Trekking pole as tent pole warning

[Bill P]

Hi everyone, I have a new lightweight tent which uses a trekking pole for its tent pole. I left the tent with a normally inflated Klymit mat and pillow whilst I went out on a day walk. I returned to find both had overinflated and punctured.
I had fished out the trekking pole and used it on the day walk, collapsing the tent.
The internal tent temp had increased enough during the ~20c day to blow out my mat and pillow!

[whitefang]

I'm not entirely surprised by this. I feel like I recall manufacturers recommending against leaving mats and pillows inflated during the day when not in use.

[andrewa]

Yes, it's one if those "awkward moments" when you have gone off on a day walk, and realise that you've left you airmat etc inflated in the tent on a warm day. Never had a problem, but aware of the issues.

Interestingly, my main mental link to this is through packrafting. Alpacka have always suggested that an inflated raft be put in the river for a while before rafting, as the cold water will reduce the pressure in the raft, and it will need more inflating before paddling. The opposite obviously applies.

A

[Franco]

I think the warning does apply to all tents and particularly so if you leave the tent open and the sun directly hits the mat.
On the converse, if you inflate the mat with warm air it will deflate once it cools down.

BTW, two points that can be negative or positive with trekking pole supported tents when left without poles for the day are (in my mind..)
1) it is obvious that you are not there (for thieves) but at the same time harder to spot.
2) much easier for the rain to wet the inside but less likely to be damaged by strong winds provided some ballast was put over the fabric (smooth rock/smooth log)

[GPSGuided]

The effect is obviously not just the max temperature but the temperature change encountered by the inflated mat. So ~20 deg C is no security if the mat was inflated for sleeping at near zero overnight, obviously worse if cooked by direct sunlight.

[Neo]

I got the pole set with the Protrail and take them anyway ~160g. Usually I would get to the spot, next day is recovery and a look around using my sticks. No mat disasters yet but I've noticed the inflation differences.

[Nuts]

Good warning. If they broke at the outside seams you may be able to reactivate the glue with a med/hot iron and seal again Bill?

[Bill P]

Yes Nuts, the failures are on the seam where the valve assembly is inserted. I have rubbed it up with a hot iron and is seems to have resealed. I need to test it under a bit of load though!

If i didnt collapse the tent then i think the increased air volume and ventilation would have/ should have prevented it getting so hot to cause this problem.