Stakes for canvas tents

Judy Ann · 12-17-2012, 10:16 PM

I have a 10x10 springbar-type Kodiak tent that I use in both sandy and rocky conditions. It came with 12 inch steel stakes, but when camping in coastal conditions I use screw-in-the-ground 12 inch stakes on the windward side. Should I look for groundhog stakes? My last trip in the mountains of Virginia I was unable to drive the stakes into the rockbed beyond 6-8 inches and was not only worried about ruining the stakes, but concerned that with high winds that the tent (not a stand alone) might be compromised and blow over. It has always met the challenges of the elements, but should I consider something different?

wvbreamfisherman · 12-18-2012, 10:18 AM

If weight isn't an object, you could do what we did on the first tent we had when I was a kid.

The guy we got it from had made stakes from half-inch rebar. He'd sharpened them to a diamond shaped point, and bent a hook into the top to hook the tent ropes on.

You could drive them with a sledge hammer and not do much damage (except to what you're driving it through).

Hikenhunter · 12-20-2012, 12:19 AM

We set up 10x20, 10x30,and 10x40 Canvass Party tents at work several times a year. All the stakes that came with those tents have been replaced with stakes about 18" long made of rebar like what WV. suggests in his post. We have never lost one of these tents to the wind, although hitting the stakes with a sledge and catching a rock will bend them. They last a long time and they are easy and fairly cheap to replace.

Grandpa · 12-20-2012, 01:07 AM

My heavy stakes are 1/2 " round stock about 15 inches long. Instead of bending a hook, I cut a 3" piece with a 45 degree bend in the middle and welded it against the long piece. That gives a bigger hammer surface with the force directly to the shaft and the bend becomes the hook. No give to them puppies but then we don't have to contend with sand.

Judy Ann · 12-20-2012, 09:24 AM

The rebar stakes sound solid, however I'm not sure about me and a sledgehammer.

I haven't had a problem with the 12 inch stakes to date, but will probably take my half-dome as a back-up next time.

wvbreamfisherman · 12-20-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judy Ann

The rebar stakes sound solid, however I'm not sure about me and a sledgehammer.

I haven't had a problem with the 12 inch stakes to date, but will probably take my half-dome as a back-up next time.

LOL- think 2lb, short handled sledge hammer, not one of the big ones...

Grandpa · 12-20-2012, 06:45 PM

I was in a local sporting goods store today and saw a sand/snow stake that looked very efficient. It was call Toughstake. Anybody tried it yet?

Toughstake: Sand and Snow Tent Stakes

Judy Ann · 12-20-2012, 06:59 PM

Interesting. Did you see the price on the large steel stake? ~$70! I think I'll stick with my screw-in-the-ground ones in sand for that price.

Granite rock-bed is my nemesis.