Tent basics // Oshkosh prep

"Nomen Nescio" ] wrote in message
...
From: "Jay Honeck"

There is NOTHING you can "screw into" some parts of the North 40. This
past
year we were parked on top of what amounted to gravel beneath a thin
layer
of topsoil. As a result, I was completely unable to screw in my metal
aircraft tie-downs -- even using a "cheater bar"!

OOPS! I was under the impression that it was a soft soil problem with the
stakes. They probably
don't allow you to dig holes there, but if they do, "pie plate" anchors
might work well. They're
about a 6 - 8 inch disk with a flanged hook that goes through the center
hole and gets buried.
They're actually designed for use in snow, but would hold quite well under
a foot of gravel.
Four at the corners and then normal staking at the sides might be all
that's needed. The "pie
plates" are only a few bucks each.....if you can find them.
Obviously, I've never pitched a tent at Oshkosh. So take this with a grain
of salt.


It is a rock problem. I have twisted off screw in hold downs, like they
were nothing, while they were less than 1/2 of the way in. Digging is next
to impossible without a pick. Slick anchors, like pole barn nails can slide
out. Rebar is great, because of the texture on the sides; they do not let
go.

By the way, if you use rebar, plan on something to grip them, and a long
lever to get them out of the ground. Don't ask me how I know! :-) Vise
grips, and a flat pry bar, and a small piece of lumber to put on the ground
will work.

Not putting extra guys on a tent at OSH, is an invitation for the wind to
make your tent bend over until it is almost flat against the ground, all the
while that the four corners are firmly still in place. It will bend metal
poles, and snap fiberglass poles, if you let them get started blowing out of
shape. Bring extra ropes and extra stakes. You will need them. The wind
can, and will, really howl. That is the one thing you can count on.

Lots of people manage. Listen to those who have been there, done that, and
been successful.
--
Jim in NC