If you’ve ever spent any time among tents, you know that every part and accessory must be functioning well in order for the tent to work its best. To that end, if you’ve lost or misplaced your stakes, it’s not that sound of an idea to use the tent. One strong breeze, after all, could take your Eureka family tent anywhere, including in the woods, off the trail, or even in the water.

You’ll also want to make sure your tent poles are exactly right. If even just one section is bent or unusable, it can severely impair the shape of your tent and your ability to properly set it up. In terms of effectively setting up your tent, improperly sized poles will be just as ineffective as damaged poles. Before you place your stakes, be sure that the ground is solid and that there are any hazards in the vicinity, such as perilous looking branches.