Tarptent MoTrail Setup

Tarptent MoTrail Setup
With practice, setup is less than 2 minutes. For additional photos and videos
visit: http://www.tarptent.com/motrail.html
Your MoTrail order includes: stuff sack, tent body and 4 blue stakes. You will
need trekking poles OR substitute poles which can be ordered from Tarptent.

I. Layout and Positioning

1. Before pitching your MoTrail, spread out the tent body with the bathtub
floor facing the ground. If using a ground sheet, lay it down first.
2. Remove 4 blue stakes from the bag and have them ready (2 stakes in front
and 2 in back).
3. Set one trekking pole to a low setting (~29 in / ~74 cm) -- this will be your
back pole (Image 1).
4. You can use one or two poles for the front set up (use 2 poles for maximum
stability). Set the front pole(s) to ~47 in / 120 cm (Image 1).
• If you are not using trekking poles, assemble substitute poles.

II. Pitching the MoTrail

1. Starting at the back of the tent, place the back pole tip into the grommet
hole and place the pole handle (or head) on the ground (Image 1- Back).
• If you cannot adjust your trekking pole to ~29 in / 74 cm, place the pole
tip instead into the extendable O-ring (Image 1--close up).
• Adjust the guyline so the distance from the grommet to the ground is
~29 in / 74 cm (Image 1 close up).
2. Using one hand to stabilize the pole, use the other hand to stretch out one
back corner and stake when the fabric is fully taut.
• Repeat with the second back corner. Ideally there will be ~ 6 in / 15 cm of
guyline tail/slack (Image 2A). The back should now be standing.
3. Walk to the front of the tent. You can use one or two trekking (or optional)
poles for the front setup. If using one pole, skip to step 9.
4. If pitching with two front poles, locate the two outer grommets under the
front vent flap (Image 2B).
• Pull grommets firmly forward and center the front of the tent between the
rear corners, creating symmetrical ridge lines for an even pitch (Image 2B).
5. Place one pole tip into each of the outer grommets and position the pole
handles on the ground next to each other. This V-formation allows two
poles to function as one pole. (Image 2B-dotted lines).
6. With one hand stabilizing the poles, use the other hand to stake out the
adjacent tent corner. Avoid moving or tilting the poles and keep the
ridgeline centered for an even pitch (Image 2B).
Image 1
Image 2
stake
Image 3
sidewall
pullouts
7. Repeat Step 6 for the second front corner (Image 2B).
• The tent should now be standing.
8. Slide poles to vertical to give additional tension (Image 2 B--solid lines).
• Adjust guyline tighteners and stake placement as needed.
• Adjust bathtub floor line tighteners as necessary (Image 2B).
9. If pitching with one front pole, first locate the middle grommet under the
front vent flap . Make sure to center the front of the tent between the rear
corners, creating symmetrical ridge lines for an even pitch (Image 3B).
(Continued on the back)
Back
(close up)
back pole
Adjust distance
to O ring to fit
trekking pole
~29 in / 74 cm
grommet
stake
(A.) Back
(birds eye view)
back pole
stake
pull to tighten guylines
(ideal guyline slack ~6 in / 15 cm)
(A.) Back
adjustable
storm flap
Front
ridgeline
~ 47 in / 120 cm
bathtub floor
(B.) Front
double pole
vent flap
set up
adjust bathtub floor
(B.) Front
vent flap
single pole
set up
removeable
strut
front guyline
stake
1