TV’s outdoor and adventure enthusiast, Jase Andrews, offers up his tent tricks and tips
Modern-day bushman - and TV outdoor and adventure enthusiast, Jase Andrews - gives his expert tips for putting up and pulling down your tent without losing your cool…
Hark back to your recent - or not so recent - camping trips. Unless you’re a pro, you likely struggled with a finicky tent, clumsy pegs and a heavy wooden mallet, which combined probably made for arduous and frustrating work.
If pitching a tent is your most dreaded part of a camping trip, then you’re not alone. But thankfully, there are some hacks to make putting up and pulling down your overnight accommodation a hell of a lot easier.
As host of Ten’s All 4 Adventures Jase Andrews is often camping for weeks on end, in some of the most remote and wildest corners of Australia, so he’s more than equipped to offer expert advice. From putting it up, to pulling it down, read on for Jase’s top tent assembly tips...
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS
Modern-day bushman, Jase Andrews, is host of Ten’s All 4 Adventures series
It might sound obvious, but you’d be amazed how many campers don’t read the instructions fully. To make your job and life easier, before you put it up, go through and check that you’ve got all the necessary poles and parts that you need. Also, check your tent for any rips or tears that make it susceptible to the elements.
DO A RECCE
To get started, take in your surroundings and look for any amenities nearby that you’d want to be close to, or want to avoid. Find a spot that’s on a flat, level surface, so you’re not sleeping on uneven ground and be sure to brush away any rocks or sticks that could cause a puncture, which can let in all sorts of creepy crawlies. Pitching a tent on higher ground is always best, so if it rains you don’t wake up in a puddle!
AVOID TREES
Trees may provide shade but they can also be a camping hazard for tents
While trees provide good shade during those warm mornings and afternoons, they can be dangerous if weather conditions are windy. Falling debris from large trees are extremely hazardous, especially if the tree is old and brittle. Try to avoid pitching below trees, especially the notorious gumtree, which is known for dropping entire branches.
BURY YOUR PEGS DEEP
Once you’ve found the perfect spot, ensure you bury the tent pegs deep and at a 45-degree angle to keep your tent stable and on the ground, no matter the weather. Next, insert your tent poles into the loops and guides - main poles first - and make sure they are properly set onto their footings and loops. These hold up the main part of your tent.
Once you’ve got these in place, set the secondary poles and secure. The fly, if your tent has one, goes last. Making sure it is placed correctly to avoid leaks should the sky open up. On top of this, it maximises ventilation and shade on hot days.
DON’T OPT FOR A WATER VIEW
Although it may look serene, avoid setting up camp too close to stagnant water. It’s in these spots that our friend, the mozzie, is always close by and waiting for a feed!
AVOID POTENTIAL TANGLING
Be sure to leave ample room around your tent to avoid getting tangled up with your neighbour’s ropes and to reduce your chances of tripping.
REVERSE YOUR STEPS WHEN PULLING DOWN
When it comes to pulling your tent down, reverse the steps you made to set up, in the same order. Beforehand, make sure to sweep out any dirt, leaves and sticks first, and after disassembling wipe the floor base dry before rolling it up - this will increase the lifespan of your tent.
CONSIDER A ROOFTOP TENT
If pitching a tent on solid ground is not really your forte, consider a rooftop tent, which requires a lot less effort to set-up and pack-down - they’re an especially great option for campers who love to stargaze.
LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS
When packing up your tent remember to leave the site as you found it - litter free!
Camping is about bonding with the great outdoors and with family and friends. Make sure to leave the camp site as you found it and take any litter with you, so that it stays beautiful and can be enjoyed by those that come after you.