View Full Version : Tent Platforms
Over The Hill
02-01-2010, 17:15
I have been given a nice solo tent that weighs in at 2.5 #'s trail weight. But it is NOT freestanding. Are the platforms set for just freestander's or are they also usable for non-freestanding tents?
Or to keep it short, should I just bite the bullet and buy a freestander?
CrumbSnatcher
02-01-2010, 18:41
no problem with non-freestanding tents on platforms, carry some parchute cord to tie off with.
white_russian
02-01-2010, 18:51
you just have to be a bit more creative to use a non freestanding tent on a platform, but works
I have read suggestsions on other forums to use small nails that can be pulled out with your leatherman, or screw in eye-hooks. Not the best for the platform, but prob lower impact than setting up on the ground.
CrumbSnatcher
02-01-2010, 21:24
easy to tie off to the end of the boards, and alot of the tent platforms have eyehooks to tie off to! leave the nails at home!
garlic08
02-02-2010, 00:41
All the above, and you can even make "deadmen" out of sticks and a short length of cord and put them between the planks.
It is a hassle, but you'll probably only have to do it a couple of times. I avoided those as best as I could.
cascader
02-02-2010, 08:52
All the above, and you can even make "deadmen" out of sticks and a short length of cord and put them between the planks.
It is a hassle, but you'll probably only have to do it a couple of times. I avoided those as best as I could.
Often too you can wedge tent stakes in between the boards--can take some pushing and some pulling later to get them out but usually they stay put once in.
Over The Hill
02-02-2010, 15:49
Thank you all!! You just saved me from explaining to the wife why I needed to buy a different tent. :)
FYI, you don't even need extra cord. Worst-case scenario, you could cut off a couple of feet of whatever you're using for bear hanging, but I doubt you'd even need that.
CrumbSnatcher
02-02-2010, 18:28
yeah i didn't mean buy extra cord, i cut off a few small pieces off my bear bagging rope! once i got far enough north where theres more tent platforms! doing it without any rope might be more trouble than just using the rope/cord. parachute cord is so light and strong.