Tent Care
When you purchase a new tent, always open it and set it up at home before you take it into the bush. This not only allows you to practice setting up your tent at a leisurely pace, it also gives you the opportunity to apply sealant to all the seams, something that is vital for tents made from siliconised fabrics.
Proper storage of your tent is particularly important:
1. Make sure it's dry - few things will damage your tent faster than the mold and mildew caused by storing it when it's not completely dry. If you are forced to break camp in the rain or when the tent is still damp, take it out and set it up to dry at the first opportunity.
2. Folding and rolling your tent the same way every time you store it will cause creases to develop. Over time, those creases can and will result in damages to the material. Fold and roll your tent slightly differently each time.
3. Store the poles and stakes in their own bags to avoid making a hole or causing a rip in your tent.
Preventative care applies equally to use in the field:
1. Check your campsite before pitching your tent, making sure you're not placing your tent on top of rocks, roots or uneven ground that can cause damage to your tent, and ensuring that the flat area you have selected is not the lowest point on the campsite, and will not therefore become a river if it rains.
2. Some people advocate the use of a groundsheet - a tarp or piece of 3mm plastic sheeting sized just slightly smaller than your tent's footprint. This has the effect of protecting the exterior floor of the tent as well as helping to prevent water from gathering under the floor.
3. Always remove your footwear at the door to avoid bringing dirt and water into the tent. If you can't or don't want to leave your boots outside the tent, use a plastic bag or the built-in pockets on most tents to store them inside. If you do get dirt or a stain inside, clean it up immediately to reduce the chance of damage.
4. Although it is impossible to avoid getting dirt, stains, bird droppings, tree sap and a variety of other things on the exterior of your tent, always use clean water and a rag or sponge to clean those stains or dirt as soon as possible.
5. Make repairs as soon as you notice the problem - even temporary repairs using duct tape will help to stop damage spreading, until such time as you can have you tent properly repaired. The important thing is to make repairs immediately, before they become unmanageable.
Your tent is your shelter in bad weather and your protection from the elements in the great outdoors. With proper care, a quality tent can last many years and provide you with many days and nights of clean, warm, comfortable shelter.
