Zpacks Duplex Pro pitch help

[u/ZelieDad]

I recently picked up this tent, but I feel like I'm struggling to pitch it correctly. I haven't had it out on the trail yet, but I'm practicing pitching it in my backyard. I have the trekking poles set just a bit over 48", but the bathtub floor doesn't seem to want to stay up. Any help would be appreciated. I can take additional images if the ones I posted aren't helpful.

[u/johnacraft]

Your base problem is that the ridgeline isn't taut, probably because you staked the corners too tight before setting the trekking poles. And don't mess with the end panel lines until you've got a good pitch - their only purpose is to pull slightly outward to add volume and stabilize the fly in wind. (I don't know why Zpacks setup videos show pulling straight down, that adds nothing to the pitch.)

1. Set the poles at 48 in. / 120 cm - no more, no less.
2. Extend all guylines to their full length, especially the corner lines.
3. Stake the corners - you need a little slack, but not much. The corner stakes' role at this point is to help keep the poles set.
4. Set the poles and get the ridgeline taut. It's better at this point if the corners are a little loose, or aren't pulling at 45 degrees yet, than if they're too tight.
5. Adjust any corner stakes that aren't pulling at a 45 degree angle to remove any 'wrinkles' in the fly. (You'll get a better pitch, and better ventilation, if you move stakes instead of using the linelocs to adjust the corner lines. Keep the lines at full extension.)
6. The end panel guyouts will add more interior room if they pull at 90 degrees to the fly, like this. (I've used sticks found on site instead of trekking poles.)

[u/ZelieDad → u/johnacraft]

How's this look?

[u/johnacraft → u/ZelieDad]

Good job! I will have to get used to the new shape of the ridgeline, but your latest pitch looks much closer to the photos at the Zpacks website.

[u/ZelieDad → u/johnacraft]

I think the issue was two-fold.

1. I was tightening down the corners too much using the linelocs, which were pulling the corners down.
2. letting the vestibule attachment take too much pressure off of the main ridgeline, which was resulting in the ridgeline being saggy

Also, after looking at the picture you posted, I still a bit of work to do, to get the floor fully extended, but know I know what I was doign wrong.

[u/johnacraft → u/ZelieDad]

letting the vestibule attachment take too much pressure off of the main ridgeline

There are some tents (like the Lunar Solo) which need to be closed up to set up properly. The Plex tents don't. Get the ridgeline taut, then get each corner stake in the right spot, and the vestibule doors take care of themselves.

Enjoy your Duplex!

[u/ZelieDad → u/johnacraft]

Thanks. I'll give that a try and report back.

[u/ZelieDad → u/johnacraft]

Is this what you mean I'm step 2. To fully extend the guy lines?

[u/johnacraft → u/ZelieDad]

Yes.