What camping accessories do you really love?

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Prudence

Provide me with the ground space and I'll set it up for you. It has withstood some substantial storms.

Are you saying NO outside guy wires, or just guy wires very close the tent?

If it is the latter, I understand. If the former, I would have to see this. I've seen many a pavilion fall victim to strong winds.

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

I was wondering what the base of the center pole looks like myself. According to your description, it's just a pole.

Okay, so if the spokes go several inches into the hub, is it difficult to put together inside the staked tent? Or do you just plan on needing to restake the outside tighter after the hub and spoke system is put together?

The red and blue circus tent shown earlier is two rounds with a breezeway between them. The rounds use the center pole and spokes setup.

How each round is put up is the top canopy is spread out on the ground. The (18'!) center hole is poked through it's grommet at what will be the top. The outside ropes are attached very loosely to their stakes. Using three people, the pole/canopy is lifted into position, placing the bottom of the pole in position and the ropes are then tightened enough to hold the pole basically vertical with a slight spread to the canopy.

Next, the spokes are inserted into a wheel on the center pole and into pockets designed for them in the canopy. On the 18' diameter canopy, the poles are spaced about every 1.5'-2' (I don't remember the exact spacing). At this point, you have a round tent with no walls.

Next, the walls are hung to the canopy. In the case of this tent, there are two sections of wall for the entire round (with doors at each meeting point). This step is probably the hardest because the canvas is very heavy and you are attaching it (via snap rings) at about 7' off the ground. It is best to have two people doing it: one lifting the canvas wall and one attaching the rings.