How to Pack Up Your Dome Tent Guide

Packing up a dome tent is as challenging as pitching it. But dome tents are the most portable and comfortable tents. Since they vary in sizes and materials used, a dome tent can comfortably fit up to eight people. Camp in style by knowing how to pack a dome tent with these steps and tips.

1) Let it dry completely

Dry it out thoroughly in the sun before packing it away. Make sure that there are no wet sections to avoid mildew buildup inside.

2) Remove anything on the inside

Before you start packing the tent, take everything out, especially sharp materials that can cut through the tent. Remove all loose debris that you can by cleaning and dusting it out.

3) Undo all the supports

Remove the rain fly, poles, and stakes first. It would be advisable to hold a small rag while disassembling the tent, so you can easily wipe out any dirt. Put all the poles and stakes on their designated compartment or sack; these usually come in peg bag.

4) Roll the tent

Dust the tent out some more. Open all the tent doors and windows. Lay it up above the tarp. Align the rain fly above the tent while on the ground. Rolling up the rain fly on its own takes up extra space, so roll it together with the main tent. Start rolling up the tent, rain fly and tarp, fluffing it out gently fitfully to let the air out.

Use the pole as your guide in rolling up the tent from the outside to the inside. Put in on the ground; it should be one-quarter of your rolls. It should form a square with equal distances from the ends. The Camping Guru shows how to do it right.

Roll it up, don’t hard fold to avoid creases from forming. Wrinkles create snags that affect the life of the dome tent.

Feel the rolled-up tent if there are bulky areas. Let the air out some more until it presses firmly. The main reason why you can’t fit it up inside the carry bag is because it is full of air.

5) Put the tent inside the sack

The stuff sack will have enough room for the other materials provided that you rolled up the tent, rain fly, and tarp properly. Slide the poles and stakes in the middle of the rolled-up tent. That is, if the sack or bag does not have a compartment of its own.

Or, you can put the disassembled poles and stakes in the middle on the final rolling of the tent. Just be careful since the metal may catch on the tent and slit it. Tie up the tent to make it firmer.

6) Air the tent out

If necessary, air it out even when the tent itself is already inside the stuff bag. Pull it out from time to time more so if your dome tent got wet at some point during your previous camp. It will go moldy if you don’t do this, especially if you are an occasional camper. Sun drying the tent is highly recommended.

Campers may have their own strategies in packing their tents. But the bottom line is knowing a few tricks when it comes to packing your dome tent and its components can make you the most efficient camper that you can be.