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Original poster

Taking down inflatable tents

32 replies

tunnocksreturns2019 · 21/07/2019 19:55

So I love my new vango inflatable tent. Well I did. Got it up with just one DC helping. But I couldn’t get all the sodding air out of it and now it’s taking up my entire car boot.

Tips?

OP posts:
Original poster
tunnocksreturns2019 · 21/07/2019 19:56

Inflatable beams, btw. It’s not actually a bouncy castle.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 21/07/2019 19:57

Did you blow it up with an electric pump? Most have a setting to suck the air out too. I've just taken a bouncy castle down and it saved my sanity!

moocowmrs · 21/07/2019 19:58

We fold and squeeze the air as we go, it sometimes takes a couple of goes of folding and unfolding.
We often end up sitting on it !

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Camping
Original poster
tunnocksreturns2019 · 21/07/2019 19:58

No, it came with a manual pump and that worked great for getting it up. Apparently there was a deflate settling but I tried it and no joy.

Maybe I need to go electric!

OP posts:
Cutantrim · 21/07/2019 19:59

Start at the far end of each inflatable beam and walk the air out with your bare feet.

Then when the whole thing is super flat, roll up from left to right. Then fold in half and stuff in sack. Simples!

Cutantrim · 21/07/2019 20:00

The deflate setting is just the other sode, opposite to the inflate. The little button on the valve to release the air from the beam, is also twistable so it will stay open as you squeeze out the air.

Original poster
tunnocksreturns2019 · 21/07/2019 20:00

Now I did do some sitting and also some lying but couldn’t even hear the air whooshing out.

Oh I hope I’m going to figure this out. Going to get DC to bed and haul it out of the boot and into the garden.

I wish DH would stop being dead and start helping out 😭

OP posts:
Original poster
tunnocksreturns2019 · 21/07/2019 20:02

Thanks. I can do it, can’t I?

Feel so useless. It made me cry. I want to take the kids camping on my own. I need to know I can do it. Good job I practised in my mum’s garden!

OP posts:
Original poster
tunnocksreturns2019 · 21/07/2019 20:03

Right. Washing folding. Bedtime stories. Then back to tent. Then linen back on my bed. Then shower and crash out.

I’m not a disaster.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 21/07/2019 20:04

Oh OP, sorry about your DH but I applaud you for taking the dc camping on your own.
I’m sure there’s a magic way of doing it but I’m afraid I’m no use as I’m not a camper
Best of British x

SciFiScream · 21/07/2019 20:05

You really aren't a disaster and you are not allowed to think that about yourself.

FrancesFryer · 21/07/2019 20:05

There are valves you need to open to allow the air out.

Just don't forget to close them again when you go on holiday and want to put your tent up

WalkofShame · 21/07/2019 20:06

Have you got kids? Get them to roll along it to push the air out and roll it rather than fold it.

(And also; you’ve got this, you can do it GinGinFlowersFlowers)

WalkofShame · 21/07/2019 20:07

Oh yes! And when the air is out, shut the valve to stop the air getting back in

Original poster
tunnocksreturns2019 · 21/07/2019 20:09

Thank you everyone!

I flipped my king size mattress on my own today.

I can do All The Things.

But gosh I am tired

OP posts:
Original poster
tunnocksreturns2019 · 21/07/2019 20:09

Yep two DC who can be very helpful and also very unhelpful depending 😅

OP posts:
Zampa · 21/07/2019 20:11

This is how we get the air out of ours! Rope the kids in and have fun!

Taking down inflatable tents
Winegumaddict · 21/07/2019 20:12

We have one too. It took a couple of tries but I'm an expert at getting the air out now. Ours has a sort of double valve so it's a non return when you blow it up but you take an extra bit out to deflate it. Once I've opened all the valves and heard the woosh I walk or roll along the beams to get more out. Then when it comes to folding up I work from the back to the front to squeeze any extra air out as I go. Although I will say the bag ours came with was shit and ripped so I bought a new one and I bought a slightly bigger one which makes it easier. I'm sorry about your DH but I have deflated and rolled mine up without my DH so you absolutely can do this. Good luck 🤞

Zampa · 21/07/2019 20:12

Photo didn't post - sorry! It was just us all lying on the tent as a PP advised.

WinkyisbackontheButterBeer · 21/07/2019 20:13

You sound really lovely op. Flowers

NeverSurrender · 21/07/2019 20:14

@Zampa that’s pretty much how we got the air out of ours too!

The first time it took us a few goes ( and an argument!) but when we did it for real at the campsite we got it back in the bag first time. I’ve since put it up and taken it down by myself.

You’ve got this!

Cutantrim · 21/07/2019 20:14

You are not in any way a disaster!!! It took me a few goes to get the hang of it, and so long as it all goes in the bag, who cares?

Hang in there OP!Flowers

Cutantrim · 21/07/2019 20:15

You’re allowed to leave it till tomorrow.

Original poster
tunnocksreturns2019 · 21/07/2019 21:15

Is it a cop out that a friend is helping me?!

Getting there.

OP posts:
Original poster
tunnocksreturns2019 · 21/07/2019 21:19

Zampa I can see your fab pic!

My friend is lying on it in my garden. He’s 6”6 so having a reasonable impact 😅

Feels lame to ask for help. Oh well.

OP posts: