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[N357]Northwest Territory Camping Tents

by Nicole Munoz, Nic

Camping tents are portable shelters small enough to be folded or rolled and carried by one person. Tents consist of a sheet of fabric of similar material draped over or attached to a frame of poles. Modern tents have durable waterproof fabrics and foldable aluminum poles.

Camping tents vary in size. There are those that are large enough to sleep one person. Others are quite large and can sleep a whole family. Modern camping tents can be pitched in five to ten minutes.

Although camping tents are designed to be tough, rugged, and durable to stand against nature's elements, they are not maintenance-free. Camping tents will last as long as their owners take care of them. Maintaining the quality of camping tents is essential; a tent is usually the only thing that stands between a camper and survival.

Here are some tips on how to take care of camping tents.

1) Camping tents should be waterproofed. Most tent manufacturers indicate that their tents are waterproof, and all the seals and stitches are sealed. However, it would be better if you double-seal them for additional safety. Expert outdoorsmen recommend contacting the manufacturer and use the seam sealer the company is using to reseal the seals.

2) Bring extra parts when camping. Bringing along extra zippers, duct tape, fabric, and other materials will help you make field repairs. Remember that the longer it takes to repair the damage, the greater the damage will become.

3) Practice setting up the tent. By practicing how to set up your camping tent, you will have a lesser chance of ripping, bending, or breaking parts of the tent. It will also allow you to set up the tent quickly.

4) Bring the correct states and use them. Stakes help secure the tent to the ground. If you are camping in good weather and on firm ground, then regular stakes are adequate. If you are setting up in loose soil, or if the weather is windy, then sturdier stakes are required. Make sure that the correct tension is applied to the stakes.

5) Avoid setting up camping tents in direct sunlight. Even if camping tents are advertised as all-weather, they take damage from direct exposure from the sun. UV light from direct sunlight weakens and deteriorates the fabric of the tents. Therefore it is best to set up tents in the shade.

6) Use ground cover. Before setting up a camping tent, it is recommended that a tent footprint or tarp be placed on the ground where the tent is pitched. This protects the floor of the tent from dirt, rocks, twigs, and other objects that can rip the tent's base. It also helps keep the water on the ground out of the tent.

7) Ventilate the tent properly. Moisture can accumulate inside a tent. Opening a window or a flap will keep the inside of the tent from condensing.

8) After each use, thoroughly clean and dry the tent. This prolongs tent life.

Remember that camping tents are like fine wine; with proper care, they improve with age.

Nowadays, camping has evolved from simply being an activity that involves temporary outdoor living to being a mode of living. Sleeping, eating, and working outdoors are more than just urges, they are thought to be biological characteristics of man. The "return to nature" movement has helped develop modern camping, designing it now to supplement modern living and provide opportunities for the development of outdoor skills. The camper employs a minimum of primitive but functional equipment that furnishes almost all of civilization's basic conveniences. One such necessary equipment is the camping tent.

Factors to Consider

Standard tents used to be "two-party-affair" pup tents. For larger parties, taller and warmer wall tents, having floors and screening of suitable fabric to make them insect-proof, were readily available.

With the growth of organized camping, the industry that provides such equipment has steadily grown. And with more campers paying close attention to structural factors, tents should now be manageable, useful, made of sturdy materials, and uncomplicated to set-up and put away. The temperature ranges in which a camper will be camping also need to be considered when buying this equipment.

Keeping all these in mind, shopping for a tent isn't easy. The marketing jargon for tents can also befuddle the neophyte camper. Conversely, camping tents can simply be classified as either 3-season or 4-season.

The 3-Season Tent

The average 3-season tent is functional in light to moderate weather conditions. The fact that it is built to hold up for temperature ranges in spring, summer and fall, and in almost any location, fittingly gives it the name 3-season tent. This type of tent is normally less expensive than a 4-season tent. 3-season tents also come in an infinite array of features and prices, and can be bought at specialty camping stores or from large merchandisers. Those of great quality let the air in, but keep the moisture out.

The 4-Season Tent

The pricier 4-season tent may or may not have a rugged "bathtub" floor which is merely an excellent waterproof floor that comes up to about six inches on most 4-season tents' sides. These tents are suitable for year-round camping, and for whatever weather conditions there might be. They have a minimum of four aluminum poles for support, with some brands having more than that. Such specification is great for inclement winter weather. 4-season tents can also come in sleek outlines, are usually dark-colored to soak up heat better and are also lighter.

The 3-Season vis-à-vis the 4-Season

Most campers still prefer the 3-season tent because it makes for a great family camping tent. As long as it's used in the seasons specified, it can still provide adequate protection from the elements. However, 3-season tents cannot withstand powerful snowfall, lashing rain and rough winds. They are not suitable for such wilderness outings as an Alaskan excursion in January.

Too much insulation can be a problem during the summer months for a 4-season tent. The heftier price tag of a 4-season could also sway a buyer towards a 3-season. But for the camper who plans to commune with nature in the wilderness and in stormy winter, the 4-season would be a better choice.

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Both Nicole Munoz & Rachel Nunez are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Nicole Munoz has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cooking Tips, Careers and Job Hunting and SEO Articles. For more tips and information about , check out. Nicole Munoz's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.

Rachel Nunez has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family Concerns, Children and Software. For more tips and information about , check out. Rachel Nunez's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.