I got my Hogan last week and put it up in the lounge (tipping it down outside) and all was well, the tent was so easy to put up and had a suprising size to it, in height length and width, I was well happy.

My mate Chris came round to see it (after all he will be sleeping in it too) and as I was putting it up, and upon putting in the third and final leg, the center "hub" snaps underneath the leg I'm putting in.

The only thing differently I did the second time round was that I put the back leg in first, rather than the two front ones as per the first time...

I'm still confident in the tent after the first time up and I'm guessing (hoping) it was weak bonding it had for this to have happened. I'll be calling VauDe tomorrow to get a replacement.

Has anyone else heard of anything like this with the Mark range of tents?

I've been using a Mark II for the last couple of years in Wales, Lake District, Peak District and Rocky mountains in all months and weather. I've never had a problem with the poles apart from forgetting to thread them through the loops on the outside every time. I think it's probably an isolated incident.

I would hope it was (an isolated incident) as they have been making this range for some time now :) Hopefully all will be well and they'll supply a new hub.

What do you mean you keep forgetting to thread them through the loops?

on the Mark II the poles go on the outside and half way down the flysheet there's a loop to put them through that tensions the fly. I keep slotting all the poles together and putting them into the muliclips at the base, finish pegging it out then realse I have to undo the poles again to put them through the loops.

Uhmmm, I've got a Mark II and don't recall seeing loops on the flysheet. If I get time, I'll unpack it tonight and have a look. Could be that you've got a younger/older model than me.

On the pole front, I loaned my tent out to somebody last summer and they brought it back with two snapped pole sections. Best guess was that they had failed to push the sections together properly and, under tension, they gave way.

No quibble replacement from Vaude tho'.

Phoned them today, explained it to them and it was an instant "are you okay to fit a replacement hub?" :D

The guy (Colin) said he'd heard this problem before, but it is usually down to the hole not being cut through the center.

I don't recall having a loop to put my poles through, although half way up (or half way down i guess) there is a piece of fabric to wrap around the pole and to a guy line, maybe this has been changed?

It could be a difference between the Hogan and Mark II. My Mark II is 2 years old.

Didn't get around to pulling the tent out but did have a look at the wee setup diagram that's sewn onto the stuff sack. No mention of any loops halfway down the fly.

I've only ever used the shockcord to tension the outer and that seems to work for me. :o)

It's a mystery, so it is.

Let us know how you get on with the Hogan, Daniel.

I'll have to photograph them next time I put it up.

Dave. You're right. It just came back to me. There ARE loops on the fly but I think they're for when you want to attach extra guy lines.

You could've discovered a new use for them tho'. :o)

Cheers.

They certainly helped tension the tent better in 50mph winds high up in Colorado. You may be right about them being for extra guys, I just looked at where they were and assumed the poles should go through them, especially as they pull the fly tighter.

I'm so glad you found them though, I was starting to worry and nearly went to get the tent out to check I wasn't imagining them.

Nae bother. I was getting a bit concerned myself there for a while.

Cheers Dave.

I forgot to take the poles to work with me today to tell VauDe which pole bit I need (the length etc...) so will have to wait till tomorrow. But they will definately be sending out a new hub and pole when I phone them.

Then I'll have to work out their shock cord system, which seems different to the past ones I've dealt with (coleman, vango, wynnster), to put the new hub and pole section in :)

Fun and games eh!

Also, do you get a repair kit (patches and seam seal etc..) with the VauDe tents? All the manufactuers seem to include one...

yes, the usual sealant, patch and emergency pole sleeve. The pegs are nice too :)