Be sure that the weight of the full tent weight bags meet your event’s weight requirement, if you are using your tent at a public event. Check the tent weight packaging to see how much the weights weigh when they’re full, and be sure to follow all directions.
Some public events do not allow cinder blocks to be used as tent weights, as they can be a tripping hazard, so check with your event coordinator before using them. Cinder blocks can be a convenient method of weighing down your tents at home. Consider covering them with old towels or sheets so people don’t scrape themselves if they bump into them.
If you are using your tent at a public event, check with your event coordinator before using exercise weights as tent weights.
To use water as your filler, fill your buckets all the way full to get 40 pounds (18 kg) in each one. For sand, you’ll need 3. 2 gallons (12 L). Fill your buckets about 2/3 full of sand to get this. A full 5 US gal (19 L) bucket of gravel easily weighs 75 pounds (34 kg), so you’ll only need a little over half a bucket full of gravel to use that option.
Try putting a lid on the bucket if you have one for it. If you used water as your filler, keep the bucket on the ground while attaching it, or fill it at the spot of your tent, to avoid spilling too much of the water.
When finished, these weights will weigh about 40 pounds (18 kg) each. You also have the option of making smaller weights, using shorter 2 feet (61 cm) pieces of 3 inches (7. 6 cm) diameter pipe. Some people like to make 8 smaller weights of about 20 pounds (9. 1 kg) each to make them easier to transport.
Always use eye protection and gloves when operating power tools.
Follow all instructions on the PVC glue as you brush the glue on and attach caps to what will be the tops of each of your pipes. Allow your glue to dry for the length of time determined by the glue instructions.
This step can benefit from the help of a friend. When the concrete is mixed, 1 person can fill the pipes with a small trowel while the other person holds the pipe upright and occasionally taps it on the ground to make sure the concrete is moving toward the bottom. Consider mixing your cement in 2 separate batches, so that you aren’t as rushed to use up all the cement at once before it starts setting.
Your weights are now complete. Hang onto them until you need them for your assembled tent.
Some people also like to tie the weights to the legs down near the ground with rope or Velcro strips, so that they don’t swing around or become a tripping hazard.
