Which Lag Screws Actually Hold?
Tent stakes will not hold your camp down at Burning Man. You need lag screws. Anything under 12" is too small — 12" works for just about anything, and I use 14" because you never know how much loose playa you're gonna have to get through before you hit the hard stuff. Don't bother with rebar, it's a pain in the ass and lags hold stronger. Some people run 1/2" lags instead of 3/8". I might use 1/2" for something tall like a scaffold, but driving 1/2" into hard playa snaps bits and smokes batteries on the lower cost impact drivers. So here's my system: 3/8" × 14" for anything important like shade structures, 3/8" × 12" for everything else like tents. Then you need an attachment point — a couple chain links on the screw before you drive it in created hook points for ratchet straps. The 12" kit below comes with chain links. There's no link to buy just chain links; I had to go to the hardware store and ask them very nicely to cut some for me. And for Kodiak tents you'll need at least a 1-1/2" outer diameter washer so the tent foot hook doesn't pull through.
Amazon Links
- 3/8" × 12" Lag Screws · The everything-else size — tents, tarps. Kit comes with chain links for attachment points. Heads up: the washers in this kit are not big enough for Kodiak tent hooks.
- 3/8" × 14" Lag Screws — zinc plated · What I use for anything important like shade structures. Not on Amazon (so not in the cart above) and the minimum order is 50 — split a box with camp.
- 3/8" × 1-1/2" Fender Washers · For Kodiak tent hooks — need at least 1-1/2" OD so it doesn't pull through the hook. Get extra.
- Impact Socket Adapter Bit Set (incl. 3/8") · Need to attach the socket to the impact driver. You'll want the 3/8" adapter.
- Impact Socket — 3/8" Drive × 9/16" · Fits the head on the 3/8" lag screws.
- Impact Driver — batteries + charger included · Drives the lags into the ground and reverses them out.
- Chain Links · No buy link for these — the 12" kit includes them, and for extras your hardware store will cut them for you if you ask nice.
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