Guitarists, question about adjusting truss rod
 

Ive been noticing that the neck on a cheap acoustic I have has been bowing throughout the uears and now it's difficult to fret higher stuff. The adjuster is inside the soundhole and Im wondering if I should tighten the rod with the strings tensioned or untensioned. I've heard different things. I dont care if i screw the thing up too bad. I usually only use it for open tunings and camping.

How old are the strings?
I've found on some guitars that the older the strings are the tighter I had to get them which puts more stress on the neck. Or at least it seemed that way, might be my immagination.

Anywho, when have to adjust my truss bar I do it with the strings taught so I can see what I really have.

You'll want to adjust it with the tension released on the strings. The threads on the truss rod don't like the extra tension caused by the strings (but you mentioned that it's a cheapo, so you may not care). I usually leave the strings on the guitar but reduce the tension to the point where they are very limp and just barely staying on the tuning pegs. There is some back and forth involved in the adjustment, in that you'll have to adjust it -- retension the guitar -- see how it plays -- adjust again, etc. What you're shooting for is a level fretboard (some guys like a degree or two of relief, but that's a personal call) so have a long straight edge handy to check your work. You might need to work on your nut after the truss adjustment (most nuts are too high) Good luck.

I've always adjusted the truss rod with the strings at full tension, otherwise you never know when you get the neck perfectly flat without spending countless hours detuning and retuning.

i too would adjust rod at concert pitch

you might also have a look to see if your top has dropped due to dryness. if your bridge has sunk, your efforts to try to correct your problem with the truss rod, may be futile