Base camp tent suggestions.

[Mark]

no one tent does everything well....that's why I tell myself I need like a dozen shelters

I've settled for three shelters, but I could easily see a need for two or three more! The canvas wall tent above is for three or more hunters for extended stays. And you're right Luke, they're a pain to set up (takes about 20 minutes or more).

For trips with one or two hunters, I have a Haul Tent that's 8X10 when set up and sleeps two comfortably. It folds up to 8X6 and I can put a couple of quads on top. It takes 5 minutes to set up. These are custom made in Fallon, NV.

And obviously, I need something reasonable to carry...

 

[Matt W.]

I was talking with my Dad this weekend and he was talking about how much work his base camp is to set up. It's been a few years since I have been able to hunt Eastern WA with him, but I remember how comfortable and spacious those big old wall tents were. His 10x14 setup is heavy, time-consuming, and hard to set up; especially if he is there before everyone else and has to do a solo set up.

He is looking for the following:
sleep 3-4 guys w/ room
A cooking area in the front (big vestibule or something)
still be able to stand up and move around in
Will Handle snow (3-4" that can be the heavy wet stuff)
Woodstove Option
Easy setup and take down.

Suggestions?

I've been eyeing this tent...
http://goo.gl/BeupXh
Cabela's Instinct™ Outfitter Tent, 10x14 ~50lbs (could be lightened with different stakes) Supposed to be easy to set up, and can handle a wood stove. ???

 

[5MilesBack]

I remember how comfortable and spacious those big old wall tents were. His 10x14 setup is heavy, time-consuming, and hard to set up; especially if he is there before everyone else and has to do a solo set up.

Have you watched the video on Davis Tent's website of the 10 year old girl setting up one of their large wall tents by herself?

I almost always set up and take down my 14x16 by myself. I can have mine standing in 5 minutes from the time it comes out of the truck, then another 15-20 minutes to finish it up. Hammering all the stakes is what takes the longest to get it fully ready.

 

[Steve O]

Wall tents are hard to beat but too much for me. I just got rid of a 12x12 Alaknak for a 10x14 Kodiak Canvas. The KC is 1000x better. Just spent a week in it in Iowa that included a storm with 65mph winds. No problem.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Wall tents are hard to beat but too much for me. I just got rid of a 12x12 Alaknak for a 10x14 Kodiak Canvas. The KC is 1000x better. Just spent a week in it in Iowa that included a storm with 65mph winds. No problem.

I will say my Kodiak tent has withstood some serious weather as well and still looks new after nine years. Seen 70MHP exposed desert wind, rain and hail and snow without a ripple or a leak. When the company upgraded their support poles they set the new ones to me w/o me even requesting em. Now I fave two sets! I've shared campsites with others and watched the wind destroy their non-canvas tent. Nice design that goes up (singlehandedly) in literally a few minutes.

[video=youtube;cs9yezdjNsc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs9yezdjNsc[/video]

 

[280twoeighty]

i know this is about a base camp tent but I see Davis makes a couple of tipi's. I wonder If anyone has any experience with them. Not sure whether you can get with a smaller stove jack? Interesting.

 

[stevenm2]

I have a davis tent and could not be happier. I have a 12 x 14 and my partner has the same tent so we can combine them or trade off years.
I cannot see how it is that difficult to set up. whatever the trouble setting up it is worth it in comfort. I can set mine up alone in about the same time it takes to set up a travel trailer. with another guy it is really pretty quick.

 

[camping1601]

Maybe it's my blue collar roots, but the work it takes to set up a wall tent isn't a big deal. After watching the above video I'm staying with a wall tent unless high winds are a real concern.

 

[stephen b]

Springbar tents- made in USA and fantastic shelters. I have used the 10x10 for a base tent when need arose for that for 11 years- and it is in super shape. Have been in some hellacious storms and it barely flickers.

BTW- the Kodiak Canvas tents were made as a copy of the Springbar designs.

 

[dotman]

X2.... I have the same one and I use the pitch kit and not the nest. Thinking about adding a stove jack. This is a tank of a shelter!

Here it is in a hurricane https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ymZ2Ls915f8

 

[bbrown]

i know this is about a base camp tent but I see Davis makes a couple of tipi's. I wonder If anyone has any experience with them. Not sure whether you can get with a smaller stove jack? Interesting.

I have their 10'x10' and it has been a great camp for up to 2 guys on cots or 4 sleeping on the ground. Actually the picture on Davis's website is mine they found somewhere.

Goes up in less than a couple minutes and I built an external frame which really opens up the interior getting rid of the pole inside. Don't think its worth adding a stove jack but a small propane heater or even just the heat from a Coleman lantern is enough to take the bite off. The biggest negative is the sloped wall with the door allows water to run in but it has not been that big of an issue.

 

[nrfarley]

I was talking with my Dad this weekend and he was talking about how much work his base camp is to set up. It's been a few years since I have been able to hunt Eastern WA with him, but I remember how comfortable and spacious those big old wall tents were. His 10x14 setup is heavy, time-consuming, and hard to set up; especially if he is there before everyone else and has to do a solo set up.

He is looking for the following:
sleep 3-4 guys w/ room
A cooking area in the front (big vestibule or something)
still be able to stand up and move around in
Will Handle snow (3-4" that can be the heavy wet stuff)
Woodstove Option
Easy setup and take down.

Suggestions?

I've been eyeing this tent...
http://goo.gl/BeupXh
Cabela's Instinct™ Outfitter Tent, 10x14 ~50lbs (could be lightened with different stakes) Supposed to be easy to set up, and can handle a wood stove. ???

I'm coming up empty when searching for reviews on the cabela's instinct outfitter tent. Anyone have any experience with it? Looking for a setup with similar requirements posted above.

 

[Matt W.]

I'm coming up empty when searching for reviews on the cabela's instinct outfitter tent. Anyone have any experience with it? Looking for a setup with similar requirements posted above.

Welcome to Rokslide. I've only seen it in the box at Cabela's. I find it an interesting tent, but it does appear to be a bit unknown... Cabela's generally makes decent tents.... Eventually someone will give it a whirl.

 

[luke moffat]

I used one last spring. Seemed pretty good but I like my XWT 12x12 more. But the instinct is a great tent it seems and I would likely get that now if I didn't already have a 12x12 XWT as you can now only get the 10x10 XWT .

 

[nrfarley]

Thanks ... Appreciate the feedback.

 

[luke moffat]

Here are a few pics of the tent set up last spring:






Hope that helps....

 

[elmcreek]

I was talking with my Dad this weekend and he was talking about how much work his base camp is to set up. It's been a few years since I have been able to hunt Eastern WA with him, but I remember how comfortable and spacious those big old wall tents were. His 10x14 setup is heavy, time-consuming, and hard to set up; especially if he is there before everyone else and has to do a solo set up.

He is looking for the following:
sleep 3-4 guys w/ room
A cooking area in the front (big vestibule or something)
still be able to stand up and move around in
Will Handle snow (3-4" that can be the heavy wet stuff)
Woodstove Option
Easy setup and take down.

Suggestions?

I've been eyeing this tent...
http://goo.gl/BeupXh
Cabela's Instinct™ Outfitter Tent, 10x14 ~50lbs (could be lightened with different stakes) Supposed to be easy to set up, and can handle a wood stove. ???

You might look into snowtrekkertents.com I never notice them mentioned outside of winter camping circles, where they are very popular and used tents hold their value well. We had a 9x11.5 we alot, but my family of 5 outgrew. They have small, solo sizes and larger sizes for basecamps/hunting camps. Snowtrekker uses a custom lighter weight canvas and internal Easton pole system. They pitch quickly and are pretty light - designed to be hauled on toboggans. I think ours weighed around 25lbs including the frame. Made right here in northern WI. We bought ours used from an outfitter in the Boundary Waters area listed on the snowtrekker site.

 

[nrfarley]

Here are a few pics of the tent set up last spring:






Hope that helps....

Nice ...

I decided to pull the trigger on the outfitter instinct 8-man tent. I found one discounted in the local store's bargain cave. Will be using it this fall for a base camp set up in Colorado for 2nd season rifle elk.

I'm undecided on which stove/heater to go with for this road-side base camp set up. Still researching pros and cons for propane vs wood.

 

[5MilesBack]

I'm undecided on which stove/heater to go with for this road-side base camp set up. Still researching pros and cons for propane vs wood.

In a non-canvas style tent, the propane will cause so much condensation (in addition to just the regular condensation) I wouldn't want to use propane. On the other hand, not sure what these tents are capable of for a wood stove. I'd probably melt it or burn it down.

 

[luke moffat]

In a non-canvas style tent, the propane will cause so much condensation (in addition to just the regular condensation) I wouldn't want to use propane. On the other hand, not sure what these tents are capable of for a wood stove. I'd probably melt it or burn it down.

I have always feared this as well, but I used a buddy heater inside my cabelas XWT for 10 days on Kodiak last fall and ran it for about 3-4 hours per day with no issues at all.