A good camping tent can be a real investment. These portable homes will with stand many years of usage if they are taken care of after each camping trip. We are providing a little information to help you make the most of your tent.
Basic care : There are two things that really damage tents.
- #1 is being put away wet.
- #2 being left dirty or damaged by rocks or gravel..
Wet is easily taken care of, just make sure you either hang it up or set it up to dry thoroughly before storing it. Even light dew fall will cause a tent to mildew if it is not allowed to totally dry before being put away.
There are also a number of waterproofing sprays or liquids that can help prevent tent fabric from becoming water logged from morning dew or even heavy rains.
Tent Bottom Damage prevention
To prevent bottom damage cut a piece of heavy gage plastic to cover the ground under your tent. Check the ground prior to setup for any sharp rocks or sticks.
This will keep the ground moisture and abrasion to a minimum on the outside bottom.
Pets, children and tent camping
Pets and children will track in dirt and debris. This too can damage the bottom of the tent from the inside. A small scuff rug at the door of your tent will help keep dirt outside but it is not always reliable. I suggest you purchase a light area rug that will cover the front inside of the floor. It will also prevent dog toenails from doing damage surface of the floor.
Dogs, Tents and screen damage
One other point about dogs and tent camping, large dogs have been known to cause extensive damage to the screen or door areas if they decide to exit the tent in a hurry. Think about how you will prevent this type of behavior. A kennel is a good bed and containment of your pet at night. He is safe and there is no possibility of escape or damage if the unexpected happens.
This item can also will serve as a table for clocks, a place to stack pillows or place other gear you don't want on the floor.
If you follow these simple tips on tent care, your tent will last many years.
