Can't figure out this tent! please help

[rooshipoo]

This tent belongs to my girlfriend; left for her by her father. Unfortunately when we opened the bag there were no poles or assembly instructions. The brand is Wilderness Trails but we were unable to find a model number or any other information about it online. If any has this type of tent or one that's similar we would appreciate some guidance.

Thanks!

[Newanderthal]

Looks like a basic dome. A pole would go from the front left corner to the back right corner. A second pole would go from the front right to the back left, crossing over the first pole. Once the ends of the poles were affixed to the corners of the tent it would stand up. Tent looks like it's about 7.5 feed across. 3 man tent.

Some sporting goods stores sell replacement poles, though the trouble is knowing the length. If the poles are too long, they won't fit. Too short and they won't support the tent properly and it will sag. There are pole repair kits that will allow you to modify the fiberglass shock cord poles to create your own custom length poles, but by the time you buy a pair of poles, buy the kit, and make the poles or required length, you'll have spent about as much as the tent was originally worth.

Here's a link to a pole kit, but check your local sporting goods store or outdoor outfitter for others.
tent poles

My suggestion would be to buy a pair of replacement poles that are about 30% longer than the diagonal measurement of the tent and try them. If they don't fit, return the poles for a refund.

[Grandpa]

Good advice from Newanderthal. Especially the part about "by the time you find or make new poles you may have spent more than just buying a new tent."
But since it is your girlfriends Daddy's tent, sentimental value says you might run an ad in Craigs list asking for the poles from someone else's throw away tent. Like New said, get them at least 30 % longer than the diagonal measurement and then cut them down to the right size a little at a time.

[Lamebeaver]

Sounds like "Wilderness Trails" is one of those generic tents you used to be able to find at Kmart, Service Merchandise or someplace like that.

Without the poles, it's worthless. You could get replacement poles, but realize you will probably end up paying as much as the tent originally cost. Unless you can find the original poles, or if it's in really great shape, and has sentimental value, I'd suggest just buying a new tent.

[Lorax]

Originally Posted by Lamebeaver

Sounds like "Wilderness Trails" is one of those generic tents you used to be able to find at Kmart, Service Merchandise or someplace like that.

Without the poles, it's worthless. You could get replacement poles, but realize you will probably end up paying as much as the tent originally cost. Unless you can find the original poles, or if it's in really great shape, and has sentimental value, I'd suggest just buying a new tent.

This right here. The poles for that would cost more than a new one.

[Newanderthal]

Another option would be a 1/4 inch PVC, available at your local hardware store. Buy three 10' sections and a wooden dowel that will fit snugly inside. Run the pole through the pole sleeves and see if it fits. If it needs more length (probably will) cut about 4 inches of dowel, slip half inside of the end of the pole and then cut a length off your spare pole and add it to the end, slipping it over the other half of the dowel. You can use this method to make your poles collapsible, and it'll probably only cost about $10-15 total.

[EddieK47]

Good call Newanderthal.Have made poles like that myself and sometimes they are better than original.But instead of dowels I used PVC connectors.

[oldsarge]

Man...you guys have some good ideas! I never thought of using PVC for poles.That's what's great about this site, there a ton of experience out there just waiting to be shared.

[eyebp]

That pvc idea is awesome. Never thought of that.

[ponderosa]

What is that pile of stuff near the small white stuff sack in the back of the photo? It sort of looks like tent poles?