Tent water barrels are a popular anchoring solution where staking isn’t possible, such as tent setups on concrete, asphalt, parking lots, or other hard surfaces. When filled with water, they add the necessary weight needed to secure a tent without the need for stakes.
Water is often used to secure tents, but it’s important to know that not every water barrel is designed or safe for tent anchoring. Choosing the wrong type can impact both the safety and performance of your tent install.
In this article, we’ll explain what tent water barrels are, when they’re the right choice, which options are recommended for commercial tents, and how they compare to other tent anchoring solutions so you can choose the best ballast system for your upcoming events.
What Are Tent Water Barrels?
Tent water barrels are tent anchoring methods that use water weights rather than traditional stakes to secure a tent. Rather than driving anchors into the ground, water-filled ballast systems hold the tent in place, making them ideal for tent installs on concrete, asphalt, parking lots, patios, and other surfaces where staking isn’t an option. When the ballasts are properly engineered and installed, tent ballasting is a safe and effective way to anchor commercial tents.
We’re here to walk you through the different ballasting options available so you can choose the safest and most reliable solution for your tent!
55-Gallon Drums or DIY Water Barrels
When people hear the term “tent water barrels,” they often picture the standard 55-gallon drums or homemade/DIY ballasts. While these options may seem like a simple way to add weight, they are not engineered specifically for tent anchoring and often do not meet the requirements of inspectors or local permitting offices. Using non-approved ballasts can create safety concerns and may prevent your tent from passing inspection.
Here are some of the biggest reasons to avoid non-approved tent water barrel options:
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Not engineered for tent anchoring
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May not provide enough weight for the tent size or conditions
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Can shift, slide, tip, or create poor ratchet angles
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Attachment points are not designed for tent loads
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Typically do not provide the documentation needed for permits or inspections
Engineered Giffy Tent Ballasting System
For commercial tent installations, engineered ballast systems like the Giffy Ballast System offer a much safer and more reliable solution than standard water barrels. Unlike a typical 55-gallon drum, the Giffy system is specifically designed and engineered for tent anchoring as a complete ballasting solution. Each system includes a 75-gallon water barrel, heavy duty baseplates, tent frame attachment, and proper ratchet connection, ensuring the ballast will work together.
Using an engineered system, like the Giffy Tent Ballasting System, gives tent owners, event rental companies, and event guests an ease of mind that their tent is anchored correctly.
When Should You Use Tent Water Barrels?
Tent water barrels and other ballasting systems are used whenever a tent needs to be anchored without driving stakes into the ground. This is common when installing on hard surfaces or at locations where staking isn’t permitted, such as golf courses, rental properties, or sites where underground utilities must be protected.
Here are some of the most common tent setup surfaces where water barrels are used:
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Concrete parking lots: A common place where tent ballasting is required. Water barrel systems securely anchor tents without drilling holes or damaging a business’s parking lot during sales events, corporate gatherings, festivals, or other temporary installations.
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Patios and courtyards: Restaurant patios, hotel courtyards, breweries, and other finished outdoor spaces often require ballasting because staking can damage surfaces. Water barrels help keep these areas clean, professional, and undamaged while providing a safe and secure anchor.
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Artificial turf: Ballasting is a popular choice for tents used at high school, college, and professional sporting events where protecting the field is a priority.
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Underground utilities: Stakes should never be driven into the ground without confirming what’s below the surface. When underground gas, eclectic, water, sewer, or communication lines are present, an engineered water ballast system will eliminate the risks associated with staking.
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City streets and sidewalks: Street festivals, farmer’s markets, community celebrations and downtown events are often held on paved streets where staking isn’t possible. Water ballasts will allow tents to be installed safely without damaging the city streets.
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Rooftops and decks: Rooftop venues and elevated decks typically cannot be staked, making ballast systems the preferred anchoring method. Because rooftops have unique structural requirements, it is best to consult with the tent manufacturer first to ensure the roof can safely support the combined weight of the tent and the ballasts.
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Soft, sandy, or unstable ground: Some surfaces are too soft or unstable to provide a reliable hold for tent stakes. Beaches, loose sand, saturated soil, and other unstable ground conditions may require a water ballast system to safely secure the tent.
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Areas with strict venue rules: Many venues prohibit staking to protect their property or underground utilities. Convention centers, schools, parks, sports complexes, and historic sites often require non-invasive anchoring methods, making an engineered water ballast system the best solution.
Setting up somewhere you can’t stake your tent?
Use an engineered tent ballasting system designed to provide reliable weight and stability when staking isn’t an option. Choose a solution built to help keep your tent secure and your event safer.
9 Reasons the Giffy Tent Ballast System is the Best Tent Water Barrel Option
Not all tent ballast systems provide the same level of safety or reliability. Because tent anchoring plays a crucial role in the safety of guests, staff, and the event’s property, it’s important to use a ballast system that has been specifically designed for commercial tent installs. The Giffy Ballast Stem is the only engineered water barrel system that’s designed for tent anchoring, offering a safer and more dependable solution than standard water barrels or DIY alternatives.
Here is what sets the Giffy Ballast System apart:
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The Only Water Barrel System Engineered Specifically for Tents: Engineered specifically for commercial tent anchoring, unlike the 55 gallon drum options. It provides a safer, more secure, and professional solution for tent rental companies and venues who use tents for their events.
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75-Gallon Capacity: Each Giffy barrel holds approximately 75 gallons of water, to weigh about 660 pounds when full. The additional weight provides greater holding power than a standard 55 gallon drum, helping ensure a secure tent setup.
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Lightweight When Empty: Although they are incredibly strong while filled, each barrel only weighs about 30 pounds when empty. This makes the system easy to transport, position during setup, and store between events.
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Attaches Directly to the Tent Frame: The Giffy system uses a heavy-duty baseplate that connects directly to the tent frame, creating a more secure anchoring point. This engineered connection helps minimize movement while reducing the chance of the ballast sliding, tipping or shifting while in use.
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Ratchet Attaches at the Base: Unlike DIY ballasts, the ratchet strap connects at the base of the barrel, which is the strongest anchoring point on the ballast.
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Single and Double Barrel Options: Giffy stems are available in both single and double barrel options, giving installers the flexibility to match the ballast to the tent size and ballast needs.
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Stackable Design: When empty, the Giffy barrels stack neatly to save storage space. This is beneficial for rental companies, venues, and tent owners who manage large inventories between events.
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More Professional Appearance: An engineered ballast system looks cleaner and more intentional than loose water barrels, concrete blocks, or homemade anchoring methods. Maintain a polished, professional appearance while ensuring guest safety.
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Better for Permits and Inspections: Using a ballast system designed specifically for commercial tent setups can simplify the permitting process and lead to easier inspections. Fire marshals, municipalities, venues, and other permitting authorities are more likely to approve engineered tent anchoring systems than homemade solutions.
Tent Water Barrels and Other Anchoring Options When You Can’t Stake
When staking isn’t an option, there’s no one-size-fits-all anchoring solution. The safest method is to determine factors such as tent size, installation surface, site conditions, local code requirements, and whether the setup needs to pass inspections. Below is a comparison of the most common tent anchoring option to help you determine which solution is best for your upcoming events.
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Anchoring Option |
Approx. Weight |
Permit / Inspection |
Transportation Ease |
Cost |
Best Use Case |
Key Concerns |
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55-Gallon Drums / DIY Water Barrels |
Approx. 460 lbs. when full |
Typically not approved for commercial tent setups |
Bulky to transport and difficult to secure properly |
Low upfront cost, but high risk if the setup fails inspection |
Not recommended for commercial tent anchoring |
Not engineered for tents, poor attachment points, can shift or tip, may not meet local code or inspection requirements |
|
Giffy Tent Ballast System |
75 gallons / approx. 660 lbs. when full; about 30 lbs. when empty |
Designed for tent anchoring and better suited for permitted event setups when used correctly |
Easy to move stackable for storage & transport |
Higher upfront cost, but built for repeated commercial use |
Commercial tent setups |
Requires filling and draining on-site; ensure you have proper # of barrels for your tent size |
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Concrete Blocks |
Varies by block size and weight |
May be accepted only when properly sized |
Difficult to move without equipment |
Moderate to high depending on size, delivery, equipment, and storage |
Setups where appearance and mobility are less important |
Heavy, hard to transport, can damage surfaces, may look less professional |
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Concrete Anchoring Kit |
Lightweight to transport before installation |
May be approved when drilling is allowed |
Easy to transport, but requires installation tools and labor |
Lower cost, plus labor and possible repair costs after removal |
Semi-permanent setups on concrete where drilling is allowed |
Requires drilling into the surface, may not be allowed by property owners |
What Tents Can Be Used With Tent Water Barrels?
While tent water barrels are incredibly efficient to have on hand, not every tent is compatible with a tent ballast system. Depending on the tent style, size, ballast requirements, and manufacturer recommendations will determine if water barrels are an acceptable anchoring method for you.
Frame Tents:
Frame tents are the most common tent style that are used with engineered water barrel ballast systems because they don’t rely on stakes and center poles for structural support like pole tents do. Their freestanding design allows them to be installed on a wide variety of surfaces like concrete, asphalt, patios, plazas, and parking lots, when paired with the right ballast system.
Here are some of the frame tent styles that work best with the Giffy tent ballasting system:
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Atrium Frame tents: Traditional West Coast-style frame tents with an open interior and no center poles, making them a versatile choice for commercial events.
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Constellation Clear tents: Clear top frame tents create an elegant, upscale atmosphere while maintaining all the benefits of a traditional frame tent, making them popular for weddings, VIP events, and evening gatherings.
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Ameritrac Keder Tents: Featuring an integrated track system that allows the tent top to slide into the frame for a tighter fit and easier installation. Keder tents are a great choice for long-term installs and frequent events where durability is essential.
Pole tents should not be used with water barrels as a replacement for staking.
Unlike frame tents, pole tents rely on a combination of center poles, fabric tension, and staking to maintain their structural integrity. Because they are designed to be installed under tension, they are not designed for water barrel ballasting. Follow the tent manufacturers' anchoring methods and requirements when installing a pole tent.
Need Tent Water Barrels for Your Next Setup?
Tent water barrels provide rental companies and event venues an effective anchoring solution when staking isn’t possible, but not every ballast option is designed for commercial tent use.
Whether you’re setting up on concrete, asphalt, artificial turf, or another finished surface, choosing the correct anchoring system is essential for safety, performance, and code compliance. By understanding when ballasting is appropriate and selecting a system engineered for your tent, you can create a more secure and professional tent set up.
The Giffy Tent Ballasting System is the only water barrel system that’s engineered specifically for commercial tent anchoring. Unlike the standard 55-gallon drums or homemade ballast solutions, it was designed as a complete anchoring system with a 75-gallon barrel, engineered baseplate, frame attachments, and proper ratchet connections. Available in single and double barrel configurations, Giffys provide customers with a safer and more dependable solution for commercial tent installations.
We manufacture commercial tents in the Midwest and understand that safe tent installs start with the correct anchoring system. Safety is our top priority–and that’s why we offer engineered tent water barrels designed specifically for commercial tents, along with expert guidance to help you choose the correct ballast for your needs. We also provide setup guides, instructional videos, and support to help customers install their tents safely and confidently.
Need help selecting the right tent ballasting system? Contact our team at American Tent today to talk about your upcoming events, compare anchoring options, and find the safest solution for your tent setup. We’re here to help you choose the right equipment for a secure, professional install.
