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billconner
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08/11/2020 02:28PM  
Recommendations for shock cord to replace in Copper Spur 3 UL poles? Size? Guess on amount?

Thanks in advance.
 
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08/11/2020 06:25PM  
Bill, I replaced the shock cord on our Copper Spur UL3 before last year's Quetico trip. I used 3/32" shock cord, but can't find my notes about exactly how much I used. I vaguely recall buying two packs of Coghlan's 3/32" shock cord which would have been 36' of cord. Didn't use it all, which makes sense when you're looking at 20 pole segments roughly 18" each.

I'm sure you've discovered that the pole tips unscrew; carefully untie the old cord from the tip, tie the new cord to the old, find the opposite end of the old cord, and use the old cord to pull the new into place (that way you don't have to number the poles to keep them in proper position). At the other end of each 'old' cord, pull the new stuff past the end of the pole, pull some extra through for tension, allow a few extra inches for attaching to the second pole tip, tie it off, and screw the tip in place. The two 'ring connectors' each have a plastic insert that's a cord end, so you'll do a similar operation with them.

Intimidating the first time through (especially on a pole system with multiple joints), but easy enough...

TZ
 
08/11/2020 06:33PM  
Bill, I was just looking into this for an old loaner tent in case my brother could make it. There are quite a few tutorials out there if you google. The standard seems to be 1/8" shock cord for poles. Basically seems like you measure the poles, don't include the male portion of ferrule. You'll need 75-80% of that length stretched, but may be advised to get the full length and cut down after threaded. Apparently it can be problematic to thread 7.5 feet of shock cord through 10 feet of poles. Quest Outfitters is a good source for cord and information.
 
straighthairedcurly
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08/11/2020 08:46PM  
I just replaced the shock cord in a different model of tent. I used 3/32" shock cord. To figure out how much, I laid out the poles all fitted together and then measured all the lengths. I added a few feet just to make sure I was covered for any knots, loops, or mistakes. I figured shock cord is cheap and if I had leftover there is always some little project that comes up that needs some.

Trail Zen has a great description of the process. It was a little bit of a guessing game as to how much tension to put on the cord, but it was much easier job than I expected. Not sure why I avoided it for a year.
 
TrekScouter
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08/11/2020 11:04PM  
REI sells it by the foot.
 
billconner
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08/12/2020 06:01AM  
Great help. Thanks all. I did watch BA video on this - helpful.

I find lots of 1/8" cord, but little 3/32". I was going to get a spool because my Timberline is also losing its tension.

Again, thanks!
 
08/12/2020 06:36AM  
Pretty sure Quest Outfitters had 3/32 Bill. About as good a price as anyone and as a plus will ship at actual cost of the cheapest method. My calculated shipping was reduced by a couple of bucks.
 
08/12/2020 09:32AM  
straighthairedcurly: "Trail Zen has a great description of the process. It was a little bit of a guessing game as to how much tension to put on the cord, but it was much easier job than I expected. Not sure why I avoided it for a year."


Thanks, SHC, but I really messed up my description of the tensioning process for the cord--I was in too big a hurry to start a new Michael Connelly book! So let me try again:

Each section of shock cord has two terminal fittings; we'll call them A & B. On the UL3 three styles of terminal fitting are used. Ball-end fittings are used on each end of the cross-tent spreader pole. Grommet-pin fittings are used on the four upright pole ends. Plastic T-fittings are used on the ends of the ridge pole at the two ring connectors. Pick a fitting (A); unscrew it from the pole section if it's a ball-end or grommet-pin fitting, pry it out if it's a plastic T-fitting. Tie the new cord to the old cord and pull through all pole segments to the other terminal fitting (B). Note how the shock cord is tied into a loop that's adjustable, and duplicate this set-up on the B fitting, then replace the B fitting in the pole segment or ring connector. Go back to the A fitting position, slip all pole segments together for this shock cord section, then pull enough of the new shock cord from the assembled pole to duplicate the tension you remember in your tent when new. Mark the location of the cord at the A fitting position, cut the new cord with ~5" extra cord, duplicate the adjustable knot on fitting A, and replace it in the pole segment or ring connector. (Note: I used a medium bulldog clip to keep the cord from being pulled into the pole assembly while doing my cutting & knotting.) You've finished your first cord replacement; test that the pole properly folds and snaps together, adjust if needed. Go to another fitting and repeat the process. The UL3 and similar pole sets have four shock cord sections.

TZ
 
08/12/2020 10:23AM  
boonie: "Bill, I was just looking into this for an old loaner tent in case my brother could make it. There are quite a few tutorials out there if you google. The standard seems to be 1/8" shock cord for poles. Basically seems like you measure the poles, don't include the male portion of ferrule. You'll need 75-80% of that length stretched, but may be advised to get the full length and cut down after threaded. Apparently it can be problematic to thread 7.5 feet of shock cord through 10 feet of poles. Quest Outfitters is a good source for cord and information. "


I did exactly what Boonie is describing with an ALPS solo tent that I take everywhere now. I was replacing the aluminum poles with graphite ones to cut down weight. I ordered from Quest to get the poles and went to Midwest here in MPS to get the lengths of shock cord that I needed. I adjusted the length of the shock cord as I put the pole sections together. An 1/8" diameter sounds about right too.
 
billconner
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08/12/2020 12:48PM  
I got through to BA customer support. 3/32 of 7/64 - but 1/8 too big they say. For my Copper Spur 3 UL - 25 1/2'.

Now to find the crimps for my Timberline Outfitter.

 
yellowhorse
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08/12/2020 07:58PM  
Just re-corded my poles on an old north face from a youtube video tutorial. Just insert poles, measure the length and keep the poles in order as you re thread the poles. I'd have to check but believe it's 1/8. ( i just measured the old cord to match) Ordered 100' of new shock cord from amazon. I could mail you some blue cord if you know the length you need as I can't fathom what i'll do with 100'
 
08/12/2020 09:10PM  
A couple of forceps will help immensely with the project.

butthead
 
billconner
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08/13/2020 06:25AM  
I ordered 10 yards if 3/32 from Quest. Best price I could find. Since its not broken now, I hope to pull new with old.

Thanks all! Great help.
 
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