Tipi Poles

Well I was totally sold on lodgepole pine except it won't telescope.

I'm left with aluminum until someone smarter comes along.

- And you posted in the best place if you have doubt.

Not me, Elnav was "funning!"

What about socketed sections like this:

I've seen camping tent poles (fiberglass, but doesn't have to be) like this with a line of "bungee cord" running through the axes, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly.

Mike

I've thought of this as well but to sell or market, my idea has to look authentic. As well when you have a pole that is 20 to 27 feel long this idea would tend to bow with it's shear length. Thanks for your response :-)

Or you could use "captive" sleeves like this:-

You could use Carbon-fibre as an alternative

I don't know what lengths you need but Fishing rods are made of both fiber glass and carbon fiber. You may need a few more because of thickness, but some of these are telescopic and some are butt jointed (eg. demountable).

That would be the cheap and very light way.

Flag poles of similar material are also available.....more expensive. You need to make a joining system....for breakdown.

Aluminium is a good bet, go to a tent maker or Camping supplies.....

Cheaper are steel tent poles, but heavier.....from the same suppliers....

With a trailer and a proper mounting system, you could use poles that are not demountable in any manner.....thats how people trail sailing boats around with a mast.......

Thanks, the Carbon Fiber fishing pole is a good idea, I'm not sure if it would bow much with a 20 to 27 foot length but with a larger diameter, it's worth looking into. Thanks Again.

All good suggestions - but I think we need an expert to resolve his question about lightning first.

Is a 12' stick more dangerous because it is conductive?

Unfortunately lightning experts are rare.

You could try chain link top rails or get the metal top rail sleaves and cut the poles in two. I do not think that the carbon fishing rods are a good idea. I belive that they would be to thin.

I have the same curiousity. Especialy when I have an old Vw camper with a pop top roof that may not be able to handle the weight of pine poles. I met with a plumber with an idea that demanded an expert eye. You can get two 11 foot pvc schedule 40 poles. Get a T junction to join the two and have every second pole joined together at this junction in an 'A' frame. have two set of poles cut at 11 feet and joined in this manner. Have the next set cut at 10 feet and its partner at 12 feet and joined in 'A' frame style. Rotate them in this manner throughout the tipi. This will shift the stress points around the tipi so that the 11 foot mark will not be the weakest link. You may even place a thinner PVC pipe in the middle and super clue it into the lower pole. The top pole can slide on like a sleeve to insure strength. For example. Have two poles 11 feet each joined with a T junction. Place a 10 foot pvc pole that is thinner but with a high schedule inside so that 5 feet are in the lower pole and 5 feet in the higher pole.

You can also paint them to look like a wood colour.

These poles should last a very long time, lighter in weight, and easy to repair.