Tent Pole Size

I got a free tent from a co-worker, but it needs poles. I contacted the manufacturer, and they don't sell replacements anymore. They gave me the pole length but didn't know the diameter.

I was hoping someone could provide some insight as to what size I should be looking for. The tent has a foot print of approximately 6 ft by 7 ft, and the poles attach to 3/8" grommets in webbing at each corner.

Thanks

 

I think REI sells pole segments, buy a bunch of those and some rip-cord. You'll probably have to rig up the pole ends with something you can tie the ripcord to and still be able to feed it through the sleeves of the tent.

SHOCK cord, not rip cord, lol

 

I would just buy a new tent. They are pretty cheap.
(Just my 5 cents)

 

OK, pole diameter won't be a big deal in most cases.

Fabric sleeves don't care the diameter of your pole.

Plastic clips, a lot of newer tents have sewn in along the pole runs do care about pole diameter and you'd want to insure the pole clicked in and out of them.

Also, you'll have to decide between fiberglass and aluminum. I favor aluminum, costs a lot more but can be cut to length and is very light weight. I've bought aftermarket aluminum poles for all my older fiberglass poled tents. Cost was around $70 to do a tent. So expect the same.. Fiberglass probably $30-$40.

OK, so just buy a bunch of the pole segments and piece them together until you have the pole constructed and fed through the tent pole run and tensioned correctly.. mark that end point on the last pole segment.. cut the segment at that mark. Then, with a long thin metal pole (about as thick as a hanger (can buy one at Home Depot) feed a nylon/spandex cord through each pole segment, one by one, so they all string together. Then tie a knot in the ends, and secure to ends with a clip.. probably the cord and end clips will be provided in a pole replacement kit from REI, or Campmore, etc..

In the end you could have just bought a new tent.. unless the tent is special. My tents are each worth $300-$500 and I also just am the kind of guy who would rather pay twice as much to fix it then replace it.. feel the same about my Yoda.

http://www.polesforyou.com/
http://www.tents-tents-now.com/tents_pole_kits.htm


-Dwight

 

I work at REI and we don't sell replacement poles but if you can identify the tent (brand, model, and year) then tent pole technologies out of WA can set you up with a new set... they also do custom stuff if you cant figure out what you have.. just give them a call and they'll set you up. I've worked customer service at the Phoenix store for a few years and that's who we always use.

http://www.polesforyou.com/

 

Thanks for the info Dwight. I was guessing the diameter wouldn't matter too much but wasn't sure if I went too big if it would damage the tent (too much tension). The tent has fabric sleeves that the poles go through.