Tents are designed to withstand wind and rain, but if you want them to last for more than one or two seasons, you need proper maintenance. To find out how to protect your hundreds of dollars of investment, I consulted three tent repair experts for their best repair suggestions. They say so.
1. Choose camping locations wisely
Everything starts with a suitable pitch. “It helps to pitch a tent in a protected area rather than an exposed ridge,” said Charlie Lane, a maintenance technician at MSR. He repairs as many as 200 tents every month. He doesn't want you to miss the great scenery, but Rehn warns that your tent may be damaged by the wind on the ridge.
2. Build and fix your tent correctly
The tent designed by the tent manufacturer can withstand heavy storms, but if used improperly, the tent will break. Lane saw a lot of broken tent poles and torn rain flies because the user did not follow the instructions. He recommends taking extra time to double-check whether everything is tight and whether it is inserted correctly.
3. Keep your tent clean
The oil will eventually damage the waterproof cover of your tent, so when it is visibly dirty, you need to clean it like a Gore-Tex jacket. MSR can be used for masking, but mild soap can also be used. Wash by hand only, and make sure that the flies are completely dry before packing and taking away.
4. Dry your tent
Lindsey Stone, operations manager of Rainy Pass, a Seattle-based authorized Gore-Tex repair shop, said that if you put the tent in a humid place, the seam tape will come off and the polyurethane coating will also rupture. It may also become moldy. Stone suggested that every time you return from a trip, set up a tent at home and let it dry completely.
5. Don't put your tent in a bag with stuff
It’s okay to put your tent in a bag and drag it to the camping site, but when it’s in your garage, Ryan recommends putting it in a loose bag so that the material can be breathable. Space. The extra space also keeps the fly and stitch tape from getting curled.
6. Be kind to your zipper
In Stone's shop, zipper repairs are the most frequent. This is because the user pulls them too tightly. To give your zipper a little more vitality, Stone suggests that if the zipper gets stuck on a part of the tent, be patient and clean it with a damp cloth or something like Zip Care from Gear Aid. Zipper, which includes brush and lubricant. Cleaning your zipper will ensure that dust and sand will not erode the metal.
7. Wax the zipper
The waxed zipper track keeps it slippery and effective. It also prevents dust and sand from entering. Lane said that products like Zipcare are great, but candle wax is also useful.
8. UV treatment of the tent
Stone said that she often sees the tent splashed by the sun and rain, and the outer wall is as fragile as paper. To prevent this decomposition, she recommends using products like McKnit's UV technology, which can be used as a sunscreen for the outer fabric.
9. Rinse Your Poles
"We have seen quite a few waves corroded by salt water or salty air," said Iris Diligence, MSR's maintenance technician. She said that salt would oxidize the poles and eventually cause the poles to rupture. Diligence recommends washing your fishing rod, even if you are not on the beach.
10. Don't rely on duct tape for long-term repair
Yes, duct tape is a great quick fix when you tear a tent on the road, but over time, the tape will break and fall off. For long-term repairs, Stone recommends using tough tape, which is more durable and has stronger glue.
