What works best for pounding them into the ground when pegging the tent? Seems like a regular metal hammer would mess them up ...???
613040
When the ground is that hard, I look around for a rock that will fit like a baseball in my hand, and use it to drive the stakes in, being careful to strike them directly in line with their length to avoid bending them.
613041
I use the back of a hatchet to pound them in. These stakes are made from heat treated 7075-T6 aluminum alloy, which has a tensile strength higher than most common steel alloy.
613042
You probably want something with a larger surface area than a regular metal hammer. We use the butt end of a small axe or a rubber mallet. The metal-to-metal contact doesn't mess up the stakes, but with a regular hammer I'd be more worried about messing up your hand.
613043
I use a rock. If you aren't interested in saving weight, I would suggest a cheaper, tougher, heavy, plastic tent stake that doesn't cost $2.50 each. They are bullet proof, while these need to be cared for.
613044
They can definitely be frail, we bent several of them using the rock method when we couldn't find our mallet. I would use a mallet or your shoe to push them in. Better yet, go get the 12 in ABS plastic ones, we purchased those after these and they are beasts. They can be hard to get out of the ground so definitely use a stake puller (can be purchased for only a few dollars online or at a regular store) but that is a good thing, means it wont pull up and have your tent fly away in windy conditions! These have been retired to our backup pile for emergency uses only.
613045
I use a rock lying around because I take them backpacking and won't carry any extra weight like a hammer or mallet. These replace the simple bent aluminum ones they ship with the tent. Those I throw away because they bend easily. I whack MSR stakes with a rock and they don't bend. No problems yet. As Catfinger said I'm sure you can bend them, but rock hammering them into hard Sierra ground littered with granite hasn't bent any.
613046
If you hammer on them like you're the incredible Hulk smashing a building they will eventually bend. Even the hardest of ground I was able to use any type of solid item, strike the top, give the stake a slight wiggle as its going into the ground and it will bite right in. Never had a problem with them myself. THe point and angle of the sides usually allows you to not even need anything to hammer them in. If the ground is super hard, toss a cup of water down on the spot you want to drive them in. Done & Done
921644
Unsure about that due to the peg type end. To really secure it into sand/ soil, purchase a plastic mallet to pound it in the ground. It can be used as a normal umbrella. Check out the YouTube video to view.
1059445
It comes with stakes. No mallet or puller. That "Kit" does not have enough stakes for this tent. Better to get longer steal stakes and a claw hammer for hammering and pulling out the stakes. Really depends on the type of terrain you are camping on and the weather conditions. We always use longer stakes in case of windy/rainy weather.
174011
I smashed them out with a hammer. Take it to a bike shop, and they should have heavy duty chain tools. The mushroomed pins are impossible to remove with hand tools.
2065939
Hi Vicki,Did you install the steel poles around the sides of the tent that go from the plastic Y connectors to the steel pins in the stake locations around the bottom of the tent? If they fit it seems the floor would be flat on the ground and the stakes would go in. The stakes go at the same places that the side poles attach. The steel pins lock in the bottom of the side poles to pull the sides down. Ed
2050112
It has a small hook near the top which is used to hold down the top part of the tent. Putting weight on it won't work because the legs are thin and fragile, so you will need to use the guy ropes for tension to hold the tent to the ground. It worked well for us at the trade show; we didn't have any problems with it.
1751925
The closest affordable idea was cutting four 4"x6" blocks 6"'a in length ea. Cut a pocket hole approx. 1 inch deep in each block for each individual DeWalt leg end.This is in by no means an ideal solution. But, it is the least expensive and safest way of carrying a weight load on a flat ground surface, that I've come up with.I would be interested in any other ideas others might have.
1401735
Those should be driven out with a roll pin punch. These are not in too tight so a nail that is ground flat on the end could do the job. Good luck
498962
I double checked Sorry they are hard plastic. I did not have any trouble getting or keeping mine in the ground
503254
push them in hard, if you have a rubber mallet hit it with the mattel, don't use a hammer as you can crack the wheel
773813
Since they nail into the bottom of the legs, it should work. One hint -- drill a pilot hole smaller in diameter than the nail. Then it will nail in easier.
1051978
Hi Vicki, Did you install the steel poles around the sides of the tent that go from the plastic Y connectors to the steel pins in the stake locations around the bottom of the tent? If they fit it seems the floor would be flat on the ground and the stakes would go in. The stakes go at the same places that the side poles attach. The steel pins lock in the bottom of the side poles to pull the sides down. Ed
1986037
It's a battle ax. I.e., a tacticool tomahawk. The butt end is sort of useful for pounding in tent stakes - as long as you can hit them with a 3/8" wide hammer!
980155
tent stakes come with the tent. All you need is a hammer to pound in. Easy to erect tent. Great space for camping.
2123031
Try aligning the pieces; then push down. I pounded them with a closed fist (hurts) ; then used a hammer.
152858
I thank you for the reply. This will be much better then fighting with a tent.
1893862
We've had years of fun with this item, but always be sure the supplied ground stakes are secure -- esp with multiple or heavier kids. I agree with other two answers to your questions. Doubt I would ever have playground equipment without stuff to soften inevitable child impact -- materials you find at schools and parks. Sorry.