View Full Version : Non free standing tent
Virginia Lane
12-17-2010, 17:14
First of all I found out the answer to posting a question!
My question is...I'm seriously considering purchasing a LightHeart tent which is not free standing. Are there any suggestions on pitching a non free standing tent on a wooden tent platform such as you would find on the AT in the New England states. There has to be a simple way to solve that problem.
Thanks,
Virginia :-?
ChinMusic
12-17-2010, 17:21
I've been wondering that too. I've never seen these platforms.
Anyone got a pic?
Many platforms have eye bolts around edges which make it simple . If not tie cords around board ends or pull cords over edge of platform and use stake in ground. If you are making a short section through take a few large cup hooks and screw them in and then take them brack with you . it is easy when you open up and think outside the box .
Virginia Lane
12-17-2010, 17:24
Never thought of using those hooks...thanks for thinking outside the box
hikerboy57
12-17-2010, 17:33
go to sectionhiker.com, he wrote an article discussing just this very subject
mweinstone
12-17-2010, 18:16
repeated putting in of hooks does three things.
causes tent ripping splinters
gets you in trouble
gets you sneers
if you dangle the cord thru the slots between the boards, you can then reach under and over with a tent stake and grab it and pull it up thru the adjacent slot. or just exstend your strings to go around the edge of any board. or use the tent stake itself as a chock placeing it in the slots about the edge of the platform with the cord tied to it with a prusik knot. or make wedges that fit the slots anywhere out of crushed trash,plastic bottles, paper, and anything you can secure a string to and wedge in the slot that dosnt leave splinters for others to get splinted by.
some slots work with pencils and some with caps from water bottles. some with acorns some with twigs. i will spare you the awful terrible knowledge of how to pitch with bacon. its concidered murder in 14 easter seaboard states.
berkshirebirder
12-17-2010, 19:10
Here's a photo (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=15785&c=570) of a platform from the gallery
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=15785&c=570
LIhikers
12-17-2010, 19:20
My wife and I use a non-freestanding tent, a Rainshadow 2 by Tarptent.
We've never had a problem putting it up, there's always something to secure the tieouts. New England has plenty of rocks that can anchor your tent's tieouts. Also downed branches, your pack, or other items that doen't easily move can be used. And yes, most tent platforms have permanent hooks or eyes screwed into them .
kayak karl
12-17-2010, 19:24
e-mail LightHeart, she's cool. sh'll help you
Skidsteer
12-17-2010, 19:27
Here's a photo (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=15785&c=570) of a platform from the gallery
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=15785&c=570
Wow, it's obvious from that photo that tent platforms really reduce the impact of camping.
ChinMusic
12-17-2010, 20:22
Those platfoms look kinda small for some tents.
For those that have used a Lunar Solo on the platforms.........any tips?
CrumbSnatcher
12-17-2010, 20:25
some places have single and double platforms
CrumbSnatcher
12-17-2010, 20:30
i've used a free standing QUEST praying mantis
and a non-free standing MSR zoid 2 on platforms with no problems.
THE last time was 2009 at crocker cirque campsite in maine
nice spot!
Sugarfoot
12-18-2010, 11:54
I have the LightHeart Tent and love it. I haven't used it on the New England platforms, but previously I had the Wanderlustgear Nomad. It is very similar, in that the critical stakeout points are the two ends. I used it for years in New England and never had a problem setting it on platforms. Sometimes I would loop line around board ends and tie off the tent ends. Other times there would be hooks or nails along the sides of the platforms. Sometimes I extended the line to the ground and used my stakes. It didn't take much mechanical aptitude or I wouldn't have been able to do it. Go for it!
No big deal, pitched in Southern Vermont on a wood platform, Tarp Tent was fine, rainy windy night, agree on using the eye bolts, that was key! Fit was actually near-perfect.
e-mail LightHeart, she's cool. sh'll help you Heartfire is cool and she makes Lightheart tents. check out www.lightheartgear.com
First of all I found out the answer to posting a question!
My question is...I'm seriously considering purchasing a LightHeart tent which is not free standing. Are there any suggestions on pitching a non free standing tent on a wooden tent platform such as you would find on the AT in the New England states. There has to be a simple way to solve that problem.
Thanks,
Virginia :-?
Sure. Just use line to tie the pullouts of the tent to vegetation surrounding the platform (Watch out for the lines when you go out at night). Been there, done that - many times. The White Mountains are where I cut my hiking teeth and learned much of what I know about hiking and camping. When there is not enough line or appropriately placed vegetation, tie off to the ends of the boards on the platform, or bring some small hooks to screw into the platforms at appropriate locations. Avoid screwing hooks into the tops of the boards as this creats splinters which may be an inconvenience to those who follow after you.