There are a few simple things you can do to help make your tent last as long as possible...
The first is to sweep it out at least after every use. If you wear your shoes inside the tent, have pets or high traffic you'll want to sweep it out more often. Dirt and mud are very abrasive and can over time wear holes through a tents floor. A few minutes now can save you a lot of money down the road. And of course the footprint goes a long way toward protecting the bottom of your tent from the dirt underneath.
If your tent is wet or even slightly damp make sure to let it completely air dry before you store it. Damp tents can mold or mildew quickly if they're stored wet. This will make your tent look and smelly funky. To dry your tent simply hang it over some drying racks in a room with a dehumidifier or lay it flat on the floor in a spare bedroom. After the top side has dried out, turn it over to let the bottom dry too.
Store your tent in a cool dry place, like an upstairs hallway closet or a storage closet (basements tend to be damp so are best avoided unless you have a dehumidifier).
Depending on the kind of tent you have, it's usually a good idea to seal your tents seams before your first trip, especially if the seams aren't taped. Once the sealant has dried per directions, spray the tent down to check for leaks. It's better to find them now then out in the middle of nowhere.
Zipper problems?
Is your zipper hard to pull open or does it catch at times? Rubbing a little wax or bar soap along the teeth can help to free it up so that it can slide easier.
If you have a zipper that pulls through and fails to mesh the teeth behind it, the slider may be worn. For a quick temporary fix try this...
Use an adjustable pair of pliers to *very gently* squeeze the slider from top to bottom (the pull tab attaches to the top) not side to side. Alternate squeezing on the left and right (again top to bottom), until the zipper works correctly. Be careful not to crush it because this will cause it to clamp down causing the zipper to lock-up completely. Sliders are pretty fragile, so take your time or they will tend to break apart easily, especially if you try to re-open one with a screwdriver. In case you're wondering, half zippers don't work very well either.
As you probably already know it's always a good idea to bring an emergency patch kit with you so you have it if you need it. Patch kits are usually light and don't take up much room so they're easy to pack.
The first is to sweep it out at least after every use. If you wear your shoes inside the tent, have pets or high traffic you'll want to sweep it out more often. Dirt and mud are very abrasive and can over time wear holes through a tents floor. A few minutes now can save you a lot of money down the road. And of course the footprint goes a long way toward protecting the bottom of your tent from the dirt underneath.
If your tent is wet or even slightly damp make sure to let it completely air dry before you store it. Damp tents can mold or mildew quickly if they're stored wet. This will make your tent look and smelly funky. To dry your tent simply hang it over some drying racks in a room with a dehumidifier or lay it flat on the floor in a spare bedroom. After the top side has dried out, turn it over to let the bottom dry too.
Store your tent in a cool dry place, like an upstairs hallway closet or a storage closet (basements tend to be damp so are best avoided unless you have a dehumidifier).
Depending on the kind of tent you have, it's usually a good idea to seal your tents seams before your first trip, especially if the seams aren't taped. Once the sealant has dried per directions, spray the tent down to check for leaks. It's better to find them now then out in the middle of nowhere.
Zipper problems?
Is your zipper hard to pull open or does it catch at times? Rubbing a little wax or bar soap along the teeth can help to free it up so that it can slide easier.
If you have a zipper that pulls through and fails to mesh the teeth behind it, the slider may be worn. For a quick temporary fix try this...
Use an adjustable pair of pliers to *very gently* squeeze the slider from top to bottom (the pull tab attaches to the top) not side to side. Alternate squeezing on the left and right (again top to bottom), until the zipper works correctly. Be careful not to crush it because this will cause it to clamp down causing the zipper to lock-up completely. Sliders are pretty fragile, so take your time or they will tend to break apart easily, especially if you try to re-open one with a screwdriver. In case you're wondering, half zippers don't work very well either.
As you probably already know it's always a good idea to bring an emergency patch kit with you so you have it if you need it. Patch kits are usually light and don't take up much room so they're easy to pack.
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