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Drying out bell tent

5 replies

Naoko · 16/09/2013 22:31

Got back from a very wet and muddy weekend in a field last night and now need to figure out how to get the bell tent dry. I've only had it for a few months and the last time we used it we were lucky and got to pack it away dry, not this time though! The weather forecast is a disaster so repitching in the back yard isn't an option (if it even fits, which I don't think it does). What is the best way to get it dry quickly, you think? It's a 4m bell with zipped in groundsheet. I managed to keep the inside clean but the outside of the sheet could probably do with a good wipedown.

My bathroom is small and I wouldn't be able to spread it out much in there, I could hang it over the bannister but again it's not long enough for the whole thing. Living room propped up over some kitchen chairs? What do people do? Help! Inexperienced camper wanting to take good care of the lovely newish tent....

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quoteunquote · 16/09/2013 22:55

Don't rush drying out, you want it bone dry, always err on the side of caution and give it extra time, and it will last you a life time,

hang it on chairs in the living space,

Bathrooms are too moist to do the job.

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Naoko · 16/09/2013 23:11

Right. It'll have to wait until tomorrow now as the living room is still full of the rest of the kit. I'm not a camper as such, I'm a larper, and thus don't go camping with a tent and a bunch of attendant stuff but with a tent, a bunch of attendant stuff, several sets of semi-historical armour, two bags of period clothing, assorted swords, shields and spears, and just generally a ridiculous amount of stuff, and when it all comes back soaking wet and covered in mud it takes a while to clear away...

But I should get the last of it stowed tomorrow (except the chainmail which I cannot lift, so DP's problem) and then the tent can sit there and dry for as long as it needs to. Thanks. :)

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fathercandle · 16/09/2013 23:39

I'm in exactly the same boat as you, OP. :)

Not much advice, I'm afraid. Unzip the groundsheet if you possibly can. Do your best on chairs or stairs. (Mine is spread out badly in the corridor behind the kitchen.) You can't spread it all out at once but rotate it frequently, move it every hour or so, expose all the damp patches.

Keep doing this for a few days ... and hope for a sunny spell. :) Even if you have to pack it away once it's dry, as soon as we get a decent weekend, spread it out again in the sunshine on both sides.

Alas, with our hobby, after just a few outings your lovely new tent will likely never be the same again. But good luck. :)

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TheABC · 01/11/2013 15:22

I feel your pain, OP - fellow larper with 5m bell! We drape ours over the door and use chairs to fan it out in the kitchen. I also swear by a dehumidifier, as it sucks all the moisture out of the air and cuts the drying time in half. Whatever you do, never put it away damp.

Unfortunately, LARP is one of those hobbies that magically accumulates stuff and easily takes over your attic, garage, spare room....we use the winter downtime to dejunk.

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zanz1bar · 02/11/2013 21:30

Got a great tip from another bell tent owner this summer to help keep tent mildew free when stored.

Fill an old pair of tights with cat litter and fold tent aroound it when storing, helps get the very last hint of moisture out.

ok not much help when sopping wet, but good tip.

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