Camping on concrete

stevenlee

stevenlee

Newbie
In our area many parks have concrete or asphalt pads. How do you hold your tent or shelter down when it gets windy?
 
Yes, it can be a problem, just don't sneeze nor breath heavily and you should be fine.

I used some of my 'diver ankle weights' only cause I had them, filled with shot, 1-3lbs, worked ok...

heheh, still no help?... I know, I know..
Those little red bungi cords with the little black ball are quick and easy way to attach stuff.

-1 gal water jugs, strapped to the legs, empty when done?
-Attached to an ice chest or something heavy.
-Attached to an extra water jug
-Attache to TD on one side.
=Attache to a folding table with something heavy like a BBQ or ??
-plastic bags filled with sand/rocks.

Either wrap around the base of the legs or hang from the corners.

I found each time it's a little different as there is usually just 1-2 legs on the concrete and the other two are on dirt or something to peg down. Move trailer close to one side or the end of the concrete pad and tie to TD and the other side spike into dirt.

One final thing, in the wind or if the wind starts up and it's beginning to be a problem, "Furl the Sails", drop frame down on the back side, release the far corners and side Velcros on the canopy (keeping the back ones attached so it doesn't sail away to the moon, and pull the canopy, now flapping in the wind, towards the back side and roll, bungi it to the frame, sort of like "Furling the Sails on a Sail boat"...

Looks like this. Not the prettiest thing to look at, but the winds die down most of the time and it's real easy to put canopy back up. If not too windy, I'll also, drop the legs down, the canopy just barely clears the TD.

Usually this happens at 3am in the morning heheheh, so i just left 4 little bungi loops attached for quick use.

Hope this helps.
Remember, don't sneeze.. heheheh..

P1000643.JPG


(not the TD, but I believe it just clears the top ok.)

fpoole_JuniperDunes-114.jpg


Also, just an FYI, you can get parts for these if bent or broken, but??? you need to order them during the beginning of camping season or you'll have to wait until Spring to get them. $6 vs $125 for a new canopy. and if you do get a new one? save the parts, assuming same size, for later use.

ps. Don't attache to car bumper or anything else that you might forget to "De-Attach" when you start to drive away (buggy in my case)... suffice it to say, it won't be pretty, see back up parts note... heheh, it's always something eh?

fun
 
We use those 10-inch steel tent pegs that look like giant nails. *Most* of the time, they can be driven into asphalt. Doesn't work on concrete, however.
 
Thanks for the info. I understand furling the sails - I have sailed all my life. I have heard that the nails breakup the hard surface and if you can't remove them they can be a hazard.
 
Yah, Ghost, I wouldn't use the nails in the asphalt, it's going to break it up eventually and cause more damage than should be.

I doubt the Rangers/camp-hosts would suggest that, but I could be wrong. Just doesn't sound like a good thing to do and how many peeps will it take, driving nails into it, before it becomes an eye-sore..

Just my take on it.
 
Frank - you're right. I wouldn't attempt driving pegs into new or unblemished asphalt.

I was thinking more of the sort of asphalt pads we see a lot in the state parks around here where it's already pretty loose or full of cracks.

If it's a solid concrete or asphalt pad, I guy it out past the pavement.
 
While on a recent tear drop outing in Canada a fellow camper had water bags to hold the tent. Zero weight to carry and fill the bags to the max for maximum weight. Sorry don't know the brand but they do the job. Dave
 
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