How to repair tent poles - Re-thread Cord - the easy way

This is my brief video on how to repair tent poles. I got frustrated with other videos so here's my quick version. You will need spare elastic cord, i got mine from ebay. I used 3mm over the 2mm that was there for durability. You need about 10 meters for an average two man tent. Do measure your poles if you have a big tent. Also check the internal diameter, 3mm maybe to thick in some poles but 3mm is better.
For threading you will also need to find an old windscreen and remove the metal stiffeners. The preferred wiper length is 65cm long.
You then butt join the cord to the wiper metal and use it to thread through the tent pole. Simple....
Use a figure of eight knot to terminate the cord.
See Instructables Web Site for more details
www.instructabl...

[@banasophia]

I didn’t have a metal piece like that, but I was able to use the replacement plastic string for our string trimmer and it worked great - thank you!

[@jerrymcintire7902]

With most tent poles you can push the shock cord through by itself, that worked for me. No extra threading mechanism needed. What most people leave out is how much stretch to put in the cord when finishing the second end. At least 20% of the length should be pulled out additionally. A hemostat will hold that end while you tie a not to attach the metal end bit. Cheers!

[@camouflage962]

70% ... recommended by Hilleberg

[@juanosorio]

I always look to youtube for instruction for what ever projects I'm doing. This is the video that left me saying "look no further I know what I'm doing now". thanks

[@stevepalmer6413]

I spent a couple of frustrating hours trying to thread this way, and every tent pole rethread video shows a metal wire with tape going thru the metal end of the pole. My string came off EVERY single time!! Then I had the idea to string thru the non-metal end of the pole and bam! I didn't even need a metal wire piece, just pushed the string through easy as can be.

[@lostintheirishsea]

Thanks for the idea. We used two skewers with the ends sawed off. Taped them together and then taped the cord onto this. Worked well and saved our old tent. Cheers.

[@hikerJohn]

I just Super Glued the new cord to the old cord and pulled the new cord through by pulling the old cord out. . .

[@RonasRoadshow]

genius john. mine has snapped tho so i will need the threader.

[@WilliamWingfield]

Thank you very much for your video. My two year old daughter accidentally broke the cord on our tent. She felt very bad about it. I told her accidents happen. Now we can repair it together (She's three now.) She'll love fixing it with me.

[@mydaymyday]

Thank you for the video. It’s very useful and easy to follow. I was able re-thread it myself. Finished the job in 5 minutes.

[@atclb2356]

4 things you need- 1. A stitching needle (slightly heavy for gravity) 2. Any tape, make sure the thread is about a inch over the cord then just tape it, make the tape pointy at the threads end, so it slides super easy into the pole hole. 3. Thread (Thread the needle, thread needs to be 4-5 inches longer than the pole) 4. Paper clip or better still if you have a second person to help, hold the cord as it tenses I just did this today and worked wonders. All the best, if your in this situation, carry the needle, thread and tape if camping( just in case) All the best, hope this helped.

[@lucybrz1]

Thank you. I was thinking of buying a new tent. Now there is need for that, yet. 👍🏻

[@Canadarago]

Thanks! You told the story in 4 minutes. I got a kit from Coghlans, and adapted your instructions. Tip: I used a binder clip to hold the elastic taut while I tied the figure 8 knot at the end. The Coghlans kit includes tiny washers that slide on to the elastic and fit inside the metal ferrule to keep the knot from coming looses.

[@KirstyESmth]

I've just used your top-tip Canadarago. I used a binder clip (BullDog clip) to hold the elastic cord in place. Meant that I only had to re-thread three pole sections rather than the whole eight.

[@Malyerpal]

Very helpful and informative - Thanks for putting this video up! Yeah, I didn't have a window wiper either, so utilized a length of heavy duty strimmer cord - worked a treat!! Thanks again!

[@bigbadmateus]

Thank you for this. You saved me having to buy a new tent!

[@sammyhooligan803]

And another possible threader could be a bicycle derailleur cable? And the cable can be rolled up very small/compact for out in wilderness repair kit. Yes that straight metal would be better option for home. My idea might come in handy for compact kit in woods . Long enough cable for section to be threaded and stuffed in small zip lock bag taped (Circular rolled). Idea I haven't used yet without a cord breaking ,yet.

[@andrewduff9315]

Brilliant, simply brilliant! I've been using a "get by" tent pole for years. Thanks.

[@silentbirdhunter]

I purchased new cord at Walmart camping dept. The hard part is removing the post pinched in the pole at the end of each pole set.

[@edwinjohnson9918]

this was so helpful!!! thank you so so much now I don't have to throw away my tents!

[@CurtisChad]

Thank you kind sir! Great video and now my wife and I can go camping in Seward, AK this weekend! Cheers!

[@Riffer19]

Diamond eye threader from a fishing tackle shop works well for threading the cord. It is normally used for threading elastic through a fishing pole. Couple or 3 quid..

[@armchairtraveller]

just had a few poles to rethread. So undo know use bag clip(for keeping food fresh) to hold elastic in place, tape elastic to thread & wire and slowly pull through pole.

[@St0nkypete]

sorted....thanks a million....had a split pole section from a Vango tent last year & just bought the whole replacement pole assembly ( 10 sections )) ...was cheaper than the repair kit...anyways... another pole section split last week & was thinking of using one of the good sections from the broken assembly but couldn't think of a way to re thread the cord....had no window wiper...but...bike brake cable did the trick...snipped of the nipple & sticky tape to fasten..all back together no probs

[@taragarcia8472]

Usted of looking for or using a threader, I struggled my best 3ml cord end to the 2ml cord end and pulled it the new cord through while removing the other.

[@margiearens1908]

Thank you. I need to do this for my tent before the next camping trip.

[@andrewnorth5681]

Thank you so much for the video. I used a straightened out coat hanger (the kind you get from the dry cleaners) . . . easy!

[@carolilseanne2175]

Thanks for this, I have an 8 man tent in the loft with 1 splintery rod. I'll be more confident re-threading now. All I have to do is source a pack of rods (because when one spluts another will follow! 😈😈)

[@MicheleMermaid]

I found even easier: A canvas needle that will go through the tent pole hole threaded with dental floss. Gravity does the rest. :-)

[@JamesClark-III]

brilliantly clear & concise; Thank you

[@Ciaran55]

I pulled the old cord out from the worn out sticks, threaded it through the necessary section (I was making the new set smaller), and tied a simple knot with it right at the end of the new thread (it helps to stretch it out and hold it down with your knee so it doesn't unstretch). Then you pull it firmly and it will give and come through the pole(s). Then just slip it off and re-tie the new cord.

[@nancygould6789]

Thank you. Very easy now

[@johannesvoorberg3489]

Good video thanks; an easy way to insert the cord is to suck it through each section with the vacuum cleaner (just be careful not to have it pulled entirely into the vacuum)

[@alliemacaroni8407]

THANK YOU!! It worked!

[@chaoticandrandom]

I recently measured the original cord and found it to be 50% of the length of my poles when assembled but it all depends on the amount of elastic stretch in your cord. A hard and fast rule to get the correct length and reduce waste would be nice but i think the cords elastic may vary too much. I stated on the instructables web site that a cord length of 75% would probably be a good starting point.

[@chaoticandrandom]

The tape can be awkward. Too much tape and you cannot get through the aperture and too little means it pulls off which is what you experienced. In my video i used nothing elaborate except regular sellotape squished down hard on the metal threader and the new cord to make a butt join. There is an explanation of this on the instructables web site on how to join the thread. I will add this to my description for clarity. Anyway glad you got it fixed....

[@louwpou]

Thanks!!! Thoroughly explained and well demonstrated.

[@heatherisaac6708]

We had a tent pole totally snapped. lucky I had a spare pole kit to thread it I used a whipper snipper cord Mc Gyver came into play what would Mc Gyver do I only had a knife to cut the pole to the right length Got it fixed

[@CaptSureshSharma]

Excellent work ... Thanks for sharing

[@SuperGouldB]

Another thing you could use as a threader would be an unfolded clothes hanger, if you cant find old winshield wipers.

[@kcchoi5493]

This was a great tip and what was able to use along with the fishing wire mentioned before.

[@chanskichanski7874]

Thank god I read your comment!! Hanger wire works perfect!

[@RebeccaRonald]

Thank you - this video was exactly what I needed!

[@chaoticandrandom]

Thanks, that is helpful information . I did suggest 75 % to be cautious and measured actually 50 % for a cord to pole length. So Coleman's 60 % from initial knot sounds good. Again no hard and fast answer for cord length as elasticity depends on the cord you buy. You could find thicker cord not so stretchy as thin cord.

[@lvermerris1]

THank you. That was our question. So 75% of the size of the pole?

[@donnacollins4370]

Just to add that if your old cord wasnt broken, you could have taped the old cord to the new cord while the old cord is still inside the poles, placed all poles as one straight line, and pull the old cord through which would be attached to the new cord, saves all the double movement

[@timdurrant1994]

I have now watched 3 'how to' video on youTube. No one mentions or instructs regarding measuement of replacement pole against the existing pole in the case of the original poles splitting as they do as often as the cord shredding.

[@melodyquincey7836]

thankyou so much, you jst saved me a fortune, going to try this at some point this week, :) xc

[@matiz-lifeisbrutal3095]

Love from Poland .... nice 4 advice ... and nice electro distance Meyer ") ... & metal & winds waper cry

[@LS491948]

Sewing bodkin also works to thread elastic.

[@mathcon7272]

That's just the ticket. Thank you good sir.

[@1BGFAN1]

Rather trying to use a wire to thread the cord through the pole segments, I merely taped the end of the old cord to the new cord and pulled it all the way through. As I had the segments connected, it made sure I had the segments in the proper order.

[@chaoticandrandom]

Thanks for your kind comment...always welcome, i hope its been useful. My main aim with this video was to stop people throwing tents/poles away.

[@silburnl]

The instructions I got from the Coleman website said make a mark on the cord at 60% of the pole length from your initial knot and then adjust once you've got everything threaded through and checked for tension.

[@geoffringham1051]

Thanks Gilbert

[@jonarmistead4839]

Works for me. .. thanks!

[@gaborcsanady6309]

I always use a needle and thread. It works fine for me.

[@lowrider2025]

Very nice, but is there a rule of thumb to calculate the ideal length of the shock cord to obtain the ideal strain in the shock cord across the pole ? Thx, Tim

[@steriophonic1]

you could use an old break or gear cable from a bicycle

[@carolilseanne2175]

Phil John oooohhhh! I have one of those! Brilliant!

[@logjamjim]

Excellent. Really can't add to that.

[@peaceformula5830]

Thanks

[@jamesmanning6570]

you are a fricken hero

[@anselally4408]

My aunt gave me one of the tent rods for my birthday. I was told by her this was a triple segmented nunchuck.......

[@carlrudd1858]

Quite helpful. Thanks.

[@FunkyChicken000]

worked a fucking treat

[@linettesmith2124]

number your poles so they stay in the same order. Also, how much stretch or pull should you have on the cord when you're done pulling the cord through?

[@sammyhooligan803]

that's a good question. Maybe, measure old cord with replacement ,an inch or less cut on new one. But could depend on if old one is new and damaged/severed or if it's older and loosing tenacity / stretch. Either/or.

[@emma53md1]

Thank you!

[@chaoticandrandom]

Try elastic cord OR elastic shock cord OR bungee cord on Ebay. :)

[@vidsscreen]

Repairing tent cord. Fibreglass Pole Repair Kit With Spiggot - Pole Size 7.9/8.5/9.5

[@aceofspades3805]

how do you remove/reattach the metal tip at the ends of the pole?

[@dirtshaman]

With your 11mm pole, you'd want to use 1/8" shock cord :)

[@amonster8mymother]

Hi. I've got a tent that has an arc section with a elbow bend at the top. It snaps on one side. I was thinking of getting another section and bending it, I';m not sure if thats a good idea? Can you help me out?

[@ThisIsTrueSelf]

Perfect!!!!

[@kriscryns2609]

Thanks.

[@rebaw.9247]

Tape isn't strong enough. Tape can't get the metal to stay attached to the cord. With tape, As you pass the threader through, the elastic pulls right off with tension.Needle and thread works fine...thread needle and string it through the (spare cord)elastic to thread the new cord through the pole....tie a knot with the string to secure it to the new cord...drop the needle through the pole, and pull the thread and elastic cord through...etc, etc and it essentially works fine. Tape doesn't work.

[@1girlonthenet]

awesome thanks.

[@geoffringham1051]

Presumably the ' figure of eight knot' referred to is a reef knot ?? If not then that's what I'd use. Reef knots on cord or string never slip

[@gilbertcordina]

+Geoffrey Ringham Its not a reef knot. you need t ends to make a reef knot, thats simply a fig of 8 which works well

[@MikeD-hn9hf]

Just FYI: if anyone is looking for an appropriate device to help thread the pole - think 'arm of kite'....

[@eraproductions9923]

or you duck tape the poles to start with then if they try to crack they can't they are held together so they can't split your welcome

[@eraproductions9923]

SUPREME VICTORY!!

[@lialazzarotto1138]

Hey! So i have recently lost ALL my poles for one of my coleman tent. I ordered and received my tent pole replacement kits this weekend and am eager to put my tent pole replacement kits together BUT coleman is closed so I cannot verify the length each pole should be. SOS!

[@gillbisset4275]

This took me longer than 5 bloody minutes. 🙃😩

[@havingfun661]

hey dude CLIP THOSE NAILS!! GROSSSSSSSSS

[@jasminerosebellydancer6574]

Yip I need a threader 🙄😑

[@gerrieclarke4287]

Get on with it....

[@RR67890]

This video is very frustrating.

[@Kenulphus]

"my brief video"???? lol..... first 3 minutes of talk!!!

[@Itsisawnotiseen]

Please invest in a manicure.

[@humanmeat2]

Christ clip your nails

[@Ed_Row_Feez]

how do you get the ends off of the tent pole that the cord is attached to. it seems like it is on there really strong.

[@reminaya]

Damn! I'm in the same spot. Can't get the tips off to replace cord. I've been looking high and low. Searching and searching! I have a 30 year old Sierra Designs tent, new tub, everything is fine, but the locking tips are super tough to get off. If you come across something, PLEASE let me know. Cracking up someone is looking with same problem just 2 days ago, but on a vid 2 years old. Go figure. If I find out how, I'll let you know!! PS, I have a small pair of pliers for the end, but don't want to crush the pole, so, that's where I'm trying not to bugger the pole up. Did you end up getting your ends off??

[@Ed_Row_Feez]

reminaya ok so I figured out that with my tent poles actually the ends don't actually come off...there is simply a knot tired in the end and it goes through the end piece and the knot keeps it from going through. maybe yours is the same. just take the tip and clean out any dirt lodged in the top and under the dirt should be the knot that is holding the cord

[@Ed_Row_Feez]

reminaya that sounded complicated....instead of the end piece coming off. it simply has a hole through the tip(it doesn't seem like it cuz it is probably clogged with dirt.) but once u pick out the dirt in the tip u will see that the cord is ran through the tip and held in with a knot. so using something small u can fish the knot back out of the tip and I just cut it off so u can get the cord out.

[@reminaya]

Cool! Thanks, I also found these guys, who have a full selection of poles, ends, and accessories that I'll need as well. tentpoletechnologies.com