Glampstyle
Glamp/camp DIY – Repurpose those tents
A tent has a lot of Components that can be salvaged. I’ve often seen tents and screen-houses left in the campground’s Garbage area, after a heavy storm. Most are very obviously damaged, with jagged pole ends jutting out at odd angles. Some are just left by disillusioned and disgruntled campers who are “never camping again – ever”
Among the goods to be salvaged from discarded tents include long 2-way zippers, loops, grommet sections. sturdy poles, flex poles, pockets, ropes, awnings and more.
There is a wealth of water-proof fabric and re-purposable “function elements” in those discarded tents and screen shelters. I’ve used them for spare and replacement parts, repairs, refashioning other tents, making new tents and much more.
All those Possibilities!
Use it to repair a camping tent.
Replace a splintered pole after its had a run-in with an errant car wheel. Yes, I backed into it during a thunderstorm
Replace Peg loops and metal rings that have tattered or torn off
Replace poles and pegs that somehow got lost That one just might be packed in with the wrong tent – but who knows. It may have been left behind somewhere.
Replace a damaged zipper – I hate tackling this one…but if the tent’s worth it, its a good winter project.
Mending or replacing your tent screen when a varmint or a fire got it.
Use it to “Glamp up” a favorite camping tent.
Add a bonus window a my tent. I like to have visibility on on four sides. In case something’s out there…
Add extra “stash” pockets to a good tent. Sometimes they just don’t come with enough of these amenities.
Make an Add-on screen room for your existing tent
Use it to “Glamp up” up a Vehicle
Make detachable bug screens for all the windows. They can be attached with Velcro from the inside OR magnets from the outside. This not only makes for a super-comfy bug-free sleep if you like; it also keeps out the bugs that might wander in seek refuge in cooler temps. If you’ve experienced the fish-fly season along Lake Winnipeg, you’ll appreciate car screens for that factor alone. And – it assures that you won’t have those startling driving experiences. Like that Spider-crawling-down-the-windshield experience I had, while driving. Or the bumble bee
Make detachable blinds for the windows. These offer privacy as well as shield from light at night. They can be attached with Velcro dots, or they can hang from string “curtain rod” thats attached with pins to the car’s interior.
If you manage to salvage a silver or gray “solar” piece, you can make blinds to shield your windows on those really hot days at the campsite. Its as simple as using magnets to fasten the “blinds” in place on the car’s exterior. This is really nice to have if you have electronics, or other heat-sensitive goods in the car.
There’s yards and yards of rain-proof fabric and mountains of bug screening.
Make a tent or shelter. That’s how I started my first truck tent. And my Van tent, and the SUV Hatch tent.
Make an emergency rain/wind shelter or canopy to cover the hatch of my SUV. Sometimes you just weren’t prepared for THAT much rain.
Make a large nylon “tarp” that’s extremely pack-able and drape-able. It also much quieter. Think of the loud crinkly noise those stiff vinyl ones make when a breeze catches them. If you can manage it, scavenge a “bowl” shaped section, because its even better for covering and tucking under the camping provisions. Or even to keep the dampness of the fire wood.
A large flat section makes a good wind shield or ground cover. I’ve used a nylon tarp as a privacy shield from neighbors when they’ve been just too close, or too curious. I’ve used it as
a wind shield to protect my cooking space and a sun shield when there is not enough tree shade. I’ve also used one to drape the side of my tent on occasion, to block out a badly situated street light and a nearby RV’s “yard” light.
And you can drape a picnic table and stash gear (and firewood) under the picnic table.
Use materials to Convert a tent or shelter to make it more functional or “Glamp” worthy.
Make pup tent for the kids.. or yourself. The Colourful cloth ones are nice too. But this one will keep them dry if it rains. String a rope between two poles. Or between the car and the picnic table, if need be. Drape the tarp over it. A light bug netting, or even a Colourful sheet could be thrown over the whole thing to cover the ends, as desired.
Make sturdy bug net
String a rope between two poles. Drape it with a portion of the screening. With some clever tacking and pinning, you can put netting on the ends to.
The netting, if its large enough, can give you a whole screened in bug- free area.
Drape it over two tents or between the car and the tent.
Drape it over a large umbrella for an instant gazebo.
Drape it over the open hatch of a van or SUV for a mini-screen room. Save a piece to hang from the bumper-to-ground area as well.
Before you Cut!
I carefully plan before cutting into the discarded tent. For sure, I could re-use that 7” long zipper. But why not include whole door, or even the entire wall in my salvage cut. It could save me hours of time of stitching zipper into new fabric.
Caution: Make sure you’re cutting up the right tent!
To fashion this one I had to to do some “mcgivoring”. I added a detachable zipped screen to the front of a sun canopy. This is a really good way to put the parts of discarded tents to use.
A straw mat and lawn furniture fit neatly inside to provide a nice little haven.
It can even withstand a light sprinkling of rain. If the rain should get heavier, and I need to take cover, the furniture quickly gets folded down and covered with a tarp to keep it dry.
Colourful string lights change the ambiance to a more magical one as evening approaches. Those stake-style solar lamps surrounding tent, I found at the dollar-store.
Aspire to kind of lifestyle do you really want