Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: cracker on December 06, 2010, 07:39:30 pm
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I was thinking about buying a 10 X 12 heavy canvas wall tent and I thought you guys would be a good source of info. What should I look for? What should I try to avoid? Who makes the best tent? Alll input appreciated.
Thanks Ronnie
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I'd like one that was mosquito proof.
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That's a good idea in the south east.
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Ronnie, I was impressed with a double walled Tipi when I first went in one. With a fire in the middle mosquitos get sucked up and out the top with the draft. That's what I want.
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Yeah but who can stand a fire when mosquitoes are out?
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It also pulls in air like an attic fan.
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I got a buddy in Bar Nunn, Wyoming that makes fine quality canvas goods. He made my 9x13 bell back wedge tent 8 years ago and I am nothing but satisfied with his workmanship. He makes wall tents for plenty of elk guides and has had their imput on what works and what don't work for quite a while. He makes Period Correct for the rendezvous scene and modern equipment for the rest. Drop me a pm and I can get you in contact with him.
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You want one that has opening in each end for the ridge pole to slide thru.Having the ridge pole on the inside lets you put up a hanger to hang wet stuff on,very important to be able to dry your stuff out plus warm dry boots in the morning. You want a good closure system at the door. I like a stove pipe port that goes out the side. It makes it easier to really poly- tarp the top well, when really hard weather rolls in. (Eliminates leaks too) Dirt flap around the bottom of the walls,(Cuts down on drafts) I have had several from 8x10's to 12x20's My favorite has turned out to be the 12x14 with 5 foot walls. My $ .02 ' Frank
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You might talk to RyanO he has one,I have never camped in it but he seems to really like it,not sure where he got it. :)
Pappy
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Thanks for the input guys. I appreciate it. Ronnie
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I agree with Frank about the five foot walls, I would also get one a bit larger if money was not too much of an issue. I can't do with out the stove pipe port but have never seen one with mosquito netting I would also get one with openings on both ends (easier for the bears to find their way out, sometimes they just make their own). Seriously you will enjoy a wall tent especially in cold weather and with a wood stove. Tipis are great also but to me it would be too hard to deal with the poles especially for a back country camp. Kenneth
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I'm with Pappy-the one Ryano has is really nice.
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Thanks Pappy and Hillbilly I'll get in touch with him. This will be a big purchase and I want to get it right.Thanks Ron
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Mine is a 12x14 with 5 foot walls made by the Davis tent company out of colorado. I love it. They custom make each tent to your spec's. I got a door on each end, chimney pipe hole, and sod cloth and removeable floor with a zip out section for the wood stove. Also got a 12x10 canopy for the front of it. It makes a nice place to keep your boots and gears well as a table and camp chairs ect.
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A buddy of mine has 5' walls. Well worth the money.Interior frame a great option.
This is mine WWII issue.10' high 14' dia.
Thanks Leroy
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Thanks for the pics fellas. That looks like some cold camping. I'm glad it doesn't get like that in the deep south.Ron
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Wasn't to cold 8' below freezing.No skeeters then. ;)
Thanks Leroy
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Can you actually stay warm or more of an illusion of warmth?
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It's stays real warm.I got a 18'' airtight stove aka puffing billy.One good thing about haveing a couple of older guys in the tent
is there is movement in the tent through the night.Some one has to get up for a leak.Get up, stoke up the stove,do your business,
damper down go back to bed.It can be a little frosty some mornings till you get the fire going.Builds tolerance and inner strength ;)
And a good down bag don't hurt either.That pic was taken Oct 30 last year. 30 miles south of Grande Praire Ab.
Thanks Leroy
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Thanks for the input, I was born and raised in an old country house where you could look through the floor and see the chickens underneath. I've experienced a few frosty mornings just not below freezing. Would you happen to have a pic of that puffing billy. Thanks Ron
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I'll have get one.try to post one tommorrow.I'm fairly sure the manafacturer is Airtight but I've been known to be wrong before.
If you are looking for a small stove there was a sight where a fellow had made one from a 20lb propane tank.
It is nice to have when it's a little chilly or real wet dry is good.
Thanks Leroy
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Thanks I'll look it up.
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Ronnie...they look like these...if I am correct...this is what my Dad has in His Outfitter tent
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Thanks Mike
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Cracker You put a little wood stove in there and you will be opening the flap a little to be able to stay inside. I've stoked mine up at -10 F and had to crack the flap. I think one of them little top loading trash burners would serve you well and they don't cost a helluva lot. I floor mine with a poly tarp and just take it out and shake it when it gets dirty, (don't have to sweep it) I got my last wall tent from Cabela's (If I remember right) back in 1987. Still going strong. Make sure when you store it that the mice can't get to it, (They like to chew smoky canvas) If you got long leaf pine where you are,you could'nt get better poles. My 12x14 uses nine fifteen footers (Mine are lodgepole pine) skin the bark off them,get them smooth and let them dry for several months. Another 2 cents ' Frank
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Thanks Frank info appreciated.Ronnie
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Here's Billy..It's not the greatest pic. phone cam. It's a 18"
Thanks Leroy
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Thanks for the pic that looks like what we call a trash burner. I'm in luck I got one of those in the barn.Ron
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It works well in my bell tent.I don't have that big of a space.A barrel stove like El D pics are better for a bigger tent.
They'll roast you out of there.
Thanks Leroy
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I have been primative camping for more than 20 years. I have hade several different types of tents, but i keep comming back to the wall tent. The last 4 tents that i have purchased are from Tentsmithes.com. Check them out on there website. They have anything you want. I seem to buy new ones and sell the old ones to friends. All the ones that i sold are still going strong.
Great tents............
Longhunter
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For what I do a large eureka tent works best. They dont leak and they are nice and light for hauling in a canoe or whatever. I seriously looked into a canvas wall tent but the size and weight made them not right for my needs. floor size of mine is 12' x 10' the height is 6'8" so I can stand up fine. it weighs 18lbs. not ultralight but for the size I dont mind.
Didn't leak a drop at the last classic which is amazing if you were there :o
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Cracker, we camp in mine when its snowing more often then not. My stove keeps it so warm in there you have to sleep in your underwear on top of your sleeping bag and then your still sweating. Ask the guys who camped with me at lbl a couple years ago. It was so hot in there in the middle of the night once we all woke up cause we thought the tent must be on fire! It had to be well over 100 degree's in there and in the 20's or 30's outside.