Transporting Tipi Poles
If you are investing in a tipi, you might be wondering: how do I transport those long poles? It’s a common question, and luckily, it’s easier than it sounds. Whether you’re in the UK or halfway around the world, there are practical ways to get your tipi (and poles) delivered safely and securely.
How Long Are Tipi Poles?
Poles as a rule are 2ft or 3ft longer than the diameter of a tipi…For an 18ft tipi, the poles are generally around 21ft (6.4m) long. That might sound intimidating, but they bundle up remarkably well, and once seasoned, they’re relatively lightweight and manageable.
Can I Transport Tipi Poles on My Car?
You don’t need a specialist vehicle. A standard 4x4 or estate car with a long roof rack can usually do the job.
Carrying tipi poles is honestly no harder than transporting ladders. Just make sure your roof rack is rated for the load and secure the bundle tightly at multiple points using ratchet straps.
We recommend racks from Rhino, Thule, or Front Runner, particularly full-length ladder racks. Make sure you double-check your vehicle’s roof weight limit before loading.
What Are the UK Rules for Carrying Long Loads?
In the UK, you must follow a few basic guidelines for carrying poles or any long load on your roof:
Overhangs of more than 1 metre must be marked clearly, usually with a high-vis flag or cloth.
Loads overhanging more than 2 metres from the rear may require extra precautions
For most private tipi owners collecting from us, no special permissions is needed, just secure strapping and awareness on the road.
Delivery Options from MyTipi
If you'd rather not transport the tipi yourself, we've got you covered:
Tipi Without Poles – Pallet Delivery
If you’ve decided to order a tipi without poles, we can arrange delivery anywhere in the world via our trusted pallet courier. We’ve been working with the same courier company for over 16 years because they consistently deliver tipis and communicate well with us (who knew couriers could actually do this!).
Your tipi will be carefully wrapped, if needed it will be strapped to a pallet, and delivered straight to your door, safe, dry, and ready for setup, we always send tipis with insured delivery.
Tipi With Poles – UK Delivery
If you're in the UK and want to order a tipi with poles but do not want to collect them yourself, we have a dedicated driver who can deliver the full set directly to you.
We can also set up your tipi and offer a morning or afternoon of instruction for an extra fee. Our setups are instructional, so we ask that you or a responsible adult is available to assist. You’ll learn everything from layout to raising the poles, giving you full confidence for future setups.
Some customers prefer a simple drop-off, we can do that too! In these cases, we’ll send a step-by-step setup guide and can offer help by phone or video call if needed. Please note: due to high demand, we may not be able to assist in person for future removals or re-erections, but we’ll always be contactable for advice.
International Tipi Deliveries
We’ve shipped tipis to over 20 countries, including:
France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Italy, Greece, The Gambia, St Helena, New Zealand, Monaco, Bulgaria, Germany, India, Bali, Australia, USA, Luxembourg, Iceland, Hungary, and most recently, Canada!
If you're overseas, we can ship poles via container if needed, but depending on location, it may be cheaper and more practical to source poles locally. We’re happy to offer guidance and specs so you can find suitable materials near you. Still, if you'd prefer the full set from us, we’ve shipped poles internationally before and can quote for your region.
Or... Sail Them to Greece?
And if you're feeling adventurous, there's always the yacht option! One of our customers once strapped their tipi poles to their boat and sailed them to Greece. (Yes, really, see below!) It’s not the usual method…. but it shows there’s more than one way to move a tipi.
Final Tips for Tipi Transport
Use red flags on long overhangs.
Plan routes to avoid height restrictions.
Check weather, avoid high winds if possible.
Strap securely with multiple anchor points.
Questions About Transporting Your Tipi?
Whether you're collecting, arranging delivery, or wondering if your roof rack will do the job, we’re always happy to help. Get in touch and we’ll walk you through the options that work best for you.