yǔqí xiàyǔ de shíhou dāzhàngpeng, bùrú xiān děng yíhuìr.

This pattern means rather than A, it is better to do B.

In this sentence:

• 与其 下雨的时候搭帐篷
• 不如 先等一会儿

So the idea is:

• Rather than putting up the tent when it is raining, it would be better to wait a little first.

It is a very common way to compare two choices and recommend the second one.

时候 means time or moment, and 下雨的 describes that time.

So:

• 下雨 = to rain / be raining
• 时候 = time
• 下雨的时候 = the time when it is raining → when it is raining

The 的 links the verb phrase 下雨 to the noun 时候.

A shorter version is 下雨时, which is a bit more concise and slightly more formal.

In Mandarin, time expressions usually come before the main action.

So the structure is:

• 下雨的时候 = when it is raining
• 搭帐篷 = put up a tent

Together:

• 下雨的时候搭帐篷 = put up a tent when it is raining

This word order is very normal in Chinese:

• 我吃饭的时候看电视。
  • I watch TV when I eat.

Chinese often puts the time/background first, then the main action.

It can mean either one depending on context, because Chinese does not mark tense the same way English does.

In this sentence, the most natural understanding is:

• when it is raining
• or in rainy conditions

That is because the sentence is giving practical advice about what to do.

So here it feels more like:

• Rather than setting up a tent while it is raining, better to wait a bit first.

搭帐篷 means to put up a tent or to pitch a tent.

• 帐篷 = tent
• 搭 = to put up / set up / erect

搭 is a common verb for things like tents, temporary structures, or things you assemble.

So:

• 搭帐篷 = pitch a tent
• 搭台子 = set up a platform
• 搭个棚子 = put up a shed/canopy

You would not usually use 建 here, because 建 sounds more like build, often for more permanent things such as buildings.

That is a very natural Chinese way to speak.

先 means:

• first
• before that
• for now

So 先等一会儿 means:

• wait a little first
• first wait for a bit
• for now, wait a while

The idea is that waiting happens before the next action, even if that next action is not repeated. In context, the implied next action is probably 搭帐篷.

So the full idea is:

• First wait a bit, then put up the tent later.

一会儿 means a little while or a short time.

After a verb, it often shows a short duration:

• 等一会儿 = wait for a little while
• 坐一会儿 = sit for a while
• 休息一会儿 = rest for a bit

It does not mean an exact amount of time. It is just a vague short period.

In this sentence:

• 先等一会儿 = wait a little first

This is because of the tone change rule for 一.

Normally 一 is first tone: yī.
But before a fourth-tone syllable, it changes to second tone.

Since 会 is fourth tone (huì), we get:

• 一会儿 → yíhuìr

This is standard tone sandhi.

Also, the 儿 at the end is the -r sound often heard in northern Mandarin. Some speakers pronounce it more strongly than others.

Yes, the subject is omitted, and that is very common in Chinese.

The sentence does not say:

• 我 = I
• 你 = you
• 我们 = we

But the meaning is usually clear from context.

Depending on the situation, it could mean:

• We should wait a while first
• You should wait a while first
• It is better to wait a while first

Chinese often leaves out subjects when they are already understood.

Yes. 不如 can also mean not as good as.

For example:

• 这个不如那个好。
  • This one is not as good as that one.

But in this sentence, it is part of the fixed pattern:

• 与其……不如……

Here it means:

• rather than ..., it would be better to ...

So the exact meaning of 不如 depends on the structure around it.

Yes, very often you can.

For example:

• 与其下雨的时候搭帐篷，不如先等一下。

That is also natural.

The difference is small:

• 等一下 = wait a moment / wait a second
• 等一会儿 = wait a little while

Usually 一会儿 can feel a bit longer than 一下, but in casual speech they often overlap.

It is mainly giving advice or a recommendation.

The pattern 与其……不如…… often sounds like:

• Instead of doing A, it is better to do B
• B would be the wiser choice

So this sentence is not a harsh order. It sounds more like practical advice:

• Rather than pitching the tent in the rain, it's better to wait a bit first.

Yes, it is natural and clear.

It sounds like practical spoken Mandarin, especially in a situation like camping or being outdoors in bad weather.

A native speaker might also say similar versions such as:

• 与其在下雨的时候搭帐篷，不如先等一会儿。
• 与其冒雨搭帐篷，不如先等等。

But your sentence is already correct and natural.