Commonly asked questions about our tents and products. If you don’t find an answer to the question you are looking for, ask us a question on our website, through email, or Facebook Messenger and we will do our best to answer it as soon as possible.
How do I set up my Trekker Tent?
While specific set up instructions vary slightly by tent, set up is fairly straightforward and follows these steps for most tents. For more specific instructions for your tent you can either reference the booklet we included with your purchase, or view the product booklets online here.
You can set up almost all of the tents using trekking poles, sticks or an overhanging tree branch. If using sticks be sure that they are not sharp as they may puncture the fabric of the tent. Also note that extra rope/guy line to set up the tent using an overhanging tree branch is not included.
In most cases we recommend using trekking poles as they will result in the fastest and most consistent set up. Most trekking poles will work with our tents, it is not necessary to have River Country Products trekking poles.
How to set up the tent with trekking poles:
Step 1: Remove the tent from the bag and unroll.
Step 2: Stake down the four corners.
Step 3: Insert the metal tip of the trekking pole into the grommet, or if there is no grommet insert the handle or rubber tip of the trekking pole into the designated pocket. Do not set up the tent with the metal tip on fabric as this will rip the tent.
Step 4: Tighten the tent by extending the trekking poles until the fabric is pulled taught.
Step 5: Guy out the guy lines to secure the tent. Stake out the vestibule if applicable.
How to set up the tent with sticks:
Step 1: Locate sticks tall enough for your tent. Some tents require more than one stick. Check that the sticks aren’t sharp as they could puncture the fabric of the tent. For the 4 man tents we recommend using trekking poles and our extension piece as they are too tall to set up with most sticks.
Step 2: Roll out the tent and stake down the four corners.
Step 3: Insert the sticks into the grommets/fabric pockets. If the stick is too large to fit into the grommets you can use a guy line to tie the stick to the grommet.
Step 4: Guy out any guy lines and stake out the vestibule if applicable.
How to set up the tent with an overhanging tree branch:
Step 1: Locate a tree branch that is further off the ground than your tent is tall. Try to find a spot with flat ground around the tree, and at the top of an incline or hill to prevent rain water from pooling at the base of the tent.
Step 2: Unroll the tent under the tree branch.
Step 3: Use guy line to tie the grommets/fabric loops at the top or edges of the tent, to the branch. Tighten the guy lines until the tent is pulled taught. This works best if you are pulling away from the tent.
Step 4: Guy out all guy lines and stake out the vestibule if applicable.
What is the difference between the Trekker Tent 2 and the Trekker Tent 2.2?
The Trekker Tent 2 and the Trekker Tent 2.2 are similar. Both are two man tents and share the same dimensions, 7 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 42 inches high. The main difference is that the Trekker Tent 2.2 is almost entirely a 2-layer tent, with large mesh vents to reduce condensation. The Trekker Tent 2 does suffer from some condensation problems because it lacks the vents, but it also weighs less. The floor material of the Trekker Tent 2 is also made of a stronger tarpaulin material than the Trekker Tent 2.2.
Tent | Length | Width | Height | Weight (with stakes) |
Trekker Tent 2 | 7ft | 5ft | 42in | 2lbs 12oz |
Trekker Tent 2.2 | 7ft | 5ft | 42in | 3lbs |
What is the difference between the two four man tents, the Trekker Tent 3 and the Trekker Tent 4?
The Trekker Tent 3 and 4 have two different designs. The Trekker Tent 4 has more headroom, weighs more, and is a bit harder to set up. It also required 3 trekking poles instead of just 2. The Trekker Tent 3 is lighter, easier to set up, but has less head room when standing as it is a tee-pee shaped tent.
If purchased with trekking poles both tents come with an additional extension piece that allows you to connect two of our trekking poles end to end. This is necessary because of the height of the tent.
Tent | Length | Width | Height | Weight (with stakes) |
Trekker Tent 3 | 9ft | 7ft 2in | 6ft 8in | 4lb 10oz |
Trekker Tent 4 | 5ft 6in | 9ft 2in – 10ft 6in | 6ft 1in | 5lb |
How do I waterproof my tent?
Our tents are made to be waterproof, but we recommend that you seam seal your tent and/or spray it with a water proofing spray. You can find water proofing sprays at most box stores and outdoor stores for less than $10. Be sure to buy one that works with tents/tent fabrics.
To use the spray or seam sealer follow the directions on the package of the product you buy.
We recommend setting up your tent before taking it on a backpacking trip to ensure you have all stakes, that you know how to properly pitch the tent, and that the tent is waterproof. If you have any problems with your tent contact us and we will be happy to help resolve them. You can view our warranty and return policy here.
My tent has a lot of condensation, how can I reduce it?
If are having problems with excessive condensation inside your tent we recommend the following suggestions. Please note that almost all tents suffer from some problems with condensation and that these tips will help, but possibly not eliminate the problem completely.
#1: Don’t Quit Breathing. The average person breaths out an entire pint of water each night while sleeping. While not breathing would do more than all the remaining tips combined to reduce condensation, we don’t recommend it.
#2: Location. Picking the right location can greatly reduce condensation! Here are some tips for choosing a location when setting up your tent.
- Pick a location that is at least 50 feet from standing water, lake or river.
- Don’t set up your tent on living matter (green grass is green, because it is wet).
- Set up under trees, not in an open field (condensation is considerably less in the trees, as overhead branches provide an extra layer of protection, as well as a surface for condensation).
#3: Ventilation.
- Set your tent up so that any breeze is blowing at the door or the vents; this will increase ventilation.
- Leave the outer door open; only close it if it starts raining.
- Make sure vents are open.
#4 Don’t Add Water. Many people will keep their wet gear inside their tent with them at night. Don’t do this! Move all wet gear, socks, shoes, and packs out of the tent. You should consider bringing a small tarp for wet gear or leave it in another place outside your tent. Drying wet gear in your tent at night will add to condensation, and will most likely not dry any of your gear anyway.
Many people will keep their wet gear inside their tent with them at night. Don’t do this! Move all wet gear, socks, shoes, and packs out of the tent. You should consider bringing a small tarp for wet gear or leave it in another place outside your tent. Drying wet gear in your tent at night will add to condensation, and will most likely not dry any of your gear anyway.
#5: Try a Waterproofing Spray. Many waterproofing sprays actually do repel water. Lightly spray both the outside and inside of the tent with a waterproofing spray and you may notice less condensation on the inside of your tent wall. You can get a can of waterproofing spray at Walmart for around $5.
How much do your tents weigh?
All of our one and two person tents qualify as ultralight backpacking tents. An ultralight tent is often defined as a tent weighing 3 pounds or less. Our two four person tents the Trekker Tent 3 and the Trekker Tent 4 are both also very light when you consider weight per person.
Below is a table listing the weight of each of our tents. Weight includes stakes and carrying bag unless otherwise stated. Weight does not include trekking poles. Our carbon trekking poles weigh 10oz each, but the tents can also be set up using sticks or overhanging tree branches.
Tent | Weight (lb) | Weight (lb, without stakes) |
Trekker Tent 1 | 2lb 13oz | 2lb 9oz |
Trekker Tent 1A | 2lb 4oz | 2lb |
Trekker Tent 1.2 | 2lb 8oz | 2lb 4oz |
Trekker Tent 2 | 2lb 13oz | 2lb 10oz |
Trekker Tent 2.2 | 3lb 5oz | 3lb 2oz |
Trekker Tent 3 | 4lb 10oz | 4lb 4oz |
Trekker Tent 4 | 5lb | 4lb 10oz |
What are the dimensions of your tents?
Below is a table listing the set up length, width and height of our tents. These dimensions refer to the sleeping area of the tent, not including the length of vestibules or other additional features.
Tent | Length | Width | Height |
Trekker Tent 1 | 7.5′ | 38” | 48” |
Trekker Tent 1A | 7.5′ | 3′ | 32” |
Trekker Tent 1.2 | 7′ | 4′ | 42” – 32” |
Trekker Tent 2 | 7′ | 5′ | 42” |
Trekker Tent 2.2 | 7′ | 5′ | 42” |
Trekker Tent 3 | 9′ | 7′ 2” | 6′ 8” |
Trekker Tent 4 | 9′ 2” | 10′ 5” / 5.5′ | 6′ 1” |
What are the packed sizes of your tents?
The packed size of any tent or tarp material can change a large amount depending on how it is folded and rolled, and what bag it is placed into. Below is a table of approximate packed sizes for our tents. If you pack them tightly into a backpack you may find that you can get some of them to compress even further.
Tent | Length | Width | Height |
Trekker Tent 1 | 10” | 4.5” | 6” |
Trekker Tent 1A | 9.5” | 5.5” | 5.5” |
Trekker Tent 1.2 | 9.5” | 5.5” | 5.5” |
Trekker Tent 1V | 9.5” | 5.5” | 4” |
Trekker Tent 2 | 10” | 6” | 5.5” |
Trekker Tent 2.2 | 10” | 5.5” | 5” |
Trekker Tent 3 | 12” | 6” | 7” |
Trekker Tent 4 | 12” | 6” | 7” |
Shelter Tent 2 | 10” | 4” | 3.5” |
Rain Fly | 10” | 4” | 3.5” |
Ground Cover | 6” | 3” | 2” |
Poncho | 6” | 3.5” | 3” |
My Trekking Poles are slipping, what do I do?
The answer to this question depends on what trekking poles you have purchased.
If you purchased any of our carbon poles they have an easy to use clasp locking mechanism. If the clasp is fastened and your poles are still slipping, unfasten the clasp, tighten the mechanism using the plastic dial and then refasten the clasp. You may have to use some pressure to fasten the clasps.
You can view a video of this process here.
Our aluminum trekking poles are twist lock, allowing them to have an anti-shock feature. To lock these poles simply extend them to the desired height and twist them closed.