Help with tents please

[baronmcginty]

The Teepee tent in the link I sent you has a floor. Click on the link and check it out. You are sealed from the creepy critters.<br><br>I have a cot. I find it to hard and uncomfortable. Instead I use a queen size air mattress when I camp in my tent. I use an air pump that I plug into a 12 volt receptacle in my jeep to inflate it. Using a hand pump requires too much effort. If you get an air mattress, make sure you put a fitted sheet on it before you let a dog on it or the dog's nails might puncture the mattress. I've had an air mattress last a year before losing air but when a dog's nails hit it, it&nbsp;doesn't last long.<br><br>Whatever tent you get make sure you spray it with a water sealant and also get a good seam sealer.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I think Sunny Surplus closed a long time ago <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; They reopened for a bit in a couple places but then shut down again.&nbsp; I loved that place.&nbsp;

 

[James AKA Lynx]

I) go with a self erecting. Just throw it up and it unfolds. All you have to do is stake it and put on the rain fly. <br>2) get a spare, one person went to town and his tent site had brief 100 mph winds and his tent was gone.<br>3) get a 4 person car tent, Not backpacking. <br><br>Keep the tent clean, repaired and dry. More space the better IF you can lift it when wet and set up alone.You may need to spend several days in it. get a good ground cloth and tarp.<br><br>Check out your local store, online - REI, Cabela's, Campmor, ......<br><br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Here ya go:&nbsp; http://store.kamprite.com/catalog/Kamp-Rite-Oversize-TentCot-p-16146.html&nbsp; Ain't lightweight, but super fast to set up/take down, off the ground (don't matter if it rains and you're in a puddle), don't need a separate mattress, and can fit you and the pooch! Maybe an bit pricey.. but you'd pay as much, or more, were you to get a tent 'n all the fixins. ..Willy.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<STRONG><A href="http://store.kamprite.com/catalog/TentCots-orderby_0-p-1-c-249.html" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://store.kamprite.com/catalog/TentCots-orderby_0-p-1-c-249.html</A></STRONG><BR><BR><STRONG>See if this link works.&nbsp;&nbsp; I remember someone on another site i belong to has a few of those for sale. I will try to remember and link it in case someone is interested. They look really cool.</STRONG>

 

[mockturtle]

Honestly, I don't think you want to live in a tent.&nbsp; I like tent camping occasionally, hiking &amp; kayakaing, but I'd never live in one.&nbsp; Not comfortable, not convenient, not safe.&nbsp; JMHO, of course.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;That's one thing I kinda hate about this site.. the hassle with posting links. Half the time it works, and the other half is no-go. ..Willy.

 

[twokniveskatie]

Sorry.

 

[kidiekat]

mockturtle&nbsp; Living in a tent is not my first choice for life it will just be the way I have to start out.&nbsp; I sat down last night.&nbsp; Well actually it was about 2am and started working up a budget.&nbsp; I have cut out every thing for a while now, but setting up for going on the road is questionable.&nbsp; I saw one on a blog.&nbsp; The 500 and 1000 budget.&nbsp; I still have so much to sell here and after studying the supplies I need ie: tent, sleeping bag, cook stove I will get the priorities first. I will take baby steps up the food chain and will hopefully end up in a van..&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I am trying to be realistic and frugal but get supplies that will be appropriate and long lasting.&nbsp; I am sorting and packing in the car the personal things for right now and the camping stuff will be added on top.&nbsp; <br><br>Right now, I know I have a vehicle that is in tip top shape and since I will be living in it I don't want to chance trading for a used van driving from the east coast to the west.&nbsp; Once I am on the road I will know what my expenditures will be like and word of mouth may be helpful for a van.&nbsp; <br><br>

 

[highdesertranger]

I was going to mention in my earlier post about living in a tent is hard for any length of time but it seems you know this and are facing reality.&nbsp; also think used.&nbsp; &nbsp;if you look around a little you can find great deals on camping equipment&nbsp;and save allot of bucks.&nbsp; btw good luck and all the best.&nbsp; &nbsp;highdeserranger

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Craigslist for the WIN!! ..Willy.

 

[kidiekat]

Hi Willy.&nbsp; You are so informational. lol&nbsp; Thank you.&nbsp; I have never been on Craigslist, lol I thought it was a dating site.&nbsp; duh okay it's a dirty blonde moment.&nbsp; I finally fell asleep for a few hours.&nbsp; I suppose exhaustion over powered my brain activity.&nbsp; I have spent the whole evening sorting papers.&nbsp; My file system is getting chopped.&nbsp; Keeping necessary papers and tearing up the rest.&nbsp; <br>I looked at a few more tents on line and a back pack.&nbsp; I also looked at a barking control thingy for luci.&nbsp; I don't want to be kicked out because she disturbs some one and when she hears a noise she runs to the door and I am not fast enough to catch her.&nbsp; I put her collar on and she is swiping at it.&nbsp; She will just have to get use to it if she is coming with me.&nbsp; We are working on more training, I have to be consistant now.<br><br>I do hope I can find a descent tent.&nbsp; I have been searching the army supply sites now.&nbsp; There is a lot of junk out there.&nbsp; I think because my trunk is a joke.&nbsp; camping stuff will go there.&nbsp; Easy access from the hatch.&nbsp; Clothes and stuff in the back seat.&nbsp; If this darn weather ever breaks I may design some thing for luci to sit in for the passenger seat.&nbsp; High enough for her to watch out the window and covered with carpet.<br><br>One baby step at a time.&nbsp; <br>kidie<br><br>

 

[kidiekat]

highdesertranger....&nbsp; Yep.&nbsp; Tent living will be challenging but if I can get everything cleared out of here and my car set up, maybe I will leave in warm weather so what ever tent I pick will get me from point a to point b.&nbsp; I found a surplus store on line that is in Arizona so things may be better purchased out west.&nbsp; They didn't offer sales on the internet but showed the store and it looks well supplied for campers.&nbsp; Dang.&nbsp; Years ago I loved camping and ended up living in one for a while in California..... Long time ago.&nbsp;&nbsp; So I just have to refresh my skills and I will be a little slower getting set up on each camp site but I am going to succeed.&nbsp; <br><br>I have to study now on selling my jewelry.&nbsp; No need of a gold watch when your camping and diamonds on your fingers will not be needed. lol&nbsp; Nice stuff but who needs it now.&nbsp; It's all been dust collecting any how. <br><br>Thanks<br>kidie

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;If I want to buy something, I often check on Craigslist first.. selling too. ..Willy.

 

[Ken in Anaheim]

I'm surprised that no one mentioned Kodiak Flex-Bar tents. They're one of the (very) few that can stand up to the 50+mpoh winds that occur at The Burning Man festivals. Check out the reviews on Amazon and YouTube. Also, easy for 1 person to set up. http://www.kodiakcanvas.com/6014/&nbsp;

 

[Wild_E]

I have lived in tents for quite a while off and on. My personal experience is that the Nylon tents are only for short term like hiking and quick weekends. I prefer the heavier, much heavier Canvas tents. Like Willy said go to the sales online!&nbsp;<br>I have picked up 3 Canvas tents now, all in better than great shape for about $30 each, yes with poles. I plan on making one into my next winter living&nbsp;accommodations&nbsp;. I live in Ontario Canada, will make it a winter shelter.<br><br>If you plan on moving about every day and night, then I would get a nylon tent, if you plan on staying in one place for a week or more, then Canvas is the way to go. My tents are heavier yes, but you peg them into the ground first on the bottom, then set the poles together, put them in the canvas to set them up. I have done this myself by using a rope to pull the one set of poles upwards, the securing that rope to something temporarily. Then the next set of poles goes up, sometimes the same way, sometimes easier! Just lucky sometimes.<br><br>Now you do the final adjustments, use the guide lines, peg them into the ground.<br>My smallest Canvas Tent is the two man, without metal poles. I just do a Tipi arrangement of wooden poles over the top and hang it from the middle. Tie off the loops into the final adjustments, voila.. finished. time about 2 - 4 minutes. You can also just hang it up from a tree or other overhang, quickly and easily.&nbsp;<br><br>My 8x10 has poles, is the easiest of the others to set up as it has mostly inside structure, think smaller pioneer/trapper tent. The outside side wings are easy little poles to setup once the inside main pole is up and secured. Time about 10 to 15 minutes, love this tent.<br><br>The point is, nylon tents are not very comfortable, they are too hot or too cold. The canvas tents seem to be much better at keeping some of the heat out and keeping some of the heat in when it is needed, that is why they have been used for 100's of years. Add a dining tent, some are easy to setup by yourself and you have a big roomy area to spend your time in.<br><br>Have you considered a Tent Camper? Small easy to pull behind your car, can be put up with one person or two.<br>good luck,<br>I have been following the conversation but finally through out my thoughts in this, best of luck in your decisions.&nbsp;

 

[Wild_E]

ps. the small canvas tent was just given to me, it is my little camping tent now. The others will be my main camp setup, one for kitchen the other for bedrooms and such..

 

[greybeard23]

I spent a year on the road living in a tent.&nbsp; I bought a Cabela six person dome tent.&nbsp; Big enough to stand up in.&nbsp; Most of the time I had a two by four foot table set up for my kitchen and a cot.&nbsp; Spent the winter in Arkansas on a Corp campground.&nbsp; So I had electric and water on site, which allowed me to have an electric heater and a fridge.&nbsp; Kept the tent at 70, even when it was 14 outside.&nbsp; <br><br>The tent is a four season and tested to 75 mile an hour winds.&nbsp; One person had the national weather admin. tell him after a wind storm destroyed most of the campground that his tent withstood 90 mile an hour winds, with only one strut broken.<br><br>Mine withstood one inch hail with no problem, and never once had water in the tent even though at time I had more than an inch running around the tent.<br><br>There are some good tents out there, and they are not bad at all to live in.<br><br>Here is a pic of my tent.<br><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="/post/%3Ca" class="bbc_img"><img rel="lightbox" src="http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q523/greybeard23/NorthCarolina036.jpg" class="bbc_img"> class="bbc_img"&gt;

 

[kidiekat]

Ken in Aniheim&nbsp; I looked at the Kodiak tents and thought they were for the beach for changing into bathing suits .&nbsp;&nbsp; Oooops .&nbsp; I went to the link and looked again.&nbsp; They are canvas... which is suppose to be the best for weather.&nbsp; Looks like the wind would knock them over.&nbsp; Guess I'm thinking of those cabana things.&nbsp;

 

[James AKA Lynx]

look at 4 season tents. Try Campmor for good deals.