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Second hand tents may sometimes be the best option for various reasons. Campers who don’t have enough room in the budget for a model can receive amazing bargains from fellow travellers. Those who want a specific feature from older but discontinued makes might also find what they’re looking for in this market.
Unfortunately, buying second hand tents also come with significant risks. We can’t simply trust the word of the seller. Not everyone is aware of what to ask or inspect before accepting the offer, too.
We’ve had our share of good and bad experiences with second hand tents, so in this article, we will help you figure out if you need to walk away or go ahead with this purchase.
If you can’t wait and want to skip head, you can browse here for some second hand camping tent deals.
Why should you buy a second hand tent?
Many campers buy second hand tents because of a limited budget. While you can go for cheap tents, a second hand but high-quality tent may be the better option, provided that the item has no irreparable damage or defects that might become safety hazards, such as brittle tent poles or worn-out fabric.
Buying second hand tents will also allow you to do a test run of your dream tent in a campground setting. Through this, you will feel reassured that the model is truly worth the investment.
Lastly, reusing tents from other campers can be your contribution to saving the environment
8 Second hand tent faults to watch out for
As a guide on buying second hand tents, we will discuss below the eight common faults that the given tent might have. We highly encourage using these as checkpoints when inspecting the tent to avoid wasting your money on a useless item or one that requires costly repairs or replacements. We also included some helpful tips on how you can perform DIY repairs for minor tent defects.
1) Mould or Mildew
These are signs that the tent was stored without being cleaned and dried thoroughly beforehand.
What to look out for
Check where and how extensive the mould or mildew growth is. You can usually find them on the top, sides, and corners of the tent. If it has double walls, be sure to look at each layer.
How to repair at home
Small spots that have grown recently can be removed by spraying a 3:1 mixture of tap water and white vinegar and gently wiping the affected areas. Older or more extensive growths might require a special stain remover for moulds and mildew, which you buy online or at the local hardware store.
2) Split poles or Shock Cords
Tent poles may be broken due to extreme weather or rough handling by their former occupants. The shock cords can also lose their tension when tugged too hard or frequently.
What to look out for
Inspect each tent pole for any breaks or cracks. Test the shock cords by observing for signs of slackness.
How to repair at home
We don’t recommend repairing split poles to avoid safety hazards. Look for compatible pole replacements instead, and replace the broken ones before going on your trip.
Slack shock cords should also be replaced. Remove the old one from the tent pole. Cut the new shock cord to length, but leave an allowance for the knots. Insert the cord inside the pole and secure each end with a large knot.
3) Damaged guy ropes
The strength of guy ropes is often tested whenever they get pulled tight or tied into knots. Therefore, guy ropes should be checked regularly to keep the tent from collapsing or being blown away.
What to look out for
Inspect the edges and ends of the guy ropes for signs of fraying. Check if all guy ropes required to pitch or stake the tent are present, too.
How to repair at home
Replacement guy ropes can be purchased from camping gear stores. Unknot the damaged guy ropes and cut the new rope according to length. Attach it back to the hoop and then fix it in place through tight knots.
4) Damaged seams
The taped seams of a tent won’t last forever. They can become eroded when exposed to harsh elements or washed away when cleaning the tent.
What to look out for
The definitive way is to check if water will leak or seep through the seams. If the owner permits it, spray water over the assembled tent for a few minutes. Then, look for moisture along the inside seams. If it’s not allowed, consider erring on the safe side and assume you must reseal the seams.
How to repair at home
Remove the current seam tape on the tent. Clean the seams using a cloth and rubbing alcohol. Apply the appropriate seam sealer for the fabric, and let it dry overnight.
5) Water Leaking
Second hand tents are more prone to water leaks because waterproof coatings degrade with each use. Other probable sources of leaks include damaged seams, ripped fabric, or poor stitching.
What to look out for
Test for water leaks by spraying or pouring water over the tent. Remember to consider the hydrostatic head (HH) rating of the tent to set the right expectations on how waterproof the tent is.
How to repair at home
DIY waterproofing should be performed during a dry day. Remove dirt and debris from the tent fabric by cleaning it with water and mild detergent. Wipe away the excess moisture before applying a thin layer of polyurethane (PU) or silicone coating. Let it dry for at least 24 hours.
6) Rips in Tent
Tent fabric rips when it is stretched beyond what it can handle. That’s why rips are commonly found near the areas where guy lines are attached.
What to look out for
Look carefully at the tent’s door, especially the connecting seams. Then, move your inspection to the bottom edges and corners. If it’s a double-wall tent, check both layers for any rips.
How to repair at home
Rips cannot be fully mended, so if they are extensive, consider passing the offer. If you insist on purchasing the tent because you will use it once or for a short period, covering the rips with tent repair tape is a temporary solution that might work well enough for the trip.
7) Air tube puncture
Though the air tubes are encased in two or more protective layers, sharp objects can still punch a hole through the fabric, causing air to escape.
What to look out for
After constructing the tent, listen closely for any hissing sound. If you’ve heard it, remove the internal casing from the sleeve. Check if the air is escaping through the valve. If not, locate the puncture on the case.
How to repair at home
Though air tube repair kits are available on the market, we don’t recommend using them because they are meant for temporary repairs while camping. Instead, replace the damaged air tube with a compatible valve, casing, and/or sleeve.
8) Zipper corrosion
Zipper snags occur if the slider and elements are misaligned or unlubricated. It may be due to regular wear-and-tear or forceful movements.
What to look out for
Open and close the zipper from one end to the other. Repeat at least three times. Check the top and bottom stops if they are still intact, too.
How to repair at home
Minor misalignments may be repaired by gently moving the slider until the elements are matched again. If this isn’t the issue, you can also rub a bar of soap or place a few drops of all-purpose oil along the zipper elements. Test if it can be zipped up or down smoothly. If not, repeat lubricating until the snags are eliminated.
Second hand tent purchasing checklist: 10 Questions you need to ask the seller
- “Why do you want to resell this tent?”
- “When did you originally purchase it?”
- “Has the tent been used during a storm or snowy day?”
- “Where is the tent stored when not in use?”
- “Is there any damage or missing parts of the tent?”
- “Where can I personally inspect the tent?”
- “Can you demonstrate how to pitch and take down the tent?”
- “Where can I find compatible tent poles, pegs, or other accessories, if they need to be replaced?”
- “What’s the best price you can offer me?”
- “Does the price include the standard tent accessories, or do I have to pay extra for them?”
Where can you find a secondhand tent?
If you are looking to buy good quality secondhand tents online, things have become a lot easier because of e-commerce platforms. Shopping sites like Amazon UK and eBay offer an intuitive browsing experience, a more comprehensive selection of second hand tents, and secure payment channels. Some platforms also specialise in person-to-person trades—for example, Preloved, Gumtree, and Facebook Marketplace.
Certain camping gear manufacturers sell refurbished or as-is tents that have been used as demo models in retail stores or traded in by their original owners. You can get significant discounts on premium models if you’re quick enough to snatch them up.
Quickly snatch a high-quality camping tent before they go!
5 Tips for making your 2nd hand tent last
- Pitch your tent in a location with minimal exposure to the sun and strong winds. Don’t forget to clear away nearby debris or sharp objects, too.
- Avoid wearing your outdoor shoes inside the tent. Abrasive materials, such as sand or pebbles, may cling to the soles.
- Start in the middle when taking down the tent. Doing so prevents snapped poles or tears on the tent fabric.
- Clean and dry the tent well to avoid moulds or mildew. If the weather at the time doesn’t permit, carry out these tasks immediately upon returning home.
- Re-apply waterproof coating or seam sealers, as needed.
FAQs for secondhand tents:
That primarily depends on why you’re returning the item and how you paid for it. Sellers don’t accept returns if the reason is you don’t want or have any use for the tent anymore. Tent defects won’t guarantee a successful return in cases where you know these faults from the start. Paying in cash tends to make the process harder compared to online payments.
Like fashion, you will get the best deals when the camping season ends. In general, this should start around August for individual sellers. Look for ads posted by experienced campers because they have likely practised proper tent maintenance and can better answer your queries about the tent’s condition. Pay attention to camping brands and retailers during autumn until mid-winter. Wait for discount codes and slashed prices for massive savings.
In most cases, it’s the current condition of the tent. Ask the seller to show the item in its complete form rather than packed in its carry bag. Use this opportunity to inspect the tent for tears, fraying, missing parts, or other defects. If you can point out these issues to the seller, you might get a lower price if the said faults weren’t disclosed to you beforehand.
A tent’s lifespan varies depending on the frequency of usage, the weather conditions it has been exposed to, and the amount of care and maintenance it receives. So, rather than a fixed schedule, you should replace the tent when it can no longer serve as a safe and stable camping accommodation and the repairs needed are more or almost as expensive as a replacement.
If the second hand tent is in good condition, a recent model, barely used, and requires no repair, the owner may reasonably demand up to 90% of the original selling price. Good quality tents that don’t meet all these conditions are typically offered at 50% to 80% of their worth if brand new. Try to estimate how much the repair costs will be to negotiate a lower price.
Order a reliable high-quality second hand tent now!
Second hand tents offer a lot of value for a significantly lower price if you know how to distinguish a good buy from massive disappointments. Scrutinise every nook and cranny during the tent inspection. Gain insights about the tent’s history by asking the right questions from the seller.
It’s important to remember that you’re buying a preloved tent, though. Manage your expectations to avoid turning off the owner with unreasonable conditions. Minor issues may be resolved without spending a lot of money and effort, and you can even use them to haggle for a better price.
That being said, second hand tents require extra care and maintenance to last long. Think of it as an opportunity to develop good tent and camping practices that will transform into positive habits by the time you finally own your dream tent.
Hungry for more camping related content? We recommend reading these articles:
- Websites for used camping gear – Find our top recommended sites for a second hand tents online.
- How are tents made waterproof? – Spotting a good waterproof tent can be difficult. Find out what make makes a tent waterproof in this article.
- The best wild camping tents – Looking to get a good tent for your next outdoor camping adventure? Check out out guide on the best tent for you.