Tipi Instructions
Hello and thanks for buying one of our Tipi Tents.
Here are the instructions for the best way to put it up, take it down
and how to store when not in use.
We’ve provided a step-by-step picture guide for you to follow
along with the written instructions.
At the bottom of these instructions we’ve added some advice
and tips on how to get years of good service out of your tent
by looking after it properly.
Enjoy! And don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions,
good ideas or better ways of doing it. Once you’ve erected your tent,
we would love to see your Boutique Camping pictures, so please send
them to us at [email protected].
They may even feature on our blog or Facebook page!
Putting up a Tipi Tent
Some general advice
• We advise having 2 people to erect the tent, as it will of course
simplify the process. By all means, you can put it up on your own,
but of course the more the merrier, easier and quicker!
• Find a flat piece of land, with ample space to comfortably put up
your tent remembering to include room for the guy ropes
• To prevent damaging the groundsheet, remove all sharp objects
from the area. Things like stones and roots etc
• Be careful when creating tension with the guy ropes, always try to
keep the tension even, and never over do it. Be firm but gentle.
• Before you peg out the tent, make sure all zips are closed, and
check again when you adjust the guy ropes
• Peg out the guy ropes in line with the tent seams
How to Put Up Your Tipi
A1)Open all bags and lay out
all parts. There are two bundles of
purple guys ropes. One set with
metal adjusters and one set without.
Unravel them.
A2) Unroll the tipi, canvas side up, and find the centre (hat).
It is velcroed to the top. Separate the hat from the tipi and tie all the guys
(without metal adjusters) to the hat. We recommend using a bowline knot.
A3) Now tie all the remaining guys to the tipi as follows
Lay out the tipi so you expose the
guy connector points as in picture
(there are two wedding connector
points on each vertical seem. We
will call them Top and bottom
connector points.
Taking one guy at a time, untie
the guy rope knot from the
metal adjuster as in pic.
Take the end you just untied and tread it through the bottom connecting point,
from left to right. And retie the knot into the metal adjuster
Now tie the other end to the
top connector point
(we recommend using a
bowline knot)
Complete attaching all the
guys to the connector points
the same way.
B1) Putting up the Tipi up
Find a suitable pitch and clear away any twigs or stones. Roll out Tipi and
position door as required (think about wind direction and views)
Take out the pegs bag and
find the thinner of the two
sizes.
Walk around the tent placing
each peg through the ground
sheet eye, pulling the ground
sheet out each time.
Attach the hat to the top of
the tipi, by reattaching
the Velcro
Open the pole bag, and
connect the pole.
Walk into tipi with pole and
find the top and the hat
Push the pole into the top
and the hat and walk the
pole upwards until it is
vertical. The tipi will stay
up (unless it is windy)
Collect up a third of the remaining pegs and start placing them in the ground
whilst connecting them to the adjustable guy lines; directly opposite the
vertical seams .
Position the pegs the same distance from the tipi all the way round. Tighten the
adjuster end of the guy as you go round a second time.
Now straighten the hat to have the flaps and the two flap guy lines next to each other
Now line up the hat guys with
the vertical seams. Once lined
up pass each guy end through
the black webbing eyelet and
tie a bowline in each
This loop can be pegged out
Finally the remaining pegs are
for the skirt tensioner. If you
are expecting rain these pags
are a must,as the tension
allows water to run straight off.
The pegs go throughthe
webbing slider loop at the
base of each vertical seam.
If you are using the tipi without a ground sheet, then these webbing loop pegs are
essential, as they become the replacements for the smaller ground sheet pegs
Be sure to push every peg in to the ground at a suitable angle,
and as deep as possible.
Finally you can play with the hat flap to allow air out of the top.
Job done!
Next time you put your Tipi up it will take a fraction of the time, you should
find it takes around 10 minutes.
Taking down your Tipi
If you follow this routine your tent will stay clean, dry and last you for years.
It is VITAL that your tent is stored Bone Dry. If you have to take it down wet
get it straight out when you get home and hang it over something to
start drying it out.
If you wait a day or so you run the risk of mould. Once you get that you’re
stuck with it as it grows inside the material not just on the surface of it.
Hang it on a washing line, in the garage or over furniture, anywhere
where it can start to dry.
You should remember to take your tent down on the groundsheet. This way it
doesn’t touch the ground and get stained and muddy.
1) Get everything out of the tent and brush out any mud and dirt
2) Remove the pegs holding the stabilizing guy ropes
3) Loosen the adjustable straps and un-tuck the bottom of the skirt
4) Remove the central pole and the tent will drop in on itself,
and rest on the groundsheet.
5) Zip up the door
6) Remove pegs at bottom of the wall of the tent, but not the
groundsheet pegs yet.
7) Either take shoes off or crawl onto the tent and pull the top of
the tent over to one side
8) Go round throwing all the guy ropes onto the centre of the tent
9) Put the bag next to the tent so you can tell how thick a roll you
need to create.
10) Take one side and fold over towards the middle so the edge
ends up in the middle of the tent.
11) Repeat on the other side
12) Repeat the folding until you end up with a roll the same
width as the bag.
13)Place the roll on the bag to stop grass stains/mud
15) Now un-peg the groundsheet. Unless you are in the driest of dry
conditions there will be condensation from the grass on the underside.
You need to let this dry off so, weather permitting, flip the ground sheet
over (don’t do it on the same spot as the condensation was) and give
it couple of minutes to dry off. A couple of pegs will stop it flying away
and consider laying it over something dry if the grass around is wet (car,
tarmac, fence, whatever) Not doing this means you’re storing a damp
tent + possible mould.) If you have to take it home damp pack
it separately to the tent, dry it off when home and then pack together.
(If you have to take the groundsheet home wet underneath, try
folding it in on itself so the wet bits touch the wet bits, and the dry
outside will stay dry.)
16) OR if all nice and dry - fold the groundsheet in on itself until you end
up with a strip the same width as the tent, then fold it again until you have
a square. Then slightly unroll the tent. Put the groundsheet, poles and pegs
on top, and roll it all up. So everything is together inside the tent.
17) Use the ties to secure, and put it in the bag.
Job done and as the poles and pegs are secure in the middle
of the tent they are protected and you won’t leave them behind.
Cleaning Your Tipi Tent
What with the British weather, odds on you’ll probably get some mud splattered on it at
some point.The best way to get it off is to leave it alone until it’s dried out. If that means
taking the tent out again when you get home then that’s what you need to do.
Once the tent is bone dry, a stiff hand brush will work miracles. If you mess around with
wet mud or a wet cloth you’ll end up just rubbing it in.
To clean the Groundsheet, wash it with a hose and broom/brush or a not to powerful
jet-wash and allow to dry.
General Information
Cotton.
Cotton tent canvas can be divided into three different kinds: lightweight, middleweight
and heavyweight canvas.
Lightweight canvas weighs between 130 and 180 gr/m² and is suited for lightweight
expeditions on foot.
Middleweight canvas weighs between 180 and 220 gr/m² and is used for tents designed
to remain for longer periods in one place.
Heavyweight canvas weighs 220 to 320 gr/m². Bungalow tents, group tents and army
tents are being made out of this. Therefore you just bought what is rated as a heavyweight canvas tent.
Cotton shrinks when wet, making itself waterproof when it rains.
The canvas has been impregnated to protect it from dirt, ultraviolet radiation and fungus.
Advantages Cotton / Canvas:
- Strong
- Breathing and humidity regulating
Disadvantages cotton:
- Dries slowly
- Sensitive for dirt and fungus
Maintenance
The cotton must be dry before storing the tent. Never keep the tent stored away wet
for longer than two days. Otherwise fungus can affect the canvas witch will create little
black irremovable dots. The canvas has been impregnated with anti fungi but when using
the tent often this process should be repeated every two years. Maintenance starts when
setting up the tent.
When the tent has not been erected properly uneven forces will pull on the canvas.
This could eventually lead to damage. It is in your interest to keep the canvas as clean
as possible and remove stains when created. Dust can best be wiped away with a soft
brush,very soft!
Lifespan
The lifespan of your tent is very dependent upon camping conditions.
Air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, natural dirt (bird droppings, sand, salt water)
and domestic dirt (cooking stains, soda, wine, sun cream) limit the lifespan of your
cotton canvas tent.
- Lightweight canvas last 15 to 40 weeks.
- Middle-weight cotton canvas 20 to 40 weeks
- Heavy-weight canvas 40 to 60 weeks of outdoor usage.
Zippers
The zips sometime have to endure extreme tension caused by wind, badly erected,
pressures caused by people or object leaning into the tent.
- Handle the zippers with care.
- To protect the zippers treat them with silicones once in a while.
- Verify zippers before using, no insurance on zippers after use.
Fungus and stains
Due to insufficient ventilations fungus can affect the canvas. It is important to store your
tent dry so no fungus or other stains can appear. When you have to temporarily store the
tent wet, be sure to put your tent back out to dry ASAP.
- Store your tent 100% dry.
- When dealing with fungus use a soft brush or sponge and a lot of fresh water.
Only use specialised tent-cleaning product to remove difficult stains. Other chemical
products can cause the cotton to leak. We suggest you have your tent re-impregnated
after washing it.
Leaking
Cotton can, when new, let some air through and leak around the seams. After
the canvas has been wet once this will no longer happen because of the cotton
expanding. Very light stains can appear on a wet tent, this causes no problems.
Mainly because of ultraviolet radiation workingon the tent this layer will wear down
no longer making the tent waterproof.
- To preserve your tents water resistance and prolong its lifespan, the outside
should be regularly treated with a sealant (you can get a can of Seam Sealant
from our website)
Any problems or questions feel free to call us; even if it’s a weekend we’ll try and
answer.
Or email us at [email protected]
We hope you have lots of fun with your tent
BC x
www.boutiquecamping.com
[email protected]
0203 394 2986