Like many new things, Tentsile products can get a little bit of getting used to. Our instructional manuals, video guides, tips, tricks and hack library is full to the brim with essential information and excellent advice about how to set up properly and how to get the best out of your Tentsile. Nevertheless, we know that many of you will attempt to set up using gut instinct and common sense, which is fine and certainly worth trying if you want to. We advise you take the few days it takes for your purchase to arrive, to read our literature, watch our videos and generally familiarise yourself with our extensive guides and instructions.

We do however stress that as a new product with an element of inherent risk attached to it, you do your due diligence and brush up on some of the basics for obvious safety reasons. Nothing takes the pleasure away from a nice first evening camping faster than not being able to put your tent up correctly, and nothing spoils a camping adventure more than a trip to the local A&E.

Remember we invented these for you to enjoy, and no one knows how to set them up better than us! Take our advice, learn how to do it, master the basic principles and after that, you can start getting creative with your own set ups, hacks and modulations. We will even listen to any ideas you have about how to make things better.

You will already be familiar with the Overview Features, Set-Up and take down videos that are found on each product page. Some of your will have already looked at the online manual for the Tentsile model you have purchased. Our YouTube and Vimeo channels have them all available, too. Our FAQ page has most commonly asked questions, and our Tips and Tricks page has some more advanced techniques that will come in handy when you encounter a situation that sits outside the norm.

For those that like a recap list, here is a straight up play of easy dos and don’ts:

  • Do always be safe, read the material and set up correctly, cranking hard and locking all ratchets once done.
  • Don’t take anything for granted. Visually and tactically double check the health of your anchor trees and all equipment for signs of damage, wear and tear or ill health.
  • Do set up at our recommended heights (3ft/1m) to avoid serious injury, if anything goes wrong.
  • Don’t use dead trees, man-made posts, chimneys or walls to set up. The lateral force will most likely pull it down!
  • Do use the recommended diameter of tree to set up. Different models will excerpt different forces and therefore need different sized/strength anchors.
  • Don’t set up or stick around, during a storm. Pack up and go home. You never know when a large branch might come down on you.
  • Do ratchet as tight as you can; the tighter the better. There will be less roll, more comfort, less chance of poles snapping, more ability to shed rain and wind.
  • Don’t take anything sharp into your tent. One cut or hole in tensioned fabric is likely to ruin the unit. We also advise shoes come off, and pets stay on a blanket or quilt.
  • Do re-tighten (and lock) your ratchets before bed. The fibres that make up the fabric and webbing of a new product will need to relax and stretch out.
  • Don’t release the ratchets until everyone is well clear of the tent / hammock. You do not want to let anyone drop to the ground. This will injure them.
  • Do take down unit after each use rather than leave up unattended, as UV damage will occur over time. Each model comes with a UV rating, please check it.
  • Don’t store wet, dirty or in a humid environment as this will have a detrimental effect on the condition of your unit and reduce its life expectancy.