Tent Peak

[Lance]

I’m hoping to get some advice on how to finish the peaks for my tent. Hopefully this isn’t too confusing.

My primary objective is to use a piece of fabric to that is either a triangle or diamond shape to cover the area where the two doors meet at the peak.

What is the best way to create the “basket” area for the trekking pole handle? Should I sew the top of the doors about 4-5 inches from the peak to keep it secure?

Any other ways to do this?

 

[James Marco]

Well, there are a couple ways to handle this.

Sew the added material for the pocket onto the panels before stitching things together. An extra stitch at the seams (rather than two stitches, use three) at the peak will finish it. The last tiny bit always gives you trouble anyway.

You could also use a circle, pinned as needed, then fold & stitch the excess evenly across each pinned joint. Snip off any overhanging fabric, of course. Then turn it inside out and hem it, closing up open joints. Then stitch it down to the tent panels rather solidly. Of course, you will need to stop the doors at the cup and seam seal it in that area.

[William N]

I have a DIY rain fly that I use with my hiking poles point down stabbed into the ground (not the standard method).  I think this is what you’re doing. I don’t have a ‘patch’ to protect the Silnylon and so far I’ve not had any problems. There’s not a specific spot for where the handles meet the fabric. I have stuffed a sock between the handle of my walking pole and the silnylon when there were high winds.  I think this is a useful workaround if you start noticing wear at one spot.

My set-up method is that I have a length of line that has two loops in it. I stab one pole into the ground, put one loop, then put the loop over the handle of the other pole and then use this distance to stab that pole. Next I stake out from each pole and then put the fly over the top. Not the most efficient set-up (and so far I haven’t encountered any stab proof ground). It is nearly idiot proof, which I’m an expert.

Now that I’m thinking… what if you made a ‘sock’ that slid down over the pole handle. The bottom of the ‘sock’ -where it’s sewn to your tent, could be your wear spot. (wear would come from movement, not from force) To set up, insert your pole handles into the socks and then stab one in the ground and then the other. the sock wouldn’t have to be snug, just tight enough that the handle doesn’t just drop out. This would avoid all the excess ‘clothes-line’ stringing I do.

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