Packing down your PrePitched Bell Tent

Since all good things must come to an end, it’s now time to pack down your PrePitched Bell Tent until the next adventure. Let us guide you step by step to keep your Bell Tent in the best condition. This will help you avoid any damp or mould issues, so you’re ready for your next glamping experience! First, grab a friend or family member to help you get the job done in no time. Also, make sure you don’t put shoes onto the canvas to keep it in its best condition!

Equipment Checklist

Before you begin, ensure you have all the necessary items:

  • 1 tent
  • 1 centre pole
  • 1 A-frame with rain cap
  • 12 smaller pegs
  • 12 rebar pegs
  • tent bag
  • pole bag
  • peg bag
  • 2 straps

Pack Down Instructions

Step 1: Inspect the Tent

First, walk around the tent and check its condition. Be on the lookout for any damages. Rips most commonly occur around the cap on the apex of the tent and around the A-frame eyelet above the front door. Also, check for stains, paying particular attention to the tent doors. Finally, ensure that the tent is completely dry by checking under the skirt around the edge of the tent. If you are happy it’s in perfect condition, you can start taking it down.

Step 2: Check Bag Numbers

Next, ensure that you have the tent bag, pole bag, and peg bag with the same number as the tent you are taking down.

Step 3: Remove Internals and Close Windows

Remove all internals, leaving just the mat and the tent. Then, close all windows.

Step 4: Check the Mat

Afterward, check the condition of the mat, if applicable. Don’t have one? Order yours for next time for that extra comfort!

Step 5: Clean Up Spills

If there are pools of liquid, mop them up with blue roll or paper towel.

Step 6: Loosen Guy Ropes

To start taking the tent down, loosen three guy ropes on each side of the tent.

Step 7: Remove the Rear Mat

Now, enter the tent. Move the bottom of the centre pole towards the front of the tent to enable you to remove the rear mat.

Step 8: Fold the Mat

If you have a mat, first shake it off inside the tent. Then, fold the mat using a concertina fold into three, working with the folds of the mat. Afterward, fold it in half, with the top half just short of the bottom half. Repeat this step, then fold it into three and put the elastic strap around it. You can see images in the ‘Removing the Mats’ section below for a visual guide.

Step 9: Remove the Front Mat

Next, move the pole towards the rear of the tent and repeat the process with the front mat.

Step 10: Clean the Floor

Sweep the tent and wash the floor if necessary with a mop and a general floor cleaner. Importantly, ensure it is dry before continuing.

Step 11: Prepare the Bags

Remove the peg bag, pole bag, and straps from the tent bag. Then, lay them out in front of the tent.

Step 12: Unpeg Guy Ropes

Unpeg all of the guy ropes, collecting the rebar pegs as you go. Return them to their bag, rounded end first, when you have collected them all.

Step 13: Remove the Rain Cap

Next, remove the rain cap from the pin on the A-frame.

Step 14: Remove the A-Frame

Enter the tent and remove the A-frame. You can do this by moving the feet from the placeholders and taking the frame back towards the centre of the tent.

Step 15: Fold the Pole

Fold the pole and place it on the ground in front of the tent.

Step 16: Secure the Rain Cap

Put the rain cap on the pin of the A-frame for safekeeping.

Step 17: Remove the Centre Pole

Now, enter the tent and remove the centre pole by moving the bottom end of the pole towards the door.

Step 18: Lower the Tent

Use the top of the pole to guide the apex of the tent to the floor, directly opposite the door. Then, exit the tent.

Step 19: Store the Poles

Put the centre pole and the A-frame back into the pole bag.

Step 20: Remove Inner Pegs

Remove the inner pegs from the groundsheet. As you go around, toss the guy ropes onto the tent.

Step 21: Store the Pegs

Return the smaller pegs to the peg bag, spiked end first.

Folding the Tent

Step 22: Close the Doors

Ensure the tent doors are closed. The vertical zip on the canvas outer should be closed, while the fly net and horizontal zips should be left open.

Step 23: Fold in Half

Fold the tent in half through the middle.

Step 24: Air Out the Groundsheet

The underside of the groundsheet is usually a little damp, so let it air out. Once the exposed side of the groundsheet is dry, flip the tent to dry the other side.

Step 25: Fold to Bag Width

When the second side is dry, fold the tent again. Take the closed, straight-edged section towards the curve, ensuring the width is narrower than the tent bag. This should leave an area about 50cm wide, which is then folded over on itself.

Rolling and Bagging

Step 26: Create a Long Strip

You will now have a 5m long strip that is almost as wide as a tent bag. Fold that in half so you have a 2.5m strip.

Step 27: Prepare for Rolling

Lay the straps out at the unfolded end of the tent, with the tent bag next to them.

Step 28: Roll the Tent

Go to the folded end and place the pole bag on the tent. Then, begin rolling as tightly as possible. Start with as small a fold as possible and then roll from there. Use your body weight to keep the roll as tight as possible.

Step 29: Secure the Roll

Roll the end onto the straps and kneel on it to ensure it doesn’t come loose.

Step 30: Tighten the Straps

Attach the straps and tighten them as much as possible.

Step 31: Bag the Tent

Pull one end of the bag over the tent while it’s lying on the ground, then the other.

Step 32: Zip the Bag

Once the tent is fully in the bag, zip the bag completely closed. If the bag doesn’t close, then the tent has not been put away correctly, and it needs to be repacked.

Now your PrePitched Bell Tent is all packed down and ready for your next adventure or glamping break!