Stakes, Tents & Tarps [split from Car camping the 2019 RTR]

[Skygess]

I’ll ask my question here RTR IS it to windy to put up a tent
Because I want to set up a screen tent but after I see your tent i may try something like your setup

Can anyone who has been to the rtr answer this question

 

[Neal]

Here's a great video Bob did at the last RTR.  This is what convinced me to go with a canvas tent

 

[user 2252]

About 5 years ago my first RTR was in a Chevy Malibu Max and a Eureka Copper Canyon tent. One day the wind was blowing so hard, the walls were flapping, I thought the tent was going to lift and carry me away. It made for a harrowing nights sleep.
By morning the wind had settled down and upon inspection of my camp, I was pleasantly surprised how well the tent held up.

 

[kygreg]

About 5 years ago my first RTR was in a Chevy Malibu Max and a Eureka Copper Canyon tent. One day the wind was blowing so hard, the walls were flapping, I thought the tent was going to lift and carry me away. It made for a harrowing nights sleep.
By morning the wind had settled down and upon inspection of my camp, I was pleasantly surprised how well the tent held up.

I've never camped in the desert, do standard tent stakes work well there?

 

[highdesertranger]

what are you calling standard tent stakes? what comes with most tents will not cut it. highdesertranger

 

[bullfrog]

For desert pavement I use 12" long 1/2" diameter lag bolts with plastic fender washers to keep ball bungees that attach to ropes or tent tabs. I'm getting old so I start them with a 1/2" drive 18volt inpact and then if I have to use a dead blow mallet (cheap Harbor Freight) to finish them leaving about an inch sticking up. To get them out I just unscrew them after removing the ball bungees with the impact. These are my go to stakes. I also carry some 18" screw in sand anchor stakes but have only used them in loose sugar sand at Lake Powell beaches which they work great for but not so good any where else. The only problem I've had with this set up was in a developed camp ground where they didn't bury the warer lines 18" like they should. Not really a problem for me as I just changed camp sites, they were the ones that had to fix their water line.

 

[kygreg]

what are you calling standard tent stakes?  what comes with most tents will not cut it.  highdesertranger

Right the standard stakes that come with a walmart cheap tent. They are steel and work fine in a grass field, but as I said, never even been to the desert, what kind of stakes do I need. Happy to learn and get what's needed. Thanks

 

[highdesertranger]

I have a variety of stakes,

home made 3/8's and 1/2 rebar. the 3/8's is not big enough they bend to easy when the hit rocks. the 1/2 inch works good.

homemade out of spikes(big nails) they work good under certain conditions, but are to short.

I have 2 types of military stakes the round steel 8 inch an the angle aluminum 12 inch. the 8 inch are not long enough for high winds the 12 inch are border line.

all in all in high wind conditions you need a 18 inch or longer 1/2 inch or bigger stake.

here's a hint, on the guy lines put a bungee cord in them. this makes the tent/tarp more forgiving in the wind. with the bungee the tent gives and doesn't break. stop by my camp at RTR and you can see all this in the works. highdesertranger

 

[Almost There]

Bring the biggest hammer you can work with for starters! I don't bother with a drill, just more to carry!

If you're arriving in Quartzite/Ehrenberg area after the middle of November don't bother to buy better tent stakes until you get here. K&B Tools has desert tent stakes (rebar) and the price is completely reasonable.

The other tent stakes that I like to use and are easy to come by are 10" or 12" gutter spikes...ask for them at an Ace Hardware store or try finding them at H/D.

You'll only need the rebar stakes that K&B sells on the 4 corners of your tent and for any awning stakeouts. Gutter spikes will work for the rest of the tent.

Ball bungies are great for putting between the tent stakes and the tie outs - if you have trouble finding them, K&B have them too!

 

[QinReno]

There is a store in Quartzsite that has just about anything you might need like that. Does not show up with a name on google maps, but is directly across the street from Burger King and just west of Gem World.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Q...998648bdd0b32!8m2!3d33.6639137!4d-114.2299486

 

[rosiemartinez1211]

Thanks for this info!!

 

[wagoneer]

I have used a USMC 2 person its low profile but very sturdy I just use it to sleep in and keep stuff dry
Highly recommend under the tent padding /barrier I have had scorpions under my tent. Smaller the tent the easier though less comfortable.

 

[wanderin.pat]

Jaime from Enigmatic Nomadics did a video about setting up an awning in high winds.   It's very useful.  



He suggests using ratchet straps for tent cords. 

Also, pay attention to the things that HDR says.  He has a lot of experience with the adapting to the wind. 
Which can be really amazing out there in the AZ desert.  

"The wind, she blow really hard! "

 

[Ken in Anaheim]

Neal, best prices I've seen for Kodiaks is : https://www.competitiveedgeproducts.com/Flex-Bow-Canvas-Tents_c_12.html

 

[travelaround]

Lots of helpful information on this thread. Thanks, everybody. I like the idea of using a tarp as an awning and maybe could do that rather than a tent, since I plan to sleep in the car. Something to think about. Good to know the tent stakes needed are available there in Quartzsite.

 

[Zephyr]

Are there areas in RTR BLM land that have soil, gravel, or a combination that where I could use 1/4"x 10" steel nails? An area where there's somewhat open smooth ground? Maybe most of the desert surface is irregular, bumpy, deep rocky, and occupied by thorny, scrub plants. If so, I don't think tent camping a reasonable choice. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I have four quality tents of varying sizes and head height. Maybe I should just focus on a pickup topper.

 

[tx2sturgis]

here's a hint,  on the guy lines put a bungee cord in them.  

Bungee cords are light duty, so I would assume what you meant to say is that you use tarp straps (made of rubber).

Unless you have some really heavy bungees or you are using several on each tie-down.

 

[LivGolden]

I use bungees with carabiners on my guy lines. Never a problem. I'm still going to invest in those special tent spikes for RTR, though. Loaded for Bear and tear a ---(never mind) 

 

[B and C]

I'm still going to invest in those special tent spikes

I use mine all the time.  The only stakes I carry.  I think mine are about 18" long and work in all types of ground although I haven't tried them in loose beach sand.

 

[highdesertranger]

Zephyr I found the steel spikes(nails) lacking. they are not long enough, and pull out when the wind kicks up. I have tried them.

Texas I use bungees, they are heavy duty and yes in some areas I double them up. I don't like the black rubber ones had one break and hit me in the face once. there is no safety mechanism on them.

as a minimum 1/2 rebar 18 inches long for the stakes. 3/8's rebar does not work.

highdesertranger