Clean Run Magazine - April 2008 - 35

Driving stakes into the ground can be backbreaking work, especially when the ground is dry and hard. There are mallets made especially for this task that should make your work easier. One type even has grooves along the handle designed for removing tent stakes. A rubber mallet (preferably with a claw) will work just as well in most instances; although in very hard ground, a steel mallet or hammer may be necessary. To drive a stake into hard soil, pour some water over the stake point first and wait a minute, then begin to drive your stake into the ground. Then, pour more water over the stake. The water will cause a suction effect that will drive the stake the rest of the way down. Creating the loop by pulling the line attached to the slider; two loops are on the slider (one above, another directly below in an S-configuration). Pull the loop that is closer to the knot so that you can drive the stake through that loop. Slider and end of guy line showing knot and loop adjusters. The sliders are used to adjust the tension on the line. Usually, sliders have two loops. Pick the loop closest to the bottom knot, pull on it to make it bigger, and then hook the loop around a stake. Tie the other end of the guy line midway up the tent and/or the flysheet (the waterproof outer layer). Adjust the tension on the line by moving the slider up and down the line as needed. The lines should be tight enough that, if plucked, they would emit a guitar-like “twang. ” There are also fancier versions of sliders on the market that resemble block and tackle devices for hauling heavy objects. These make it easier to crank up tension. Tip: A simple solution to make guy lines more visible during daylight is to tie colored cloth or tape on each line. © RENA BARNETT Tip: Guy Lines New tent owners are often perplexed about what to do with “those strings” that come with their tents. Those strings are called guy lines, guys, or guy ropes, and they are critical for stability. In any kind of wind, a tent that is only staked and not guyed up, will sway. In significant wind, that swaying may cause undue torque on the tent poles and cause them to crack. Without guy lines, a tent may sag when it rains, causing pockets of water to form on the roof of the tent. Almost all tents benefit from being guyed up, but canopy tents must be because it is simply not safe otherwise. Guy lines are typically made of some sort of nylon string, with plastic sliders or rope You will be less tired after driving 8 to 15 stakes into the ground if you allow gravity to do most of the work. Place your hand at the bottom of the handle. Swing your hand up and allow the weight of the mallet to carry your hand down. Rubber mallets will actually rebound, reducing your work for both the up and down swing. Never pull a stake out by grabbing the tent fabric, pegging point, or grommet. Pulling on anything other than the stake may tear the stake loop from the floor or wall of the tent. Rolling and tying up guy lines before putting the tent away expedites setup time the next time around. Roll each guy line into a ball and tie it with a quick-release knot. This technique also prevents the guy line from getting tangled around the tent in the tent bag. Tip: Pay Attention to Your Poles Poles vary greatly depending on the style of tent. Some use shock-corded aluminum or fiberglass poles threaded through tent sleeves. While very sturdy when pitched, these poles are vulnerable to damage during the setup process because the poles can bend when you push them into place. Other types of tents have an integrated fiberglass frame that sets up as a single-unit with the tent, with spring joints to snap the frame together. The joints of this type of tent need extra protection. Dirt and debris can get stuck in the joints and needs to be cleaned out periodically. Care must be made not to put undue tension on the joints, such as twisting the poles around the tent fabric, because undue tension can cause the poles to snap at the joints. 35 Tip: Most tents should be guyed out parallel to the seams. Most tents come with guy lines already tied on or they have grommets and loops to which guy lines can be tied. Like with stakes, there are many options available if you want to upgrade. Although most tents should be guyed out parallel to the tent seams, awning tents with fiberglass frames should be guyed as follows: Tie two guy lines to each pole of the tent, hammer one stake into the ground at the center of each side (about 6” from the base of the tent), and loop the two guy lines from each side to that center stake to form a “V. ” Tip: Be sure to zip up your tent before guying and staking it up so that the tent is in the intended shape, which will prevent unnecessary pressure on tent poles and the door’s zipper. If you intend to erect an awning or vestibule, having the tent zipped up will also assist in lining it up properly. April 08 | Clean Run

Clean Run Magazine - April 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - April 2008