DIY PVC Tent

Camping is one of the most popular recreational activities in the world. It is something the whole family can participate in and enjoy. Sleeping under the stars and communing with nature are often the goals of camping. But when you need adequate protection because of changes in the weather or outdoor pests, such as flies and mosquitoes, a tent provides welcome shelter. Commercially made tents can be heavy, cumbersome and expensive. A portable tent made from PVC pipe is light and easy to pack. You can assemble or break it down in minutes.

Things You'll Need

  • 7 PVC 2-inch pipe, 8-feet long
  • 4 PVC 90-degree elbow fitting connector, 2-inch
  • 2 PVC 3-way fitting connector, 2-inch
  • 16-by-18-foot plastic tarp
  • Scissors
  • 100-foot bundle of nylon clothesline cord
  • Hammer
  • 8 tent stakes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Attach one PVC elbow fitting connector tightly to each end of two 8-foot pieces of PVC pipe. These are the base pieces of your tent frame structure. Set them aside.

    • 2

      Place a PVC 3-way connector firmly on each end of another 8-foot PVC pipe.

    • 3

      Put the remaining four 8-foot pipe pieces in the remaining four openings in the two 3-way connectors. Turn the structure so that it sits on the ground with an A shape at each end and an 8-foot pipe piece connecting the two A shapes on top, creating a ridgeline.

    • 4

      Attach the bases of the tent structure by taking one of the 8-foot pipe pieces with the elbow connectors and fitting the remaining elbow connector openings on the bottom of the two A shapes, both on the same side. Repeat the process with the remaining 8-foot PVC pipe piece on the other side. You now have both A shapes connected along the base on each side of the structure with A shape openings in the tent front and back.

    • 5

      Hammer two stakes into the ground against one outside PVC base edge. Place them 2 feet in from each end. Repeat this process on the other side of the tent structure. This prevents the tent from spreading out when you lay the tarp on it.

    • 6

      Center the tarp over the tent structure with the 18-foot length running the length of the tent. Push the tarp edges on the sides under the tent base toward the inside.

    • 7

      Enter the tent and pull the tarp edges until the tent is tight.

    • 8

      Drive two stakes on each side of the tent. Tie a length of clothesline to each stake on one side, drape the cord over the tent and tie it to the corresponding stakes on the other side to hold it in place. The cord length you need depends on how far from the tent you choose to put the stakes.