A gazebo pop up tent is one surefire way to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Unlike a standard or fixed gazebo of similar dimensions, a pop up tent offers a few added advantages. It only takes 1-2 people a few minutes to set it up. High-quality pop up tents can also withstand harsh weather conditions, including scorching heat and rain.
But continued gusts of wind can sometimes topple even a large-sized event gazebo! It not only damages the canopy but also ruins your entire event. So, what can you do to ensure that it does not happen to you when setting up your pop up tent outdoors?
Here are a few ways to stop the wind from playing spoilsport.
Setting up a gazebo pop up tent the right way
These pointers will help you ‘wind-proof’ your canopy.
- Buy branded gazebos only!
Yes, branded tents are often more expensive than unbranded ones. But the latter do not possess the essential qualities. Branded models have sturdier aluminum or even fiberglass frames that do not break easily. The fabric will also be a lot better and last longer.
Some major brands have pop up models with stainless-steel frames. Go for them.
- Opt for models with a vented canopy
When you buy a (branded) pop up tent, look for models with a canopy roof with air vents. Often, a vent is nothing but a specially designed hole or a sieve on one side of the canopy roof.
It is there to prevent sudden gusts from lifting the entire pop up tent and flinging it aside like a child’s toy. Therefore, your chosen gazebo pop up tentmust have a vented top.
- Look for flat surfaces
Recreational events or camping trips will go smoothly if you can set up your tent on flat ground or level surfaces. Occasionally, you will not find a flat surface in forested areas. That’s why you should add a handy machete to your kit. It will help you clear a portion till the ground beneath is bare and flatter.
Flat surfaces reduce the chances of your tent tipping over significantly. However, do avoid soggy surfaces or areas near large trees or anything like that.
- Use sandbags and canopy weights
Some event gazebos come with their own set of weights. However, most pop up tents do not. You can buy the sandbags and additional weights separately. You can fill the sandbags with sand or stones and place them on the canopy legs to make the entire thing heavier and thus more difficult for the wind to snatch it away!
In an emergency where you don’t have access to proper canopy weights, you can use pillowcases and fill them with sand before attaching them to the canopy legs.
- Anchor it with care
This is probably the most difficult part! If you are not a regular tent user, anchoring can be complicated. Branded gazebos may come with several sets of ropes and stakes. You can use them to anchor the tent’s legs till they seem tough enough to withstand breezes.
Also, the legs should not move, even when you push them with some force. To further fortify this temporary shelter, you can purchase stainless-steel stakes. The ones with a slightly hooked upper portion are the best.
For a more authentic outdoor experience, learn a few knots to tie down the rope around the legs. The ‘taut line hitch‘ is considered the best of all these knots, especially for pop up tents.
There are plenty of videos on YouTube to learn how to tie that one too!
- Keep zip ties and duct tape handy
A basic zip tie will let you further secure the canopy. All you need to do is tie one end of it to a tree or even a fence post and the other end with the lower parts of the legs, which have already weighed down.
Duct tape helps patch up any damaged portion of the canopy fabric. It’s not uncommon to have small rips in the canopy fabric if you use it frequently.
Keep away from electric poles. They can be deadly during storms.
- Ditch sidewalls, if any
Some of the best gazebo pop up tents come with high-quality sidewalls for better protection against the elements and better privacy. But the same sidewalls will prove disastrous if there is a sudden gust followed by gale-force winds.
Those air vents on canopy sheds from point 2 will let in more air rapidly and trap it within, which can become an enclosed room of sorts. The tent will topple down sooner.
It’s better to get rid of the sidewalls in advance if you are camping in an area known for sudden high spells of wind.
Final Thoughts
Besides these seven crucial tips, you should read the user manual provided by the manufacturer along with your branded pop up tent. It will provide more detailed information on the dos and don’ts when using the product. Lastly, be prepared at all times. If that relaxing cool breeze gains strength, you must wrap up and call it a day as soon as you can!
