How Long Do Tents Last?
Tents are one of the most important and most used pieces of equipment for the common camper. Tents can be very expensive and a hassle to frequently replace.
The average lifespan of a tent is about 5-7 years. There are many different factors that can affect how long tents last. Some major factors are how frequently it is used, how it is stored, how its made, and more. This article will explain the lifespan of a tent, what makes a tent last longer, and how to tell if it is time for a new one!
Long Lasting Materials
The best and longest-lasting material for a tent is canvas. These tents can last up to 20+ years compared to a commonly used nylon tent is only going to last about 5 years. Canvas tents are usually used for long term camping due to their long-lasting material. Canvas is thicker and more durable than nylon. As well as canvas is waterproof meaning it does not need any waterproofing coat that can quickly deteriorate.
Aluminum poles are the most durable material you can have as they are strong and very flexible making it harder for them to brake by use or ruff weather conditions.
Although these materials are longer lasting than more commonly used materials like nylon and fiberglass they are much heavier. Understand what you are wanting to do with your tent as these materials might be too bulky and heavy for what you may want.
How to Properly Store a Tent?
How you store a tent is one of the most important factors that affect the longevity of a tent. An improperly stored tent can greatly reduce its lifespan as it can easily wear down and be damaged if not stored correctly.
Clean/Dry Your Tent
After a camping trip, it is important to clean and properly dry out the tent before packing it away in storage. This will help the tent from smelling or growing mold and bacteria forcing you to throw it away.
Begin by getting all debris out of the tent. From there soak it in water and let it properly dry for 1-2 days before packing it away.
Packing a Tent
Most tents come with a tight compact bag to stuff the tent in. While this makes a tent easy to store it is not the best for long-term storing. You will want to put it away in a loose bag allowing the material of the tent to properly breath.
Having the poles partly assembled can also help the longevity of the poles as it reduces the tension put on the stretchy rope inside. This isn’t possible for everyone as it takes a lot more space but uses whatever extra space to extend poles.
Location
Store your tent in a cool, dry space like a garage or closet. Moister can harm and mold the tent especially if packed tight without breathing room. Keeping your tent away from high-traffic areas can also help reduce the chance of accidents damaging it while in storage.
Common Tent Damages
Most tents have common weaknesses that will brake before the rest. These weaknesses are very similar in most tents and can be easily fixed instead of throwing a tent away.
Zippers
Zippers can easily brake and get stuck before there is anything else wrong with the tent. This is because the zippers are used more frequently than anything else on a tent. The main door zipper is opened and closed several times each and every day causing wear and tear very fast.
Knowing how to fix a zipper can save a lot of irritation and money. Check out our article on How to Replace a Tent Zipper With Velcro.
Lubricating your zippers after every trip can help keep them in good condition. Apply chapstick, petroleum jelly, or other wax-like products on the teeth of the zipper to keep them smooth.
Sun
The sun is very harmful to tents as the UV rays can break away at the waterproofing on most tents and can cause sun damage to the nylon. Many forget how powerful the sun can be but if your tent is sitting out in the sun it will defiantly wear down faster than if in the shade.
Protecting your tent with the rain fly is the best way to keep away sun damage. Yes, your rainfly will take sun damage but rain flies are easier and cheaper to replace than an entire tent.
Finding a shaded area to set up your tent can be a simple fix. Setting up under trees, rocks or other shade can easily protect the tent from the harmful rays of the sun for the majority of the day.
Holes
Puncturing the fabric of a tent is very common but also a very easy fix! Whether you poke a hole on accident or notice a hole from common wear and tear there is a solution. If you have a small to medium size hole in the wall of your tent you can easily find a patch kit for almost any type of tent online. Most manufacturers also provide a patching service that will be far cheaper than buying a brand-new tent.
Floor abrasions are very common. An easy way to prevent these is to get a tent footprint or a tarp to separate your tent from the ground. This is a cheap and easy way to prevent a common and expensive problem when it comes to camping.
Keep Good Care of Your Tent
Properly maintaining your tent will help it last longer and save you money in the long run. Maintain your tent by protecting it from harsh weather conditions by using a rain fly. Keep up with periodic cleanings and waterproofing. Finally, make sure to store away the tent in a dry area.
These simple but effective methods will allow your tent to last for years!
