How To Fold Pop Up Tents Like A Boss (DIY Step-By-Step w/ Videos)

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Are you interested in buying a pop up tent?

Have you heard about this new craze in camping and found yourself too tempted not to try it out for yourself?

Are you worried about learning how to fold pop up tents?

If you’ve never seen a pop up tent before, this is a product that is designed to function just like a traditional small tent, but it pops up immediately on opening rather than needing to be pitched. These are used for camping almost everywhere, and they are not toys—they’re real tents!

It’s true that folding a pop up tent can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be! In this article, we’ll walk you through all the steps in the process of setting up and folding down your pop up tent so you don’t have to be worried about it at all.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to use one, read on.

How to Fold a Pop Up Tent for Storage

Now that you know what a pop up tent is (and what it isn’t), it’s time to learn how to set yours up and take it down again. Most people don’t have much trouble setting up a pop up tent, provided it isn’t damaged, but because of the way the tent works, it may be a struggle to take it down when the time comes. This can be embarrassing if you’re camping in a spot with a lot of other people around you who seem to know what they’re doing, and it may be frustrating if you spend hours struggling with your tent before you can leave at the end of your vacation.

By following the tips and steps listed below, you’ll be well on your way to understanding the right way to operate your pop up tent from start to finish in no time.

1
To set up your pop up tent, start by looking for a spacious flat area to set it up. Picking a place that’s a little higher than the surrounding ground is a good option if there’s a risk of flooding during your trip.
2
Clear the area of rocks and sticks that may be in the way. Be sure you have enough space around your tent for safe cooking—20 feet away from the tent is the requirement.
3
Open the tent bag and set the stakes aside. Pull the tent out of the bag.
4
Slide the holding band off of the tent while holding it safely away from your body. The tent should spring open immediately!
5
Position the tent with the door facing the right direction.
6
Look for the loops on the ends of the tent. Thread the stakes through the loops and hammer them (or push very hard) into the ground with the hooked top of the stakes facing away from the tent.
7
Look for the guide lines on top of your tent. These should look like long cords or cables.
8
Pull them out so they’re as taut and tense as possible and use the remaining stake pegs to secure them to the ground the same way. Again, be sure they are facing away from the tent.
9
Double check everything to make sure the tent is secured firmly in place.
10
Taking down your pop up tent is much harder than setting it up. Some tents will be operated differently than others, but most should function more or less the same way.
11
First, remove all the tent stake pegs and tie up the guidelines back into a knot at the top of the tent. Pack away the stakes so you don’t lose any.
12
Line up the frame pieces of the tent together so you can hold them both in one hand.
13
Stand the tent on one of its short ends so the other short end is facing upward.
14
Fold the short end of the frame inward without letting go of the other parts of the frame.
15
Tuck one end of the frame under the other so that you have one big flat circle.
16
Use the included band or strap to secure the tent and keep it from popping up while you’re putting it away.
17
Put the tent back into the accompanying tent bag.
18
Don’t forget to practice setting up and putting down your pop up tent in the backyard a couple of times before you go on your trip.
19
Congratulations! You’ve set up and taken down your pop up tent successfully.

Pay special attention to the type of area where you’ll be using your pop up tent. Remember that you won’t be able to keep it securely in the ground using the stakes if you’re camping on the beach or in other sandy areas. You’ll need to use sandbags to hold it down from the inside if you do this. You can purchase sandbags for tent use, or you can make them yourself by filling Ziploc baggies with sand or water and wrapping cloth around them to prevent them from getting punctured during your trip to the beach with your family.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned a little bit more about how to operate your pop up tent, you should be ready for whatever your next vacation throws at you. Keep the above information in mind and make sure you have another capable adult (or an older child or teen) to help you out if you need a second pair of hands when setting up and putting away your pop up tent.

Remember that proper storage of your pop up tent is crucial to ensuring it stays in good shape. While it may be very tempting to just leave it open and stick it in the garage or a storage building like this, it’s simply not going to be a good idea for your tent. Here are just some of the reasons why you should not do this:

Your tent may become torn or damaged more easily if it’s not stored properly.
Your tent could grow mold if you store it while it’s wet, even when it’s open.
You may end up with pests such as insects or rodents living inside (and chewing on) your tent when you’re not using it.
The longer your tent sits unused, the more likely it is to be damaged by foot traffic in the storage area or by spills around it.
Last but not least, it’s not safe to drive your tent home if it’s fully open in the back of your car, as it may block your view or be a distraction.

With the right preparation and a good storage method, you’ll be well on your way to safe and happy enjoyment of your pop up tent for many years to come. Happy camping!