> I don't know the tent in question... but wouldn't it be better to copy something a bit more special
Well, you could, of course.
But not if you want to use the alloy poles. Bear in mind that these things are knocking around for £10-£15. As they come, they're not a bad little tent, but, as the OP thinks, it might be possible to slowly replace the bits of the tent until you've got a lightweight version.
I didn't expect to get so many replies. There seem to be a lot of like minded people here, i to have been thinking about replacing the fly etc using the old tent as a template. Then i thought why don't i go the whole hog and make my own tarptent.
I found this site selling ripstop nylon 38gms says coated with Silicon i wonder if its silnylon its a great price 99p per metre.
In the meantime I probably will be fiddling with the Pro Action to see how much weight i can shave off. I like the idea of changing the heavy buckles i hadn't thought of that, thanks Anthony.
I was contemplating getting another hike lite, while they are still under half price so that at least i have a spare if i kill mine
> I don't know the tent in question... but wouldn't it be better to copy something a bit more special
Well, you could, of course.
But not if you want to use the alloy poles. Bear in mind that these things are knocking around for £10-£15. As they come, they're not a bad little tent, but, as the OP thinks, it might be possible to slowly replace the bits of the tent until you've got a lightweight version.
I know people pay silly money for tents on eBay... but if that was my goal I'd try to buy something much loved off ebay & repair/replace from there. Unless it had been abused, the poles should be the last thing to deteriorate in an old tent as they're not subject to the problems of UV or seam failure.
Still, I take the point... good to have something cheap to play about with and the poles must be the hardest thing to make as 'DIY' items.
Unless it had been abused, the poles should be the last thing to deteriorate in an old tent as they're not subject to the problems of UV or seam failure.
I would beg to differ, poles are IME are often the first thing to go because of things like corrosion and work hardening. This seams to show more in tents which are put up and down for each night. Plus it's often hard to tell if they been abused.
corrosion? On alu poles? You're point about work hardening (or maybe more likely metal fatigue) is fair; but I've seen a good few 'elderly' tents where the fabrics are shot and the poles are still fine. I guess it depends on usage & materials.
Yeah, really need to be wet. Often people will remember to dry their tent but not the poles. Oh and if you really want help them along add a dissimilar metal like a funny tent peg.
> I've seen a good few 'elderly' tents where the fabrics are shot and the poles are still fine.
Tents used for car or base camping will show this well because of the high UV hit of being up all day.
