PSA: your tent stakes are probably lying to you after 2 seasons

Last weekend I was out at Patapsco Valley State Park and my trusty aluminum stakes bent like wet noodles during a gusty night. I've used the same 8-pack for maybe 15 trips over 2 summers, no visible rust or damage. Turns out the metal fatigues from repeated hammering into hard packed soil and the cold makes them brittle. I had to tie my tent corners to rocks and tree roots at 2am in 40 degree weather. I grabbed a cheap replacement set from a gas station for 12 bucks and they actually held up way better. Now I'm wondering if I should replace stakes every year or just inspect them for micro cracks. Has anyone else had a stake snap or bend without looking worn out first?

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1 Comment

angela58722d ago

Ugh, tell me about it! Cheap ones beat fancy ones half the time.