How to Pitch a Wall Tent

Originally designed as living accommodations for military troops, wall tents have been adapted for use in camping situations where large and long-term quarters are needed. Available in a wide range of sizes, and most commonly used for hunting and fishing excursions off the beaten path, wall tents are constructed of heavy canvas or nylon to stand up to harsh conditions. Though setting up a wall tent alone can be challenging, with a little practice it becomes second nature.

Things You'll Need

  • Wall tent
  • Tape measure
  • Hand saw
  • Mallet
  • Guy ropes with tensioners
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spread out the tent before you leave home. Measure the height of the tent, from the bottom of the walls to the point at the top of the ridgeline, with a tape measure. Measure the inside length of the tent along the ridgeline. Retain the measurement for use when cutting support poles.

    • 2

      Choose a level tent site near a plentiful water source. Select a spot away from game trails so you aren't surprised by wildlife moving through your campsite during the night.

    • 3

      Cut the tent poles on site. Locate a downed tree approximately 6 inches in diameter. Cut the ridgepole with a handsaw 1 inch shorter than the length of the tent's ridgeline. Cut two posts to support the ridgepole, one for each end of the tent. Cut the support posts to the height measurement of the tent, minus the diameter of the ridgepole. For example, if the height of the tent is 8 feet and the ridgepole is 6 inches in diameter, cut the support post to a height of 7 1/2 feet. Cut 2-foot-long stakes from downed branches with the saw. Cut one stake for each guy rope along each side of the tent and one stake for the front and back end of the tent. If you are intending to erect the tent in a campground, you will need to bring poles and stakes with you.

    • 4

      Lay the ridgepole along the length of the tent site. Lay the two support posts parallel to the ridgepole; one post along each end of the ridgepole. Spread the tent out over the poles, with the ridgeline of the tent running the length of the ridgepole. Lay the stakes around the perimeter of the tent.

    • 5

      Grasp the front end of the tent at the top of the door and lift the tent high enough to step inside. Allow the tent to drape over your back and pick up the end of the ridgepole in one hand and the end of the support post in the other hand. Stand up and push the ridgepole to the top of the ridgeline of the tent while pushing the support post under the ridgepole.

    • 6

      Pace off three steps from the front of the tent. With a mallet, drive a stake into the ground, leaning away from the tent at a 45-degree angle. Tie a guy rope to the grommet or rope strap at the front of the tent. Loop the front guy rope over the stake and tighten the rope with the tension slide. Repeat the procedure at the back of the tent.

    • 7

      Stake the sides of the tent. Attach guy ropes to the grommets or straps along the sides of the tent. Drive a stake for each rope 3 paces from the tent, angling away from the tent at 45 degrees. Loop and tighten the guy ropes to the stakes with the tension adjustment on each rope.

    • 8

      Adjust the ridgepole and support posts so the ridgepole is centered along the ridgeline and the support posts are centered under the ridgepole.