Tentspares UK

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Which replacement pole do I need?

How do I assemble the new pole?

Which replacement pole do I need?

1. Determine the material the poles are made from
There are 3 types of material commonly used for making poles

· Fibreglass – non-metallic poles used in dome or tunnel providing a flexible yet strong framework. If a fibreglass pole is damaged normally an individual section can be replaced.

· Alloy – lightweight alternative to fibreglass used for more technical tents. If an alloy pole is damaged normally an individual section can be replaced.

· Steel – used in larger family tents which require a rigid framework. If a steel pole is damaged it will need a complete replacement pole.

Common failure modes under excess loads are; steel poles tend to bend out of shape, fibreglass poles tend to fracture and alloy poles tend to bend or snap

2. Determine the size of replacement pole and if an additional ferrule is required
Replacements are provided for individual pole sections which then can be assembled into the pole assembly (see below).

The best way to establish the particular pole section required is to measure the broken pole section or an identical pole section if another is used on the tent.

Measure the diameter across of the pole in millimetres (there is no need to measure the length at this stage as the replacement pole sections are supplied oversize to be cut down as required).

Most pole sections will have a ferrule (a sleeve into which the adjacent pole section fits when assembled) but end poles may have 2 ferrules or a protruding section which locates the pole end to the tent.

· For a fibreglass end pole with 2 ferrules an additional ferrule will have to be ordered.

· For an alloy pole the end section can generally be removed by unscrewing and reused (it is recommended you check to see if it can be removed before ordering but do not remove the elastic until you have the replacement pole).

Order the corresponding pole section based on the external diameter of the pole section, whether an extra ferrule or end section is required.

If the elastic holding the pole assembly is snapped, new elastic will be required. For fibreglass poles a pole threader will also be required.

How do I assemble the new pole?

1. Disassemble the current pole assembly as follows:

Undo (or if necessary cut off) the end knot on the elastic at the end nearest the broken section
- For fibreglass poles the knot may need to be hooked out from the end ferrule using a pole threader
- For alloy poles the end section will need unscrewing
Release the elastic and pull back through pole sections to the broken section taking care to keep the pole sections in the correct order.
Remove damaged section.

2. Cut the new section to same length as damaged section using a hacksaw

3. Reassemble poles as follows:

Replace broken section with new section
Feed the elastic through all the poles in the correct order and re-knot at end.
- For fiberglass poles use a pole threader to pull the elastic through the poles.
- For alloy poles pull the elastic through and pinch to relieve the tension on a length long enough to slide through the next section (a pole threader is not required).

Khyam Flexidome – Main Pole Replacement

1. Erect the tent on a clean hard surface and unhook the flysheet elastics from the underside of the locking joint on the damaged pole. Now take down the tent.

2. Collapse the tent so that it forms a star shape on the ground. Release the Jam jar cap from the underside of the central hub.

3. With the tent on the floor in its star shape, remove the bottom of the pole from the plastic foot by depressing the “Fir Tree” clips and pushing the pole back through the top of the grey pegging foot. (Please note, on some models the foot is retained by a plastic ‘C’ clip).

4. To release the top end of the pole from the central hub, first place a small piece of thick cardboard or a towel beneath the hub to prevent damage to the flysheet fabric.

5. Lift the damaged pole upright so that it is perpendicular to the ground. Using the Joints to help grip, exert a downward force on the pole whilst gently moving the pole from side to side. This will release the “T” bar on the pole end from the central hub.

6. For the larger family models more force may be needed to release the pole end from the central hub. Ensuring that there is adequate protection between the hub and the flysheet and with the pole perpendicular to the hub (see previous step), give a sharp downwards tap on the end of the pole with a mallet. It is useful at this stage for a second person to hold the middle of the pole to prevent excessive flexing.

7. To release the ‘T bar’ from the hub, hold the open ended joint, twist the “T” bar end of the pole from a horizontal to a vertical position to allow it to be withdrawn from the hub. Lock the joints in position to allow easy removal of the pole from the flysheet.

8. Lock the joints on the replacement pole, slide the pole into the flysheet sleeves (starting with the bottom sleeve) ensuring that the ‘T’ bar pole end is passed through first. Now hook elastic on the back of the top joint and release locked joints.

9. Hold the folded pole at the top joint and push the ‘T’ bar through the hub vertically and twist horizontally to enable it to pass through the hub (i.e. opposite of step 6).

10. Allow the pole to twist back level into it’s proper position so that the “T” bar is correctly aligned with the hub (At this stage ensure that the top joint is open facing the correct way with the elastic on the underside of the joint).

11. With the tent still on the floor with the sleeves in their correct position, refit the bottom of the pole into the plastic foot.

12. Finally, erect the tent to ensure everything is in its correct position.