I bought a pretty big tent for my buddy and myself. I read good reviews about it and didn't mind paying a little more for what seemed like a quality tent. It's too big for one person to assemble without cursing the Lord, and it was very hard for my buddy and I to get together to put it up, make sure all the pieces are there, and seal the seams. I work seven days a week, he works shift-work at a prison, and its' been a dadgummed monsoon here every evening after work for a straight week (ah, good ol' swampy South FL weather).

Well, we finally had to get around to doing it Saturday between my two jobs. Long story a little shorter, a freaking hailstorm popped up that made the ones earlier in the week seem like a sunny day. The seam-sealer had sufficient time to dry, but it started to drizzle and I didn't want to pack the tent back up when it was wet...I just thought it would blow over. Anyway, a hard, HARD storm with heavy wind came through, buckled one of the poles (the collapseable roof-support ones, not the big leg-poles). The whole tent collapsed and proceeded to lay flat on the ground while the yard flooded, filling it with water and dead grass. I took it up to the warehouse at work and hung it up with a forklift (had to, it's a big tent) and turned a shop fan on it to dry it off. I believe the tent material is fine, but I'm worried about the pole. It's split in two, so it's kind of bowed, although the cable running through it still holds it together.

I was thinking of buying a backup tent @ Wal-Mart...if I can't get mine to work, I've got it covered...if it's fine, then I'll return it (or sell it to somebody there who isn't as lucky). BUT, that will severely cut into my budget because the ones they have at our Wal-Mart big enough for my buddy and me (I'm rather giant) are 85 bucks. I'll see if I can borrow one, but I don't know if I can.

What do you guys recommend?

BTW, don't think I'm a huge loser for tying such a big post about my tent. It's not that bad, I type the way I talk...a LOT...and FAST! lol

Dick's Sporting Goods has "tent pole" repair kits. If I understood correctly, it's the collapsible kind with the chord in the middle. I would check there first.

I hope it doesn't come to that, but I may have to. I bought the tent from Dick's...the only problem is my little podunk town has no shopping available so I have to drive a little over an hour to West Palm Beach to get to Dick's...which will be hard for me since I've unfortunately made myself a last-minute Charlie and don't have much stuff ready. But I suppose if I have to, I will...where else am I gonna sleep? (Ladies?)

GGHT, stop by Bass Pro Shop in Orlando on the way up?

Not planning on going by Orlando (taking Hwy 27 up to the turnpike in Leesburg), but I'll definitely keep my eye out for one on the road, especially on I-75 and I-10.

I just called Dick's and they do have replacement poles. Still, I don't think I can spare the 2.5 hrs it will take in the evening to go get 'em...so I think I'm going to try to borrow a co-worker's tent for a back-up and try my luck with the pole. I'm not terribly psyched about this lol.

major bummer. the lemonade of the whole deal is better now than at Wanee...

I say take the tent back and say it's a piece of s#%t. your tent shouldn't do that..right? yes, it's a big storm, but stores will take back anything...

OTHERWISE, borrow a tent. deal with the BS later when you have time.

If you can't borrow your buddies, let me know, I'll bring ya one from MO!

wait, I just remembered the mud inside the tent deal. maybe they won't take it back...

UGGH!! TOTALLY SUCKS, I'm feeling your pain!

Just realized my rocks glass has RvR's logo on it 8*) Brother, we're bringing a second tent that just needs resealing. Not from down there ... But I'll look around on the way up thursday. You're welcome to it ... And if You get some seam sealer (or sounds like you might have some) ... Mi Tentcasa ... Su tentcasa

Get some plastic pipe to slip a 16" piece or so, over the broken pole and duct tape the whole thing. That should repair the pole at least.

I see you must be a Tampa Outlaws fan. I first met them about 1997 in St. Louis when they were "touring" in a econoline van.

Mac