Quoted:
I have 2 of them that are around 20+ years old. The nylon must have shrunk over time, because they are impossible to put together by normal means. I had one together last year when family visited and I had to use a hi-lifter jack to pop it together! No joke. It's tight!
Any tricks that you guys know? I bought new plastic nipples a while back because the fuckers were so tight, they broke the originals. What about getting it wet before assembly?
The cover is supposed to be tight, that's what makes the cots comfortable. One end is easy to assemble, of course. Then go to the other end, slip the cross-bar into it's pocket in the nylon, sit on the floor, put your foot against the top of a leg, and use your back to pull that side of the cross-bar into place. Scoot over to the other side, and repeat.