AROUND THE KAMPFIRE (Tips on livin’ outside.)

Tip – When buying a new tent don’t forget to purchase a can of seam sealer. Although tent cloth itself may be waterproof, the seams are not always so. After a sewing needle has moved in and out of nylon cloth a few thousand times it becomes heated and does not punch holes through the cloth as much as it melts the holes through. These holes let water pour in unless they are plugged with ‘seam sealer’. I’m not sure which is the best to use but I have used Camp Dry on my own tents as well as my outdoor jackets and it does a pretty good job. Concentrate the spray on the sewed seams only and not on the main cloth itself. Set up the tent and spray the seams inside first. After the tent has dried, spray the seams on the outside. Let the tent dry completely and then hose the tent down on the outside and look inside for leaks. If you find any, repeat the spraying in that area.

If the top or any part of the tent is made of canvas, set it up and hose it down with water inside and out until it is soaking wet. Let it air and sun dry completely. Doing this will shrink the cotton fabric and close the holes. You may then seal the seams if you want, otherwise it should be waterproof.

Whatever the tent occupancy is said to be, divide that number by 2 and you will have a more exact idea of how many people (plus their pack) the tent will hold comfortably. A tent that is said to hold 4 people will not be comfortable for 4 people and their packs; it will be more comfortable for 2 people and their gear. Get the idea? If you are going to be camping more than overnight or a weekend, then I would recommend the tent occupancy be divided by three since you will no doubt be taking more equipment per person.

Tip – Always put a ground cloth under your tent. This will protect the tent from sharp objects and keep the bottom of the tent clean.

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Have a TIP for our readers? Drop me a line to: Hunters’ Publications, P.O. Box 9793, Waynedale, IN 46899 or e-mail me at KampfireKookin@aol.com and I’ll give you credit for sending it in. Please put the word ‘TIPS’ in the subject box.