Clean Run Magazine - April 2008 - 36

are generally coated with a polyurethane or made with fabric impregnated with silicone. The silicone or polyurethane also provides the tent with some UV protection. So, if you are going to use your tent during the day, it is always advisable to leave © RENA BARNETT The Tent Floor A ground sheet is very useful for prolonging the life of the tent floor, if it is used properly. The point of the ground sheet is to protect the bottom of the tent from rips and to create a water barrier between the bottom of the tent and the ground. There is some debate about whether it is better to lay the ground cloth under the tent or in the tent. If you choose to lay the sheet under the tent, be certain that the cloth is no bigger than the tent and does not stick out. If the ground sheet sticks out, water can pool between the bottom of the tent and the ground sheet, turning your tent into your own personal ark. For tents with floors or bathtub bottoms (specially seamed tents with thick floors designed to keep water out), it is very difficult to get water out if it manages to get in. For these kinds of tents, it is helpful to enforce some ground rules to prevent water from being tracked in. Get a cheap doormat and place it in front your flysheet on. Keep in mind that most tent manufacturers do not warranty against UV damage, and that your tent was probably not designed to take the amount of UV exposure that occurs during an agility trial season. When at all possible, look for shaded areas to pitch your tent. You should also use a spray-on UV protector made especially for tents. There are some general points to keep in mind for care and maintenance of all types of tent poles: • Unfurl your tent poles one segment at a time. • Occasionally lubricate your tent poles with a siliconebased product to minimize wear. • Remove any dirt or debris that builds up in the poles as often as possible. • Poles are most vulnerable to being snapped when the tent is being set up or broken down. Try to pitch and stake your tent as quickly as possible. If a strong gust of wind hits the tent while the poles are not firmly snapped into place, there is a chance that one or more poles could break. • Avoid stepping on your poles or leaning on them when moving in or out of your tent. High-end tent manufacturers will usually replace broken poles or sell replacement parts. You can also buy steel and aluminum poles separately from camping supply stores. Tip: If you have a tent in which the fabric and the poles set up together, such as an umbrella style, pop tent, or quick setup dome tent, be certain to completely zip the tent up before packing it away. If the fabric is unzipped, it can twist around the poles, causing them to torque and snap the next time you try to pitch your tent. Also, keep in mind that these styles of tents should be completely closed up before you leave them pitched at the trial site for any length of time. Tend to Seams and Fabric Modern tents are made of a variety of synthetic and natural materials. The two most common fabrics for awning and camp tents are polyester and nylon. Regardless of the fabric used, general maintenance of the fabric is still necessary for your tent’s longevity. While it is normally easy to replace a broken pole, fabric can only be “patched or dispatched. ” Tip: As an added precaution, drape a reflective tarp over the top of the tent to deflect sunlight away from the tent’s roof. of the tent so you can wipe water and muck off shoes. Packing It Away When you break down your tent, make sure all the zippers are zipped and simply stuff it into the bag. Zipping up the tent before packing it away will help prevent the tent from being tangled, and stuffing, instead of folding, will help prolong the life of the tent’s water sealant. Do not fold it up or the sealant will crack around the established fold lines over time. If at all possible, avoid packing your tent while wet. If your tent does get wet and you have to pack it up and head home, set it up as soon Clean Run | April 08 Before you use your tent for the first time, and then at the beginning of each trial season thereafter, treat all of your tent’s seams with a tent seam sealant. You can buy an aerosol spray to retreat the fabric as needed as well but treating the seams is a must. In a heavy downpour, water will pool around the stitching until the stitching becomes supersaturated and begins to leak. Over time, your stitching may rot and most certainly, your tent will become water stained or simply spring a leak. UV and Seam Protection With the exception of canopy tents, most tents are designed to have an inner and outer layer. The inner tent is made of a breathable fabric that wicks away condensation Rena Barnett trains and shows her Yorkie, MACH Mr. Cinnamon Bun, in agility and earthdog. She is a member of APDT and administrator of the Mighty Mite Small Dog Sports Forum. Rena is also the owner of Mighty Mite Dog Gear, the makers of the Mighty Mite Super Set Screenroom Tent and the Mighty Mite Super Set Dog Tent. Visit her website at www. mightymitedoggear.com. 36 from humans and dogs alike. The outer layer, the flysheet (or rainfly), is an impermeable layer that drapes across the inner tent, keeping out wet weather. Some tents come with flysheets; others are sold separately. Flysheets

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Clean Run Magazine - April 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - April 2008