to wish tent bags were big enough for the tents?

[justmyview]

Over the years, we have had several tents. Only once have I managed to get the tent back into the bag. Any idea why the bags aren't just a few inches bigger? That would be so much easier & less risk of tent pegs etc being left out by mistake

I generally manage (with a loooooot of swearing) to get the things back in. But, inevitably the seams are under pressure and the seams get damaged. As a result of this I have made two large canvas bags. Another solution are the large army surplus duffle bags.

I struggle with this too, however my husband will swear blind it's the way I folded it I beg to differ

Try stuffing rather than folding or rolling!! We never have a problem with tents or sleeping bags anymore since using this method.

Also it prevents fabric from always folding in the same place which could over time damage the waterproofing.

Give it a try you may be converted.

Stuffing works with sleeping bags but isn't so good for tents with the poles and pegs (or not mine anyway). Someone, somewhere is having a right old laugh at the thought of thousands of people huffing, puffing, swearing and generally getting pissed off trying to put their tents back in unsuitably sized bags come camping season!!!

I don't think it's possible to get a tent back into its bag on the first roll, it's always been necessary for us to do a second roll! Tend to get more air out on the second roll.

Moving up to a caravan this year and will not miss the tent bag battle

Never had a problem with this and have folded many tents over the years. It comes down to neat patient folding and squashing the air out.

Having experience parachute packing does a lot for tent packing ability!

Tips to get tent back in bag:
Fold so it's just a bit shorter than the length of the bag.
Lie on top of tent, getting out as much air as possible.
Start rolling very tightly, using your knees to provide leverage and to help keep control and get out air as you roll.
Have someone else put bag over tent, while you maintain grip.

If tent bags were bigger, they would take up even more room in backpack or car boot, which wouldn't be desirable.

Having said that, all 'leisure' as opposed to 'expedition' tents I've dealt with have had really oversized bags anyway...

If the bags were bigger you could just have 3 or 4 of those compression strap things to squash it all in.

I've always thought this too. Then we went camping with friends and they had an American tent which just kind of folded in on itself and pulled tight with straps and there it was all bagged up. It was genius (but I've forgotten what it was called, useful eh)

Folding into thirds gets the tent back in the bag, counterintuitively.

Folding in quarters feels like it ought to be smaller but it never is.

DH was when I managed our massive 8-berth alone using the thirds method.

Yes, TiggyD that would be perfect. A bag just a bit bigger than the actual tent with compression straps would be perfect.

And thanks to other people for the tips. I will try those

I always used to put them away by folding in thirds (girl guide) but now I stuff after being persuaded by the folding damaging the fabric argument and it is MUCH easier.

Tbf mine has a separate pole bag, but I can get the tent in it's bag with room to spare, it does give you creased windows though

DH is brilliant at getting tents back into bags (which is just as well because I'm really not!). He uses the thirds method too. And also a lot of rolling around on top of it between each fold (I tend to find that I suddenly need the loo at this point - it isn't an elegant sight!)

I wouldn't stuff a tent- extra creases will damage the fabric just as much (and will make it/the windows look rubbish).

Either follow the tips above- ESP to look at the bag and use it as a guide for folding. Then roll tighter than you thought possible. Which works if you are careful/determined enough.

Or buy a bigger bag, this works every time

The window creases drop out after a day in the sun Lottiedoubtie I was also vehemently against until I finally gave it a go, went so much again my strict girl guide training.....