Canopy Tent Instructions

A canopy tent is a very large tent usually used for large social gatherings where cover is needed in an outdoor environment. There are many types of such tents, but most of them aren't fully enclosed but simply a large awning that supports itself on long tent poles. Assembling and raising a canopy tent usually requires more than one person, and there are some basic steps on how to do so. However, exact steps can always vary with different models, so reading over each tent's own instructions is essential. Does this Spark an idea?

Layout

Once you know you have enough open space for the tent, lay the canopy material flat on the ground. Spread it out in as close to a square shape as you can. Mark the location of each of the brass grommets/rings on the canopy and place the tent stakes in the ground three inches away from each grommet in a straight line. The corner grommets will have two stakes each--one on each side of the canopy edge. Insert each stake only halfway into the ground for now.

Raising the Tent

Assembling the legs for a canopy tent can vary depending on the size, but a standard size tent will have about eight legs--four on each side--and a possible center pole to support the roof. Each leg normally consists of two or more poles you need to connect; the center pole has one extra piece. Lay each leg alongside one grommet apiece. Choose one of the tent's corners, insert the leg through that grommet from underneath and stand the leg upright. You need another person to tie each rope to each stake. There are two ropes for each corner, one for each stake, and they will appear to intersect each other as they travel from the stakes to the grommet. Repeat this process for each corner of the canopy; it might help to go diagonally and raise the leg at the farthest end next and then doing the same with the others in a crisscross pattern. Once the four corners are set up, the center pole comes next. Raise it up through the center of the canopy and tie its ropes. This is another area that can vary, but it generally involves tying one rope each to the center pole and each corner leg or grommet. Raise and tie the middle legs much like you did with the corners; each middle leg will only have one rope tied to one stake. Once all the legs are up, use a hammer to pound the stakes the rest of the way into the ground. If you over-pound them, they can loosen and come out of the ground.