How to Pitch a Canvas Tent like a Pro — A guide for Campers
So you have finally decided to give camping a try! Well, good going. Now, the thing is, there are a lot of aspects that may seem simple, but are in fact, quite complicated upon closer inspection. Pitching a canvas tent, for instance, may seem like an easy job, but it can get nerve-wracking in no time. Fear not, as where there is a will, you would always find a WAY. Since you have already found your way here, let’s take a look at how you can go about pitching a canvas tent like a pro in no time.
Check your Canvas Tent beforehand
Before you go camping, it is necessary to get hands on a quality Canvas tent. The good thing is that canvas tents offer the best value for your money.
Go through the Instructions
The instructions provided with canvas tents are not great reading material, but you should read them, nonetheless. Even though you may be tempted to wing it, don’t set up your canvas tent without knowing what you are getting yourself into. One wrong move and you may do more harm than good. So unless you want to end up buying another canvas tent, simply because you broke something due to negligence, it is advisable you go through the instructions provided without fail.
Don’t Fly Solo
Even Han Solo needs Chewbacca to pilot the Millennium Falcon, and since two heads are better than one, you should not set up your canvas tent alone.
Get as much help as possibly can, and you will see a drastic reduction in time consumed to set up the canvas tent. Additionally, the chances of failure will be next to none. As soon as someone volunteers to give you a hand, take them up on their offer, and you will be relaxing and kicking back much quicker than before.
Look for Flat Surfaces
When the time comes to pitch a canvas tent, you should look for flat surfaces. It will make it easier for you to set up your cotton tent, and you will find it more comfortable. If you are pitching a tent on a slope, then place it in such a way that the door faces downhill, or in the same direction as the wind. By doing so, you won’t have to worry about rain getting in, nor will wind blow away the tent.
Clear the Area
Once you have found a place to pitch your canvas tent, you need to start clearing the area. Get rid of anything that could damage your canvas tent, including sticks, stones, and rocks.
Pitch your Canvas Tent near Bushes
If you have bushes and hedges nearby, pitch your canvas tent as close as possible. The closer, the better.
It may seem like a bad idea, but it will protect you from rain and wind.
Stay Clear of Wet Ground
Although it is obvious, you should stay away from the marshy and wet ground. You will find it difficult to pitch a canvas tent in such places, and the chances of water seeping in will be greater. This becomes more of a problem if you pitch your canvas tent at the bottom of a hill. How do you ask? Well, you will have to deal with water collecting where you have set up camp. You may be tempted to set up camp near a ditch or stream, but even that is a bad idea. Keeping this in mind, no matter what place you choose, just make sure you are making the right decision.
Stay Clear of Trees
Agreed, bushes and hedges provide protection against Mother Nature, but that does not mean you will get better protection if you pitch your canvas tent under a tree instead. Apart from rainwater dripping, you will also have to worry about tree sap, especially since getting rid of it is a strenuous task. Also, birds may reside in a tree or any tree for that matter, so you already know where this one is going.
It may be dramatic, but if there were a thunderstorm, you will in no way want to be under a tree.
Step-by-Step Guide on Pitching a Canvas Tent
After you found the perfect place for your campsite, follow the instructions provided while setting up your canvas tent. But apart from that, here are a couple of other things to keep in mind:
- Make use of cotton tent footprints — peg them down first so you know exactly where your cotton tent will be. It also offers extra protection for your groundsheet.
- Peg the groundsheet before anything else
- Avoid forcing the poles too much as they could end up breaking.
- Push the poles through, instead of pulling them to avoid separating them.
- When erecting your cotton tent, ensure all zips are closed.
- When laying down pegs, use your mallet at a 45-degree angle.
- Avoid pulling everything tightly so that you give your canvas tent enough room for windy conditions.
Congratulations! You are a lot wiser and knowledgeable about pitching a canvas tent than you were before. However, this does not mean you are done for good. Understand there are different types of canvas tents, and they all work differently. So you will need to read up on them as well. At the same time, get ideas to better organize your camp gear.
If you are looking for camping hacks, that will make your trip a lot easier, you will find a few useful ones here.
