Technical Support—Tents
Tent FAQs
- What is a bathtub floor? Why do we use them in some tent models and not in all models?
- What does waterproof mean? What does the "mm" rating mean?
- What do the letters D and T after the fabrics mean?
- What are some different configuration of the tarps and wings?
- Why should I get a footprint?
- How should I store my tent?
- How long will a tent last?
- What is packaged and minimum weight?
- How do I guy out my tent?
- How do I prevent mildew?
- What's the best way to clean my tent?
- Do I need to seam seal my tent?
- What causes condensation and how do I reduce it in my tent?
- How do I repair tears?
- What happens if one of my poles breaks?
- How do I obtain a warranty for my Moss, Walrus or Armadillo tent?
What is a bathtub floor? Why do we use them in some tent models and not in all models?
"Bathtub floor" is tent-speak for a floor that curves upward at its perimeter and is joined to the canopy. Bathtub floors eliminate the floor perimeter seam and keep stitching away from ground moisture, adding to a tent's waterproof-ness. They also reduce the weight and increase the strength of the tent.
What does waterproof mean? What does the "mm" rating mean?
Waterproof means that the fabric has been coated with polyurethane and the seams have been taped, making that area of the tent impermeable to water. "mm" refers to the amount of water the fabric will hold before it leaks. A 1500mm coating, for example, will withstand a 1500mm (5') column of water for more than one minute before a single drop might appear through the fabric. That's strong enough to prevent rain from leaking in a 75 mph hurricane-force storm.
What do the letters D and T after the fabrics mean?
"D" stands for Denier. It's a numbering system for fibers, filaments and yarns, in which the lower numbers are lighter/finer and the higher numbers heavier/coarser. "T" stands for Thread Count – specifically the number of warp and fill threads in a square inch. The lower numbers represent a loosely woven fabric and the higher number a tightly woven fabric. These two numbers together help indicate the strength and feel of a piece of fabric.
What are some different configuration of the tarps and wings?
The 7-point design has a "flat" and a "pointed" end. For all configurations, the "pointed end" should always be used as the highest supported point. The opposite "flat edge," which consists of three points, can be stretched tightly and attached to a shelter, car rack, or even the pole-supported vestibule of a tent (VistaWing sizes) to form a protected area. Try placing the poles at different points, using no poles at all or adding more poles to create new living spaces. (Paddles and sticks work well in the cord storage pockets, too.) Experiment and be creative!
Why should I get a footprint?
It’s recommended that you use a footprint (sold separately) underneath your tent. Designed for each specific model, a footprint will not only keep your tent floor clean and dry, it will protect it from excessive abrasion, prolonging the life of the tent.
How should I store my tent?
Never pack or store your tent if it is wet/damp or dirty. Though we use the best polyurethane waterproofing available, prolonged exposure to moisture causes hydrolysis; the waterproof layer breaks down, becoming soft, sticky and no longer waterproof. Storing a wet tent for as little as 24 hours in warm weather is also likely to start the process of mildew forming on the fabric. Mildew will cause your tent to stain, smell, and will lead to the premature breakdown of the waterproof coating, as well. Mildew and moisture damage are not covered under the Limited Warranty.
Dry your tent thoroughly after every trip and store it outside of the stuff sack, the same as you would a sleeping bag, in a dry area out of direct sunlight.
How long will a tent last?
A tent's lifespan is directly connected to the amount you use it. A tent's biggest enemy is UV radiation (just like your skin). A tent that lives in extreme conditions at high altitude, such as Everest Base Camp, may only last a few months, while a well taken care of tent, used occasionally under normal conditions, can last for many years.
What is packaged and minimum weight?
Minimum and packaged weights are defined by American Standards and Testing Methods (ASTM), one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world. Minimum weight is the combined weight of the tent body, rainfly and poles. Packaged weight includes the tent body, rainfly, poles, stakes, stuff sack, instruction manuals, pole repair sleeves, guy lines, and everything else that comes with your tent.
How do I guy out my tent?
MSR DryGuys don't wick water like webbing guyouts and give you a variety of ways to guy out your tent. Guying out your tent will provide more stability in windy or extreme conditions. To guy out your tent, run cord from the tent's DryGuy grommet through the tensioner. Pass the cord around the stake and back through the tensioner, keeping the curved side of the tensioner toward the stake. Tie a knot at the end of the cord. To tighten cord, pull the tensioner up along the cord and release. A climbing rope can be used by threading the rope through the fabric loop of the DryGuys and anchored down to the ground via the rope that is between each of the DryGuys.
How do I prevent mildew?
One of the easiest ways to damage your tent is not drying it as quickly as possible whenever it gets wet. Storing a wet tent as short as 24 hours in warm weather is likely to start the process of mildew forming on the fabric. Mildew can permanently damage the waterproof coatings by causing it to separate from the fabric, but mild to severe staining is more common. Mildew stains are permanent. They cannot be removed without potential harm to the fabric coatings and are not covered by warranty. Even when your tent appears to be dry after use, it is always best to unfold and assure it is completely dry before storing. This can be achieved by hanging it outside or even leaving loosely clumped in your house for a few days, turning it inside and out to assure it has dried everywhere. Never machine dry your tent as the heat can melt the fabric.
What's the best way to clean my tent?
Cleaning your tent is not necessary unless it has an offensive odor or becomes heavily soiled. If heavily soiled, the pressure from a regular garden hose will remove most loose dirt. For more severe cleaning, set up your tent and hand wash it with warm water, a sponge and mild, non-detergent soap. Do not use dishwashing liquid, detergent, bleach, pre-soaking solutions, or spot removers. Rinse well. Dry your tent by pitching or line dry. Never dry clean, machine wash or machine dry your tent. Any of these methods can remove all the waterproof coatings from the fabric.
Do I need to seam seal my tent?
Superior fabrics and construction make MSR tents extremely waterproof. The rainfly and floor are factory seam taped, so seam sealing is not recommended. If any problems develop, seam seal the specific area only. Seam seal the inner, coated shiny side of the area only. Follow the instructions on the seam sealer tube. Use a syringe for accuracy. Allow the seam sealer to dry, then apply baby or talc powder to prevent the seam sealer from sticking to the rest of the tent.
What causes condensation and how do I reduce it in my tent?
Condensation is the build-up of moisture inside your tent due to differences between the inside and outside temperature. In your tent, it is caused by 3 main sources:
- Weather Conditions: High humidity, low temperatures, and rainy conditions create the most condensation.
- People: We produce about 1 - 2 pints of moisture in a night through breathing and skin evaporation.
- Wet Environment: Wet ground or wet gear stored inside the tent.
The key to reducing condensation is ventilation. Fresh air has to flow into your tent and warm, moist air has to escape. MSR has designed a variety of ways to do this. The first is in the construction. The tent body and ceiling are made of breathable fabric and MicroMesh. This allows moisture to escape through the breathable fabric, so condensation will be on the waterproof rainfly, not inside the tent. In addition, every MSR rainfly also has a peak vent that provides protection from the outside, but still allows for essential free flowing, fresh air into your tent. You can also use the tips under "Triple ZipGate Zippers" below to vent through your rainfly door. Guying out your tent through the DryGuys will also increase ventilation in hot or humid conditions. Unfortunately, no tent design will totally eliminate condensation in all conditions. But, providing good ventilation using any of the above tips will help in reducing it.
How do I repair tears?
Unfortunately, sometimes damage does occur to your tent. You can do minor repairs in field using one of several alternatives. MSR offers waterproof, self-adhesive patches (sold separately) for all of the fabrics and MicroMesh on your tent. Seam sealers are also a good alternative for small holes or duct tape for minor, temporary field repairs. If you use duct tape be sure to remove it as soon as you are through with your trip, the adhesive will eventually eat away at the fabric and you will end up needing a larger patch. We recommend carrying at least one of these as a precaution. If you have a large tear, the MSR Product Service Center can also fix your tent after you return from your trip.
What happens if one of my poles breaks?
If a tent pole breaks, you can make a temporary splint with the pole repair sleeve. Slide the repair sleeve over the broken section and tape or wedge it in place to hold it secure.
How do I obtain a warranty for my Moss, Walrus, or Armadillo tent?
Moss, Walrus, and Armadillo were brands manufactured by a company called Edgeworks that went out of business in 2001. In 2001, MSR, Inc. acquired Edgeworks' tent inventory and decided to honor tent warranty obligations for three years. When Cascade Designs, Inc. purchased the MSR brand, it continued to honor MSR, Inc.'s three year warranty commitment; however, today, all warranty obligations for Moss, Walrus, and Armadillo brand tents have expired, and replacement parts for the same have been exhausted. Hence, since the three year warranty period has expired, and given that Edgeworks no longer exists, Cascade Designs, Inc. has no obligation, continuing or otherwise, to service these products.
