Kodiak flex-bow buyer questions

[spacemonkey]

I ended up buying the Deluxe 10x14 a couple years back and love it. Great for 2 guys + gear (and then some) and our family of four. Couple upgrades that I use and would recommend:

Swap out the stock stakes for lag bolts, as others mentioned. I think I ended up getting a bunch of 5/8" x 10" long lag bolts. I added some large washers up by the head and secured them with some zip ties that I trimmed flush. This is a must have. Makes setup in rocky terrain 10 times easier. Just make sure your impact driver battery is fully juiced.

Second thing I did was get a 10x12 synthetic woven outdoor rug (like folks use under their camper canopy) from Amazon. Makes it much easier to clean up any dirt any debris that gets tracked in.

Third thing I did was tie a large run of Paracord along the top interior of the tent (long ways) for drying gear. There are several different locations that you can attach to in the interior.

I like others ideas of using ground tarp underneath the footprint. It would make packing up the tent a lot easier and less dirty, especially if it's wet/muddy. I almost always take the time to clean up the tent, let it dry, etc, when I get home.

Hope that helps.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[CaseyRyback]

VX for the ventilation options.

I've had snow piled up on mine and never an issue with water. I use a buddy heater and it heats up in a couple minutes. I do put down the ground cloth (tarp) that came with it - it's light, quick, and easier to clean when packing up. Agree with the other suggestions too, especially the lag bolts/washers coupled with an impact driver.

How much snow? I hunt late season where a big snow dump is very possible but I'd be leaving my camp unattended for the day. I'd hate to get back and have everything caved in.

 

[HilltopHitman]

I just used my 10x14 this last fall for the first time. Deluxe. Get the ground tarp, keeps moisture off the bottom when you go to pack up. Use a rug and or moving blankets from HF for floor liner.

I need to get lags, as mentioned it sucks pounding stakes.

 

[skateabrock]

For the guys using a tarp for a ground sheet.
Are you using canvas or just the cheap poly ones? Does anyone think it matters?

I had my tent for about 4 years before I switched it up, I never used a ground sheet. The bottom of the tent was stout enough, so I just cleared any rocks or sticks before I set it up. Always worked great.

 

[BLJ]

I’ve never used a tarp myself.
I’ll admit that keeping the grime off the bottom does sound appealing.

 

[hidesert cowboy]

No tarp needed. I would get the standard model over the vx. I have 2 kodiaks and a Springbar. Been scoutmaster and had to maintain a fleet of both tents.

 

[NDHUNTER24]

@hidesert cowboy just curious but why would you get the standard over the VX?

 

[hidesert cowboy]

@hidesert cowboy just curious but why would you get the standard over the VX?

I think its extra zippers to go bad. its less durable panels with the mesh. That mesh does go bad after years of use. I just don't see a benefit to it in practice. Once it gets dark the tents cool down pretty well and i don't believe the VX side vents will make a meaningful difference. also if its that warm and there isn't bugs. heck I say don't bother setting up the tent! We do that often times as well.

if you have a vx its not a bad tent, I am now fully onboard with kodiak over springbar. springbar has unacceptable floor materials even with their USA made tents. If you want to get a VX go for it. I am just saying what I would want and why.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

I think its extra zippers to go bad. its less durable panels with the mesh. That mesh does go bad after years of use. I just don't see a benefit to it in practice. Once it gets dark the tents cool down pretty well and i don't believe the VX side vents will make a meaningful difference. also if its that warm and there isn't bugs. heck I say don't bother setting up the tent! We do that often times as well.

if you have a vx its not a bad tent, I am now fully onboard with kodiak over springbar. springbar has unacceptable floor materials even with their USA made tents. If you want to get a VX go for it. I am just saying what I would want and why.

The one thing I like about the VX is with their roof in place you can drop those upside down V windows quite a bit even in the rain whereas the regular door windows only get a little bit before letting rain in. If my use was only mountain hunting I agree though no need for the extra failure points on the sides and a dull sheet of solid canvas is probably best. Usually up there we get snow instead of rain and either way I don't need to open the windows anyway.