How To Secure A Tent In High Winds
When the weather is not so good and there are high winds everywhere, you should know how to secure a tent in high winds.
There are some things that you should do before setting up a tent. First, you should analyze the weather to know if the weather is good. For example, if it is rainy, windy, or hot, then you should not camp under these conditions. Also, you should decide where to camp. Once you decide where to camp, you should take the necessary steps according to the situation.
To know more about it, check the details about the procedure of securing the tent in high winds.
Can You Set Up A Tent In High Winds?
Before doing anything, you need to ask yourself if you can set up the tent in the wind or not. It depends on the condition of the weather. You should think hard and analyze the situation. For that, you need to see the weather forecast well. Check if there are just winds or if other serious storms can happen.
If you see there is a chance of having thunderstorms, it’s better to select another date. And if that is not possible, try to secure your tent as properly as possible. But it will be a good decision to get a solid shelter rather than a tent.
Besides, you need to check on the gears. If you use something cheap, it doesn’t work properly. Most of the cheap tents are not suitable for tight conditions like winds. And if you have cheap tents, then you should cancel the plan instead of carrying that hassle.
One thing you should know is that the smaller the tent is, the less the trouble will be. Also, smaller tents can survive better. You just have to check the guidelines and then secure your tent accordingly.
Method to Secure Your Tent In High Winds
If you want to secure the tent properly, you need to see what things you need to maintain. Check the things in detail.
Find The Right Spot To Set Up
The location should be the proper one to set up a tent. For that, you should choose it wisely. If you set up a tent in an open area, the chances of getting it blown away will be high. So, it will be the best idea to get a sheltered place to install a tent.
Besides, try to avoid areas that are close to trees. You should not camp closer to trees. It is because if the tree breaks from the heavy wind, it can hurt your tent and you badly. So, do not camp closer to any trees.
Check The Winds Direction
Another important thing is to check the direction of the wind. You might not always get it right. But you should take a moment to know the possible direction. Try to feel the wind in your face or hand. You can also use any cloth or a small piece of fabric to know the direction.
And according to that, you should set up a tent. Make the set up in that way that the lowest, back, and the narrowest part of the tent will be towards the wind. The size and shape also matter to taking action in that weather condition. According to the size, you should secure it to avoid damage.
Tent Pitching In The Wind
Pitching the tent carefully is what you should do when there is heavy wind. Prepare all the things you need. Then take your tent out to pitch it. Start the process with the body of the tent. Make sure you don’t push your stakes straight down.
You should do it at 45 degrees. That is how it makes them secure. There is a certain rule of pitching a tent in the wind. You should set it well to avoid it blowing away easily. Take the nearest part of the unit and put it face to the wind. In this way, it doesn’t blow away easily.
Use Some Extra Pegs
It is a good technique to use extra pegs for extra security. If you think your pegs cannot hold the tent properly, you need some additional pegs to secure it in the wind. It adds more stability to the tent and it doesn’t get blown away. The structure becomes strong.
You can also add some small rocks to the pegs. It ensures that the peg will stay properly in the ground. Follow the guidelines well to secure the tent well.
Remove The Side Walls
Removing the side walls is a good idea that you should apply in high winds. The walls are the obstacles to the wind. And it makes the tent stronger. Also, they expose the area even more. So, it has more chances to get blown away. It will be a great decision to remove the side walls in high winds.
Repair Handle As Soon As Possible
When you see a part of a tent is broken, you should repair it as quickly as possible. The poles and the handle can break in high winds. You should repair it immediately so it doesn’t break the entire tent. It will be stable enough.
If you don’t have the tools to repair the handle, you can make an alternative. And for that, you need a piece of wood. Connect the two sections by tying the ends well with a piece of thread. This can restore the support and make it stable.
How To Camp In High Winds?
When there are high winds, camping will be difficult. And for that reason, you should be careful enough to get some help when the situation is not stable. Check the suggestions of camping in high winds.
Take Some Additional Help
You can have some additional camping tricks to follow. It enhances the protection of your camp. If your tent is small, it will be easier to make a shelter for it. You can create some extra protection for the front part.
On the other hand, bigger tents are complicated to handle. The big tarp of those tents can behave like a sail. It could rip easily. So, it has more risk than the smaller ones. If you want a protected tent in high winds, a smaller one will be suitable.
Another thing you can do is to make a small wall around the tent. It would be best if you use ready barriers like thick scrubs of boulders to create more protection. Or, you can simply add to the tent to make it longer.
Make sure you only use fallen branches and loose rocks to make it stable. Also, do it carefully. Do not damage any area of the tent.
Preparing Camping Food
You may have to go with the cold food because of the high winds. So, you should be prepared for it. Also, have some snacks with you when you are hiking. It doesn’t work well to just have some dehydrated meals. You can have some sausages or granola and maybe some cheese.
It will give you strength and keep you hydrated. Moreover, have some coconut cookies with you. Last but not the least, drink a lot of water.
Taking Down Your Tent In High Winds
Setting up a tent is a bit difficult in high winds. Taking it down is also an important task that you need to do well. It is just the reverse of what you are doing to make a tent. First, collect the small equipment that can be blown away easily.
Also, you need to take the pegs out. But before that, you should place some rocks on the top of the tent to prevent it from being blown away. And according to all these things, you should take the tent down.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What wind speed can a tent withstand?
Most of the tents are designed to withstand the speed of the wind of 20mph or below. And it is without taking any stakes.
2. How windy is too windy for a tent?
The force of the wind is at 15 mph. But it will be manageable with most family types of tents. It might be around 17 mph.
3. How do I keep my tent from blowing away?
Attaching weight can be a great solution here. If you want to install a tent, you can attach weight to avoid the tent being blown away.
4. Can a tent withstand 50 mph winds?
Most of the tents are designed to withstand 50 mph winds. But speeds of 30mph can create damage to it.
5. How much wind can a tarp withstand?
A tent generally works well in 40-45mph wind. Some people say that 30mph is the top end for the tarps.
Wrap Up
If you want to know what things are important to maintain to install a tent in high winds, all you need to do is find a proper shelter for the tent and set it up according to the weather condition.
Check all the details we are sharing about how to secure a tent in high winds and then start the process.
Enjoy your hiking days without much trouble.
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