14 Different TentPak Models

Here is a look at 3 of 14 different TentPak models. TentPak is built around High Peak products.

The one we'll use for setup illustration is the "Phantom E", the forest green pack shown on the left.

When you open the bottom compartment of the TentPak you will find the following components: 1) a four season tent fastened to the inner lining of the back pack by a connector, 2)  a silver and safety orange rain fly, 3) aluminum tent poles inside of a black nylon sleeve, and 4) the tent pegs also inside of a black nylon sleeve both sitting in the very bottom of the compartment.

Although the connector has a side release buckle, it is intended that this buckle only be used to separate the tent and backpack for individual cleaning purposes or for camping in bear country. There, the pack with your food must be suspended 20 ft. above the ground from a tree branch. As long as the TentPak is connected you have the assurance that regardless of the camping or emergency situation you will be prepared and ready with your shelter.

Please carefully inspect all of the components. Notice the sizes of the rolled up tent and rain fly. In order for the tent and rain fly to be repacked inside of the backpack they must not exceed 15.5 inches in width. Use your tent poles in the sleeve as a measuring stick.

Next, you will roll out the tent and open it up flat on the ground.  As you look at the orange part of the rain fly, which is laying on the ground between the tent and the backpack, you will see that the connector stretching across it is still connected.

You will also see that the tent poles are laying across the body of the tent.  That is just to show you that there are three poles. The two longer poles crisscross in the center of the tent from front corner to back corner and the shorter pole stabilizes and holds up the door opening.

You will also notice across the body of the tent, orange sleeves. These tent pole sleeves are coated on the inside with a poly urethane to help the fabric grab the aluminum pole and stabilize the tent. That being said, the sleeve and pole construction of this tent already makes it extremely strong, even in 60 mile an hour winds, according to some owners.

To insert the poles into the sleeves start with the cross pole first. This is a curving pole and is easiest to set when the fabric is loose. When inserting this pole arrange the fabric of the sleeve in as straight a line as possible, working the fabric over the pole until the bulk of the sleeve is mostly in the middle of the pole once it is completely through the sleeve.

When the cross pole is set repeat the process for the main poles that go from corner to corner.

It is important that you always push the pole through the sleeve.  Never try to pull it. If you pull on the tent pole you will separate the joints. It is a little difficult to reconnect the separated joints inside the sleeve. The same is true when you take the tent down. Push the poles back out of the sleeves, removing the front crossing pole last.

You will need to work the fabric of the sleeve over the pole as you are inserting it. See the fabric being pulled over the pole in the slide to the right. Once you have done this a couple of times you can set the poles and have the tent up in about ten minutes. Also, be careful not to force the pole through the sleeve. Although this is very strong fabric you can still push the pole tip through the fabric itself. That is not covered by our warranty.

Work the sleeve fabric backwards as you are inserting pole tips into their respective grommets.

Once the poles are completely inserted into the sleeves, put the pole tips in the grommets at the corners.

There are 2 grommets on each corner tab and on the side tabs for the front cross over pole. These are to set the tension of the sleeve on the poles. For my use the outer grommets are good.

If you start in the back put both pole tips in the back grommets. If you start in front put both tips in the front grommets. Then go to the opposite end of the pole and push the pole forward until you can insert that tip into the corresponding grommet. Do this with both sides.

Do the same with the front crossing pole.  You may need to work the sleeves back down the poles as you raise the tent. This is the most time consuming part of setting up the E Series Tent.

The picture to the right shows the pole tip being inserted into the grommet.

When breaking the tent down and pulling the pole tips out of the grommets hold the grommet tab where it is sewn into the tent to take the direct pressure off of the tab. You want the tab to be loose enough that the pole tip does not grab the grommet edge as you are pulling the pole tip out of the grommet. Ideally, you want the grommet and the tip to be close to a 90 degree angle while you are taking the pole out.

Lets look at the connection again from a few different angles.

This is the completed TentPak E Series setup with the rain fly over the tent body. The flap of the vestibule is pulled back to show you where the pack would rest if you kept it in the vestibule and not in the tent itself. For illustration purposes the back pack is reversed with the connection going under the pack into the tent. Normally the shoulder harness will be facing outward and the connector going directly into the tent.

The small slide to the right shows the pack inside the tent body, still connected.  This is the Alpine E TentPak.