Everything you need to know about carrying an inflatable tent camping

The idea of going camping with an inflatable tent might seem awkward the first time you come across it. This is understandable because these tents are new products, and they look quite different from the camping tents made with traditional metal poles which you’re familiar with. However, inflatable tents have gained quite a lot of visibility and popularity over the years. And what makes this product, unique and recommendable is that it is user-friendly, easy to set up, fast, you don’t have to spend the whole day setting up the tent, it is easy to pitch and set up. And, it is also perfect for family camping adventures, backpacking, and car camping.

When we set up an air tent, we must pump it up, either manually or with an electric pump. It is difficult given the size of air tents. You may need to power an electric pump if you want to use it. As a result, a portable power station can clearly assist you in this regard. Also, inflating all inflatable items, such as air mattresses and air cushions, or simply making a few colorful balloons for decoration, can improve your camping experience.

Nevertheless, it is of great need to know all you have to know about this product before buying it or even considering using it for your next camping. For this reason, throughout this article, we will be talking about everything you must know about inflatable tents before carrying them camping. We will also be dealing with some relative questions, and suggest the best inflatable tents you can use for your camping. Let’s get started.

What is an inflatable tent?

Inflatable tents are also called air tents. They have similar characteristics to that of standard tents. However, what differentiates the two from each other is that; inflatable tents have inflatable air beams, instead of fiberglass or metal poles, which can be pumped up and serves as a pillar to support the shell of the tent.

How to set up inflatable tents – A step-by-step guide

Just as I’ve mentioned earlier, unlike the traditional camping tents you are familiar with, setting up an inflatable tent during your camping exercise is no pain at all. It is effortless and quick. With that being said, I am going to put you through how to set up an inflatable tent.

Step 1: Ensure you read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

You might be wondering why you must read instructions before setting up a tent. Well! This is so important if you’re using it for the first time because the majority of the manufacturers structure and design their tents differently. And for you to be able to enjoy and effectively use the product, you might want to consider reading the instructions carefully for you to be sure that the tent is rightly pitched.

Step 2: Clear out the Area

Once you’ve successfully gone through the instructions, remove the inflatable tent from its pack and unfold it. After which you can go ahead and clear out the area you want to pitch the tent. Ensure you look out carefully for anything that can damage the tent, things like twigs and sharp rocks. 

Step 3: Unfold and spread it out.

After clearing out the pitched area and unfolding the inflatable tent, lay it out and stake it down on either a tarp or a groundsheet if you’ll be using one. Ensure you position it well so that the door to the tent can be accurately where you want it to be.

Step 4: Inflate the air beam. 

Different products of inflatable tents have different structures of valves, some of them can have a single valve with others will have more than one. Therefore, you need to find out the number of valves of the product you’re using before pumping. If it is a single valve, you can attach your pump and start inflating. However, should in case there is more than one valve, you have to ensure all other valves are firmly closed except the one you are pumping from to avoid air leaking from those sides. Furthermore, it is advisable to use the pump that comes with your tent, as different manufacturers use different valve systems. 

Step 5: Check the pressure gauge.

This is so important because most inflatable tents have a certain amount of air they can contain, either in PSI or BAR, and most manufacturers always state this specifically in their product manual. And to ensure this balance, you can make use of a pressure gauge so that you can be sure not to over-inflate or under-inflate the tent. This is because when you over-inflate the tent it could shorten the lifespan of the tent, and in worst cases, can result in the leaking or bursting of the air beams. Likewise, when you under-inflate the tent, it could result in a flimsy structure, giving the tent a weird.

Step 6: Add guy lines to the tent

 After inflating your tent, you can then attach guy lines and pegs to all sides of the tent to ensure it is firmly secure to the ground and equally kept in position without one side pulling the others, causing an imbalance or a lop-sided shelter. Attaching a guy line helps your tent to withstand some very harsh winds. With all this in place, you’re set for a remarkable camping experience under a secure inflatable tent. 

Advantages of Using Inflatable Tents for Camping

Inflatable tents, unlike the traditional ones, save you a lot of time and energy when you want to pitch them. You don’t have to go through the pain of unfolding and connecting poles that are unwieldy which are always long or trying to secure a perfect shape for the tent by moving the poles. This is because the shape of the inflatable tent has been designed with it by the manufacturer, and it also has an inbuilt pole which helps you minimize the difficulties that always come with pitching a standard tent. And it can easily be taken down as quickly as possible. One interesting thing about these inflatable tents is that it doesn’t require more hands to set them up and collapse them. It can also be done by a single person – even a teenager can set it. This tells you how simple and easy it is to use. Although, getting an inflatable tent can be a little expensive, however, the cost is worth it considering the kind of convenience you get to enjoy.

Disadvantages of Using Inflatable Tents for Camping

No matter how good a product is, it will have one or two disadvantages, inflatable tents are no exception. Since this product is relatively new, getting a spare part can be a little difficult as not many people are into selling those parts. And in case some damages are done to the tent, finding people who are familiar with fixing these tents might not be easy. Repairing any ripped part in this material is the same as fixing the inner tube of a bicycle. Therefore, you might want to consider keeping a repair kit, spare bladder, or an extra tube cap with you when you’re carrying an inflatable tent camping.

 Top 3 Inflatable tents you can use for your camping

1. Decathlon Air Seconds 6.3 Fresh and Black Air Beam Tent

This is a tent recommended for a family or group of individuals, as it can accommodate up to 6 persons at once. Decathlon’s Air Seconds 6.3 is a quite affordable tent with good quality material. It also comes with 2 years guarantee. It has four different air beams supporting the structure. Its sleeping compartment uses Quechua’s ‘Fresh and Black’ technology as a means of blocking rays of light, which enables you to have a sound and prolong sleep in the morning without having to bother about the sun. It has a waterproof and windproof structure which protects you again wind and rain. 

2. Vango Osiris Air 500

This product also can accommodate six people at a time. Vango Osiris Air 500 is produced using 301 recycled plastic bottles, which made it an eco-friendly inflatable tent. It has large bedrooms, and its liners are coated with blackout material to resist rays of light from entering the tent in the morning. It doesn’t take much time to pitch this tent, and it also has a waterproof system and a pump that comes with it. You can consider getting this for your next camping. 

3. Dometic Boracay FTC 301:

Dometic Boracay is a Swedish brand known for having motorhome and campervan types of equipment, and their boxy design is suitable for tall people. It can accommodate three people, although there are other versions of this product available that can contain more than three people. The quality of the material used for the designs is considerably excellent and detailed. This is why it was regarded as the most innovative inflatable tent. It is waterproofed and well-structured in case of weather turn. 

Conclusion 

You can check out any of the above examples of inflatable tents you can consider getting for your camping. However, not having solar power or a portable generator while going camping in a place where there’s no light can serve as a fun spoiler for you. You might want to ensure that your gadgets are on in case of emergencies or any eventualities. Nevertheless, there’s a way to keep it charged up as ACEVOLT CAMPOWER offers you the opportunity to own a portable power generator and solar panels which are safe and can easily be recharged. With ACEVOLT CAMPOWER consistently supplying you with adequate power, you can be sure of a great camping experience.