Tourist in MSN

Quick note to those that are commenting on the quality of tent poles - the OP specified a trekking pole tent. Those tents use a vertical (or near vertical) pole(s) that are not bent when in use. The only stress on the pole(s) is compression from end to end. It does not need a very hefty pole to accomplish that. Typically no longer than 45 inches. The only mode of failure I could see for a pole is if you had heavy wet snow on the tent. Or, if you tripped and fell on the pole and broke it that way.

One of my trekking pole tents in the photo, I cut poles for it, used enough segments so that I can fold up the poles and fit them in a Frontroller pannier.



It is a Big Agnes model that they apparently no longer make. One pole is 45 inches and one 33 inches.

staehpj1 

Yeah, I agree that with the trekking pole tents breakage is less likely. Also an improvised pole is doable. Failure when used as a rack is far more likely.

adamrice 

Conceptually, this is kind of a neat idea. Having looked at the pictures, it isn't completely crazy, but I think you'd find that performance as a rack will be lacking--most quality racks use welded junctures between the members so that the rack is a rigid body, which is important when you've got a load cantilevered out back. I think that it would be difficult to machine fixtures that would give you that same rigidity, and allow for quick demounting, and avoid damage to the poles. The fixtures might also wind up being heavy enough that you don't save much weight.

Tubus makes several racks that clock in under 1 lb, just as a point of reference.

staehpj1 

The part cantilevered out back looks like a very bad idea to me and for his stated goal of carrying 8-10# of gear most likely unnecessary. That much gear would likely fit ahead of that part of the rack.