Tent Poles - Camping Trip Tips

Planning a camping trip with a tent, one should keep in mind the correct tent pole and whether it is correct for the type of trip you're looking to take.

One of the best ways to experience an exhilarating weekend or holiday is camping out in the wild. Such an experience is not only refreshing to the soul but also rejuvenates the mind. This is so because the outdoors are often virgin and free from pollutants created by our modern lifestyles.

The type of tent that you use for such an event is essential. Your choice will depend on many factors such as whether you are camping out alone or with friends and your ability to set up the tent. There are many types of tents in the market nowadays. These include the pop up tent, the frame tent and the pole tent.

The pop up tent is a simple tent that can be setup by an individual within ten minutes. For larger gatherings, two types of tents are often used. These are the pole tent and the frame tent. Frame tents are generally harder to erect than pole tents. They consist of fabric roof covers supported with aluminum structures without a centre pole. These are suitable for a large number of guests as the entire area under the tent is usable space. Upon erection, the tent can stay up for weeks or even months. On the other hand, the pole tent is easier to erect. It is very popular with weddings because of its attractive appearance. Its disadvantage is that it has a center pole that reduces the usable area under the structure.

All tents require tent poles to support the entire structure. The tent poles play an important role in facilitating the holding of functions in inexpensive facilities. There are various types of tent poles in the market. In the past, tent poles were made of wood. However, with the increasing need to conserve the environment, alternative sources of material have been developed. The most common type is the fiberglass pole. It has varying capacities and it may expand to accommodate client needs. It has the strength to withstand pressure and may only splinter instead of collapsing when subjected to great pressure. Unfortunately, it cannot bear intense heat when subjected to hot climatic areas and at that point, easily becomes fragile.

The aluminum tent poles are weightier than the fiberglass poles. They are flexible at extreme temperatures. They are not prone to twisting and crushing when they break. To avoid corrosion after extended use, you are advised to anodize them.

The most reliable tent pole is the carbon fiber pole. It comes highly recommended due its strong composition. It is very light and therefore easily portable. It is not susceptible to snapping. However, it requires careful manufacture and it is invariably more costly than the first two mentioned above.

It is therefore important to consider factors that are vital when it comes to purchasing or choosing tent poles. Failure to consider the purpose of the occasion or the type of tent that you are going to use could expose your guests and yourself to risk of disaster due to the mismatching of the tent and the pole.