So, thanks to yesterdays thread- the tent is up. I still need more help though

[suwoo]

As I mentioned yesterday, it is gappy ie there is a gap between the bottom of the tent fabric and the ground, big enough for my cats to get in.

I haven't fully tightenend the guy ropes as a) I don't know how to and b) the garden isn't big enough to do so. Could this be the reason? I'm thinking that maybe I have pitched the poles too far apart and should push them in closer?

Also, the groundsheet doesn't cover the whole area, but the bedrooms are suspended from the ceiling with their own grounsheet so is that ok?

Questions, questions, questions.

I saw your thread yesterday - we have the same tent but everybody had given you the advice I was going to.

We've found it's a bit of fine art putting it up; don't think we've ever had a gap quite so large at the bottom. Guy ropes will help but it might be to do with how you've pitched your poles. How are the underneath tension straps looking?

Groundsheet doesn't cover all of floor - the big bedroom is all self contained. Our groundsheet is big enough to cover the rest of the floor though, presumably so you don't have to put up the second bedroom if you don't want to.

Robino, will you talk me through the tension straps? It was 2nd hand, so the straps are already fastened. Do I maybe need to adjust them?

Arghh! I knew you'd ask me more complicated questions! Unfortunately I have tended to be very heavily pregnant or looking after 2 under 3s while DH has put up the bulk of it.

From what I remember I think they're probably there to tell you how far apart to have either end of the pole; when you put the poles up the straps underneath should be fairly taught but the poles can't be put too far apart IYSWIM. Is there a way of adjusting it a bit (buckle or something, can't remember)?

There is definitely a bit of gappage but the flaps at the bottom of the tent should easily cover it - do they?

With a tunnel tent each bent pole (once the ends are pinned) has a strap across the bottom to keep the ends the right distance apart. Imagine a capital D on its side. Not adjustable, just stitched on. These are hidden under groundsheets when the tent is up.

If you don't have much space the tent is probably not pulled out square and would be ok in a bigger field.

When we do our tunnel tent we start from one end, and then work along making sure the poles are properly spaced and the floor straps are also tight across. Use one of the guy ropes that go from the top centre of the 1st pole to hold it all up as you go.

Is the big gap at one of the ends? Maybe the sloping poles are at the wrong angle and need a bit of adjusting, again should be fine with more space.