I just returned from a river trip using the Tensa 4 for two nights on sandbars. I had some issues with sand getting in and locking up the joints of the poles. I wrote that up just now in a post called 'Tensa 4 and sand.'
In terms of cleanup afterwards, I would recommend more than just a water rinse. I found it difficult to remove all the fine sand particles with only the jet stream from a garden hose. I used a long handled bottle brush to dislodge find sand that was adhered by water tension to the inside of the tubes. I also had some soapy water handy to dip the bottle brush in. I don't really know if that made a difference, but the point was to weaken the water tension that enables the sand to stick to the pole's surface. With those steps, a stream of water from the hose was able to wash the sand away pretty cleanly.
If your question about treating the poles was still in relationship to sand, I would say, no, trying to lubricate the poles doesn't make sense to me. In the 'Tensa 4 and sand' post I referred to, I mention that I may wrap the joints with painters' tape the next time I camp with the Tensa 4 on sand to prevent sand from getting in.
You also asked about stakes. I used 12' orange screws on the sandbars. They worked fine; I had no concerns about the strength of the hold. (Of course, I only weigh 150 lbs.) The sand I was on was pretty firm a couple inches below the surface and a little moist, definitely not wet.
Bookmarks