Tent Living

[Dirty_Jeeper]

It's been a long road to where I'm at today. Some good, some not so good, but all are good life lessons. I had started out 9 years ago to be debt free and downsize from my 3 bedroom box of a home. I made it a while ago. Then I thought it's time to live in a motor home. Nope wasn't for me. Travel trailer, again not for me. Got to a cargo trailer but with fuel cost and my tendency to travel to very difficult to access areas, passed on that idea too.<div><br></div><div>I've always been in a tent in one way or another all my life.Spent my summers of my youth on the San Carlos Indian Rez in an old greased canvas tent. Well beyond hot, but great times.As an adult I've owned many types of tents. Mostly smaller back pack models. Well I did some research and bought a new tent and future residence. A throwback to the old canvas tents.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I purchased a 10 by 14 Kodiak Canvas tent. A 4 season Flex Bow tent.&nbsp;</div><div><a href="http://www.kodiakcanvas.com/" target="_blank">http://www.kodiakcanvas.com/</a> </div><div>Really a nice design and product with many great reviews. This past weekend we camped in the mountains of Pennsylvania in rain and near freezing temps.We were dry and comfortable. Two adults, two medium size dogs, a queen size air bed, dog beds, table and chairs inside and plenty of room left over.</div><div><br></div><div>The next couple months a few trips camping in the back woods of Jersey. June will be 2 weeks in Maine.Slowly making it our home as we transition and remodel the house to sell. Seemed the best choice for our lifestyle as we make the transition and eventually go west. We tend to take our modified Jeeps to very remote off the beaten path locations regularly. Any&nbsp;conventional&nbsp;vehicle or trailer could not make it. The tent gives us the "home" we need, and does not slow us down or add to the fuel costs.</div><div><br></div><div>What was once a childhood dream of living in the wild in a tent is slowly becoming a reality many many years later. Is there anyone else out there tent living?</div><div><br></div><div>Dale</div>

 

[Willy]

I did the tent thing, but traveling was either by shanks-mare or thumbin'. Gets pretty old, damn quick, come winter time up here in B.C. (Canada). If I lived down south, I'd do it full-time and have a bicycle w. a trailr for the dog, or a motorcycle w. a trailer for said pooch, maybe a sidecar cuz they're cool.<br>

 

[mockturtle]

I love my little ultra-light tent but I wouldn't want to live in it. <br>

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[akrvbob]

I think living in a tent is entirely possible. but what will you do about the cold in the winter? it would be much easier out West where you can move to the desert for the winter. But, the desert can be terribly windy. A top-quality tent can stay up through the windstorms, but man is it unpleasant. My suggestion is a van with a bed in it, so you can retreat into it for times of extended storms. bob<br>

 

[Willy]

Really don't have to worry about that in Arizona or Cali. <br>

 

[Dirty_Jeeper]

Well Bob, I'm originally from the desert just outside of Tucson. Then spent many years in SoCal. So I'm no stranger to the desert. Long term plan is to move west, Arizona, California, Utah areas. Move with the seasons as I can't work, so no ties there.

 

[SoulRaven]

I am with AKRVBOB in the high desert of SO-CAL and we have gotten winds in excess of 50mph that literally rocked my van and howled so loud ya pulled the covers over your head... The wind in the desert is a reality and should not be taken lightly... Just ask the what ifs, what if this tent is destroyed, that's allot of money down the drain and then it leaves you without shelter... buy another tent, run into another (frequent) wind storm...<br><br>What is that quote, the definition of insanity is where one keeps trying unsuccessfully to accomplish the same task, doing the same thing and expecting different results...<br><br>Good luck in your endeavors, I wish you well...<br><br>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;As they say.. location, location, location. I spent a lot of time, during the winters, in the Az, (and nearby Cali ) desert and even slept outside without a tent (Doubtful Canyon on the Az/Nm border) and I don't know if I ever experienced a wind of 50 mph. Then again, maybe I'm like that person who actually WINS at Vegas or, like a buddy of mine, $600,000 on the Lotto Max (he then lost most of it in Vegas). <br>

 

[akrvbob]

Amazing we can have such different experiences. I've spent the last 4 winters in the desert southwest near Victorville, CA, (30 miles from Barstow), Pahrump, NV (60 miles from Las Vegas) and Quartzsite, AZ. I don't believe I have ever gone a month with out a major wind storm. At both of the RTRs in Quartzsite we had multiple windstorms. Three years ago we had a windstorm that blew down many vendors tents in Quartzsite and heavily damaged the Big Tent. 50 mph winds are the norm in all those windstorms. <br><br>When you live in a vehicle, you become very intimate with the weather. You feel, hear and see it like people living in houses never can. Sometimes I hate it, but much more I love it. It gives you sense of adventure, of being alive. <br><br>It is possible to live in a tent in the desert southwest, but I'm not man enough to do it. When a windstorm blows through, you won't get any sleep for a few days at a time and you will be constantly cold. that's not how I want to live. I could do it if I had a van to retreat to for those few days.<br><br>Of course I have limited experience, maybe there are places where the wind wouldn't be an issue, I just haven't been there yet. Bob<br><br>

 

[Dirty_Jeeper]

The Mohave Desert out in Palmdale/Lancaster, up to Mojave and out through Death Valley can be extremely windy yes. In fact in my experience very few calm days with out a gentle wind at least. Parts of the Sonoran Desert can be like this also. I have ventured around the deserts of the west all my life until last year and moving east. You can find shelter &nbsp;in draws or canyons etc. There are also portions unaffected by the winds. Wind is my least favorite weather condition, so I always travel and camp with that in mind. It's like having an allergy! You learn how to avoid it or at least deal with it. I also have a jeep Cherokee to retreat to in a worst case.<div><br></div><div>My ancestors survived in the desert of the southwest with very little. So with all the modern equipment available today, it won't be nearly as challenging. Bad habit of mine always looking to be challenged in some form, lol. If all fails, I find a trailer dealer nearby for a cargo trailer! Guess it's the minimalist in me wanting to get it as simple and basic as possible.</div>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I kinda wonder if it has something to do with the crazy weather we've been having for the past few years. The last winter I spent in Az musta been something like 9 yrs ago, though I visited for a few weeks 2 yrs ago. I notice that up here in B.C. the weather has been pretty screwy, in other places too, it seems. The weather could very well have changed down south within the past decade. <br>

 

[mockturtle]

We wintered in Yuma for ten years and the wind blew hard for days at a time.&nbsp; We were in an RV for a few years then a park model.&nbsp; This wind kind of wears you down after a few days.&nbsp; And it does get cold--into the low thirties--sometimes.&nbsp; Even so, I do love the desert.&nbsp; Beats rain, which is what we've had almost every day since September here in WA.&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Ever been to Senator's Wash/Imperial reservoir (the N. Shore, not the flats)?<br>

 

[rattlesnake joe]

<p>For years I&nbsp;backpacked in the deserts and used a 3 Man tent.&nbsp; It worked okay but was still cramped when the wind blew and my dog and I both were inside.&nbsp; I finally ended up getting him a 2 Man tent just for himself.&nbsp; He loved it and so did I, not having to deal with all the dirt and dust he would bring in.&nbsp; I was never in a hurry so the weight didn't usually matter that much.&nbsp; One thing is when you are fixing to buy a tent.&nbsp; Get a bigger one that it says you will need.&nbsp; Forget about one man tents.&nbsp; Get the 2 Man at least for backpacking.&nbsp; You don't need an expensive mountain snow tent either.&nbsp; I usually got a camouflage 3 man for $25 or so at Surplus Stores.&nbsp; If you need a tent for a base camp get one you can stand up in and that is flexible in the wind.&nbsp; Get some steel nails that are 10 inches at least to use as tent pegs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Those plastic ones are junk, the aluminum&nbsp;bend easily and the wire pegs are us less.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;It is nice to be able to stand up when you get dressed and undressed.&nbsp; I didn't go backpacking or even car camping in the winter.&nbsp; Too cold and windy.&nbsp; The wind can sock your strength in no time at all.&nbsp; It is a lot stronger than you are and well wear you out fast.&nbsp; In the service I had to live in squad tents, or shelter half put together with another Marine to make a pup tent.&nbsp; It wasn't fun at all.&nbsp; I'll take the lite weight nylon tents any day.&nbsp; Don't camp in a wash in the desert even if the sand is nice and soft.&nbsp; If you get a flash flood you can die easily by drowning.&nbsp; These&nbsp;small dome type&nbsp;nylon zip up tents with mosquito netting are nice and weigh only about 4 lbs for a 3 man tent.&nbsp; </p>

 

[twokniveskatie]

Nothing in the world beats a canvas tent for me, unless I have to be mobile. A one pole hunters or pyramid tent, well-staked, will stand some of the worst winds. &nbsp;Of course, it would be hard to fire up the wood stove in those kinda winds.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Some of the best memories of my life are of &nbsp;ice storms and the ragged edge of a hurricane while under canvas. I had a 12x12 piece of canvas rigged as a modified plow point that withstood winds that downed trees within yards of it during a storm here in pa on the farm. Neighbors lost sheds and even a barn. Guys came from all around to marvel at crazy Kate's little lean to that survived the storm </div><div><br></div><div>My dream is to live in a 12x12 hunters tent with a stove flap and double tipi style doors. I'll have to dig up pics of the ones I had.&nbsp;</div>

 

[Dirty_Jeeper]

Nice Katie! Would love to see some pics. I've done my time in tents and under tarps. As you said, some of the best memories! My 10 by 14 Kodiak Canvas is working out really well so far in wind, heavy rains and below freezing temps. Been proof testing it here in Jersey and PA. Next month Maine for a few weeks!<div><br></div>

 

[SoulRaven]

man I have spent allot of me life under the stars and in tents... just something about it... now i have my mobile cabin and no longer can deal with the aches and pains... But a man can remember and get as close to this as his body will allow... nothing like the stars at night to fall asleep to...<br>

 

[twokniveskatie]

I've got a couple nice pics of my canvas on my iPhone, but have not figured out how to post them to this site. Anybody done that?

 

[Wild_E]

why not post them to photobucket and then link to them here?

 

[twokniveskatie]

Hmmm. I'll have to check Picasa. Some might be there. Good idea!