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Caring for your Tent Poles

Tent Poles require maintenance and care to perform at their best

Modern Aluminium Alloy tent poles are designed to work perfectly with the latest generation of lightweight performance tents. Whilst we use the optimum tent poles for each model, the poles do require care and maintenance to perform at their best. Here are some tips to help you get the best use from your tent and poles:

  1. DO NOT “snap” or “throw” the poles into place because this may damage the pole and lead to the pole splitting or breaking.
  2. DO NOT force the poles. Poles are put under some of the greatest tension during pitching and are at their most vulnerable. If the pole sleeve is gathered, gently ease out the gathers over the pole as you thread it. To release tension, open the doors.
  3. By using a silicon zip lube on a pole it will help it slip through the fabric sleeve and will also help guard against corrosion.
  4. Poles that take uptight curves when tensioned are pre-bent at the factory. However, poles that start out straight will take a curve during use. This is normal and should cause you no concern.
  5. Always ensure that all pole sections are fully connected.
  6. On older poles the elastic tension can reduce and result in slippage, if this is the case you can re-tension the elastic inside the pole.
  7. When collapsing your poles for packing, always start by folding the pole from the middle as this ensures an even stretch in the shock cord. Do not allow the sections to flick
    back against each other under the elastic tension as this can cause damage to the section ends.
  8. Always ensure that the poles are stored dry. Dampness assists corrosion which can lead to pole breakage.

Tent Pole Care

Your tent poles are at their most venerable when putting up or taking down your tent. When you remove the poles from their bag take care to do it gently and avoid dropping them on the ground. You should also avoid stretching the shock cord.

When you unfold the poles make sure that you do not snap the sections together by stretching the shock cord and never flick the pole sections together. This will create small nicks in the metal at the end of the pole sections and over time this becomes a point of weakness that can ultimately cause the pole to fail.

You should assemble the pole sections carefully and ensure that the ferrule connections are fully pushed together. If they are not fully pushed together this will cause extra strain on the connections and may cause the pole to fail.

When inserting the pole into the pole sleeve, ensure that you push it through. Do not pull the pole through as this will pull the ferrule connections apart. Do not force the pole through the pole sleeve. Check where the tension is and remedy it before continuing to push the pole through.

When it comes to taking down your tent, remove the pole from the eyelet and gradually release the tension. Then push the pole out of the pole sleeve. Ensure you push and don’t pull the pole as this can overstretch the shock cord as well as risk the sections snapping back together causing damage to the pole and/or the tent fabric.

When folding your poles away, start from the middle sections and carefully work your way outwards. This avoids overstretching the shock cord.

Tent Pole Maintenance

Inspect your tent poles before and after each use for any signs of damage. Do not use them if you notice any damage and be sure to contact us for advice.

If your poles have become wet then ensure they are fully dried out before you store them away. If your poles have become dirty or you have been near saltwater, rinse your poles in cold fresh water and then thoroughly dry them before you store them away.

To help prevent corrosion and to keep the ferrules lubricated, spray the poles regularly but sparingly with silicone spray. Ensure you wipe off any excess spray. Never use an oil-based spray as this will damage your tent fabric.