One person setup

[lweller]

I have an 8.0, and am looking for a way to set this up by myself, as the need occasionally arrives.  I can get the bed platforms out and secured just fine.  The problem is getting the first of the two tent ends up by myself.  As I lay the front tent down first in teardown, I then need to pull the back tent section up first in the one-man setup.  I don't get very far with that - about 1/3 of the way.  I'm trying to pull from the side - outside the trailer.  The tent material is very heavy, with insufficient leverage from that angle.  I've thought about trying to pull up from the inside - back and inside of trailer.  I'm sure that this has been dealt with successfully, but need some advice on this.  Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

[idlerockfarm]

There is someone on here who put a strap around the bed end and pulls it up.  I imagine the strap like one of those heavy-duty ones movers use.  Then the long end over the middle to inside.  I'm sure someone else could describe it better.

I can only do my 6.0 solo because I can step on the cargo deck and lift there for setup or walk it back by stepping on there for tear down.  Without that height boost, I wouldn't have the reach or arm strength.  Maybe a sturdy table would help?  I have a table rated to 300 lbs.  Might be an idea.

[mjmoore17]

I have an 8.0, and am looking for a way to set this up by myself, as the need occasionally arrives.  I can get the bed platforms out and secured just fine.  The problem is getting the first of the two tent ends up by myself.  As I lay the front tent down first in teardown, I then need to pull the back tent section up first in the one-man setup.  I don't get very far with that - about 1/3 of the way.  I'm trying to pull from the side - outside the trailer.  The tent material is very heavy, with insufficient leverage from that angle.  I've thought about trying to pull up from the inside - back and inside of trailer.  I'm sure that this has been dealt with successfully, but need some advice on this.  Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

I setup the tent from inside. I do not think I could do it from the outside. I have a QS6 but the tent setup is similar. I am also the person who has a couple of straps around the mattresses and bed platform. I use the straps primarily to keep the mattress from folding over during setup. It has a secondary advantage of a second handhold when lowering the bed platform. 
I have to admit, I never thought of setting up the tent from the outside, i just use the support pole to push the frame out towards the end and then connect to center of unit. I do same with second pole. After that, I go out and snap it all up. I am far from young and athletic so I am sure others could do it far better than I do.

[lweller]

Thanks for the information.  I'll try that, as it makes a lot of sense.  The one difference between the 6 and the 8 is that with the latter, the back tent is partially overlapped by the front tent.  But, I'll work on your input.  thanks.

[idlerockfarm]

Well I skimmed/read that wrong. That's what I get for peeping at the forum when at work.

I ALSO push around the tent from inside. Stuff flaps all over and I use the support arms to get the tent off of my head. It takes dome wrangling, but I do that from inside the tent. Then I snap the snaps outside.

[shellee]

I have a 10.0 and at times I am kind of sorry I didn't buy a smaller unit, because it is hard to set up by yourself. I have to stand inside the unit and push the tent sides out rather than pull it up from outside the unit. I have a pole that I use to help me get the tent started. My bigger problem is getting all the snaps snapped. It seems the camper has to be perfectly level in order for all of the snaps and bungee cords to secure easily. Anyone have any ideas on how to snap up the tent easier. I do stand on a step stool and pull down on the Bimini poles. I just turned 60 and I'm only 5'4" but once set up I do love to camp.

[lweller]

I like the idea of a pole, pushing up and out from the inside.  I'll give that  a try.  Thanks.

[alf]

I have found that it is worthwhile to buy a Top-Snapper tool (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015OYLYJW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) to help pull snaps onto their studs (and take them off). I do agree that it is sometimes hard to attach the snaps at the end of the bed, even when pulling down on the bimini pole. In my case, however, it helps to be 6', 270lb.

[idlerockfarm]

I keep forgetting to snap before I put the poles up inside.  Snapping first is best.  Otherwise, it needs to be 60 degrees or higher for snaps to be a snap to snap.  :-)

On the colder nights when I camped this month, I had to just give up on some of the snaps.  Neither mosquitos (mostly gone) nor rain got in, so that lacsidaisical approach to cold weather snapping will probably be what I do from now on.

[promagstyle]

I have setup my QS8.0 numerous times by myself and also taken it down as well. Standing at 5'5" and weighing about 220 lbs makes it much easier pulling on the bimini poles. However I feel the strain and pain on the muscles for a few days after setting up the Tent Camper.

[lweller]

Promagstyle, do you work to set it up from the inside or the outside of the trailer?  Can you explain your process a little so I can give it a try?  Is it just muscle, or do you have a specific procedure?  Thanks.