy while I pitch?
Point the low end into the wind and stake the corners before raising poles. Keep the door closed and add guylines early so the tent stays put.
Do I need a footprint?
It is not essential but it protects the tent floor from stones and damp. Choose one slightly smaller than the tent floor so rain does not pool under it.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
