Make Your Own Lag Screw Tent Stakes

An easy and inexpensive upgrade for any tent is to build a set of screw-in stakes using lag screws. These provide vastly improved holding power compared to traditional stakes and are much easier to install in hard ground.
How-to (1:01)
Installation Demo (7:02)
A cordless drill or impact driver makes quick work of staking down your tent, and as a bonus the battery pack for many tool brands can be used as a USB power source during your camping trip.
Ryobi: www.ryobitools.com/power-tool...
Milwaukee: www.milwaukeetool.com/Product...
Dewalt: www.dewalt.com/products/acces...
Materials needed:
* 3/8" lag screws (8" length or better)
* Washers (2 per screw)
* 1-1/2" 'S' hook
* Heat shrink tubing
Installation requires a 9/16" socket. Drill adapters are available at any major hardware store. www.ryobitools.com/power-tool...

[@fiveowaf454]

For many types of tent loops just a large fender washer on the lag bolt would work, just put the bolt through the loop of the tent. A neoprene washer of similar OD can be used to keep the metal washer in place and as a cushion between the bolt and the ring.

[@geros9503]

Verry userful demostration, thank you.

[@Charles-lane277]

I honestly didn't think this would work,but you proved me wrong so good job.

[@jeffbriston9940]

They do work great, especially when you have 16 stakes to put in and take out. Saves time and ease

[@uber2tuber]

What a great video!!! Awesome and easy concept. I no longer have a vice, but think I can borrow one. very nice. Thank you! Subbed.

[@miktub1555]

Really smart idea

[@Bergfietser]

Good video, thanks!

[@mattjenkins8587]

This is genius!!! Thank you for this video

[@jeffeubanks1072]

A short piece of chain on the lag screw works good

[@firecloud77]

Wow, nice. I'm looking for a way to better secure my vegetable trellises to the ground. This should work great.

[@w23342]

Thanks appreciated

[@texasfirefighting]

great idea! I’ll be trying to duplicate your lag screw stake idea for my 10x14 kodiak canvas tent. tired of hammering stakes!

[@Outdoormorefamily]

Awesome ty

[@bjnslc]

If you're using tent stakes properly, the force to pull it straight out of the ground doesn't matter. You want to angle stakes so that they're in the ground at a right angle to the direction of force. That said, robust screws can be easier to get into and out of the ground, especially if you have an impact drill-driver. Nice DIY hook idea!

[@fiveowaf454]

Agreed, I was looking at them in terms of them being easier to get into the ground with an impact gun, than a hammer in peg. But how they do when you hit the inevitable stone I always find with a tent peg, is the big question.

[@BoiseG]

Great idea with the lag bolts. Large diameter fender washers are an easy alternative to the S hook.

[@madman432000]

how about just a piece of flat bar bent at 90° and a hole drilled in each end.

[@steinanderson9849]

coach screw $1.25 each in a pack of 25, purpose made screw in tent pegs $1.13 in a pack of 15. Think I'll just buy the screw in tent pegs!

[@therealalphamale4716]

Just remind me to pack my drill and 18v battery pack.

[@fortyoneshades]

You'd be better packing your impact driver like shown in this video. Drill isn't going to cut it.

[@bobd3089]

What do you do when the battery goes dead ?plug it into the nearby outlet on a tree hahahaha

[@brewsterly2927]

Ever heard of Solar???

[@fiveowaf454]

A socket and a ratchet will also work pretty well.

[@bobd3089]

Everyone wants to carry a cordless drill and socket when camping lol

[@EdwardHurst2323]

No one’s going camping with a drill

[@daryledunn2071]

I do

[@stokedonphotos1]

Maybe if you camp in a trailer that's essentially a house. Overlanders take power tools with them all the time.

[@fortyoneshades]

He's not using a drill.

[@steinanderson9849]

I do, and a blower that reverses as a vacuum to clean out the tent at the end of the camp

[@bobd3089]

If you are worried about lagging something down you might want to start with your bench vise

[@user-gi2mn5yf5j]

Meanwhile animals under the ground get mangled then your drill battery dies unexpectedly too soon.

[@bobd3089]

I think you have a few loose screws