Before you get stuck in the dark woods for not having a tent, it's important that you make sure you know how to pitch a tent. Fortunately, the installation of a dome tent is easier to do than other types of tents. Its simple shape, easy to carry everywhere, and the convenience it provides make dome tents suitable for camping. Learn how to choose the right camping location, pitch your tent, and care for your dome tent especially when not in use.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Camping Location
Step 1. Find a suitable camping area
No matter where you camp, whether it's just in the backyard or in the jungle, you need to find the right campsite that can give you the most enjoyable camping experience. There are several factors to consider, but the main thing is that you have to make sure that the area you choose is an area that is allowed for camping.
- If you want to camp in a national park or forest, make sure you set up your camp in locations that have been determined by the national park management. Often areas that are allowed to camp are marked by several numbered iron posts. In addition, in these areas there are usually picnic tables, alcoves for graceful fires, and, occasionally, water taps that can be used while camping.
- If you camp in the jungle, make sure you follow the rules set by the nature reserve. Each nature reserve has different rules regarding, for example, how close your camp is to a water source or how close your camp is to a forest trail.
- Wherever you camp, it's important to remember that you should avoid camping in locations that are privately owned. This is so that your rest at night is not disturbed by the landlord who is angry that you are camping on his property. Never camp in places that are not permitted.
Step 2. Find a flat place
Once you've selected your campsite, it's time to find a place to set up your camp. There are several factors to consider and the most important factor is comfort. It will be difficult for you to sleep well on a sloping surface, therefore it is advisable for you to find a very flat place with grass and a little bush around it.
If possible, look for high ground for camping. Of course you don't want to be in a low area because when it rains, water will flow down into the area. Therefore, it's a good idea to avoid areas such as dry rivers or sunken areas. You don't want to wake up in a muddy tent, do you?
Step 3. Find a place protected from direct sunlight
Ideally, the tent should be set up in a shady area, especially if it is hot outside. Also, even though dome tents are wind-resistant, it's a good idea to look for a camping spot that's protected from the wind to protect your tent in case the weather suddenly turns bad while you're hiking or leaving your tent. Of course you don't want when you return to camp, you don't see your tent because it's been blown away by the wind. So that you can get a comfortable rest at night and enjoy the cool mornings, try placing your tent on the west side of a hill or tree line.
Never pitch a tent right under the trees. If it's raining (or even really heavy rain), you might think that trees can be an alternative shelter. Unfortunately, you can be at risk of being struck by lightning if the tree you choose as a shelter is struck by lightning. In addition, there are other dangers, such as being hit by a large branch. Your tent can protect you from the rain, but if something heavy hits it, you can still get injured. Therefore, pitch your tent in places that are free from these hazards (or at least not at high risk of being exposed to dangers)
Step 4. Keep fire sources away from your tent
Ideally, you need to know where the wind is so you can position your tent. Make sure your tent is behind the fire source so that when the wind blows, the fire doesn't spread towards your tent. In addition, make sure there are no embers or sparks to avoid a fire hazard that can lurk you.
If you plan to camp for a long period of time, it's a good idea to position your tent not against the wind coming from the public bathroom area. Surely you don't want to smell the bad smell of the wind blowing, right?
Step 5. Remove gravel, leaves and dry twigs from your camping area
Once you've found the ideal location to pitch your tent, take a few minutes to clear any gravel, dry branches, or other debris from your camping area. If you set up your tent before cleaning up the trash, you may feel uncomfortable while resting because a large rock is propping up your back. Of course it will be difficult and too late for you to get out of the tent and throw the stone. Therefore, first clean your camping area so that later you can rest more comfortably.
If possible, choose a camping area filled with pine tree leaves, especially if you are camping in an area surrounded by many pine trees. Pine leaves can be a natural 'mattress' that is soft and comfortable, so you can rest better
Part 2 of 3: Setting up a Dome Tent
Step 1. Spread the tarpaulin on the ground
Indeed, most tents do not come with a tarpaulin in the box they are purchased, but it is common practice to cover the area where the tent will be erected with plastic or tarpaulin as a moisture barrier between the soil and your tent. Although it is not mandatory, the use of this tarp is highly recommended so that soil moisture cannot reach the base of the tent so that the tent floor will not feel wet and damp. Especially when camping in the rainy season, of course you will be happy because your tent floor will not get wet.
Fold the tarp according to the size of your tent, but the area is slightly smaller than the area of your tent. This is done so that the ends of the tarpaulin do not appear from under the tent when it rains. You don't need to make perfect folds because once the tent is set up, you can still slip the tarpaulin under the tent easily
Step 2. Lay all the components of the tent on the tarpaulin
Remove all tent components from their bag and inspect them to ensure that no tent components are missing or left behind, and that all tent components are in good condition. You cannot pitch your tent if any of the truss posts are broken or missing. Therefore, it's a good idea to make sure that the components of your tent are complete. Each dome tent has a slight difference, depending on the size, type, and brand. However, apart from these aspects, the basic components are usually the same. These components include:
- Tent. Tents are made of vinyl, plastic, and other materials. The tent also has a zippered door, as well as an outer casing for inserting the frame posts.
- Rainfly. In terms of size and shape, the rainfly is similar to your tent, but lacks a zippered opening and a shroud for the truss post. Rainfly is a visor that is attached to the top of the tent and is used, primarily, to protect the tent from rain.
- Tent frame. Tent truss poles are generally connected by elastic wire (or bungee cord) to keep each pole from falling apart. Unlike the newest types of tent truss poles, the old tent truss poles usually need to be attached with screws. There are at least two or, at most, five to six different types of truss posts for your tent that are each made up of several sections or segments. No equipment is required to attach the poles to the tent.
- Pegs should be included in the tent bag so that the tent can be anchored to the ground and not carried away by the wind. The pegs are attached through the small casing found on the underside of the tent and, possibly, on the rainfly as well. Prepare about four to ten stakes for your tent. In addition, you may also need to bring a small hammer to screw the stakes into the ground.
- You may also need to bring a rope to tie the rainfly to the truss post, or tie the tent to pegs. Of course, each tent will have differences regarding the use of ropes.
Step 3. Connect the tent frame posts
Attached tent trusses are usually about 1.85 to 3 meters long, with each pole segment already connected to each other via some kind of metal connector pipe (or if you are using screws, the screws are locked). The connection of the tent poles will vary slightly depending on the type, but most modern types of tents have the tent trusses attached with elastic cords so you can easily attach each pole segment right away. After you have finished connecting each segment of each truss, place all of the connected trusses on a level ground.
Step 4. Insert the frame posts into the outer casing of the tent
First spread the tent on a tarpaulin, then place the tent trusses on the awning in a criss-cross position to ensure that each truss is inserted into the appropriate outer casing. Most simple tents have an elongated frame pattern that forms an “X” when viewed from above. Once you are sure that each truss fits into its shroud, insert the truss into the outer casing of the tent. Do the same for the other truss posts.
Since each tent may have a different size of truss, you will have to find out for yourself each truss and its mate. Alternatively, you can find out through the awning manual. Without a user manual, this can be the most difficult part of the tent setup process. If you're having a hard time figuring out the truss and shroud pairs, try lifting the tent up until the base is visible so you can guess which shroud fits each truss post
Step 5. Set up your tent
To make the tent stand, first attach the ends of each frame post to the pins or pins found at each end of the bottom of the tent. When you attach the ends of the poles to the pins, the tent trusses are subjected to pressure which causes them to bend so that the fabric can lift up and begin to form the tent. To make work easier, you can do it with other people (such as your colleagues). You and your partner should stand on opposite sides of each other, then bend each truss post together so that the tent lifts up.
Once the truss is attached to the pegs, you may need to 'shake' the awning a bit and carefully lift the ends of the truss off the pins to give the structure a better fit. Again, keep in mind that all dome tents will have differences, even if the differences are not significant
Step 6. Attach the tent to the pegs
In the tent there is usually a small hoop or eyelet (a hole made of a metal ring) located either at each outer edge of the tent and in the center of each outer side of the tent. You can use the hoop or pin to anchor your tent to the ground. Insert the stake into the hoop or eyelet, then insert the stake into the ground.
If you plan on going to bed immediately after setting up your tent, you may not need to put pegs on your tent, especially if you're camping in an area where there's plenty of cover (like lots of trees), and there isn't much wind. However, if you are going to go hiking or just walking around, it is important for you to attach pegs to your tent so that your tent does not get carried away by the wind if suddenly a strong wind blows
Step 7. Mount the rainfly on your tent
Spread the rainfly over your tent then attach it to your tent. In some tents, the rainfly can be attached to the tent by attaching the existing Velcro sheet to the rainfly and the tent fabric. Meanwhile in other tents, the rainfly is attached to the tent using an elastic wire tied to a peg.
- Some people don't usually put rainfly on their tent if they can guarantee that it won't rain during camping. Some types of rainfly can block your view from the awning window, so to see the view outside the window you must first disassemble the rainfly. But for safety's sake, it's a good idea to keep a rainfly on your tent.
- Once the tent is up, fold up the ends of the tarpaulin and tuck it under your tent to ensure that no tarpaulin is sticking out from under the tent. The tarpaulin that is still open outside the tent can cause water to pool around the tent if it rains. Therefore, make sure that there are no exposed tarps around your tent.
Part 3 of 3: Repacking Your Tent
Step 1. Dry your tent
When you're done camping, let your tent dry thoroughly in the sun before you pack it up. Make sure you can dry it to avoid mold build-up on the inside of your tent. Remove the rainfly, pegs and any objects from inside the tent and pat the fabric of your tent to let the air out of the tent.
Step 2. Roll up the tent and rainfly
Never fold the tent fabric as you would a shirt or flag to prevent the fabric from creasing or creasing. Therefore, roll up your tent fabric and put it in your tent bag. This can help keep your tent fabric in good condition and not leaking. This way, your tent will last longer. Make sure before you put the other components of the tent into the tent bag, you first load the tent and rainfly.
Step 3. Insert the truss posts and pegs into the tent bag
Once you've loaded the tent and rainfly, put the frame posts and pegs in the bag and store the components next to the tent and rainfly. You need to be careful not to damage or tear the tent poles and pegs. There is usually a separate bag to store the truss and pegs, reducing the risk of your tent tearing from being hit by sharp trusses or pegs.
Step 4. If necessary, aerate the tent
Periodically, remove the tent from its bag and air out your tent, especially if your tent gets wet after use. If you don't camp very often, it's important that you blow out the air in your tent and ventilate it to prevent damage caused by trapped moist air, which causes the fabric of the tent to rot. If necessary, aerate in the sun.
Tips
- Spread out the tent fabric and make sure the tent fabric is level so that the truss poles can be inserted easily.
- To remove the truss from the shroud, push the truss until the entire truss is out of the end of the shroud. Never pull on the truss because there is a risk of the truss breaking into small pieces. If it's broken like that, it will be more difficult for you to get the truss out of the casing.
- If you put a peg in the wrong place and need to pull it out, use another peg as leverage to lift the peg that needs to be removed from the ground.
Warning
- Do not step on the truss because the truss may break.
- Be careful not to scratch the awning with sharp objects as the awning can tear.
