Tents are not cheap. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 2 Man Hiking Tent, a 4 Man Dome Tent, or a large Family Tent. If you buy quality, they are going to be expensive. Why wouldn’t you do all you can to make sure your tent lasts you a long time?
You take care of your car. You wash it and change the oil. Why can’t you clean your 2 Man Hiking Tents? You do routine maintenance on your home. You change the air filters, you wash the windows, you mow the lawn. Can you not do the same for your 4 Man Tent? Isn’t it your home on the trail.
4 Man Tent
Taking care of your tent is not difficult. It is just something you must do every time. The trip is not over when you pack up your stuff at the site and drive home. You’ve got an hour or so’s worth of work before you’re done.
Things to do to insure your tent lasts for years to come:
1) Make sure you don’t get holes in the bottom of your tent. Prep you tent site by picking up all loose stones and sticks off the ground. Also be on the lookout for the stumps of broken saplings.
2) Invest in a ground mat. A ground mat can be custom made or be a multi-purpose tarp. It helps protect your tent.
3) Keep the outside outside of your tent. Do your best not to track dirt and debris into your tent.
4) Maintain your tent poles. Treat them gently and don’t bang them around.
5) Before you take down your tent, give it a good sweeping and shake it out.
6) When you fold your tent up, don’t fold over the same creases. Repeated refolding can lead to weak points that could cause leaks.
7) Set it back up once you get home
8) Clean it with soap and warm water and let air dry for a day.
9) Put it up in a dry and cool place.
This should help you preserve your tent for years to come.