How do you set up a military cot?

Answer 1

To setup a military folding cot, unfold it and set it up on the six legs. Take the two end bars and slide one into each end sleave, laying the bars on top of the side rails. Next, position one end hole of the first bar onto the side rail end post (or pin). The bar will need to be held at about a 45 degree angle relative to the side rail to do this. So now you have just one end of the first bar onto the post. Now go to the other end, and repeat on the corner diagonally opposite from the first corner started. For the last two corners, you need a "cheater bar". If you are setting up several cots, a spare end bar will work. If not, find a piece of wood or pipe about 1" in diameter and about 2 feet long. Start with one of the corners that isn't stretched over the post yet. Pull the free end of the bar so the canvas is tight. Now take the cheater bar and position it vertically so it is inside the free end yet outside of the leg (down thru the cutout area of the canvas). You should have most of the cheater bar (lever) above the canvas with just an inch or two down against the leg. Now pull the top of the lever away from the center of the cot so it stretches the end bar far enough past the end of the side rail so you can get it over the post. At this point, you have 3 out of 4 corners done. The last corner is done just like the previous one, but it usually takes a lot more force to make it stretch the bar out enough to get it over the post. Use slow and steady pressure on the lever so you don't tear the canvas. It's definitely easier to do this with two people; if alone, use one foot at the base of the leg being pryed against so the cot doesn't move. Use the lever also to aid in taking the end pieces back off when breaking the cot back down.