Packing a tent away

[The Other PaulG]

Not sure why this has suddenly come into my mind...

Packing my tent at 05h00 in the rain in Dent, it was not surprising that I couldn't fit it back into its bag.

However, back at home, in the dry and sunshine, on a flat patio, I still found it absolutely impossible to roll it up and get it back into its original bag.

I'm not going to name the specific tent because it doesn't matter, I know this is an issue with many tents, the manufacturers sell them in as small a bag as possible (hence creating an attractive small pack size spec, I suppose).

So... are there any general top tips for getting mass of canvas, nylon and guys into a bag the size of a frozen pea packet? Can't believe I'm the only one to struggle.

 

[DJ123]

The technique i always use, is find the minimal number of folds to get the tent to fit to the width or length of the bag (depending on the style of bag). From that point, i then roll it up fairly tightly and it fits.

I always separate the inner from the outer too, as this means each can be packed as small as possible, with no wasted space. Plus, if they are wet from rain or condensation you can wrap it in a plastic bag to prevent the water pooling in each and making them even wetter.

Throughout numerous tents, this has worked for me. Everything from smaller 2 man tents, up to large 3/4 man tunnel tents.

 

[richardbd]

Bigger bag…

 

[Posh Pete]

I tend to fold it roughly with poles in the middle and then shove the the whole lot into the 36 liter LOMO bag that straps on the pillion seat. When I get home, I air it off / let it dry overnight, spread out over the bike in the garage (careful re the hot exhaust) and then fold it carefully the next day. Or the next dry day!

 

[Oldrat]

Fold the tent up beside the bag to match the bag length.

Then when the tent is folded/rolled as tight as you can, pop the bag over the top of it and turn it over to zip up.

Much easier than putting the tent into an open bag.

When carrying a tent on a bike, I often separate the poles so that the tent easily stuffs into a pannier, poles strapped to the pannier lid

 

[Tinytim]

Call Centre Chimp to the Camping Phone please

 

[cookie]

Generally don't just fold in half then half again. After the first fold, fold the ends into the centre, then fold that at that centre where there's less material.

 

[theoneandonly]

Call Centre Chimp to the Camping Phone please

why ? he is only needed for tarp erection !

 

[Tinytim]

why ? he is only needed for tarp erection !

Because he may be able to pick up some tips.

 

[snelly]

Not sure why this has suddenly come into my mind...

Packing my tent at 05h00 in the rain in Dent, it was not surprising that I couldn't fit it back into its bag.

However, back at home, in the dry and sunshine, on a flat patio, I still found it absolutely impossible to roll it up and get it back into its original bag.

I'm not going to name the specific tent because it doesn't matter, I know this is an issue with many tents, the manufacturers sell them in as small a bag as possible (hence creating an attractive small pack size spec, I suppose).

So... are there any general top tips for getting mass of canvas, nylon and guys into a bag the size of a frozen pea packet? Can't believe I'm the only one to struggle.

I have a 60lt ortlieb roll bag and in the past have just stuffed the wet tent in the bag and the poles i put in the tent bag lose and i'am on my way; if your more than a days ride to home; as soon as the weather clears stopand chuck it over the bike whilst you have a brew then start again once dry.

 

[OnHellas]

I use a small dry bag and just stuff it in.
Or one for the inner and one for the outer to keep the inner dryer if it’s been raining.
Squeeze the air out, roll the top over and clip it closed.
It’s certainly easier and the pack size ends up smaller. Obviously polls and pegs need to be separate.

It works really well with my MSR Freelite 2 lightweight hiking tent.

 

[Orinoco]

Also, not all tent bags are equal. The new Vango bags are much like a Lomo rack back, top opening which is huge much easier to put the tent in , pull drawstring then use the compression straps. Or in the case of my Shyam Highlander, just a huge flappy bag

 

[diplomaticdanny]

There will almost certainly be a YouTube video on your specific tent showing the best way to do it, there certainly is for all our Zempire tents (easiest to use by far but family size only), usually done by Mike Attwooll.

 

[bod]

Grown ups have Hilleberg tents, who not only put it in an appropriate sized bag, also supply proper sized pegs and spare pole section.
They also charge like a wounded Rhino, but my 4 should see me out.

 

[EVskiy]

Can’t say I ever had an issue to be honest. A good serving of patience and taking your time perhaps needed?

The way I do it. Is a lay everything out flat. Pick the tent right at the top tip and pull it up, so that everything that is loose is pulled within the footprint of the tent base, then lower the the top and try to make everything as flat as possible rather than a heap in the middle.
I also take each guy line and pull the tensioner tab all the way towards the tent loop. This makes guy line half as short and much more manageable to handle/fold. Bring all guy line inside the tent footprint.
I then take the stuff bag that tent comes with and lay that flat on the ground next to one of the four sides of the tent. Why? The bag does act as a size guide for you to fold the tent against. Whether that is a three fold or a four. It all depends on the size of the bag v footprint of the tent.
My preferred method is to fold each side towards the middle of the tent, then fold those in half along the the centre axis. That way you do not have any of the corners trying to escape, etc.
Once at that stage, start rolling the whole lot up, including your bag of poles and tent pegs. Making sure to do it slowly enough so that the trapped air has a chance to escape. A couple of compression straps come in handy to hold it all ice and snugly tied up. Stick it into the stuff sack, in my case I tend to have spare room too for my footprint.
It is all about

 

[steve hughes]

I always fold the tent to be at the same width as the length of the poles ( when split down) . By doing this I avoid the tent being too fat or too long. Works for my Vango which has a end opening bag.

 

[EVskiy]

Call Centre Chimp to the Camping Phone please

His no longer in here

 

[brut33]

Slumit Cub 2 here. The bag is plenty big enough with a draw cord to close it. Also two attached wrap around straps to compress the packed tent.

 

[rovert57]

Store the poles separate then just stuff the tent into the bag ,lots of hikers do that.
Also remember to leave the doors slightly open to allow the air out .

 

[Paul Young]

I watched a short video the other day on FB, where a guy demonstrated leaving the corner pegs in place as he picked up the roof centre and neatly pulled it gently in each direction towards the edge of the floor, to smooth it out, before placing the roof centre down near the last edge. He then removed the 4 corner pegs and folded it up. It made perfect sense that with all the fabric laying flat instead of being bunched up as i usually pack it, it would take up less volume.