How To Connect Two Tents Together

When planning a camping adventure with a group of friends or family or camping on your own, knowing how to connect two tents together is a real plus. With a few steps and extra supplies, connecting tents can take less than a half hour to complete.

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Best Way to Connect Two Same-Style Tents

One of the best ways to connect two tents is by using tents that are specifically designed to connect. Because the tents fit together seamlessly, this is the easiest way to connect the two tents, or more. The connection process is usually via zippers.

For this set-up to work requires campers need to be using the same brand and style of tent. Two different models/manufacturers will not align properly, so this method would not be usable. Because these tents are custom in design to support easy connectivity, the price can be more expensive. An example of this type of connecting tent and the applicable prices can be found at Pod Tent USA.

Brands offering connecting tents include RhinoWolf All-In-One tent, Crua Clan Modular System, Coleman Connectable Tent Bundle, Snow Peak Dock Dome Pro.6 Tent, Snow Peak Amenity Dome Tent L 6-People, and the Snow Peak Living Shell Long Pro.

Another option is to use zips or clips. With this method, if the tent doors are nearly the same size, zipping them together is possible. If the tent doors are too far off in lining them up, do not try to force them to work since this could lead to damaging one or both tents. Instead, secure the two entryways together using binder clips.

To prevent anything, such as rain or bugs, from seeping in through the seams around the clipped tent doors, place a tarp over the area. Do note that one of the two tents must have two doorways for access to the connected tents.

Some top tent manufacturers and styles to consider include Coleman Sundome 4, REI Groundbreaker 2, Caddis Rapid 6, REI Grand Hut 4, Eureka Space Camp 4, REI Kingdom 6, Coleman Octagon 98, Marmot Limestone 4P, REI Trail Hut 4, and REI Half Dome SL 2+ and 3+.

Connecting Off-Sized Tents

If you are camping with other people, they may not have the same style/brand of tent, which means there could be an issue with connecting the two tents. In this case, instead of one or the other going to the expense of buying a compatible tent, you can use a tarp to create a hallway between the two.

With this process, you will place the tents with the doors facing each other and about five feet of distance between them. Next, stretch a cord over the two tents and secure each end of the cord with a stake. Pull the cord so it is tight. Place a tarp over the cord so it covers both doorways and secure each corner of the tarp with a stake. This adds a level of security to the tarp in case of windy conditions. The distance between the two tent doors is up to you. If you want a longer hallway, just use a longer cord and an appropriately sized tarp.

Note: Depending on the shape of your tent, you can also run two cords (lines) across the tent tops to create a boxed style hallway versus a single cord teepee style enclosure. The boxed hallway provides more room to move around. While you can make a longer hallway, it stresses the tarp resulting in a sagging middle.

Creating and Connecting a Tent Hub

If you are planning a camping trip with a large group of people and want a lot of floor space plus privacy, it is possible to create a small hub with two or more tents. For this to work, a large tent is necessary, and it must have multiple door openings. An example of a 3-door tent is the Ozark Trail 20 person camping tent. Use one door as the main entry/exit and the other doors to expand the floor space using additional smaller tents.

The main tent is the center of the hub. Place the opening of a small tent next to one of the doorways of the larger tent. Push the smaller tent inside the larger tent’s doorway. The seam around the opening will need to be sealed tightly to prevent rain seepage. Consider using a rain fly to further protect the opening to your tent.. To do this, use binder clips and a tarp to cover and secure the opening.

Multi-Tent Connection

On the high end, price-wise, using a pole marquee tent provides options for the use of multiple tents. Marquee tents have open sides and come in assorted styles and sizes. With this type of set-up, the result is to create a large common area that can be used by all campers for activities such as cooking, dining, socializing, etc.

A pole tent serves as a canopy providing protection from heavy rain. The multiple doorways or openings of the pole tent will allow you to place your tent inside each of the pole tent’s openings. Be sure the doorway of your tent is facing inward towards the center of the pole tent.

Depending on the size, style, and number of openings of the pole tent determines the number of tents that can be fitted inside. One of the openings must be left open to use as the main entrance and exit.

When considering this type of tent, some available brands include AliExpress, GetTent, Coleman, eCanopy, and ULINE.

Pros and Cons of Connecting Two Tents

Everything has good and not so good points, which also includes connecting two tents together. If this will be your first time connecting two tents together, it is best to know what benefits you can count on as well as any obstacles.

Pros

The more spacious interior supports a bonding experience for all inhabitants.
Connected tents provide a more comfortable and home-like experience.
The larger area provides a less confining space for mobility especially when campers must be inside due to bad weather.
The extra space allows for better organization of gear, accessories, and personal items.
Those staying in the connected tents have more privacy for sleeping and dressing.
Campers have their own rooms.
Campers can choose when they want to go to sleep.
With connected tents, there is a feeling of security.

Cons

Depending on the sizes of the tents being connected, set-up time can be significant, which can range from a few minutes to an hour or more.
A high quality connecting tent set-up can be expensive.
Larger tent configurations can also be more expensive.
If working with larger sized tents, the entire set-up can be prone to instability during high wind situations.
The entire set up can be heavy and not as easy to work with or transport.
It may require the help of more than one person to complete the more intricate set-ups.
If either tent springs a leak, it can have a negative impact on the entire set-up.

Overview of Two Tent Connection

You have several options when it comes to tent connection that range from very easy to set-up to more involved. The following is a summary of what you will do, benefits, drawbacks, and the end results.

You have the option of using tents specifically designed to connect together.
Tents range in price from budget-friendly to expensive.
Multiple brands are available offering different styles and sizes.
Tents may connect together using zippers.
Tents may also be connected using binder clips.
The use of a tarp or tarps helps protect against bugs entering the tent.
Tarps also help prevent rain from leaking inside.
2-inch binder clips are recommended as they are strong while their plastic construction won’t harm the tent’s material.
Connecting two tents is possible using tarps to create a walkway or hallway of varying sizes between the two.
Sturdy cords and durable stakes are the accessories needed when creating hallways.
Rainflies are also usable to prevent rain from dripping inside the tent.

Final Tips for Connecting Two Tents

When connecting two tents, it does not have to be too time-consuming or complicated unless you are working with a larger tent set-up or connecting more than one tent. Keep in mind, when connecting tents, you are not only providing a roomier environment, but you are also providing a better connection between you and your fellow campers.