Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog
But do A-frames have any particular strengths, in relation to other designs?
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On the basis of a quick rummage in our gear loft revealing three dome tents, two A frame tents, one tunnel tent (and a large family size tent for when we all go) this is my take on it.
The A frame tents are pretty bulletproof once put up but they do have less internal room as the sides slope and I use them one size smaller than their capacity, ie 2 people in a 3 man etc.
The sides are vulnerable to wind blowing the flysheet against the inner as they're unsupported, so you need to be careful in deciding pitch alignment in windy, wet weather.
The biggest drawback though is that they depend on strongly pegged end guys to support the A frame (so does the tunnel tent). If you can't get the end guys to take this is what you end up with:
In the second one the guyline is tied to the bike at one end and to a tyre lever used as a long peg at the other. It looks kind of solid but heavy breathing would have knocked it over.
Domes, being self supporting, are much better in these sorts of conditions but two of my (mid range) domes have broken poles in cold conditions, something the A framers have never done.
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