Tent pole repair

[Nighthiker]

Used a small crochet hook to remove the knot at the end of a tent pole so I can replace the elastic cord in the tent poles. My backpacking tents use 1/8 " cord and is sold as bungee cord.

[azbackpackr]

@Nighthiker
Tip I heard from an old-timer: Fold your tent poles starting in the middle. That way the stress on the bungee will be more evenly distributed.

[RedRoxx44]

Miles Gear Uber Bivy; he is using delrin rods to make the hoops for the head elevation on the bivy. Looking at some DIY at perhaps using a version of that for my bivy, trip to home depot, lowes or Ace in the offing to see what I can come up with. will lighten things up a few ounces if I can get some cut to proper length and get the plastic joints. Eliminates shock cording, and apparently depending on diameter the Delrin is pretty strong, yet flexible.

[The_Dude]

This is an amazingly timely post. I have a Quarter Dome 1 that I got from REI less than 2 years ago, and when I put the tent up on the first night of my 5 day Grand Canyon trip a few weeks ago I found the shock cord was shot. I could still make it work, but a pain in the behind to say the least. Amazing, I have a $30 Big 5 tent from 20 years ago that is still going strong, and the expensive one I just got is crapping out. I am trying to argue with them about the whole "100% customer satisfaction guarantee" and not getting too far. Probably will have to end up repairing it myself. Good thing my wife likes to crochet, I can steal one of her hooks.

[chumley]

REI sells shock cord in their stores. It's on a spool and you can buy any length you need. I've replaced the cord in my tent poles before. It's not difficult, but it helps to have a couple of clamps to hold it stretched while you tie the knots. Moisture in the pole can cause deterioration to the outer fabric of the cord, while heat is bad for the interior elastic rubber. Nothing lasts forever!

[Nighthiker]

I have a friend who bicycle tours that uses a Delrin one piece rod for his Eureka Solitaire tent. When riding he attaches the rod to his rear rack and attaches a bright orange flag to it.

[RedRoxx44]

well, thread hijack but planning this weekend a short backpack to an area of interest to test out my prototype pole substitution on a black diamond bivy. Lowes didn't have Delrin but another type and while not as strong seems to do the job. We will see how it holds up.
Additional hijack-- obtained a vintage Granite Gear Vapor Trail "x" beams pack from Hong Kong. Will be it's maiden voyage with me this weekend also. This pack was sold in Japan, apparently never in the US.

[Pivo]

@RedRoxx44
Hopefully you stay dry this weekend.

[RedRoxx44]

Actually I am trying out my winter, wet, sort of bad weather set up to see how it does. If it doesn't work, I'll not be too far from car or just get in a mine tunnel with the snakes.

[Pivo]

SSSSSnake SSSSSSSnuggle

[te_wa]

many sources for quality shock cord. i used to buy it buy the 500' spools back when i made sleeping quilts.
quest outfitters, hammock gear, arrowhead equipment, dutchware, and other places sell just what you need. it's cheap... https://www.questoutfitters.com/Tent_Po ... TENT_POLES
also, a little warehouse called "Tempe Sales" has it. along with many backpack repair parts.

[cactuscat]

@RedRoxx44
You're such a badass - I love it!

[RedRoxx44]

@cactuscat
Thanks, but I am hardly that any more, maybe when I was 10-15 years younger.

[tibber]

I flunked sewing in 4-H thus re-cording my Quarter Dome (after only ten uses) is something I would rather pay someone to do; however, the company REI recommends will cost me $40 just in shipping ($20 each way). The company will fix it for around $25. Is there a local company that will do this? I assume not or REI would have recommended them but thot I would check around here.

I have to say, I am disappointed that this happened after only ten uses . I don't know if this happens with other tents as I've only had two others and tent pole cording was not an issue.

[chumley]

@tibber
Do you mean that the shock cord that holds all the poles together broke? And REI won't replace it for free?

I had this happen to my tent years ago. I think sometimes you just never know how old the cord is. Poles and pole sets may be purchased from the tent manufacturer years before matching to a tent they sell, and may have sat in a warehouse just collecting dust. You never know.

Certainly heat and moisture will weaken the cord, so if you store it in a hot place, or if it got wet on your ten trips and never properly dried before storing, that can help it wear down. And while not many people are able to do so, storing it extended rather than folded (the cord is relaxed versus stretched) can extend life too.

[tibber]

Thx. No, it didn't break, it just stretched. I suppose since I don't backpack or use my tent enough, I should store them elongated altho they do take up a lot of room when extended.

I've read that I am not alone with having shock cord issues and most people are a bit frustrated. Speaking of shock cord, I found an article that listed, shocking only five places that will fix it... only 5, mostly in the NW.

Anyway, I appreciate your help.

[xsproutx]

@tibber It’s pretty easy to replace the shock cord and is probably be willing to do it for you if you supplied the cord. I’d say I’d be really disappointed in having to do it after 10 nights as well; how long ago did you purchase it? Do you store in a garage/outdoors? I wouldn’t expect to have to replace the shock cord even stored for years at a reasonable temperature but that material is definitely affected by heat.

[tibber]

@tibber It’s pretty easy to replace the shock cord and is probably be willing to do it for you if you supplied the cord. I’d say I’d be really disappointed in having to do it after 10 nights as well; how long ago did you purchase it? Do you store in a garage/outdoors? I wouldn’t expect to have to replace the shock cord even stored for years at a reasonable temperature but that material is definitely affected by heat.

Thx for the offer but the first responder beat you to the punch.

I purchased the tent (after tons of Rx) back in the summer of 2018. I store it in my house in a big duffel bag with other backpacking gear.
You would sure think it would last a little longer that's for sure. However, I will be more vigilant in setting it up and taking it down in the future. I didn't think I was that hard on it but I didn't really pay it much mind.

I appreciate your offer to help.

Angela

[cactuscat]

Cord on my BA Copper Spur stretched out beyond usability from just sitting in the bag for a couple years! Shipped the poles back to BA and they restrung it for about $20 total. Or they would have just sent me the cord for DIY for $4.

[xsproutx]

I'm generally a trekking pole tent guy but now you have me wondering about my two car camping tents that haven't been used in a year... Guess I'll be setting those up in the yard this weekend just to make sure they're okay!