Picking the Site

• Take time to pick the right site before unpacking and setting up. Level ground keeps campers from sleeping on inclines or rolling into the sidewalls in the night. Pick an area free of rocks, sticks and other debris that can rip tent floors. A layer of leaves or moss under the tent floor adds cushion.
  
  

Be Gentle

• Unroll the tent package gently to avoid wear and tear and set the top fly--a separate tarp cover for the tent--aside. Completely unfurl the tent into a square so the screen doors are facing up. If windy, stake down just one corner of the tent's front end through the metal corner stake loops to keep the material from flapping or flying away.
  
  Gently unfold the shock cord poles until they are straight with ends fitted together in grooves. Whipping these out quickly causes wear and tear and can lead to instant breaks in the shock cords. Fit two of the frame poles through the diagonally drilled holes in one of the plastic junction tubes. If done properly, the pole and junction tube assembly form an A-shaped front or end frame for the tent. Repeat this step for the second set of poles and junction tube. Assemble the bottom of one A-frame assembly to the front of the tent, sliding the metal posts on the stake loops into the bottom of the frame poles. Repeat this action for the rear of the tent.
  
  

The Trick to the Ridge Pole

• The ridge pole, a shock cord pole that provides the roof structure of the tent, is somewhat tricky to attach. Fully assemble the pole except for the center, which should be disconnected and hanging limp. Keeping the pole loose makes for easier one-person tent assembly. Slide one end of the ridge pole through the center hole of the front junction tube. Repeat the action for the rear and then slowly walk to the center of the tent running a hand along the ridge pole. Snap the center pole grooves together firmly to complete the frame assembly.
  
  

Final Assembly

• Loops at the front and rear of the tent pull upward and affix to junction tubes to raise the tent's roof. Lift gently but firmly to avoid rips. Hooks along the tent seams affix to parallel frame poles.
  
  Push the two remaining smaller metal rods into the outside middle holes on either of the junction tubes. These provide the overhang for the outer tent fly. Drape the fly over the tent with its s-hooks facing down and affix the s-hooks to the holes in the ends of the rods. Snaps on the underside of the fly hook to corresponding rings on the tent body. If following proper assembly steps, these will logically line up.
  
  Hook the four corners of the fly to the four tent stake loops, stake down the loops and fly side straps, and the tent will be ready to go.