Bent tent pole, how to proceed?

You are kind of light on details here….  Are you concerned about a catastrophic failure?  If you still get an acceptable (to you) pitch and there is no localized buckling in the bend then I wold see no reason why you need to replace it.

I’m sure TarpTent will sell you a replacement at a reasonable cost if you do want a new one.

replacement arch poles

A tent repair sleeve might be in order, depending on the severity of the bend.

Yeah, my bad I left out some details. I was actually using my 9mm Scarp pole in my Moment as they’re the same length. There’s about 1/2″ deflection on a 16″ pole, no crack. It was my last night out and I haven’t re-pitched but I’m sure the bend will blend into the curve. I am worried it will easily bend further in the next storm.

Tarptent sells single replacement sections so I’ll call and ask if that will leave me good as new. I’d hate to buy a whole new pole or go out with a compromised shelter.

It is possible it will fail, but I wouldn’t worry too much about it.  When metals yield they actually become stiffer.  It is called ‘work hardening’ or ‘cold working’.

I’d go with a new section, now if you can, while you can.  I’ve bent a section in an older tent, no longer supported by the manufacturer and then I had to find the same ID/OD in a longer length, cut it down, finish the cut end, etc.

So, since you now know this can happen, order two – one to use now, one in back stock.

IME, they are fine to use when bent.  If you try to bend it back, do that at home, not on the trail  That’s the only time I’ve broken one – trying to bend it back.  If you break one on the trail, then you really want to have a pole sleeve with you.  They’re about 4 inches long and have an ID a bit more than the poles’ OD so you can fit it over the break.

The radius of the Moment arch may be a bit too tight for the 9mm pole.

I had that problem with a Bibler tent, after using it a dew times one or two sections would bend (3 identical poles) and remain bent.

I changed a couple but the same thing happen however they did not bend any further nor gave signs of braking.

Either get a new pole from Tarptent or call Tentpole Technology and purchase one section to replace the bent one.

I gotta ask, why did you use a Scarp pole in a Moment?

Tentpole Technology will pre-bend a pole if necessary.They had to do this for me when I ordered a stiffer, stronger “winter” main pole (thicker tube wall and larger diameter) for my Scarp 2 B/C it would not bend like the lighter OEM 3-season pole. They need your arch height and pole tip-to-tio distance on the ground to get the correct arch curvature.

Thanks for the replies. I still haven’t followed up. Eric, I figured the thicker pole would help as I was doing some very windy exposed camping. Franco may be correct about the arch radius being off.

For poles of equal length, just about any tube material of uniform diameter will yield the same arc. You can just compare the lengths of the 9mm (.340″) and the Moment (Easton “nanotube”) Pole (.344″ with thinner wall), and if they are the same length, the arcs should be identical when flexed over the same distance.

If the permanent bend is in just one or two sections, as suggested by your OP, individual sections of either pole are available from Quest Outfitters for under $3. As I recall, TT uses the Easton stock length pole sections except for an end section that is cut to achieve the desired pole length.

That must have been quite a blow to permanently bend a 9mm Easton 340, which is heavier and stronger than the 344, and highly tempered at T9. A good argument for using guylines (TT provides loops at the attachment points). One line staked at the front, one at the back. That may be the only way to obtain the additional strength desired for such high winds.

Putting in a new section is not hard. Rethreading the old (or new) shock cord is a bit easier if you plan it so the threading will be done from the ferrule end of each section.

It’s been a while since buying a TT, so hope the above info is still accurate.
EDIT: Recalled that TT poles from Easton may use nylon (plastic) tips that are a press fit. Easy enough to pull out and push back in, and also sold by Quest Outfitters if a replacement is needed. Quest has always been very prompt, at least between FL and NH in the Eastern USA. They have been good with telephone orders and questions, although haven’t dealt with them in a while. They have not always been the greatest with technical questions, which are best addressed directly to Easton.

You can fill the pole with sand and try bending it back. The principle behind it can be seen in the pipe bending video. Copper tubing is easily bent by the sand fill method.