First time with an inflatable tent? This guide walks you through everything — from unboxing to fully standing — including how to attach the awning and use it as a rainfly on the models that take one. Real setup photos throughout.
Here's the mistake almost every first-timer makes: they start pumping before staking the tent down. Five minutes later, the air beams are twisted, the tent looks wrong, and they're starting over.
It's an easy fix — and once you know the right order, setting up this tent is genuinely one of the easiest things you'll do at a campsite. Here's exactly how to do it.
What You'll Need
Everything in the box — tent body, air beam frame, support poles, stakes, guy ropes, and a manual pump.
- Tent body (pre-attached to the waterproof groundsheet)
- Air beam frame — inflates to form the roof structure
- Support poles (assemble before inserting)
- Zip-on awning, on the models that come with one (attaches via zipper for shade or rain cover)
- Ground stakes (included)
- Guy ropes (included)
- Manual pump (included) — or use an electric pump for faster setup
No complicated pole system to figure out. The uprights click together in sections and drop into their sleeves — it's straightforward once you've seen the parts laid out.
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Pick Your Spot and Lay the Groundsheet Flat
Clear the area of sharp rocks or sticks. Unfold the tent and lay the groundsheet flat, positioning the door in the direction you want it to face.
Take 30 seconds to get the orientation right now — it's much harder to rotate once the tent is standing.
Stake Down All Four Corners First
This is the step most people skip — and it's the most important one.
Before you touch the pump, find the four corner loops and drive a ground stake through each one. The stakes keep the tent anchored so the air beams rise straight up during inflation. Without them, the beams twist as they fill and your tent ends up lopsided.
Don't skip this step.
Assemble and Insert the Support Poles
Connect the sections of each upright, then insert them into their designated sleeves at the tent corners and mid-points. They slot in from the bottom and rest in the base cups on the groundsheet.
The poles don't need to be locked under tension at this stage — they just need to be in position before inflation begins.
Connect the Pump and Inflate
Locate the air valve on the side of the tent near the base. Connect your pump nozzle and start pumping.
Inflate to 5.5–6 psi. Most people have the main tent standing in about 5–10 minutes with the included hand pump; an electric pump is faster.
Watch the air beams as they rise. They should lift the roof structure evenly and straight up.
Check the Shape and Top Up if Needed
Once fully inflated, walk around the tent. The roof structure should be firm and taut, not soft or wrinkled. Add a few more pumps to any section that looks slightly underinflated.
Don't overinflate — stay within 5.5–6 psi. The beams should be firm to the touch, not rock-hard. If they feel rock-hard and you hear creaking, release a little air.
Adjust the Door Panels and Screens
Open or roll back the door panels to your preference. The tent has three configurations: fully open (panels rolled up, screens open for maximum airflow), screens only (keeps insects out while staying ventilated), or fully closed (all panels down for privacy or weather).
Secure the Guy Ropes
Attach the guy ropes to the loops on the tent body and stake them out at an angle. Optional in calm weather — essential if there's any wind. A properly guyed tent is dramatically more stable in gusts.
Total time from unboxing to done: under 15 minutes on your first attempt. Under 10 once you've done it once.
How to Attach the Awning
On the models that come with a zip-on extension — the 13' × 10' Dual Extension and Large Skylight cabins, the olive green 8' × 10' and 7' × 10', and the yellow 7' × 10' — the extension works as an awning and can also double as a rainfly over the roof. Here's how to use both modes.
- Locate the zipper strip running along the front roofline of the tent. This is where the awning attaches.
- Zip the awning onto the tent — start from one end and work across. The zipper runs the full width.
- Insert the awning poles into the pockets at the outer corners of the awning canopy.
- Stake out the awning poles at a slight outward angle and run the guy ropes to keep them steady.
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Adjust the canopy angle by lengthening or shortening the pole inserts until the awning sits level.
Front view with awning fully deployed — adds significant covered outdoor space for cooking or relaxing.
The same extension draped over the roof as a rainfly — on these models, no extra accessories needed.
Electric Pump vs Manual Pump: Which Should You Use?
Both work. Here's when each makes sense:
Good for remote camping where there's no power source. The included pump is lightweight and gets the main tent up in about 5–10 minutes. Fine for occasional camping.
A rechargeable pump saves effort and time, especially if you camp regularly. Worth the small extra cost if you set up often.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not staking first — the single most common error. Always stake all four corners before pumping.
- Skipping the support poles — the uprights need to be in their sleeves before inflation so the structure rises correctly.
- Overinflating — firm is good, rock-hard is too much. Stay within 5.5–6 psi so the beams keep a little flex for wind.
- Skipping the guy ropes — even a moderate breeze can shift an unsecured tent. Always stake out the ropes if conditions are uncertain.
- Setting up on uneven ground — a slight slope is fine, but large bumps will make the floor uncomfortable and stress the base material.
- Packing away wet — if you roll the tent up damp, mold can develop inside the fabric. Air it out before packing whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set it up alone?
Yes. Every step in this guide is single-person friendly. You don't need a second person at any stage — staking, pole assembly, pumping, and attaching the awning are all manageable solo.
What happens if the tent gets a puncture?
Find the leak with soapy water, deflate the beam, clean and dry the spot, then apply a PVC patch with PVC glue and let it cure before reinflating. If a beam fails from a manufacturing defect, it's covered by the 1-year limited warranty — contact us with photos.
Can I use it in the rain?
Yes. The shell is 420D Oxford with a PU3000 mm waterproof coating, and it helps shed light rain when properly pitched and tensioned. On models with a zip-on extension, drape it flat over the roof as a rainfly when rain is coming, and make sure the guy ropes are fully staked out.
How do I take it down?
Open the air valves to deflate, fold the tent flat, and roll it toward the valves to push remaining air out. Remove the support poles before rolling. It packs down to a surprisingly compact size for a tent this large.
What size group is this tent for?
It depends on the size: the 7' × 10' cabin sleeps 2–4, the 8' × 10' sleeps 4–6, and the 13' × 10' sleeps 8–10. On models with an awning, the covered area outside gives a family room to cook, eat, and relax without going inside.
When does it arrive in the US?
In-stock orders ship from our California and New Jersey warehouses. If a kit is on pre-order, the product page shows the estimated time for it to reach our U.S. warehouse before you check out.
Ready to Set One Up Yourself?
The setup process is one of the biggest reasons people switch to inflatable tents and never go back. Once you've done it once, wrestling with poles feels like a step backward.
Free US shipping on in-stock tents, from our California and New Jersey warehouses.
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