| maintenance has as much to do with your state | | | | disastrous, but it is hard to remove and can |
| of mind as anything else.If you buy a really nice | | | | wreak havoc with the fabric if ignored. |
| high quality tent and take care of it, It will last you | | | | While set up in your flat smooth ideal camping |
| a lifetime and you can pass it down to your | | | | spot, free of all hazards, be sure to keep debris |
| grandyung'uns. If your state of mind objects to | | | | out of the tent. Leave boots or shoes outside. Be |
| that, you can buy a really cheap tent and throw it | | | | sure to check footwear for visitors when putting |
| away after your trip and buy another really cheap | | | | them back on. A whisk broom and small dust pan |
| tent next time. You will enjoy your camping | | | | come in handy at this stage. A hand held vac is a |
| experience much, much more with the really nice | | | | good supplement to the broom, especially if you |
| tent. | | | | have one of the tents with electrical outlets. Keep |
| Let's look at what's involved in taking care of | | | | seam seal and a waterproofing spray handy in |
| your really nice tent. After spending some cash | | | | case you notice any seepage or leakage. |
| for a really nice tent, spend just a tad more and | | | | Pay close attention to the zippers as these are |
| get a footprint for it. That's sorta like a second | | | | easily fouled. Clean it thoroughly with a small brush |
| floor or a floor to protect the floor. The idea is | | | | and then lubricate it with bar soap or candle wax |
| that the footprint will sacrifice itself so that you | | | | It is not always practical or even possible to |
| don't damage your really nice tent. A footprint is | | | | break camp with a dry tent, but just as soon as |
| not an expensive item to replace. A really nice | | | | possible upon your return home you should |
| tent is expensive to replace. | | | | address the problem of drying your tent. If you |
| The first thing to do with your camping tent is to | | | | store it wet, dealers such as will be glad to see |
| set it up an examine all the pieces. Make sure you | | | | you when you next open it up. |
| have all the tent stakes and plenty of line. You will | | | | This may seem like an awful lot of fuss to keep |
| want extra of both these items. Do not store | | | | up a tent, but it is easier done than written about. |
| your tent in a hot attic. Long term heat will break | | | | If you are just lazy like I am, consider inviting a |
| down the best of tents. So will moisture, dirt, | | | | friend along who has a serious obsessive |
| debris, and UV. Creepy crawlers and critters can | | | | compulsive disorder. You'll have an immaculate |
| ruin your tent while in storage, so take | | | | tent and probably get a car wash too. |
| precautions. Stored properly, your tent should be | | | | As long as I'm giving advice for the lazy, let me |
| in excellent condition for your next excursion. Just | | | | recommend one of the tents that you back your |
| to be sure, set it up and check it out a couple of | | | | car or SUV into. Leave all your stuff in the vehicle |
| days before the next use. | | | | and use the tent just for sleeping or lounging. With |
| Always set your tent up on flat, smooth ground, | | | | all your stuff in the vehicle you have plenty of |
| free of rocks, roots, or any thing that could | | | | room for a nice comfy air mattress. When you |
| possibly damage the floor. You'll be a lot more | | | | get ready to leave everything is still loaded. You |
| comfortable too. Look up as well as down. Falling | | | | just shove the tent in on top of everything else |
| limbs can ruin your whole day. Sap is not as | | | | and go! |