Everything Tents Episode 5: Tips, Tricks, Common Mistakes & How to Maximize Your Outdoor Shelter
Tent Tips, Tricks, & Common Mistakes: Maximize Your Outdoor Shelter
This is the grand finale of our "Everything Tents" series, and today we're sharing a ton of tips, tricks, and common mistakes we've encountered (and made ourselves!) to help you get the most out of your outdoor shelter. There's a lot that can go wrong with tents, and our goal is to help you avoid those pitfalls!
1. Ventilation: Your #1 Safety & Comfort Feature
Mistake: Not venting your tent properly, especially in cold conditions, out of a desire to keep warmth in.
Why it's Bad: Lack of ventilation leads to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup if using unvented heaters (like Mr. Buddy heaters) and excessive condensation, which can drip on you and your gear. Drew recounts a scary story where family friends nearly suffered from oxygen deprivation.
Pro Tip: Always ensure adequate airflow, even if it feels "counterintuitive" in the cold. Crack windows, use peak vents, or consider a tent designed for wood stoves if you need serious heat.
2. Heater Safety: Mind the Walls!
Mistake: Placing portable heaters too close to tent fabric.
Why it's Bad: This is a serious fire hazard. Drew's cousin famously burned a large hole in their wall tent by placing a heater too close.
Pro Tip: Always keep heaters a safe distance from tent walls and any flammable materials.
3. Upgrade Your Tent Stakes
Mistake: Relying on the flimsy, smooth, basic stakes that often come with entry-level tents.
Why it's Bad: These stakes have poor holding power and will easily pull out in windy conditions, leaving your tent vulnerable.
Pro Tip: Invest in nicer, lightweight aluminum stakes with textured designs or a "Y" profile. They "bite" into the ground better, last longer, and ensure your tent stays put.
4. Proper Guy Line Installation
Pro Tip: For optimal security, install your tent stakes and guy lines at a 45-degree angle to the ground, pulling away from the tent. This provides the best tension and resistance against wind. Avoid over-stretching them too flat or too steep.
5. Anchor Your Tent in Rocky Terrain
Pro Tip: If you can't get a stake into rocky ground without bending it, tie your guy lines to large, stable rocks. Secure the rope around one rock, then place another heavy rock on top of the guy line to prevent it from slipping. It's surprisingly effective! If available and safe, you can also tie off to sturdy, live tree branches.
6. Campsite Selection: Safety First!
Mistake: Setting up camp blindly in the dark or in risky locations. Drew and his wife once set up in pitch black, only to find themselves surrounded by deadfall, with a tree falling just two feet from their tent in high winds.
Why it's Bad: Especially in areas with beetle kill (common in Western states like Colorado), dead trees can fall unpredictably in windstorms, posing a deadly hazard. Setting up in low spots can lead to flooding in heavy rain.
Pro Tip: Always scout your campsite, even with a headlamp at night. Look up for "widowmakers" (dead branches or trees) and select a flat, higher ground spot that offers natural drainage and protection from potential falling hazards. Always expect the worst weather, even if the forecast is clear.
7. Practice Tent Setup Before Your Trip
Mistake: Attempting to set up a new or unfamiliar tent for the first time in bad weather, darkness, or under pressure. Jay's friend fumbled with his new tent during a scouting trip as a storm rolled in.
Why it's Bad: Tent setup is critical for safety. Not knowing how to properly pitch your tent can lead to frustration, compromised shelter, and even danger if conditions worsen.
Pro Tip: Set up and take down your tent 2-3 times (or more!) in your backyard or on a local car camping trip. Familiarize yourself with all poles, stakes, and attachment points. This ensures you can pitch it efficiently and safely when it really counts.
8. Pre-Trip Gear Inspection
Mistake: Assuming all your tent components are present and intact from the last trip.
Why it's Bad: Jay's friend once flew to South Carolina for an event only to discover his tent had no stakes, forcing him to whittle some. Mice in your garage could chew holes.
Pro Tip: Before every trip, unpack your tent completely. Check for missing stakes, bent poles, or any holes/damage. Ensure your repair kit (Tenacious Tape, pole splints) is stocked and you know how to use it.
9. Proper Tent Tensioning
Mistake: Over-tightening or under-tightening tent poles and guy lines.
Why it's Bad: Over-tightening can put excessive strain on fabric seams and poles, leading to damage. Under-tightening makes your tent vulnerable to flapping in wind, sagging under rain/snow, and structural instability.
Pro Tip: Aim for a taught, but not strained, pitch. The fabric should be smooth, and poles should stand firm without bowing excessively.
10. Post-Trip Tent Care: The Ultimate Longevity Secret
Mistake: Packing up a wet or damp tent and storing it away immediately. Drew describes friends who ruined a brand new canvas wall tent with a "heck of a stink" and mold from doing this.
Why it's Bad: Moisture leads to mildew, mold, and fabric degradation, often creating an irreversible smell and damaging the tent's waterproofing and integrity.
Pro Tip: As soon as you get home, immediately unpack your tent and allow it to fully air dry. Lay it out in a driveway, hang it over a table, or even set it up again if possible. Flip it inside out. This is also a great time to shake out any dirt, debris, or tiny cinders that could abrade the fabric over time.
Quality vs. Price (Revisited)
In the tent world, you largely get what you pay for. More money typically buys better quality, lighter weight, and superior weather performance.
Dome Tent Clarification: While many dome tents are entry-level, there are also very high-quality, lightweight dome tents (freestanding tents) available for backpackers willing to invest, offering excellent performance without the bulk of car camping models.
These invaluable lessons, often learned through uncomfortable (or even dangerous) experiences, are crucial for a successful and enjoyable time in the outdoors. By taking the time to properly select, set up, and care for your tent, you'll ensure a safe and comfortable base for all your adventures.