When To Use A Wall Tent

All About Wall Tents

The most common kind of wall tents are used by hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, the military, restaurants, and glampers since they are among the strongest, biggest, and most comfortable of all. These large tents, which are typically constructed of thick, heavy canvas and a sturdy framework with vertical walls and a roof-like top, rather than pyramid-shaped tents, offer plenty of space for situations where multiple people and/or extra equipment require accommodation in the great outdoors, in a variety of weather conditions.

No matter how they are constructed, they are often made of materials that are resistant to a range of weather conditions and are therefore more durable than other lightweight tent designs.

They are even large enough to hold a wood burner, making them ideal for winter camping trips.

Considerations When Shopping for Wall Tents

It is possible that several tent components may not be included with your tent when it is delivered, and that some of these components will not be required for your specific requirements. We’ve provided a few information about each to help you get a better sense of whether or not they’ll be relevant to you.

Floor

When it comes to the floor of your wall tent, you have a variety of alternatives. Although a floor may not always be required, it is becoming more and more common these days to want or demand some type of floor in certain situations. Some people prefer to set up their tent on a deck structure, which is particularly useful in situations when the tent will be in use for an extended period of time, such as a popular hunting site or a restaurant with tent seating. Your additional soft alternatives for a floor may be incorporated as part of your tent, and may be created from the same material as your walls.

In rare circumstances, a tarp or drop-cloth may also be utilized to protect the surface.

Frame

To begin with, the type of tubing chosen for your frame will decide its weight and sturdiness; in certain circumstances, PVC will be sufficient for structural integrity (depending on the amount of canvas used), and it has the significant advantage of being lightweight. A metal frame, on the other hand, is necessary for many tents and is significantly stronger. Although your tent frame will most likely arrive with your tent, if it does not, it is critical that you use the frame material advised by your tent maker.

Rain Fly

While your tent already has a roof, it might be beneficial to have an additional layer of protection in the shape of a rain fly.

A rain fly can be a tarp or a specially designed rain fly that is included with your tent or that can be purchased separately from an outdoor supply retailer. Look for rain fly designed specifically for wall tents, which will typically come with a hole pre-drilled for your stove pipe.

Stove

I’ve previously said that you’ll want to take the stove into consideration when purchasing your floor, but you’ll also want to make sure that your tent is capable of accommodating a stove if you intend to use one, including having the necessary opening and stove jack for ventilation. It’s possible that you’ll need to acquire a separate fire-proof stove footing to put underneath it as well.

Windows

There are two options: transparent plastic or canvas. Clear plastic is normally more expensive than canvas, and fabric may be loud when the wind blows through the tent. Canvas, on the other hand, may give total darkness when desired, as well as improved ventilation, but it is more prone to let in insects (unless you have netting to put on the windows). To supplement these wall tent necessities, you may add a porch, a net wall to allow in the Summer breeze while keeping the pests at bay, a separate cooking space, and numerous organizers and shelves to customize your wall tent experience.

To discover more about canvas wall tents, watch the following movies.

The Pros and Cons of Wall Tents (When Compared With Other Types of Tents) –

While canvas wall tents are commonly thought of as the go-to shelter for hunting trips in cold weather (which they are, without a doubt, excellent for! ), their durability, spaciousness, and comfort make them ideal for a variety of applications, ranging from semi-permanent outdoor homes to beautiful glamping destinations. In this tutorial, we’ll go over what wall tents – and other types of tents – are, what characteristics you should look for in a wall tent, and their advantages and disadvantages when compared to bell tents, cabin tents, and camping swags, among other things.

• A wall tent is a type of tent that has four vertical walls and offers greater area than other types of tents such as bell, swag, A-frame, or pyramid tents.
• Also referred to as safari tents, outfitter tents, canvas hunting tents, and canvas hunting huts, wall tents are a type of tent that has been in use for hundreds of years and is not a new idea.
• The majority of wall tents are built of heavy-duty canvas and are popular among hunters because they provide more room and most of them allow for the use of a wood fire.
• Therefore, wall tents are wonderful tents to use throughout the cooler months of the year, such as the fall or winter, because they are quite good at keeping you warm during those months of the year.

Bell Tents

Known as bell tents, they are one of the most distinctive types of tents due to its center supporting pole, which gives them their characteristic appearance. Modern bell tents are often constructed of cotton canvas, which is inherently breathable and reacts well to treatments such as waterproofing and fire resistance.

Bell tents are becoming increasingly popular among campers and glamping sites, owing to the material used, its light weight, and its ease of assembly. Also usual is to see them put up in backyards, which provides for a fun weekend pastime at home for the whole family.

Swag Tents (Camping Swags)

They are thought to have originated in Australia, and their simplicity in packing and transporting makes them popular among travelers. This is why they’re most commonly utilized by lone travelers, festival attendees, backpackers, and mountaineers, to name a few groups. However, because of their smaller size and lower capacity, they’re not a reasonable comparison for wall tents, but they’re an excellent alternative when traveling alone or with just one other person. It would be more acceptable to use a wall tent for your vacation if you are traveling with a large party and have a lot of equipment and supplies.

Cabin Tents

Because of the almost-straight form of its walls, a cabin tent is put up to resemble a cabin when it is used. This also implies that they provide greater inside area for movement and have a relatively high center of gravity. Cabin tents are generally designed with ease of use for big groups in mind, which makes them ideal for spending time outside with family or friends. Traditionally, the capacity to endure high winds or bad weather was a worry; however, with current designs and the use of army duck cotton canvas for the walls, this is no longer an issue for the majority of people.

What Are the Advantages of Wall Tents Over Other Tents?

When compared to other types of tents, wall tents provide a number of advantages. When wall tents, such as those made by Alpha Wall Tents, are constructed from the highest-quality materials and treated to last, they provide the following benefits: First and foremost, huge canvas tents provide a higher level of comfort than other types of tents due to the fact that they are designed to maintain a comfortable temperature. The strong canvas of wall tents can readily endure precipitation, rain, and wind, and the stove installed within the tent will keep you warm and comfortable.

• The room they provide allows you to walk freely, to change clothes, to set up many beds, or even to set up a kitchen.
• Army duck canvas is typically the best material to use for wall tents because of its durability.
• The reason for this is that natural materials tend to endure longer than synthetic materials and, as a result, perform better in adverse weather conditions.
• The poles that are included with canvas wall tents are often heavy-duty and durable as well.
• When it comes to wall tents, army duck canvas is often the best material to use.
• One of the reasons for this is that natural materials tend to endure longer than synthetic materials, and as a result, they perform better in adverse weather.

Canvas wall tents are, for all intents and purposes, four-season structures. Heavy-duty and strong poles are also included in the purchase of canvas wall tents. Wind, rain, and heavy snow are all resistant to these two forces when combined.

Potential Downsides to Wall Tents

Wall tents are not without their drawbacks, despite the numerous advantages they provide. These are primarily related to the size and nature of the items. Prices Wall tents are often more expensive than bell tents, cabin tents, and swags; this is something you may have observed if you’re presently in the thick of your research process. 2. Size Wall tents are typically larger in size than bell tents and cabin tents. Having said that, their durability, capacity, and adaptability frequently make the initial expenditure worthwhile, assuming they are appropriate for the trip you are contemplating.

It is now time to set up.

Aside from that, owing of their big size, they often take up more area and may not be as suited for backyard camping as a bell tent, for example, would be.

Basic Features Every Wall Tent Must Have

Assuming you still believe a wall tent is the best option for you after reading this essay to this point, here are some qualities that you should look for in a wall tent at the very least.

• The poles will be equipped with heavy-duty D-rings (which are far more sturdy and long-lasting than ordinary grommets)
• Reinforced webbing on the storm flap, ridge pool, and all corners of the walls Strong polyester structure (a double fill army duck canvas works well as an alternative)
• All storm door flaps and window flaps are equipped with zippers and buckles. For the leg poles, foot pads are used to keep the poles clean and prevent dirt and debris from getting into the poles. Stove jack in the ceiling to allow for the passage of a stove pipe — the jack should be at a minimum six inches in circumference, but preferably should be made to accommodate the stove pipe of your choosing
• For the front entrance, there are screen door flaps.

Our Alpha Wall Tent Series

White Duck’s Alpha Wall Tents are constructed of 100 percent army duck cotton canvas, which assures that they will withstand adverse weather and will last for a longer period of time. This material is also breathable, naturally UV-resistant, and devoid of PFCs when finished with a non-PFC coating. The frames of our tents are replete with toolkits that include mallets and stakes that are suited for a variety of terrains, so you may have a truly unforgettable experience. In addition, we provide free delivery, various financing choices, and customer service that is available around the clock.

Learn More:

You have almost certainly come across someone who has carried a wall tent along with them on a camping trip, at an exhibition, or on some other type of excursion. Your initial reaction was presumably to be impressed by its size and the potential use of the item. However, many of you have undoubtedly also wondered, ‘why buy a wall tent?’ This is a totally logical question considering that wall tents are not as popular as dome tents and hence do not attract as much attention. The purpose of today’s article is to explain a little bit about why these tents are so popular among outdoor enthusiasts and to provide you with the top 5 reasons to purchase a wall tent.

Comfort

In order to be comfortable when spending any significant amount of time outside, you must first establish a comfortable environment. Although for some, comfort is defined as just having a sleeping pad and a roof over their heads, those who limit their definition of comfort to that level are missing out. When it comes to camping comfort, there are several factors to consider, and the first thing that most people think of is having enough vertical room to stretch out. For example, while a dome tent is quite affordable and handy, it is not particularly comfortable when it comes to vertical space—a issue that a wall tent, such as the one we have at Elk Mountain, easily solves.

1. well, walls, they are significantly higher than a regular dome tent.
2. Floorspace, on the other hand, is quite significant.
3. With a wall tent, on the other hand, you may easily gain more than 150 square feet of room.
4. So, if you’re thinking about going camping in the winter, a wall tent will be the most comfortable and easy option.

Finally, our wall tents are equipped with a number of windows that can be opened and closed to allow for proper ventilation of the whole structure. This makes it simple to adjust the temperature and freshen up the air inside your tent while you’re camping.

Protection

In order to be comfortable when spending any significant amount of time outside, you must first determine what your needs are. Although for some, comfort is defined as simply having a sleeping pad and a roof over their heads, those who stop there are missing out on a lot of opportunities. While camping, there are a variety of factors that contribute to overall comfort, with vertical space ranking high on most people’s lists. For example, while a dome tent is very affordable and easy, it is not particularly comfortable when it comes to vertical space—a issue that a wall tent, such as the one we use at Elk Mountain, easily solves.

• This means that while you’re attempting to change your clothing, or even simply move about for that matter, you won’t be bent over the entire time; instead, you’ll have plenty of head room.
• You are limited to anything between 15 and 25 or 30 square feet in size when using a standard dome tent, at the most.
• You should also take into consideration the fact that you may place a wood burning fire inside a wall tent, which will keep you warmer than any other type of tent could ever provide.
• In addition, our wall tents are equipped with a number of windows that can be opened and closed to allow for better ventilation throughout the whole structure.

Versatility

One of the many advantages of owning a wall tent is the variety of applications it can be put to. As you can see, a lot of people are unaware that a wall tent may be utilized in a variety of settings other than the outdoors. In fact, it has a myriad of applications that might be beneficial in your daily life. If you have a wall tent, you might use it as a booth at a fair or conference, as the headquarters for an event, as a storage space in your garden, or even as a hobby area—the choices are truly unlimited.

When you purchase a dome tent, you are only permitted to use it for camping purposes and nothing else.

Strength

Commensurate with our prior remark of the material, our wall tents are constructed of a special polyester canvas that has more break and tear strength than regular cotton canvas. However, the strength of these tents is not just derived from the fabric of their walls; it is also derived from the frame that supports them. As an example, when someone purchases a standard dome tent, the poles that are used to erect the tent are thin and weak.

The poles that you use to build up a wall tent, on the other hand, are often constructed of metal conduit, which makes them far stronger. This implies that if the wind comes up or if a lot of snow is dumped on you, you won’t have to worry about a thing while you’re in a wall tent.

Convenience

When discussing the advantages of wall tents, it’s important to mention the fact that they are really convenient. Wall tents are useful because they provide the highest level of protection of any other outdoor shelter (after a home or cabin) while remaining easily transportable and moveable. Because it is lightweight and shrinks to a manageable size, you can take your wall tent almost anyplace, just like you can with other types of tents. Not to mention that they are rather simple to set up. In rare circumstances, even by a single individual.

However, in order to truly appreciate how fantastic it is to utilize a wall tent, such as the ones we sell here at Elk Mountain, you must first put one of them to the test for yourself.

You may learn more about our tents by reading our previous blogs, looking at the list of tent features, or giving us a call or sending us an email right now.

Tents 101: Single-Wall vs. Double-Wall Tents

What’s the difference between single-wall and double-wall tents, and what should you look for? What is the significance of the two building designs? And what are the most effective applications for each? Let’s find out what the answers are:

Single-Wall Tents

A single-wall tent is precisely what its name implies: a tent that is made up of only one layer of fabric on one side. Single-walled tents were traditionally made of a durable, waterproof, and breathable fabric and were almost exclusively employed as climbing tents in their early days. Several tent manufacturers are now using coated, non-breathable materials on single-wall hiking tents in an effort to make tents that are lighter and more breathable for a wider range of users.

Pros and cons of single-wall tents

You acquire a single-wall tent because of its ease of setup and the fact that it generally weighs less than a double-walled tent of the same category and size in most cases. Single-wall tents are easier and faster to set up, which is especially important when trying to pitch your tent in the middle of a snowstorm or while digging out a ledge on the side of a mountain in the middle of winter. Increased condensation within the tent as a result of the simplicity of setup and less weight is the price that is paid for the lack of covered gear storage that a double-wall tent provides.

Best environments for single-wall tents

Single-wall tents are most effective in alpine conditions, which are often dry and chilly in nature.

Double-Wall Tents

Photograph courtesy of Scott Rinckenberger A double-wall tent is made up of two walls, which are usually the tent body and a rainfly in this case. Tents progressed from cotton to nylon ripstop textiles, and their designs began to integrate two layers of cloth to ensure waterproofness and breathability while maintaining their structural integrity.

The rainfly is completely impervious to water, but it is not breathable. The inner tent is completely breathable, however it is not water-resistant. When you combine the two, you get the best of both worlds.

Pros and cons of double-wall tents

In virtually all cases, a double-wall tent will provide a dry environment for you to sleep in while also providing you with extra dry gear storage. Double-walled tents frequently contain several entrances and vestibules to keep your belongings dry in the event of a storm. However, the added comfort and room come at the price of a weight increase when compared to a single-walled construction of equivalent dimensions (i.e. same size, same season rating). Doubling the number of stakes and paying extra care to guying out the rainfly is also necessary.

Due to the fact that tent rainfly materials (especially nylons) tend to stretch a little when moist or wet, it may be necessary to re-tension the rainfly after it has been put up after it has been set up.

Best environments for double-wall tents

In wet and humid conditions, especially when more gear storage is required, double-wall variants are the best option available. Photograph courtesy of Scott Rinckenberger

Tips and tricks for use

When it’s wet or humid, and you need to store a lot of goods, double-wall versions are the best choice. Scott Rinckenberger captured this image for us.

• Tents 101: Seam Taping vs. Seam Sealing
• Tent Fabrics Part 1: Fabric Specs
• Tent Fabrics Part 2: Waterproof Ratings
• Tents 101: Seam Taping vs. Seam Sealing

Terry Breaux has been developing tents since 1989, with the last fourteen years spent at Mountain Safety Research. While still a youngster, he developed a strong attachment to nature after spending the night in a tent beneath the stars in his own garden. Since then, he’s spent several nights in the mountains and bikepacked across Europe and Asia, including via Pakistan and Mongolia, where he made experiences that will last a lifetime for him. Terry, a longtime gearhead, took two years off from college to work at the famed tent design business Moss Tents, where he continued to work after graduating from college.

Bikepacking adventures continue to be a passion for him, and he is always trying new gear and looking for ways to improve shelters for outdoor users.

A Guide to Hunting from a Canvas Wall Tent

The stories and photographs of Jack O’Connor, John Jobson, Clyde Ormond, and Warren Page as well as the pack excursions they wrote about in Outdoor Life, Sports Afield, and Field and Stream magazines when I was a youngster remain clear in my memory. While it was still a faraway dream, the excitement and thrill of one day embarking on a wilderness expedition with a canvas wall tent, horses, and mules was not far away. Despite my longing for the day when I would be able to embark on such a journey, it would remain a pipe dream for over two decades.

• Realizing this longtime desire was not without its difficulties, and I gained a great lot of knowledge ‘along the route’ to that experience.
• I had the opportunity to accompany a buddy into the wilderness of Washington’s Cascade Range, where we were able to “sleep under canvas” and shoot elk.
• Despite the fact that we didn’t have real horses, we were able to construct a memory that sustained me through the Vietnam War and eventually back to the Northwest, where I could once again hunt elk in the wilderness.
• Hunting from a base camp provides the opportunity for the hunter to dry wet clothes and gear, make meals away from the elements, and get a decent night’s sleep, all of which are essential components of having a successful hunting experience.
• Because it is a part of the wilderness hunting experience, it has a history and tradition that is almost as ancient as our nation.
• With today’s technology and sophisticated materials, there are a variety of alternative tent designs that will perform at almost all heights and in nearly all weather situations.

You may also get roomy, four-season tents that are large enough to hold a woodstove and that are sturdy enough to be used by hunters and backpackers. However, when it comes to stocking up on supplies, the canvas wall tent is still the industry standard.

What Makes a Wall Tent so Great?

If you don’t already possess a canvas wall tent, you’re probably wondering what it is about them that is so appealing. It is not my intention to imply that other types of tents are unsuitable for wilderness hunting because I personally know many qualified and successful DIY hunters who do not use canvas wall tents. So, what exactly is it about a wall tent that makes it so special?

Portability

In addition to being folded and man-tied as a side pack, canvas wall tents may also be crammed into a rectangular top pack that can be carried on the back of your bike. Almost all nylon tents need the use of an interior pole system of some form. Although it is possible to purchase internal frames for wall tents, they are rarely used in the wilderness because of the weight. In addition to being awkward and difficult to store in stock, tent poles necessary for nylontents of appropriate size and that can be used with a wood fire can also be heavy.

It’s common to observe such poles projecting far above the pack animal’s head, where they’re liable to become entangled in overhanging branches, bushes, or other impediments as the pack animal moves.

Durability

When natural materials such as lodgepole or similar poles are used for the frames of the canvas wall tent, it may be set up almost everywhere that such materials are available. In addition to large snow loads, a wall tent with a pole frame will endure practically everything Mother Nature may throw at you. As a rain fly, a basic lightweight plastic tarp may be used to enable snow to roll off the roof and keep the tent dry even though most quality wall tents constructed of double-fill cotton fabric will survive rain and snow.

Using a woodstove while packing your stuff to travel to the trailhead will keep you warm while you’re organizing your loads inside the tent and will also help to dry the tent under its plastic fly if it’s been raining or snowing.

Long-Lasting

A high-quality canvas wall tent will last you a lifetime if it is properly dried, stored, and maintained. It may even be passed down to your children and perhaps even your grandchildren after that. The most important thing to remember is to thoroughly dry the tent after each use and to store it properly between usage. A tent that is rolled up damp, regardless of the quality of the cotton fabric or the treatment applied to it, will mildew and cause significant damage, including staining, rotting, and collapse.

It is critical to store items in a clean, dry, and rodent-free environment. When exposed to the strong sun, the cotton duck fabric from which the majority of wall tents are produced soon deteriorates. Tents of this type must be stored away from the sun.

Versatility

A wall tent constructed of cotton cloth may be utilized in both hot and cold weather, depending on the season and the climate. These tents are often white in color and will enable light to pass through the fabric, resulting in a lovely daytime ambience. The white tent is also cooler than a dark tent, and because it has full-zippered doors on both ends, it can be opened up during the day for cooling or zipped up tight during the night for warmth and comfort. Most canvas wall tents do not have floors, which allows you to utilize a woodstove without having to worry about igniting the canvas wall tent floor.

1. Mud and snow may easily be kicked off your boots in the front of the tent, near the fire, because there is no floor.
2. I use a tarp that is large enough to cover the back seven feet of the tent, which is where our bunks and personal belongings are located.
3. If dirt or water collects on the tarp, it may be quickly and easily washed, resulting in a clean sleeping space.
4. By placing the tarp on top of the sod cloths, you may prevent drafts created by the wind blowing under the tent’s outer wall from entering.

Easy to Heat

When the weather is cold, damp, and miserable, a wood stove is an absolute must-have in a camp setting. When cooking on a stove, you’ll need something called a stovepipe. I prefer it if the pipe runs straight up through the ceiling instead of through the wall. The stove draws best when the stovepipe is straight up and over the ridgeline of the tent, which I have discovered. Inconsequential amounts of water leak into the tent from around the pipe and via the stove jackhole when the tent is closed.

Although you may like it, I’ve found that stoves that use sidewall jacks are more temperamental in windy circumstances and are more likely to cause smoke to fill the tent.

Important Features for ConsiderationWhen Purchasing a Canvas Wall Tent

Cotton/canvas: Cotton (canvas) fabric is used to construct wall tents. Cotton duck tents, which are composed of marine-grade double-fill cotton, are my preferred choice. “Double fill” tent fabric is constructed from long cotton fibers that have been spun into separate threads. Two of these threads are twisted together to make plied yarns, which are then twisted together to form another plied yarn. All-cotton duck canvas with an unique marine finish known as Otis Permasol, Vivatex, or Sunforger is what this quality of canvas is made out of.

• or 10.10-oz.
• Despite the fact that the fabric has a tight weave, the cotton duck allows for great moisture transfer through the fabric.
• Even if the cotton duck is subjected to a “preshrinking” procedure, some shrinkage will occur over time.
• For those looking to purchase a wall tent, it’s important to ensure that the fabric has been treated with a fire retardant as well as mildew inhibitors before making your purchase.
• Relite: I’ve also had wall tents constructed of a material known as Relite, which is a synthetic fiber.
• Roof seams must be sealed, or a tarp or rainfly must be placed over the seams to prevent water from leaking through.
• In my experience, the annoyance of a little amount of condensation is well worth the weight savings gained by using a decent stove when trying to lessen your entire load.
• Blend: Montana Canvas makes a tent with a cotton duck roof and Relite walls that is used for camping.
• The cotton duck roof does not leak and is more fire resistant than a complete Relite tent, making it an excellent choice for camping.

They’re also far lighter than a duck tent made entirely of cotton. The downside of Relite is that it becomes rigid as it gets cold, and I’ve seen the seams of two such tents pull off of the walls in severe winds on two separate occasions.

Size

Most hunters are familiar with backpack tents, which are available in various sizes such as “1-person,” “2-person,” and so on. However, the real inside area of these tents can vary significantly. For example, I’ve used “2-person” tents that were too small for a single person to sleep comfortably. When it comes to these sorts of tents, I believe 14-18 square feet per person to be enough, depending on how much stuff you intend to store in the tent. Canvas wall tents have the same capacity as regular tents, so you can fit as many people as you want inside.

1. Similarly, if you do not intend to cook inside the tent or do not have access to a wood stove, you can increase the number of people in any of my recommended sizes by one.
2. Everyone has a favorite way to organize the cots, stove, and cooking area, and they all have their own preferences.
3. I prefer to locate the stove and cooking area at the front entrance, and I prefer to use “kitchen” panniers for the cooking area since they are well-suited to the space.
4. Using the schematics supplied, you can see the configurations of beds, stoves, and cooking areas that I prefer in my canvas wall tent camps.

WallPeak Height

When choosing a canvas wall tent, it is essential to have five-foot walls on both sides. Even while some manufacturers claim to have five-foot-tall walls, their walls are really completed at 4’8″ or less in height. Many other companies that claim five-foot walls really complete their walls at five feet in height. The importance of a five-foot wall over a three- or four-foot wall may be explained as follows: On my first backcountry hunt, we slept in a 12’x14′ canvas wall tent with three-foot walls, and we spent the most of our time in the tent bending down on our knees to move about!

We have a 12’x14′ canvas wall tent with completed walls that are 4’8″ high, and with three of us being over six feet tall, we find ourselves smacking our heads on the ceiling when cooking or climbing into our bunks.

My tents all have peaks of 8-12 feet in height, and the lamp is far above my shoulders!

Doors

On one end of the tent, it is typical to have zippered doors. Customize the back end by specifying zippered doors on both ends or by having a zipper custom-installed. Because they have zippered doors on both ends, you may open them to allow for air in hot weather. Two tents may be placed end-to-end if you want extra privacy, additional room, or a sleeping spot that is not at the hot end of the tent!

The zippers should be on both ends, with nylon straps and buckle “keepers” to protect the zippers in severe winds and to offer an extra measure of strength to the end closures. This is my personal preference.

Sod Cloth

A sod cloth is a 10″ wide strip of fabric that is sewed around the interior of a tent at the bottom of the sidewalls and the rear to keep the ground from getting inside the tent. My preferred method of storing it is to fold it inside the tent and throw a tarp on top of it in the back of the tent, near our sleeping quarters. This tightens the seal and creates a barrier against the wind. Another option is to fold the sod cloth outdoors and cover it with soil or snow to keep the drafts at bay. In cold conditions, on the other hand, you may experience problems with the sod fabric being stuck in the snow, ice, or dirt.

Stove Jack

A stove jack consisting of two layers of fiberglass fabric will keep your tent safe from the scorching heat of the stove pipe. The stove jack must have a diameter that is at least equal to the diameter of your pipe. Stove jacks in the roof are oval in shape in order to suit the angle of the roof and ensure that the stove jack will fit tightly around the pipe when installed. If your stovepipe’s diameter is greater than your stovejack’s diameter, you can use it, but you can’t use it the other way around.

When you have a “cherry red” fire going in the stove or when your tent fills with smoke while you’re sleeping, this can be a serious concern.

Tent Care

Most people with canvas wall tents have experienced mildew at some point in their lives. I think it’s virtually hard to exaggerate how crucial it is to thoroughly clean and dry your canvas tent before putting it away for the winter. If you see that it’s starting to mildew, leave it out in the sun for a few hours and it should be all better. Also, air dry it well in an enclosed space such as a garage or spare room to ensure that it is completely dry and free of moisture. If you do have patches of mold or mildew, you can treat them with a very light bleach-water solution.

While you’re at it, be sure to clean and treat your ground cloths, among other things.

Other Thoughts

The use of canvas wall tents is not always a sensible decision, as is the case with any other type of product. They don’t do well in severely windy conditions when you’re unable to find a sheltered location to set up your tent. In addition, they might be difficult to set up in regions where proper tent poles are not readily available. However, for the vast majority of backcountry elk hunting opportunities that a hunting horseman will encounter, a canvas wall tent will serve you well, provide you with a comfortable base camp, and add to your many wonderful memories of the backcountry, big bulls, horses, mules, and friends that you will have.

A Canvas Wall Tent – Camping Without Hauling a Trailer

Many years ago, we felt that a wall tent would be an excellent option to sleeping in the back of the vehicle or in our backpacking tents, especially in cold weather and when we were planning on sleeping in close proximity to the truck in any case. Naturally, we like the convenience of sleeping in a beautiful, heated camping trailer, but getting a trailer in and out of some of the rougher Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management roads can be a real challenge, especially later in the hunting season when the snow starts to pile up.

• In the previous ten years, I’ve witnessed two consecutive Elk seasons during which many hunters spent days attempting to get their trailers off the mountain following snow storms.
• I was relieved not to have been a part of that catastrophe.
• Every year, anyone who drives a trailer into the higher elevation mountains between mid-October and mid-November runs the risk of having their trailer stuck on the mountain for the whole winter.
• The weather forecasts should be closely monitored over this time period to avoid being caught out in the rain.
• In reality, when I was writing this, we were making preparations for a hunt that would begin in early October, and it was snowing outdoors outside.
• After a few days, I was allowed to drive back up to the location, but I didn’t notice any more trailers being transported up to the location that year.

Our First Wall Tent

While researching a wall tent, we didn’t know anybody who had one, so we conducted some research into the pricing and other alternatives to consider before making our final decision and purchasing a wall tent. Based on our research, we’ve put up a shopping guide for wall tents. The tent includes two screened windows that are closed with a canvas flap that is fastened to the tent using velcro. Our tent is 12 x 14 feet in size, with sides that are 5 feet high and a center that is 8 feet high. It includes one door, a sewed in screen door, two windows and a stove jack (a fireproof fiberglass hole for a smoke stack), as well as frame angles for a four-rafter internal frame.

We made the decision to purchase the stove separately.

The tent weights around 60 pounds, and the total weight of the tent, including the 12 internal frame angles, 25 poles, stakes, and rope, is less than 100 pounds.

As a result, the wall tent may be transported everywhere the truck can drive.

Tips for Assembling the Wall Tent Frame

I can set up the entire tent with my wife in about 15-20 minutes without the stove and in about 20-25 minutes with the stove and stove pipe if we are both motivated. The construction of the interior frame is the most time-consuming element of the process. In order to facilitate assembly, the internal frame was marked at the angles and poles (see Figure 2). The frame angles are fastened to poles that link to other frame angles via which they are suspended. They are maintained in place by friction as they are merely slipped into their respective frame corners.

The ridge pole components were all painted blue, while the pieces on one side of the pole were painted white, and the ones on the other side were painted black.

Yes, I created a cheat sheet in the event that I forgot something.

Setting Up the Wall Tent is Fairly Simple

The first stage is to build the interior frame, with the exception of the legs, and then to pull the tent over the frame. Following that, one side of the frame is lifted at a time to allow the legs to be joined to the frame. The tent is then “squared up” and staked down, starting with the corners and working your way along the sides. We have built up the wall tent in less time than I have seen some people level their trailers, which is impressive. Following the setup of the tent, the floor (tarp or ground cloth) is rolled out and the cots and table are placed in their proper locations.

If we don’t want heat, we don’t set up the stove under the stove jack.

Wall Tent Assembly

That’s all there is to it, Home Sweet Home for as long as we require it to serve us. Our wall tent is, without a doubt, far more roomy and comfortable than our hiking tents. We never utilized the bigger family type tents, but the wall tent has an advantage in this situation as well since it can be heated and heated water with a wood stove, which we did not have. Is a wall tent preferable than a trailer in terms of functionality? That is dependent on the situation. Do you want to be more comfortable?

Obviously not, but it is comfortable enough to go out and enjoy the vacation even while it is storming outside. Is it simpler to pull when the roads are terrible or when the weather is bad? Absolutely! And, even after purchasing the wall tent and stove, we still have money left over in our pockets.

Advantages of Wall Tent over Trailer

• Cost: $1,000 (or less) against $10,000 (or more). There are no charges for tags, insurance, or registration. lightweight (150 lbs as opposed to 2,000 pounds or more)
• It is less difficult to transport on rough roads
• If the truck can travel, so can the wall tent. Storage that is small enough to fit in the trunk of a mid-sized automobile
• It is possible to load by horseback or with a gaming cart. It is less difficult to put up on sloping terrain. In case of an emergency, a wall tent and a wood stove may always be utilized as shelter.

Advantages of Trailer over Wall Tent

• Comfort — there is no doubt that a decent, well-equipped trailer is more comfortable. Occasionally, water may drip down the frame and pool on the floor. Wood stove vs. gas heater: The wood stove requires more maintenance (wood heats you twice as much as propane)
• People, bears, and nasty crawlies pose a greater threat to security. As a precaution, we set up a small electric fence when we are concerned about bears. It is possible that the ground within the tent is not level.

Please let us know if you have any further pros or negatives to add.

A Second Wall Tent

Our Elk Mountain Wall Tent is 13 by 13 feet. Elk Mountain Tents has provided us with a second wall tent. Due to the fact that we have two tents, we can accommodate additional family members or guests without feeling cramped or having to give up our privacy (or theirs). Take a look at how much space is available for our two cots and the wood stove. A handful of photographs shot recently on a late-season hunting trip are shown below: The fact that there was no snow on the ground is astounding, but it was still cold enough at night that we were glad to have the Cylinder stove to keep us warm.

Keep an eye out for a comprehensive review in the near future.

What exactly are your worries?

Continue reading our posts about wall tents by clicking on the following links:

• Wall Tent Buying Guide
• Canvas 101
• Wall Tent – What Size to Get
• Wall Tent – What Size to Get How Many Rafters Do You Need for a Wall Tent Internal Frame? Choosing the Correct Size for the Internal Frame of a Wall Tent
• Wood burning stoves for use with wall tents

General Information

• In canvas tents, a zippered door is preferable over a tie door because it keeps warm air in and cold air out better than a tie door. If you’re going to be using a tent in cold weather, I’d prefer one with a zipped door. Tent Zipper vs. Neoprene Zipper: The majority of tent manufacturers employ YKK10 neoprene zippers. Neoprene is more resistant to freezing than metal zippers. Metal zippers in canvas tents that have been twisted become unusable as a result of this. Although some tent manufacturers attempt to market metal zippers as a selling factor, you must choose which is the best option for you. Stove inside the tent: For the sake of safety, never set a stove on a canvas or synthetic floor. The stove is usually located in a cutout or zippered space on the manufacturing floor. I like a continuous floor with no cutouts or zipper areas because I don’t want water or pests to get into the open area where I’ll be cooking on the stovetop. I use a 3′ x 4′ fireproof board “I put a fireproof mat under the stove to keep it from burning down
• Actual Tent Size: The majority of canvas tents manufactured by tentmakers are not built to the precise dimensions specified by the customer. Due canvas rolls can vary by three or four inches in width, a 12’x14′ can really be 11’6″x 14’6″ because of the way canvas rolls are made. However, tent manufacturers most frequently construct canvas tents that are lower than the advertised size in order to decrease the cost of canvas. The cut size is the term used to describe this decreased tent size. It is important to determine if the quoted tent size is a cut size or an actual size while determining which tent to purchase and comparing tents. In addition to having shorter side walls, most tent manufacturers who use a “cut size” also use shorter side walls. For example, a cut size tent with 5 foot sidewalls will typically have 4′ 7″ headroom “the sides of the building Another thing to consider when deciding/comparing which canvas tents to purchase is if the reported 5′ wall height is truly 5″ or whether the cut size is 4′ 7”
• Tent Expected Service Life: A decent quality canvas tent should last the average person 20-30 years if cared for properly. In addition to leaving it set up in the sun for extended periods of time (months) without a fly, and storing the tent damp, the two most important variables that impact canvas tent life expectancy are:

• SNOW LOADING: Some people like to leave their tents up throughout the winter months. There is no interior frame that can endure the weight of a large amount of snow. Because of heavy snowstorms, I’ve heard of outfitters who have had to abandon their tents in the backcountry for the winter because they needed to get back to their road base camps before the horse trails became impassable. I’ve also heard of outfitters who have had to abandon their tents in the backcountry for the winter because they needed to get back to their road base camps quickly with their clients. When the outfitters attempted to reclaim their equipment in the spring, their tents and frames were ripped to shreds and ruined. A minimum of every 2 feet must be provided by your rafters if you intend to leave your tent up throughout the winter months. The same as it would be in a house. In this case, there is no assurance that your tent will survive a strong wet snowfall.

Recommendations Canvas Tent Camping

Cots should be roughly 18 inches in height, according to my recommendation. Everyone is welcome to store their belongings under their cot. By storing items under the cots, you can keep the center of the tent free of clutter. Camping in a messy tent is not much fun. Allowing snow to accumulate on the tent is not recommended. Always clear snow from your roof and frame to avoid causing damage to your structure. Adjusting the guy ropes on your tent will help to keep the roof in place. There is no tent or frame than sustain snow load buildup for lengthy periods of time.

1. Canvas tents are not suited for large snow loads like a wooden structure.
2. During the winter, if you intend to leave your tent set up, you must have at least two rafters for every two feet of length.
3. Snow should be removed from the roof on a daily basis or every couple of days, depending on the amount of snow.
4. Apoly fly allows snow to slide off much more easily than canvas.
5. The trough is the area at the bottom of roof just before the side horizontal tent frame poles.
6. Ice and water in the eave trough can collapse a tent.
7. FLOORS:I recommend heavy vinyl floors over canvas or relite.
8. Put your sod cloth to the inside and put your floor on top of the sod cloth which forces any water under the floor and helps keep insects out.
9. A canvas waterproof floor will eventually soak up water.

4. SEWN IN FLOOR:I do not like sewn in floors in canvas tents due to the increased difficulty of setting up a frame while you are inside the tent. It takes 3 people to set up a frame with a sewn in floor. However, under certain circumstances a sewn in floor is recommended, such as:

• Snakes. There are a lot of snakes in some sections of the nation. The only way to keep a snake out of your tent is to have a floor that is sewed in
• Mice are also a problem. If your tent has a loose floor or no floor, mice will come inside to look for food in the middle of the night. I set up six mouse traps at night to help control the mouse population. However, if you are a light sleeper, the sound of mouse traps going off in the middle of the night may wake you up. After a few of nights, the mouse population has been brought under control. Mice are prevented from entering the tent by a floor that has been sewn in. Wife or children who are really anxious about insects, snakes, mice, and other such creatures that can enter a tent that does not have a sewn-in floor
• For lengthy periods of time, you should set up your tent.

TENT STAKES: I prefer to use 5/8″ rebar cut 2′ long for my corner guy ropes and 18″ long rebar for my non-corner ropes while constructing my tents. The use of longer pegs than typical is preferred or recommended in order to properly secure the tent during heavy winds. By using stakes that are longer than necessary, you may utilize a single stake for both the tent guy ropes and the fly guy ropes, lowering the total number of stakes that are necessary. Most lumber yards will cut your rebar for you at no charge for the lengths you choose.

Weld another 3″ piece of rebar to the top of the rebar about 6-inches below the top of the rebar to create the tent eave ropes.

WINTERTABLE FOR STORAGE IN THE FALL It is necessary to check that your tent is completely dry, including the guy ropes, before storing it.

In the event that you are unable to put up a wet tent outside for appropriate drying, your only choice is to hang the tent in a shop or garage.

If at all feasible, leave the garage or shop door open to allow the wind to assist in drying the tent.

Anywhere a damp guy rope comes into contact with the tent fabric will result in mildew and damage.

Apply just the bleach water blend to the tents on the decayed region, as the bleach concentration will damage any water/mildew treatment that is applied to the area where it has been used.

A fly should sit on the tent ridge and, in non-windy locations, should have a space of 3-4 inches at the eave to enable air to circulate and dry off any moisture that may have accumulated on the tent roof.

It is necessary for me to let my fly rest directly on the roof in order to prevent the wind from getting beneath it and making a lot of flapping noise.

Once a week, I remove my fly from the roof to let my roof to dry out completely.

The placement of the stove pipe above the tent ridge allows wind from any direction to blow sparks away from the tent roof, lowering the likelihood of spark holes being burned in the tent roof and reducing the risk of fire spreading.

The majority of sparks will be prevented from reaching your roof by using a spark arrestor.

10.

Opening the stove door fast allows smoke to be pulled into the tent and out the other side.

CREOSOTE BUILD-UP IN YOUR STOVE PIPE: The more you dampen the stove pipe down or/and restrict the air intake on the stove door, the more creosote build-up you will have in the stove pipe and spark arrestor, and the more you will have to clean out the stove pipe and spark arrestor thereafter.

When it’s time to break camp, gently beat the stove pipes together to dislodge the creosote that has built up in your stove pipe.

A WATER TROUGH NEAR THE ROOF EAVE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.

A water trough under the eaves will ultimately cause the canvas to become soaked, and a leak is likely to occur.

Canvas rot is not covered by the manufacturer’s guarantee.

Mice have a fondness for burrowing into canvas tents.

A large number of repairs will be required in your tent as a consequence.

Keep in mind that the snow load on a pyramid tent exerts all of the pressure on the pyramid’s summit.

16.

Insert an 8-foot section of conduit through the loops.

17.

STOVE SIZE: Purchase a stove that is one size larger than the one advised for your tent. In the event that strong heat is not necessary, you may always use less wood in a big stove. However, in really cold and rainy weather, the huge stove provides you with the capacity to generate even more heat.