TENTCO SENIOR BOW DELUXE TENT

April 2023

If you are looking for a spacious, durable, and comfortable canvas tent for your next camping adventure, you may want to consider the Tentco Senior Bow Deluxe Tent. I bought this tent, directly from the manufacturer, about a year ago and it remains at the top of my list when I go camping. I still use my hiking tent that I have had now for over 12 years, but for those longer trips it is important to camp comfortably and in style.

Here are some of the features that this tent has to offer:

• Although this tent is designed to accommodate 4+ people, in my opinion, it is best suited for two people. If you are going to camp in this tent, you want to stay for at least three nights and sleeping on the ground is not an option. This tent can easily fit two stretchers with extra space to move around and store a few things.
• The tent is made of heavy duty 330g poly cotton canvas material that is weatherproof, UV resistant, rot resistant and mildew resistant. This means that the tent can withstand rain, sun, wind, and dust without losing its quality or appearance.
• The tent has a heavy duty 540g PVC groundsheet that protects the floor from moisture and dirt. The groundsheet is easy to clean and maintain. A simple wipe with a moist cloth will keep the groundsheet in a good condition for years to come. Always make sure that the area where you are pitching your tent is clean from any debris, sticks, thorns and stones that may damage your groundsheet.
• The tent has a strong and flexible frame made of electroplated high tensile spring steel that can resist bending or breaking. The frame is easy to set up and take down. The manufacturer connected a short piece of rope at each end of the spring poles to prevent them from causing any injury. Before pitching this tent always make sure that these small ropes are in act. DO NOT CONNECT AND PITCH THE FRAME IF ANY OF THEM ARE BROKEN.
• The tent has three windows with inside and outside closures that allow you to adjust the ventilation, light and privacy inside the tent. It is one of the best features of this tent. You can easily regulate the temperature inside the tent with the inside closures halfway closed whilst keeping the outside closures always open. Underneath the two side windows the tent has extra pockets where you can store additional stuff like keys and magazines.
• The tent also comes with several hooks inside that can be used to hang small camping lamps and other items. I use the one in the middle of tent to hang my Hilight Star lamp and it works perfectly.
• There is also a closure above the door that helps to regulate the temperature inside the tent and prevent condensation. If there is a light breeze blowing this helps to significantly cool down the tent. In the evenings with the inside flaps halfway open there is just enough air going through the tent for a good night's rest.
• The tent has a door with a YKK zip that ensures a secure and convenient entry and exit. The door of the tent is the only thing I do not like about this tent. The Zip opens and closes from the top, which means you can never open the door just halfway. If for instance you decide to take an afternoon nap and you do not want unwelcome crawly things entering the tent you have to close the door all the way.



YKK - Japanese company Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha. YKK zippers are well known for their durability and reliability.



• The tent comes with a skullcap flysheet with a veranda that provides extra shade and protection from rain or sun. Although it is not always necessary to put up the skull cap, it does help to protect the tent from the sun especially the ventilation hole on the top of the tent. The veranda of the tent is not that big so you might consider purchasing one of the gazebo extensions that comes with this tent.
• Another nice feature of this tent is the electric cable trap that allows you to run an extension cord inside the tent. You can close the door and still have your electric cable running inside the tent.







• The tent comes with two poles that keep the veranda of this tent up and straight. Since day one of purchasing this tent, I have struggled to insert the top end of each pole through the two eyelets at the end of the veranda. I have now decided to reattach the guy ropes directly to the poles; that way the eyelets of the veranda can more easily fit onto the poles.
• This tent comes with a lovely, strong, oversized bag and you will have no trouble packing this tent. Unlike the older tents that have not seen a bag in years this tent can be packed easily, and it becomes easier over time once you learn how to fold the tent properly.

Now let us look at a few recommendations when camping in this tent:

• If you have purchased a brand-new tent, it is recommended that you pitch this tent before you go camping. Give the tent a good hose down with water and let it dry in the sun. This will make the seams of this tent seal properly. The tent does come with an extra wax stick that can be applied on the seams if there are any leakages, but you will find that it is not necessary. The more water and sun this tent get the better the seams seal.
• This tent can endure a fair amount of wind if anchored properly. During a recent seaside camping trip we experienced quite a lot of wind and we just made sure that the tent was anchored properly. Do bear in mind that you will need storm nets if you are going to camp in severe windy conditions to protect the tent.
• Pitching and taking down this tent is quick and easy. It should not take you more than 15 minutes, however you will need at least two people to pitch or take down this this tent, well at least to setup the frame. Thereafter one person can attach the canvas to the frame. Do not step on the canvas of the tent with your shoes and always unzip the door before attaching the canvas to the frame. This will enable the tent to stretch a little bit for easier attachment.
• Although this tent is mildew resistant, it is recommended that before you pack the tent you still make sure that the tent is dry. I like to unpack my tent when arriving at home just to make sure that no damp remained behind on the tent. This also provide for an opportunity to inspect the tent and make sure it is still in an excellent condition.
• After camping at the sea and arriving back home, it is important to pitch the tent and give it a good water down; we also washed the tent pecks and poles in warm water just to get rid of all the salt. Wipe the eyelets of the canvas with a clean damp cloth to get rid of any rust that might have formed.

The Tentco Senior Safari Deluxe Bow Tent is a great option for campers who want a dependable, spacious, and comfortable canvas tent that can last for many years. You can purchase this tent online or at retail outlets such as Camp and Climb, Outdoor Warehouse, or directly from the manufacturer, Tentco South Africa.

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