BWCA DIY Tent Modifications Boundary Waters Group Forum: Do It Yourself Gear
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Tomcat
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11/15/2018 10:47AM  
I modify my tents to increase strength, reduce pack size, and simplify set-up / take down.

Modifications:
Custom cut aluminum poles. ( strength / compactness )
Custom sew storage bags. ( compactness )
Add rainfly stake loops. ( strength )
Add stake loop extensions. ( convenience )
Add rainfly guyline pole clips. ( convenience )
 
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Grandma L
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11/15/2018 10:48PM  
Sounds like you are busy - pictures? I do a lot of tent and pack sewing - it would be nice to see what you are up to.
 
Tomcat
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11/16/2018 06:14AM  
I replaced the seven origina 9.5mm fiberglass poles on my Cabela's Alaskan Guide 4 person tent with one 9.5mm aluminum pole and six 11mm aluminum poles, cut the pole sections shorter for more compact storage, and sewed a custom storage bag to hold the poles and 24 titanium stakes.
 
Tomcat
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11/16/2018 06:39AM  
I sewed extra stake loops to the rainfly of my Kelty Brush Creek 2 person tent, replaced the original 9mm aluminum poles with 9.5mm aluminum poles, cut the pole sections shorter for more compact storage, add stake loop extensions, replaced the hook/pile rainfly guyline pole attachment with pole clips, and sewered custom storage bags for the poles, stakes, and tent body/rainfly.
 
Tomcat
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11/16/2018 07:44AM  
 
11/16/2018 11:31AM  
I really like your custom pole bags, neat idea.
 
BobDobbs
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12/19/2018 09:07AM  
not really a mod, but since this is a slow thread I'll chime in.

We use a Big Agness Seedhouse tent (3 person). This particular tent has a lot of headroom at the door end, and not much at the foot end.

One nite the wife accidentally pitched it with the head end on a slight decline, and we didn't notice until well after dark (and a couple whiskys). Not wanting to redo the tent, we grudgingly slept with our head in the foot end. We intended to leave the door open for a little while to look at the stars, but ended up falling asleep before zipping it up.

That nite got about as cold as we've experienced in the BW, and we never once woke up - turns out this simple 'mod' extends the temp range of our setup by a lot.
 
12/19/2018 09:46AM  
Full frame replacements to a Camptrails Dome (fiberglass to aluminum) and Sierra Designs Clip3 (rebuild and replace with .433 aluminum). And many replacement pole section installs.



Guyline and adjusters regularly changed to my tastes with glow in the dark parts, and loop attachments.



Custom cut footprint's of nylon, poly-tarp , Tyvek.



Sick of getting to the door zipper on a deep vestabule? Added a florecent green cord between the top and bottom pulls on my Alps Extreme.



Regular repairs and relocation of guyline attachment locations. Personalizing the shelter package by changing stuff sacks, removal of factory tags, stake upgrading (I like MSR Groundhog and Titamium Spike). Only shelter I owned and not personalized/upgraded was a Walrus Hurricane Hole.

butthead

 
Tomcat
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12/19/2018 10:53AM  
 
Tomcat
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12/19/2018 11:05AM  
 
Tomcat
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12/20/2018 11:26AM  
 
Tomcat
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12/20/2018 11:33AM  
 
Grandma L
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12/21/2018 10:41AM  
Tomcat: "I made a set of poles and a pole/stake storage bag for my Nemo Bugout shelter. I also added additional stake out loops to the bottom of the netting and shortened the storage bag.


"

Nice looking modifications/additions. Now I have to get busy this winter and do mine. thanks for the inspirations.
 
Portage99
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07/02/2019 07:06AM  
I’ve never worked on tents. The elastic rope inside the tent poles has lost its elasticity. Can someone give me a very simple explanation of how you replace this rope? And with what type of rope? Thanks!
 
07/02/2019 08:13AM  
REI pole repair
There's a pile of "how to videos" on youtube.

butthead
 
Tomcat
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07/02/2019 03:48PM  

 
01/14/2020 12:52AM  
I've got the 8 man version of the Cabelas Alaskan tent for car camping. Those fiberglass poles weigh a ton! Glad to see there is an option to reduce the weight and increase strength.

This DIY forum is great. I never would of thought of beefing up all my tent poles.

Now I've got another thing to add to the list of projects! :)
 
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