Let's Talk Setting Up Tents in the Rain

[88bmwjeff]

As I spend more time going to rallies, the possibility of getting caught in the rain increases. It's one thing to have your camp site set up when it starts to rain and another to set it up in the rain. I've read that some tents allow the fly to be set up first. I'm not What tents or other systems are people using to set up a relatively dry tent in the rain. FWIW, I currently have an REI Half Dome 2-person tent.

 

[riderr1150gsadv]

It all depends on the tent and how, or if, you can break down your tent, separating the inner part from the fly. My tent usually gets pitched as a whole and the inner tent stays dry. However, If the next day I'm packing up and the fly is wet, I can take the inner tent off and pack that separately in a dry bag ready for the next campsite. There I will pitch the fly first and either wait for it to dry a bit and then attach the inner tent. YMMV

 

[collingsbob]

Take a tarp with you…set the tarp up over where you are going to put up your tent with paracord, with a slight slope of the tarp so the water drains off.. Then set your tent up under the protection of the tarp.

A Practical Guide on How to Build Tarp Shelters

When spending time in the wilderness, it’s vital to protect yourself from the elements, especially heavy rain or harsh sun. And while structured tents may provide solid protection, they’re often heavy and time-consuming to set up. This is why many people turn to tarp shelters. Tarp shelters are...

www.kuhl.com

 

[6322]

Some tents are designed for the fly to be intact as the tent is set up or as they are put away and stored. The Redverz is one of those. As you unpack it, unroll it, put two stakes in one end or the other, install the three poles, pull the tent upright and stake the other end, the tent is erected with the fly in place, interior still completely dry. A few more stakes around the outer edges and maybe a few gylines and that’s it. I’m sure there are other similar tents. Just have to do the research and find out what works for you. The Redverz is big to pack but not excessive. I like the large vestibule. In foul weather, it’s a convenient place to be out of the weather, not to mention storing extra gear.

Traveling solo, I like a four person tent. Two up, it’s a must have. Just nice to have room. Good luck finding what works for you Jeff.

 

[dduelin]

Not directly on topic but closely related to setting up and striking camp in the rain was early advice to me to purchase a medium size roll top dry bag for motorcycle camping. My 24" x 10" is 15 years old and still in service. In the bag goes my bedding, a change of clothes, backpacking stove bag, a dehydrated meal and the coffee making stuff. Arriving in the rain the dry bag goes into the tent ensuring a hot meal, a dry set of clothes and a dry sleeping bag. When striking camp in the rain the bag gets tossed out of the tent with the important stuff dry.

 

[paul_f]

I never worry about setting up in the rain as my tents have the floor attached to the tent and like 6322 stated, my Redverz, as does my Montana and my small Eureka. However packing up in or after a rain is for me bit more of a pain. I carry a tarp so that I can place my items that were in the tent, on the dry tarp. If a tent should be really wet, sometimes I'll pickup food, find a park and lay the tent out on a dry surface in the sun and wind while I eat. Like 6322, I think a four person tent is great for storing extra gear. On only one night trip stops, my Eureka, goes up quickly and is suitable for only me and my riding gear; crowded but functional.

Warning; slight hijack:
Some sixty-five or so years ago, our Scout Troop arrived at night, in the rain at a large forested area and each group was given a tent and told to setup it up and sleep for the night. Our group being somewhat lazy decided putting a tent in the rain was not to our liking so we simply lay the tent on the ground and crawled inside for the night. The Scout leaders were a major panic for when they went to check on each group, ours appeared to missing. Being on the ground, out tent was not easily picked up by their flashlights. It took them several hours to find us. Hijack ended.

 

[Mellow]

It's usually not a monsoon for several hours... you can typically time a calm section in the rain when you can quickly set up your tent, only takes a couple mins to set one up.

In my last 25 years of camping I can only recall one time setting up in the rain and there was a picnic table w/shelter so I did a lot under that before placing it on the ground - one reason I prefer freestanding dome tents. If it gets a little wet it's no big deal, you just get in side and wipe it down with your shower towel (you did bring that this time didn't you?) and you're good.

Check the radar and time your set up when there should not be rain or very little. Again, even if it does get wet inside, just dry it w/bath towel before putting your stuff inside.

I also pack my sleeping bag, air mattress, small misc stuff I want to keep try in it's own bag and the tent in it's own bag - that way, I can pack and unpack the stuff that I don't want to get wet while I'm inside my tent. Then, only the tent has to be packed - in it's own bag and away from the dry stuff.

 

[kbasa]

Not directly on topic but closely related to setting up and striking camp in the rain was early advice to me to purchase a medium size roll top dry bag for motorcycle camping. My 24" x 10" is 15 years old and still in service. In the bag goes my bedding, a change of clothes, backpacking stove bag, a dehydrated meal and the coffee making stuff. Arriving in the rain the dry bag goes into the tent ensuring a hot meal, a dry set of clothes and a dry sleeping bag. When striking camp in the rain the bag gets tossed out of the tent with the important stuff dry.

I use saddlebag liners for that stuff and keep my camping stuff in a dry bag on the back seat. Or a UBag when we toured two up.

I’ve had trips home where we know we’re not going to camp, so we just shipped the dry bag home by UPS and took 45 pounds off the bike.

I don’t think any two riders pack the same way.

 

[lee]

Back when we camped most of the time we were lucky that there were few times when it was raining hard at the end of the day.
When it happened we got a motel.

 

[paul_f]

Back when we camped most of the time we were lucky that there were few times when it was raining hard at the end of the day.
When it happened we got a motel.

Yes! I have done that a few times when that option existed.