Building — Tents

Overview

Tents are portable storage solutions that allow survivors to establish long-term persistence outside of permanent base structures. They are essential for stash management and provide a secure, camouflaged place to store high-tier loot away from high-traffic residential areas.

How It Works

Tents function as deployable containers that require a flat, clear surface to set up. Once placed, they provide a set number of inventory slots and can be packed back into your hands or inventory if the interior is completely emptied. Tents suffer damage from melee weapons and gunfire, which can lead to item destruction if the tent is ruined while holding gear.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Locate a Medium, Large, or Car Tent in military zones, sheds, or industrial areas.
2. Clear a flat area of ground; ensure there is no tall grass or debris interfering with the placement model.
3. Place the tent item in your hands and ensure it is not inside a backpack.
4. Press the "Aim" or "Deploy" prompt (Left Trigger on console, hold LMB on PC) until the white ghost model appears.
5. Adjust the rotation using your mouse wheel or controller bumpers to ensure the door faces your desired direction.
6. Confirm the placement to finalize the structure.
7. To pack, clear all items from the inventory slots, approach the exterior, and select the "Pack Tent" prompt.

Tips

• Always pitch tents in dense forests or under tree canopies to minimize their silhouette from long-range sniper vantage points.
• Use a Sharpening Stone to keep your Hatchet or Saw repaired; you will need them to dismantle walls if you accidentally block your tent's entrance.
• If you find a tent, place a Flag Pole nearby to reset the persistence timer of the tent and all nearby items.
• Tents are susceptible to "strafing" damage; build a small fence around them to prevent players from running up and meleeing the canvas.
• Prioritize the Car Tent for long-term storage as it offers the highest capacity and internal standing room.

Common Mistakes

• Placing a tent on uneven terrain, which can cause the tent to "sink" into the ground and become inaccessible.
• Forgetting to empty the tent before trying to pack it, which forces you to drop everything inside if you are inventory-encumbered.
• Pitching tents too close to water sources or main roads, which are the first places scouts check for stashes.
• Ignoring the "Ruined" state of a tent; once the canvas hits ruined status, any items inside can disappear or become corrupted.

Related Items

• Nail
• Nail Box
• Metal Plate
• Flag CHEL
• Flag Bear
• Flag NSahrani

Related Guides

• Base Building
• Lockpicking
• Inventory Management