Not Waiting for the SHTF: Canvas tent ?

[Lyric]

<span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Hi gang:</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><br style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">We have been online searching for military type canvas (preferably tan) tents that would fit a family of 5.&nbsp; Lee thinks 30' x 30' would meet our needs.</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><br style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">It occurred to me that you prophytes might have a clue to an affordable (new or used) source.</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><br style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Thanks in advance.</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><br style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">L &amp; L</span><br><br>

 

[Dirty_Jeeper]

Not cheap but good quality for long term use.<div><a href="http://www.kodiakcanvas.com/products/" target="_blank">http://www.kodiakcanvas.com/products/</a> </div>

 

[Journeyman]

Any time I've ever needed a tent that size I've made it myself. I found it was cheaper and easier to buy 6 tarps of the size I needed for walls, roof and floor, 5 wooden closet poles and a large spool of plastic coated wire to sew it all together. Also add additional grommets to tighten up the seams. It goes together easily and fast, comes down quickly and easily. And I could store all my tarps in a milk crate. Remember to make the center pole at least 6" longer than the corner poles.<div>My tent was only 12' x 12'. Yours being 30 x30 I'd say use an additional pole in the middle of each wall, and at least 12" longer center pole. You might even try two center poles spaced 8' apart.</div><div><br></div><div>dennis</div>

 

[CP]

You might consider using one of the pop up awnings with the side walls that attach.<br>

 

[maritimecamper]

an excellent idea to build your own... ive been searching the web for a garage tent. I found some for 5k, the trouble I would have is taking it down in the spring, and setting it up again in the winter. My home on wheels is 28ft long, and the door would have to be 12ft high. It would be hard for an old fort like me to move it. But I could build an awning type sidewall, that goes down from the roof. I just need something to keep the canadian winds away.

 

[Lyric]

<font style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);" face="Georgia">Thanks Dennis, tarps, eh???<br><br>I'm wondering about lining material to keep out heat and cold with a tarp.&nbsp; When I think of tarp it's this plasticky like stuff like that which I use to cover equipment outside.<br><br>I wish, I wish, I wish we could afford a yurt.&nbsp; I can dream though, LOL.</font><br><br>

 

[Wild_E]

Here are two sites to keep you busy for hours and hours...<div><a href="http://www.livabletent.com/" target="_blank">http://www.livabletent.com/</a>&nbsp;</div><div>This has about 45+ listings from Canada and the US on tents and manufactures, also has stove info, along with personal stories.</div><div><br></div><div>Now this is one of the Gov Tent sites</div><div><a href="http://www.rddusa.com/Military-Tents.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.rddusa.com/Military-Tents.aspx</a> </div>

 

[Wild_E]

Another idea is to scan the papers or put in an add for a portable garage. I got one from the&nbsp;in-laws, the metal frame is A+ condition, the covering was toasted. For the cost of only about $50 I picked up a 20x40 pvc tarp. Now put that over the frame, easy and quick large tent. Do get extra stakes, and some extra&nbsp;grommets. I also picked up some easy&nbsp;grommets, that you can add yourself.&nbsp;

 

[maritimecamper]

Thanks for the info. I am sure glad I added the insulation. My hotwater tank has been drained, along with everything else. I use 6 gallon water jugs for every day water. I can walk to everything I need. My hip is recovering good. My dog really enjoys the snow, he is 10 but he acts like a pup in the snow. Talk again ...

 

[LunaticFringeInc]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Why not look at two or three smaller tents instead of one big one?</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">It would seem to me that a few tents instead of one for a SHTF situation would make more sense and be far more portable and easier to set up than one large one.&nbsp; Then there is the angle of why put all your eggs in one basket line of thought.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Multiple tents would make for several more budget minded purchases instead of one large one allowing you to progress at a more incrimental pace.&nbsp; It would also allow for your family to have more privacy should you actually have to use them for real.&nbsp; In a real life SHTF situation this is how you will shelter yourself everyday which is a heck of a lot different than a week long camping trip for the family vacation.&nbsp; The smaller tents will also have the potential to deal with incilment weather such as high winds much better than a larger one.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Just something to think about and maybe consider...</p>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<p>Lyric, as one who has camped with kids a lot, as they get older (or have no fears)&nbsp;they will not want to be in the same tent.&nbsp;Other good reasons you two won't want them in your tent as well. <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif"></p>

 

[Lyric]

"<span id="post_message_1272090477"><p style="margin: 0px;">Why not look at two or three smaller tents instead of one big one?</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">It would seem to me that a few tents instead of one for a SHTF situation would make more sense and be far more portable and easier to set up than one large one.&nbsp; Then there is the angle of why put all your eggs in one basket line of thought.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Multiple tents would make for several more budget minded purchases instead of one large one allowing you to progress at a more incrimental pace.&nbsp; It would also allow for your family to have more privacy should you actually have to use them for real.&nbsp; In a real life SHTF situation this is how you will shelter yourself everyday which is a heck of a lot different than a week long camping trip for the family vacation.&nbsp; The smaller tents will also have the potential to deal with incilment weather such as high winds much better than a larger one.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Just something to think about and maybe consider..."</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px;">Lunatic!!!!!!</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px;">I scanned this but best believe I will be giving it full attention.</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px;">Everyone else, thanks a bunch for giving us options.</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px;">L &amp; L<br></p></span>

 

[Lyric]

"<span id="post_message_1272091828"><p>Other good reasons you two won't want them in your tent as well. <img src="../images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0">"</p><p><br></p><p>Tell me 'bout it, but Lee ain't having it.&nbsp; He LOOOOVES those children of his. And his daughter, fuhget about it; he ain't having her in a separate tent from what I can tell. <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br></p></span> <span id="post_message_1272091828"><p>Other good reasons you two won't want them in your tent as well. <img src="../images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"></p></span>

 

[Dardrian]

<a href="http://go-armynavy.com/index.php/tents.html" target="_blank">http://go-armynavy.com/index.php/tents.html</a>&nbsp;is a good source of military surplus.

 

[Lyric]

Thanks Dardrian.&nbsp; That 10-man tent looks interesting.&nbsp; Can't wait to show it to Lee.<br><br>L<br><br>

 

[Guest]

Have you any experience with living in such a tent?<div><br></div><div>There are typically big tubes that run off the sides, they're for ventilation, big fans/ AC units. Unless you have one, it can get exceedingly discomforting living in one.</div>

 

[Lyric]

Nope (if you're talking to me, Armadillo).<br>

 

[Guest]

Yeah. There are better tents out there, even for the price.<div><br></div><div>The one redeeming part of them is they can be daisy chained as long as you want. The tent I lived it had enough room to house 80 trainees at night, but it was only comfortable in there once the outside temp dropped to around 45.</div>

 

[lampliter]

<P>Here's a different idea-get five of these-set them up as close or far away as desired-packs to the size of a loaf of bread-costs about 150 each-shown w/o fly-sets up in 5 min-does not leak.</P>

 

[Guest]

did civil war re-enacting for 3 years. bought 2 tents like you describe, canvas. no floor.<br>smaller one sleeps 2 easy, larger sleeps 6. bought these at the civil war events from the other reenactors. cheep! 40$ and 100$. some put carpet or straw on floor. lined straw bales around outside. i've seen them quite large with a whole bedroom set inside, and fly on front for kitchen area. in the heat, put tent under shade. some used mr. buddy heaters on really cold nights. the flaps open for breeze. <br>if there is a reenactment coming to your AO soon, just go up and ask any of the reenactors if they have a tent for sale or know who might? many trade up or down depending on what they need, and almost always have them for sale at much less than new or from merchant.<br><br>