Securing your tent in windy or stormy weather

[DaveS]

We were discussing this in another thread and it seemed worthwhile a thread in it's own right.

I've been rather lucky over the years and only once can I recall being battered by wind when camping at Princetown on Dartmoor. However the extended family regale me with stories of being up all night trying to hold a tent down, so clearly I have been lucky!

So on the basis of forewarned is forearmed or something like that, what advice do the wise sages we have kicking about here have?

Already Delta pegs have been mentioned as a well designed tent peg, where the more force is put on it the more it digs in to the ground.
Delta Ground Anchors and Tent Pegs – the really strong tent peg

Is it just a case of using these or what else can you do?

[2gocampin]

Hi Dave,

Following on from the other thread really but thought it a good idea to drop this link on here www.clamcleats.com they replace the standard guy line adjusters and do not slip unlike the type you get on all tents from new. Pair these up with Deltas and good strong guy lines and you wont go far wrong. Oh and its the Line Lok ones your looking for.

In extreme weather you could always add extra guy lines to your storm guys and peg out these guy lines into the wind to help support the tent. Never adjust the angel of the original guy lines though and always peg them in line with the poles and at 45 degrees. Also and where possible use your vehicle to help shield the tent so it does not get the full force of the wind helps.

And if that lot dont work seek refuge in the local pub !!

[dadsbeaniemad]

Clingons are another useful thing to have in your kit for 'just in case'
Clingons - The movable, reusable, instant eyelet

We always use Deltas and take extra guy lines, line loks and clingons with us in the 'just in case' kit.

What about storm straps? We have used one on the caravan awning in the past. What are your thoughts on using them on tents?

At Easter we used the car as a windbreak and went out and bought a 'beautiful' stripy wooden pole one . To me they still seem better than the new ones with metal poles.

[Austin]

Like you Dave, I have never had an issue with windy weather and tents. I think it pays to spend time when putting it up to make sure the pegs are angled right (I was taught as a scout to get the angle between the peg and guy/elastic/loop to be 90 degrees) and pulling the fabric in the correct direction and angle. Also worth a quick walk around the tent adjusting tension from time to time, and certainly just before bedtime . If it starts flapping fix it straightaway or it is bound to move round the tent making the whole thing loose.