I have owned a REI quarter dome T2 for about three years. In that time it has seen light use and remains in good shape. Whenever I have taken it backpacking, I have found that once I set it up it doesn't sit level - it rocks back and forth on two of the poles that are diagonally across from each other. I had always chalked that up to setting it up on ground that was not perfectly level, but yesterday I set it up in my living room to clean it up, and found that even on a level surface, the tent doesn't sit flat.

If you are familiar with the Quarter Dome, it has one long white pole that reaches two corners diagonally across, and two shorter red poles that are permanently attached to this white pole. They each span to a single corner. What I am finding is that either the white pole is too long, or the tension on the poles in general is not quite right. The two corners of the white pole are firmly planted on the ground, but of the two red poles, only one of them can touch the ground at a time. The result is that the tent rocks back and forth. There is probably a couple inches of clearance under whichever end isn't contacting the ground.

Is this normal with the Quarter Dome or tents in general? It doesn't seem like it should be. I contacted REI and they said to bring the tent in so they can take a look at it, but I don't want to waste their time if this isn't unusual.

Thanks for any input,
Josh

I don't have a quarter dome, so I can't comment directly, but all of these free standing tents do need to be staked out. I am wondering if the tent is designed to sit flat when staked out (ie pull out the main legs when you stake and pull down the side legs.) Do you get pretty good tension on the fly as you stake it down?

Just my thought.....

The fly does create some tension on the tent, I don't remember if there was still movement last time I had the fly set up. During the summer I like to use it without the fly just to keep the bugs out but maybe the tent is only intended to be used with the fly.

I'm taking this as a cry for buying a new power tool.

Anyhoo, if the poles are all the way in their sleeves and anchors, and the pole segments are fully seated (not binding at the joints--look for grit or dents or...) then there's something wonky with the fabric panels, or some other concealed damage.

It would make for an interesting conversation at the REI customer service counter.

Must be something wrong with the panels. REI confirmed that it should work just fine without the fly, and the poles are just fine, so I'm planning on bringing it in to a store next week.

Thanks for the input.

Josh

Well, I took the tent in to REI, and they told me that it's normal for the tent to do this. Completely the opposite of what their email support told me, but what can you do. They did offer to give me store credit for the purchase price of the tent, but since the new model is $100 more than what I paid, it would have cost me that much to exchange the tent. I decided to keep it and just deal with the wonkiness.

Can you post a picture of the issue?

I have 2 of the quarterdome T2 plus tents. Both of mine rock ever so slightly when empty. When I put my pad and sleeping bag in them they don't rock anymore. I have never thought it was much of an issue.