A Campsite Shelter – Erecting a Roof Over Your Bed
Putting up a campsite shelter over your campground bed is the best way to keep yourself protected from the elements. Rain, wind, snow, frost – you name it - can be a problem when camping. The idea of camping is to get away from it all and sleeping under the stars is wonderful. However, during the night the weather can change radically, leaving you freezing or drenched!
The last thing any camper needs is to go to sleep under the stars only to wake up in the middle of a storm of downpour. At the very least you are going to wake up covered in dew so if you want to keep warm and dry, erect a decent campsite shelter. Once you have arranged your pad, mat, sleeping bags, mattresses and sheets and blankets go one step further and put a roof over your head!
Not only will a campsite shelter protect your bed from wind, rain and sun, it will also stop pests from feasting on you during the night. A campsite shelter is nothing more than an ordinary tent. Tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes and you will easily find one that fits in with your camping needs. The weather is probably the most important aspect to consider when buying a tent.
When shopping for a campsite shelter consider a style with a one-piece floor. This kind of tent is less likely to allow water to seep in than tents with seamed floors. When you choose a rainfly make sure that it is big enough to cover the bulk of the tent. Find one that has an extended section at the door. This allows you to get in and out of the tent without the whole tent getting wet.
Your campsite shelter should also be big enough. Make sure that your tent will be able to accommodate the camping group comfortably. For most tents this is a size extra than the tent is designed for. So a six person tent will be able to accommodate four people comfortably and still leave room to stow gear.
Remember there are many different styles and designs of campsite shelter. If you’re going to be snow camping, beach camping, or backpacking you may need a specialized tent and accessories. However for most people the following considerations are important when choosing a tent:
1) A campsite shelter with aluminum poles is a good idea. Fiberglass is fragile and can break. You can get it replaced or repaired at a camping store if need be.
2) Make sure your campsite shelter has an adequate rainfly. This acts like an umbrella for your tent. Go for the biggest rainfly you can afford that will cover as much of the tent as possible. Tent walls are water-repellant while a rainfly is waterproof.
3) Find a campsite shelter with folded seams and double stitching. Make sure to apply some seal sealer on all the seams before you use your tent.
4) Choose a campsite shelter with adequate guy lines. The walls of your tent and your rainfly should have loops sown on to them at the middle. The loops can be used to attach guy lines that will help keep the tent walls firm.
5) Buy a campsite shelter with good-sized stake loops. At each corner of the tent base there should be loops. The loops should be big enough so that large plastic stakes cab be used with the tent.
6) Noseeum meshing and a roof vent will help keep bugs out and air circulating through the campsite shelter. Choose a tent with heavy-duty zippers as these are durable and will last a long time.
