Tent in Premium Site

[thegoof121]

Hi all,

Any tips on how to set up a tent on a Premium Site?

Four of us will be heading down to Disney in a month, bringing a small Class C and a tent. We currently have a premium site registered, and understand that the site doesn't have a sandy spot to put the tent in. We know from experience that there will be plenty of room on the concrete section to also fit the tent on the site. My main concern is how to stake the tent down. The tent itself is an Ozark version of the Coleman Sundome, if that helps. My current plan is to use some parachord with some large-ish water bottles.

Any advice?

Thanks,

thegoof

 

[Maligator]

Would sandbags help?

 

[bama_ed]

thegoof,

here is a picture of the Coleman Sundome 4 so based on your description I would say this:



At best, the site you will be assigned to will have some space off the concrete nearby to set up the tent and spike it down which pulls the corners nice and tight.

At worst, the poles (which have hollow ends) usually plug a short stem which is on each corner into the end of the pole. The natural bend reflex of the poles to try to straighten out will keep the corners pulled out about 90% of the way. So you can set it up on the concrete but leave it unstaked. I would recommend putting a tarp or some type of plastic sheet between the tent floor and the pavement so the concrete doesn't scuff or do damage to the floor. Make sure the tarp is big enough and tuck extra material back under the tent. Tarps or ground cloths that stick out past the wall of the tent catch the rain and funnel it back under the tent floor (wet sleeping bag not fun).

If you have to set it up on concrete, I would recommend putting STUFF in it during the day when bodies aren't in it at night. I got back from the Fort this week and there were some blustery days with strong winds while we were in the parks. You don't want to come back and find your tent the next loop over in the trees.

You want a good pad or air mattress to sleep on especially if you are set up on the concrete. (duh). So it can be done.

Bama Ed

 

[Maligator]

How about just switching to a preferred or full hookup site that will have a sand pit?

 

[bama_ed]

How about just switching to a preferred or full hookup site that will have a sand pit?

That's an option too if you can get your dates. Plus it would save you some bling $$$$. A Class C doesn't need a lot of space.

Bama Ed

 

[Sundancer330]

You may be able to set it on the back corner of the concrete pad and stake three corners in the dirt, should hold it in place.

 

[thegoof121]

At best, the site you will be assigned to will have some space off the concrete nearby to set up the tent and spike it down which pulls the corners nice and tight.

At worst, the poles (which have hollow ends) usually plug a short stem which is on each corner into the end of the pole. The natural bend reflex of the poles to try to straighten out will keep the corners pulled out about 90% of the way. So you can set it up on the concrete but leave it unstaked. I would recommend putting a tarp or some type of plastic sheet between the tent floor and the pavement so the concrete doesn't scuff or do damage to the floor. Make sure the tarp is big enough and tuck extra material back under the tent. Tarps or ground cloths that stick out past the wall of the tent catch the rain and funnel it back under the tent floor (wet sleeping bag not fun).

If you have to set it up on concrete, I would recommend putting STUFF in it during the day when bodies aren't in it at night. I got back from the Fort this week and there were some blustery days with strong winds while we were in the parks. You don't want to come back and find your tent the next loop over in the trees.

You want a good pad or air mattress to sleep on especially if you are set up on the concrete. (duh). So it can be done.

Bama Ed

Thanks for the advice. Glad to know it can be done. Definitely going to need a tarp, and I'll be trying out various air matress/sleeping pad configurations the next few weeks. Your comment makes me feel that this ins't the craziest idea ever.

How about just switching to a preferred or full hookup site that will have a sand pit?

This will be the third trip the RV has made to the Fort. The first trip (which I didn't go on) was to a Premium site, the second one to a preferred site. The rest of the family liked the premium site better, hence will be going with that again.

 

[Maligator]

Can't blame you for the preferred preference! We do the same.