Do I Really Need a Tent Platform?
Is it really necessary? A platform underneath your tent is ideal if you want to pitch your tent on uneven ground or simply if you like the look of it. However, note that if you do not intend to set up your tent on an incline, a platform isn’t truly “necessary” since CanvasCamp tents come equipped with a robust, “bathtub-style” groundsheet that rises 12 cm along the sidewalls, creating a waterproof basin that keeps you dry in all conditions—even in the snow or if your campsite becomes flooded.
By assessing your budget and needs, you can make the right choice for a functional and durable tent platform.
DIY Wooden Platform: €500 – €2000, depending on the type of wood and dimensions.
Professionally Built Wooden Platform: €2000 – €5000, depending on the type of wood, dimensions, custom work, and location.
Alternatives such as a sand/gravel bed or stone border: €50 – €500, depending on the material and area.
Common Myths About Installing a Tent on a Platform
Myth 1: A Tent Platform Keeps You Warmer in the Winter
Wood does not insulate well against cold, and it allows wind to flow underneath the platform, which results in heat loss. In winter, a well-insulated ground—such as a thick layer of snow or an insulating mat—is often more effective than a platform.
Myth 2: A Platform Prevents All Water Problems
While a platform can help reduce puddles, rainwater can still accumulate on the platform or seep in through the seams. A tent with a well-designed “bathtub” groundsheet and a slight pitch for drainage is just as effective.
Myth 3: Platforms Make Your Tent More Stable in the Wind
A sturdy platform does not prevent your tent from moving in the wind. In fact, if the guy lines are attached incorrectly (for example, too close to the tent), this can add extra pressure on the tent structure and cause damage. In most cases, properly placed pegs in the ground offer better stability.
Myth 4: A Tent Platform Extends the Life of Your Tent
While a platform can reduce wear on the bottom of your tent, it can also cause other issues. A proper groundsheet or tarp directly on the ground can protect the tent just as well.
Myth 5: A Platform Is Necessary for Overall Comfort
Platforms are useful on steep slopes or very muddy areas, but on flat, well-draining ground, a platform is often superfluous and only adds additional cost and effort. A carpet, on the other hand, adds much more comfort than a platform.
Which Tent Platform Works Best for You?
Many factors determine which type of platform is best for you, such as your budget, location, and choice of materials. Therefore, there is no standard answer on how to build a platform, but we can show you how to correctly pitch a tent on a platform.
Every platform is different and unique—just like every tent owner. An important point about our CanvasCamp tents is that they can be set up directly on a flat surface—they are designed for that. This is because they come equipped with a robust, “bathtub-style” groundsheet that rises 12 cm along the tent’s sidewalls, forming a waterproof basin that keeps you dry in almost all conditions, even during winter or a heavy downpour.
Ideas for Tent Platforms
Rock Trench
If your goal is to create a sense of permanence, consider outlining the tent with river rocks or decorative gravel. This option is more affordable and less labor-intensive than building an actual platform. Rock trenches also help with drainage and control dust and weeds—and they look stylish.
Platform with veranda
If you construct a platform for the entire tent, it will be lifted off the ground, giving you the impression of overlooking the surrounding land. This solution is particularly useful if your terrain is uneven or has steep slopes. A veranda also provides a flat area where you can relax comfortably.
Lounge Deck
On flat ground, you can opt to build a lounge deck for the tent (or behind the tent if it has a double door) and pitch the tent directly on the ground. This way, you avoid the investment in decking under the tent when it’s not truly necessary.
Floating Deck
Didn’t canvas get used for making sails? Build a tent platform raft and transform your tent into a unique “mobile home.” Sounds impossible? Not at all. Jojo built a tent raft and lived on it for a year in Sweden. Check it out here
A Platform Up in a Tree for Your Tent?
An elevated treehouse is made of wood—and dreams. It possesses an elusive magic that transports us to a time when you can completely escape, connect with nature, and choose your own adventure. In a treehouse, you rise above the world.
Pitching a Tent on a Platform
If you have uneven ground or steep slopes, a platform may be necessary. The design, size, shape, and material of your platform are entirely up to you—or a professional contractor of your choice.
The most important aspect when setting up a tent on a platform is to achieve exactly the same shape and guyline angles as you would if the tent were set up on flat ground.
- Secure the groundsheet to your deck with screws through the sail rings (not using the elastics on the bottom of the tent walls).
- Add a washer to increase the size of the screw head so that it does not slip through the grommet of the groundsheet.
How to Position Guylines on a Platform
Position the guylines in line with the seams and run them at the same angle as when the tent is pitched on the ground, with the guylines attached about 120 cm from the tent.
It is essential that the vertical wall of your tent is kept nicely taut.
To achieve proper guyline placement, you can:
Use Short Guy Poles
- Create attachment points for guylines on your platform, if it’s large enough.
- Create attachment points for guylines next to your platform.
- Use long wooden poles driven into the ground around your tent.
- Attach a small pole against the edge of the platform.
- If the space between the platform surface and the ground beneath is less than the width of your hand, you can simply secure the tent to the ground with pegs at a distance of about 150 cm. You can also use a combination of these options if space is limited.
You must also be able to adjust the tent’s tension, as the fabric may stretch and shift over time. It might be necessary to shorten your guylines by detaching them from the tent fabric, cutting them, and reattaching them. Experiment until you consistently have at least half a meter of tensioned guyline available for future adjustments.
Common Mistakes
- Do not use the elastics at the bottom of the tent walls instead of the grommets to secure the groundsheet.
- Attaching the guylines too close to the tent on the platform floor can result in sagging sidewalls and place extra pressure on the central pole, which may lead to leaks, damage to the canvas, or even a broken pole during a gust of wind. Place the guy lines at approximately 1 to 1.5m away from the tent.
Are you interested in starting a glamping business? Read more about how to launch a glamping company. Curious about how long it takes for your tent to pay for itself? Check out our blog about how to make money with your CanvasCamp tent.
This comprehensive overview provides detailed guidance on how to build and install a tent platform, dispels common myths, and offers practical advice for a successful setup.
