Love your Black Wolf Turbo Tent, or in the market for one? In this blog, I’ll share with you some tips on how you can get the very most out of your Black Wolf Turbo Tent so you can enjoy your trip away to the fullest extent!
The Black Wolf Turbo Tent is a fantastic tent that offers a large amount of space with a relatively quick set up time. When it’s not in use it packs down to a fairly compact size making it very easy to transport and store. I have put Black Wolf Turbo Tents up and down many times and after hearing lots of feedback from people using these tents I have a few handy tips that may help you to get the best out of your tent.
1. Pegging out the tent
- After pulling the tent out of its bag, unfold the legs and lock the knuckles into place.
- Before pushing the tent up, peg it out firmly. These tents do not stand up easily on their own as they are prone to twisting around putting a lot of pressure on the top pole connection.
- Once you’ve popped the tent up, you may need to peg the tent out a little tighter.
- Also, choose pegs to suit the medium you’ll be pegging into – soft soil may require longer pegs, sand may require sand pegs, and so on.
2. Using the guy ropes
As with any tent, the guy ropes will need to be pegged out tightly to hold the frame securely. In windy conditions, the tent may twist and bend putting unnatural pressure on the pole knuckles and joints. By putting the guy ropes out correctly, the tent will not be allowed to twist around, giving it the best chance to stand up to windy conditions. (We recently published a blog on storm proofing your tent. Check it out.)
3. Attaching the fly
As mentioned above, putting the guy ropes out is very important. The Blackwolf Turbo tents only have guy ropes attached to the fly. This means that the fly almost always has to be put on in order to secure the tent. In fair conditions, you may get away with not putting the fly on, in which case you may like to tie some ropes to the frame and make your own guy ropes just in case the wind picks up during the night.
Handsome looking tent is the Turbo, don’t you think?
4. Using the awning
The 3 pole awning provides sun and rain protection but it does not have the option of being zipped down/closed completely, you need to set it up every time. If you fit it with side and front panels you can create another weatherproof space for storage or a room to bunker down in if the weather is bad.
5. Additions to improve your turbo set up
Along with side and front panels the 3 pole awning, there is a host of other accessories you can add to your Turbo Tent to customise your set up. A Turbo Groundsheet will not only protect the floor of your tent but provide covered ground under the awning, whilst a Turbo Awning Screenroom creates a bug proof space.
If you want more space undercover, add a Turbo Extenda Awning to increase the sheltered space in front of your tent. Furthermore, the Extenda Awning is also compatible with side and front panels so you can create an even larger enclosed living space in which you can remain protected from bad weather.
6. Get an extra bag
Unfortunately, these tents can be a real hassle to get back into their bags. If possible, purchase another large good quality canvas bag that you can put the fly and the poles/pegs into. This not only makes it easier to get everything into the bag but as you will have two smaller and lighter parcels it makes it easier to carry.
A Groundsheet is a great idea to put under your Turbo to protect the floor of the tent.
7. Use extra straps
After collapsing the poles when packing up the tent, you’ll need to lay the tent down on the ground and roll it up. The strap that has been provided, to stop the tent from unravelling, is not the greatest option. If possible, purchase a couple of good quality straps to wrap tightly around the tent. This will hold the tent together and pull it all in smaller to make it a lot easier to put back into its bag.
8. Ground sheet/footprint
Even though these tents come with a very strong floor, it’s a great idea to put a tarp or ground sheet down to protect the floor of the tent. The last thing you want is a sharp stick or rock to puncture your new investment.
The Black Wolf Turbos are really brilliant tents. Using the above tips will hopefully allow you to get the best out of yours, and have an even more enjoyable experience using it to its full potential.
If you have used a Blackwolf Turbo Tent or know someone who has, please feel free to add any other useful tips in the comments section below.
Do you have any Turbo Tent tips to add to this list?
G’day! My name is Dave and there is nothing I enjoy more than getting out in the bush and enjoying the challenge and serenity of travelling around this beautiful country of ours.
After 6 years working as an Outdoor Ed Instructor, I’ve joined the team down at Snowys to help others get geared up and head to the outback!
As an enthusiastic photographer and freelance writer for 4WD Action magazine, I love to get out and capture God’s stunning creation and share it with the world.
After getting married at the end of 2010 and having our first child January 2012, I’m looking forward to seeing more of this beautiful country with my family.
We used our 2.1 Turbo light tent for the first time for 4 days. It rained heavily and the condensation seeped into my mattress. Luckily I was in a sleeping bag so didn’t get wet but I did feel a bit cool in the night. Tips on ways to avoid this?
PS. The floor space in the 2.1 tent is not 2.1 its hardly 2m. We know we measured it. We had to buy small mattresses to fit which was a disappointment.
G’day DeeDee, condensation is such a tricky one and something all of us campers battle with at times. Unfortunately, there’s no magic method that will guarantee your gear stays dry but there are a few tips to help you manage and minimise moisture building up inside your tent. We’ve even done a blog on it to help…
https://www.snowys.com.au/blog/how-to-manage-condensation-in-your-tent/
So sorry to hear about your disappointment too! Did you purchase your Turbo Light 210 from us? If so, please don’t hesitate to fill out our online Warranty form so our team can investigate those measurements. Unfortunately, when we profile some products for our YouTube channel we do often come across discrepancies with manufacturer specs and we do our best to make adjustments on our product pages, however, the Turbo Lite 210 is not one we have yet featured.
https://www.snowys.com.au/warranty
Hope this helps! Thanks for your feedback DeeDee
We are considering using our Turbo 300 tents for a 6 week stay in Jindabyne next winter and just wondering if any other owners have used their tent in sub-alpine conditions or camped where wind gusts can reach 100km/hr? We’ll be on a powered site so we’ll be able to use a space heater and/or electric blankets for warmth. It’s mostly the wind I’m concerned about. We own two Turbo 300 tents and some side panels and have always struggled to keep the awning upright in a strong wind. Any tips or advice would be much appreciated.
Your concern is probably correct Jacinta.
The Turbo tent is pretty much as tough as it gets for a general camping tent, so it’s probably your best bet in this category to stand up to more testing conditions.
But having said that, we wouldn’t suggest using it in repeated 100km/hr weather, as the rigid and flat structure of the Turbo isn’t ideal for those conditions.
Can anyone here offer any insight?
Very happy wih Snowys online shop,- fast delivery and great prices. We have just purchased a Black Wolfe turbo lite 300 plus 2016 model and a mesh and solid side panel and front panel. Hoping to do more weekend trips as opposed to the 2 week major tarp set up we have done in e past with family. Any tips to make this similar to the just released 2017? model? Also, Do you think it is safe to cook on a primus with panels attached? Was thinking to wind back one of the sides when cooking, but was wondering iif raining if you could cook with the mesh well behind you if you use a stove guard. Any thoughts? Thanks for your helpful blog.
Thanks for the feedback Tlee! Sounds like you’ve got a ripping set up.
If you’re looking to make some adjustments, take a look at our 2016 v 2017 update blog: https://www.snowys.com.au/blog/black-wolf-turbo-tents-what-are-the-new-2017-updates/ – you can make some easy upgrades similar to the 2017 model.
Cooking in confined spaces is always a tricky subject… As long as you’ve got some fresh air circulating constantly, it should be okay. My professional opinions are much more conservative than my personal decisions 🙂
I hope this helps, Laine
We bought the turbo lite. super easy to put up . we were really excited until early the next morning. After 20 mins of light rain all , bedding clothing and bags were wet. with 6 people inside an 8 man tent this is not good. We have been camping for 15 years with a coleman with no issues and stumped up the cash for the ease of putting it up. All camp mats were wet on the underside too. Easy to put back in the bag though
G’day Fiona – Oh no! A wet tent is the worst. Say, where is the water coming from? Is it a leak? Is it condensation – a real possibility if the tent is locked right up with so many people in it? Is there a hole or tear?
I’m going to flick you an email too, as I want to help you as much as we can if there is a problem with your Turbo Lite.
Glad you’re pleased with the speed of setting up and the bag, though. 🙂
Cheers, Paul
Are the blackwolf turbo tents ok for camping on the beach ??
Absolutely, Allan! We’ve got a few blokes here who regularly camp down Coorong way in their Turbos. 🙂 Cheers, Paul
We have got the turbo lite 300 and we purchased the front and sides of the awning. I am so happy we bought this tent. One quick question, it rained this weekend and in the morning the inside of the awning area at the front of the tent was very damp and when my head touched the roof (as we had dropped the poles slightly) I got wet. Is this normal for it to be that wet inside the awning. The tent door was completely zipped up. Are we supposed to have sprayed it with waterproof spray?
Hi Lynn – Thanks for the comment. Glad you’re enjoying your Turbo. If the inside of the roof is damp that could be condensation. Was this likely to be the case? Cheers, Paul
Hello,
I am considering buying a Turbo Lite 450 and was wondering what the inner tent is made from. I can’t seem to find this information anywhere.
Thank you,
Janelle
G’day Janelle – With the Turbos, the inner material is exactly the same as the fly. So for the Lite 450 you’re looking at 150D Ripstop Polyester PU 2000mm. Hope that helps. 🙂 Cheers, Paul
Hi, we have a turbo lite twin 300 and had a pole pop out of the centre hub. We were sent a replacement and my husband has put it on, however we can’t seem to get the poles to lock in place and the centre will pop down with a strong gust of wind or when we tighten the guy ropes. What are we doing wrong? Thank you
Hi Maisie, If you have replaced the center Hub you would most likely have disconnected the inner tent material from the upper frame arms. Make sure all parts of the tent have been reconnected to ensure the frame works correctly. Secondly make sure the base of the tent is pegged tight after you have popped it up (With the doors closed).
Did you replace only the hub? or upper aluminum arms as well? We have seen tents fall down by themselves when the incorrect length of Upper aluminum poles (that connect to the hub) are installed, earlier models had telescopic upper arms so if your tent has these make sure they are extended correctly.
If you continue to have issues please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone or if possible, contact Black Wolf to find your nearest repair agent that can take a look at it for you 🙂
You can also send some photos of your tent to Warranty@snowys.com.au for us to inspect and see if we can find what the problem is.
Regarding BW Turbo 300 plus 3 pole, two side panels and front panel:
Just a quick question, is there any reason I can’t leave the accessories on the fly, while storing it in the bag after a trip ? It would seem to me it would save a bit of time in the setup.
Cheers Guys
I can’t see any problems with this Joel, as long as it all fits back in the bag, and you are not storing it wet all should be OK. It may be worth considering where all the zips and velcro lay when folding so as not to cause any damage, but I am starting to mention small things when saying this.
Hi guys I have an older turbo lite 270 and on putting it up for the first time in 18 months I have discovered that the seam sealing tape is peeling off the entire tent and fly and there are parts where the silver lining has rubbed through especially on parts where the plastic clips hook onto the poles. What would you guys recommend to be the best way to re waterproof the tent its a great tent and I would hate to get rid of it.
Cheers 🙂
Hi Shane, apologies for the delayed reply. How old is your tent? It is unusual for the seam sealing tape to peel off, unless it has been stored in humid conditions. You can use a seam sealing glue like Stormsure or Seam Grip on the seams to make them watertight, or some tent repair places may be able to re-apply the tape depending on how clean the area around the seam is. As for the silver lining, that is not the waterprood component and there should be a PU coating underneath this, so unless there is water coming in through the area of concern, you shouldn’t need to do anything.
Thank you for the reply I would say the tent is at least 6 years old and is stored under my house but not to say it hasn’t gotten damp at one stage and packed up like that. Wen I get a chance to put it up again I will take some photos and email to you. I will look int the seam sealing glue and try and fix that way. Thanks again for your help and advice
Hi.
We have just purchased a turbo 300 which is 2nd hand and only 12 months old.
We have the original purchase receipt.
Are we still covered by the life time warranty even if we are not the original owner?
Hi Darrel, technically the warranty is only valid for the original purchaser with a valid receipt. If you happen to have any issues with your Turbo Tent don’t hesitate to call us and we will do all we can to help.
Hi,
We recently bought a Turbo 300 canvas with the zip on side panels. Unfortunately on the March long weekend at Robe, it leaked at the zip of one of the side panels when it rained. We could not get the side of the annex tight enough to prevent a low spot where water accumulated. The other side was perfect but despite changing the height of the poles or the position of the guide ropes we couldn’t get that one side to sit properly.
Any suggestions fellow Black Wolf tenters?
Thanks,
Kristy
Hi Kristy, Unfortunately it is just about impossible to completely waterproof a zip and for this reason the panels were only designed to be a barrier against the elements, but not to create a 100% waterproof enclosure. Basically they are an easier option to stringing up a tarp… Whilst they may let a bit of water seep through I guarantee things would be a lot wetter without them! As for your awning try adding some extra guy ropes over the top of the poles on the awning to provide support to the awning in different directions, also make sure your center pole is up nice and high to allow for water run off 🙂
Remember that canvas will sag is it becomes cold and wet so you will need to tighten guy ropes and adjust poles and leg angles a few times in wet conditions.
Hope this helps! 🙂
I recently bought the Blackwolf Turbo 300 and camped across Australia and back. Unfortunately I didn’t realize that if you don’t fully set the tent up and set the guy ropes up correctly and tightly, the wind will twist the frame. I had two incidents where the twisting caused the poles to come out of the centre Hub. It took a lot of work to put the poles back in (had to screw the Hub apart etc). I my return home I decided the current Hub was too damaged for another trip over to WA and decided to buy a new Hub on ebay which I have now received. The new Hub also came with the black plastic rounded end bits that go into the Hub but my question is how do I now replace the current Hub with the new Hub. On inspection of the poles there appears to be screws holding the black plastic rounded end bit in place but the new Hub I received do not have holes in those end bits. Do I now have to drill holes in them to attached them to the four poles which go into the Hub. Very hard to explain what I am trying to ask.
Hi Graham, firstly an apology for the delayed reply. I think I know what you are desrcrbing and it is most likely that you will need to drill some pilot holes through the plastic. Feel free to send some photos to ben@snowys.com.au if you like and I can confirm what you need to do.
G’day Graham, good on-ya for having a go at fixing the tent! you will need to drill pilot holes into the little plastic stumps coming out. Firstly remove your existing hub, the slot the new hub into place. Using a very small drill bit, drill pilot hols directly where the screw holes in the aluminum poles are, the screw the poles back into place 🙂
The reason for this is there are slight variances with mass produced products, and if they pre-drilled these holes they probably wouldn’t line up with the existing holes in your poles.
Please make sure you drill pilot holes or you may crack your new hub if you just screw the screws straight in!
Contact us if you need some clearer guidance 🙂
Hi Graham, we have come back to your comment with our tail between our legs. Upon looking at a Turbo Tent hub recently, we realised that the poles are attached to the hub with a nut and bolt, not just a screw, meaning you will actually have to drill holes through both sides of the plastic and situate the bolt all the way through each pole attachment. As we mentioned previously give us a call if you need more help. 1300 914 007.
Hi, one of the poles have pop out of the Central pivot at the top. How do I put it back? Regards Shauna Stack
Hi Shauna, I would suggest you give us a call on 1300 914 007 and have a chat to our Black Wolf Turbo repair expert. He will be able to advise you on the best way to fit the pole back into the central hub.
Regards
Ben
Hi,
Thanks for the comments – really helpful,
I went for the Brampton (from Snowys) in the end, mainly due to the extra space and I really like the way you can open up pretty much all the fly and that there are so many, large meshed doors. We tend to camp for a few nights at a time in one place and generally in fair weather as our kids are still fairly young, so I think the extra set up time and reduced wind worthiness are probably a pay off worth making. I certainly don’t think I can justify an additional $500 for them!
If we start to do more touring then I can upgrade to the Black Wolf with confidence.
Hi,
I’d like some advice please. I’m really interested in the Turbo Lite Twin 300. However, I’ve found a few reviews which talk about problems with condensation and leaking windows. This really worries me, the latter in particular. I don’t want to pay nearly $1000 for a tent that leaks. After all the point of buying Black wolf is to get a reliable quality product. The issue seems to be specific to reviews of the twin model. Can anyone who owns one reassure me, or should I steer clear? I don’t think the lite plus models will work for us, so my other option would be the Outdoor Connection Brampton. Great reviews but I can’t see how it can be as good.
Hi Kate, thanks for your comment. The turbo Tents are one of the strongest and most waterproof tents on the market, so let me first explain that if the turbo tent is leaking from the seems around the window, it should be covered by the Black Wolf Lifetime Warranty. These tents are certainly not designed to leak.
Secondly, the windows are not covered by the fly, which means they are one of the more prominent spots for condensation to form. Condensations forms a lot more in the turbo lite tents because the entire tent (inner and outer) is made from fully waterproof material. Which means that condensation will form on the inside of the tent, especially on area’s with out the fly covering it such as the windows. Now condensation forms when its cold outside and warm inside, when its raining, its cold outside… so condensation forms, but many people confuse this with the tent leaking and of course jump on the net to vent their frustration…
Tents like the Brampton wont have as many issues with condensation as the inner is not waterproof, which means all the condensation passes through the inner to the outer fly, but on the turbo tent the inner is waterproof so it forms on the inner.
The major difference between the Brampton and the turbo is the strength in wind, and the set up time. The turbo tent is much stronger (When set up correctly) and will go up quicker and more easily.
The Brampton is a very good quality dome tent but like all dome tents, it will take a little longer to put up and it wont survive the same wind that the turbos can.
I hope this helps with your decision, of course both tents are available from Snowy s for red hot prices!
Why not check out the new Turbo-Lite-Cabin-450-Tent. I’ve just been talking to Snowys guy about it today and am keen to upgrade from my 300 plus before my next trip. Black wolf are good in wet weather though I can’t comment on the twin particularly as I don’t have one.
the black wolf tent is the only tent recomended for camping on kangaroo island. as the wind can get very strong . happy camping.. 🙂
Hi there,
I’ve just purchased a Black Wolf Turbo Lite Twin 300. Does anyone know if you can leave one of the rooms at the end packed up to save space if there is minimal space for set up? I’m giving it its first trial run this weekend and am now getting a bit nervous about trying to set up and pack up myself!
Thanks
Carly
Hi Carly,
While it is physically possible the Turbo Lite Twin is designed to be set up in full, there are no specific provisions on the tent to enable one of the rooms to be packed away without having a lot of loose fabric hanging around, and setting it up in this way may compromise your warranty, and waterproof qualities.
I would recommend speaking to the caravan park or campsite to ensure you have an adequate site, it would be rare that you could not find a space large enough for this tent.
Hope this helps
Ben
We are looking a buying the turbo lite twin 300. What do people think of the floor? Is it durable, feels a little thin and we have stretcher bed?
I have the Turbo Lite 240 Plus and I can assure you that the floor is very strong. It is much stronger than any typical dome tent with a “poly tarp” style floor though it is not as strong as the canvas tents floor…
I have never heard of a stretcher wearing or piercing the floor of a tent, mainly due to the fact that there is not enough weight placed on each leg, and they there is no rubbing against the material, it is simply static pressure on the floor which the tents is more than strong enough to handle.
Always place a ground sheet under your tent for added strength.
There have been a few lite material tents that have had their floors leak but there have not been many and Black Wolf have worked to fix this issue. Of course if there were any issues with the floor, they are most likely covered by the Life Time warranty 🙂
Thank you for your reply, great to hear as we have just purchased a turbo twin. Can’t wait to use it:)
I have recently bought a Black Wolf Turbo light FS 300 and cannot seem to close the front door properly as it wont zip up all the way around the right hand side top corner. I can get the fly zipped up but still there is a lot of pressure as its pulling really tightly on both sides where its clipped on to the frame.
A few of my friends have tried bringing the poles in which loosens the pressure but still cant manage to zip up the door all the way around to fully close it.
Also the pressure on the door fly is so tight when zipping it around the top right hand side I’m concerned the fly material is not going to last.
Has some one else bought the same product and had the same problems?
G’day Michelle, sounds like 1 of 2 potential problems.
First of all, are you pegging out the tent before you “Pop” it up? Pegging out this tent first, especially if you peg it tight with the door open, can mean that the the base is stretched tighter than it should be placing additional strain across the door way.
After taking the tent out of the bag “Pop” it up, then close the main door before pegging the corners out. This should give the correct tension for the tent.
If this fails, then you may have a faulty tent, in which case take it back to the shop you bought it from and they will be able to take a look for you 🙂 You can also contact black wolf directly for further advice 🙂
this is where a life time warranty comes in very handy 🙂
Let us know how you go! and feel free to give us a call at Snowys if your still having trouble!
Regards
Dave
I sold my RV4 because the Turbo 240 gives me standing room (I’m 6′). Couldn’t be happier with that decision as the benefits are numerous. When it comes to the ground sheet, I had one made up (it was hemmed so I could peg it) out of shade sail material which allows sand to fall through and is great for draining water away. Custom work is always expensive up front but cheaper over the lifespan, that’s why you bought a Turbo remember!
I too sold my Oztent RV3 in favor of the larger Turbo 240 Plus, and we use some cheap shade cloth my mate had in his back yard as the ground sheet. Its a lot bigger than the tent but its cheap so we peg straight through it and that works great 🙂
I have been traveling with my Blackwolf all year and love it. One tip I’d offer as a solo traveler, and a little height challenged, would be to drag the fly over the tent and roughly put it into place before popping the tent up. This way I don’t need to struggle with getting the fly on.
Great Tip Kay! Thank you!
When putting the fly over in windy conditions try clipping the fly to the tent on the side the wind is coming from, then as you throw it up the wind will blow it over the tent! The Fly is probably the most difficult part of the tent so if anyone else has a few little tricks please share with us!
Thanks again Kay!
Nice tip. I like it.
I am knocking 70 & love my 300 Tubo lite – I can put it up on my own! Like ‘offroading’ above mine isn’t the latest model. The new bags are more roomy & have a C shaped zip (makes for easier packing away). I purchased one from Snowys. I do miss a rear window with side flaps that my old Colman classic had, but can’t have everything! I am now saving up for the base camp awning.
My old bag is now used for the green rubber underlay stuff (sorry, senior moment, can’t remember proper name)& a thermal inner floor mat.
Keep the tips coming please.
I was interested in your comment as I am 65 years of age and interested in purchasing a Turbo Tent. I have some green rubber interlocking mats, but I was wondering about the Thermal inner floor mat. What is it you use, is sounds good. I am also thinking of buying a self inflating mattress and thought that I might put the interlocking rubbing matting underneath the mattress to give me a small gap underneath between the mattress and ground.
I have picked up on a lot of good tips from reading this section, thank you Snowys.
Hi Wendy
Thanks for your comment 🙂 There re not many options for thermal flooring that I know of, as rubbery type floor matting will be quite heavy, large and expensive, which is not ideal for camping. The interlocking foam mats are a good option but will take up quite a bit of space. You may prefer to use a picnic rug or even a thermal tarp, all available from Snowys 🙂
Your self inflating mattress will be fine to go straight on to the ground but if you want to get off the ground you could put the mattress on a stretcher, you may like to read my blog about sleeping options for campers 🙂
I hope this helps, perhaps some other readers might have some good suggestions?
Cheers
Dave
Leaving the doors, windows and vents open will help the air to escape when collapsing the tent which will hopefully make the process a little quicker and easier. Its a great indication of just how waterproof these tents are when even the air cant get through easily!
Another handy tip for putting away your Black Wolf Turbo Tent (which we own and love), is as you get ready for the rolling and folding of the floor into a shape that suits the bag, leave it in the sun for a while. The warmth of the sun makes the PVC flooring a lot more malleable and therefore easier to squeeze into your bag.
We give a review of our Turbo Tent at our website (and blog) at
http://www.gocampingaustralia.com.
Good blogging!
This is cool!
I love my turbo plus tent (which I traded my roof top tent in for), my only regret is that the new model turbo just released is even better than mine.
I find that once I have rolled the tent up add added my aftermarket compression straps (2m long), it is best to walk away and kick the footy with the kids or pack the car for 5 minutes. On your return you will find that the trapped air inside the tent has had time to escape, just pull the straps tight again and the whole thing goes in the bag much easier.