Campers sure love their tents, don’t they? I know. I grew up in the woods. My family went camping several times every year, and not at public campgrounds with all the amenities. We truly roughed it. So I know how valuable a good tent is. I also know how to make one last longer than it should.
Tents are like any other consumer product in that they have limited shelf life. If you don’t take care of a tent, it’s not going to last as long as it should. But if you go above and beyond in your efforts to take care of it, you can make a tent last longer than its manufacturer intended. I consider that a win.
Below are my simple tips for making a camping tent last longer. They are based on decades of experience supported by just two tents, one of which is still in great shape.
1. Apply Waterproofing Regularly
Weather is a tent’s worst enemy. But it is not just one type of weather. It’s a combination of all weather working in concert to destroy your investment. Rain and snow saturate everything. Then the tent dries out under the sun. Wind blows through and puts stress on the seams and zippers.
Believe it or not, one of the best things you can do to protect a tent against the weather is apply regular coats of waterproofing. A good waterproofing product does more than just keep rain out. It also prevents the expansion and contraction that occur as a result of constant wet-dry cycles. Waterproofing also protects zippers and ties.
2. Avoid Bungee Cords and Ropes
Campers tend to use things like bungee cords and ropes to attach their tents to their backpacks. They use the same bungee cords and ropes to erect their flies. A better choice is the ratchet or cam strap. Cam strap tie downs like those found on rollercam.com are better for camping purposes.
A cam strap offers a wider surface area for contact between tie-down and tent, thereby reducing the stress you are putting on the tent material. More importantly, you have a lot more control over the tension of the strap compared to rope and bungee cords. It is possible to tighten a cam strap just enough to hold the tent without putting so much pressure on it.
3. Address Damage Immediately
Being as careful as possible will not eliminate all potential damage. Even the best tents experience slight tears and rips, broken zippers, and other issues. The key to addressing such issues is to do so immediately. Never let a problem go in anticipation of fixing it later. You will forget and the damage could worsen.
With that in mind, I recommend carrying a tent repair kit on every trip. A basic kit includes needle and thread, a replacement zipper or two, extra ties, patching material, and adhesive (for nylon tents).
4. Practice Proper Storage
At the end of every trip, be sure to practice proper storage techniques. Never pack your tent away while it’s wet. Otherwise, you will probably find mold and mildew on your next trip. Also take the time to sweep the tent out. Then double check to make sure there are no twigs, rocks, etc. that could get caught in the material as you roll it up.
This all boils down to taking care of your tent just like you do your brick-and-mortar home. Putting the proper effort into it should extend the life of your tent considerably. I am in my late 50s and I have only had to purchase two tents in my lifetime. So yes, it works.
