Truck Camp - Kodiak Canvas, Springbar vs Wall Tent

[RepCity_BK]

This topic has been covered on here and I've read through similar threads but would appreciate the input from those who have these types of setups.

Looking for a truck camp type setup, things that are important to me:
1. Ease of setup
2. Footprint of stowed away gear
3. Four season usage
4. Stove compatible.

Most of my hunting is with one other buddy. We prefer archery hunting elk in September but also apply for October hunts and late rifle AZ hunts. Ideally we can fit all of our gear for a 7-10 day hunt into one truck bed with a topper (reasoning for footprint of stowed away gear being important). We stay pretty mobile and may move camp 2-3 times in a 10 day hunt so ease of setup and tear down is important. For late hunts we'd bring a buddy heater to keep the chill off during the evenings and then sleep with no heat during the night, at least until the day comes where we want to deal with a wood stove.

Main concerns with a full blown canvas wall tent is the footprint it takes when stowed. Feel like we would fill up our truck bed really fast with just the tent and frame.

I have noticed a lot of people recommending either the Kodiak Canvas (Cabin or Flexbow) or Springbar tents (Classic Jack 140 or Skyliner) for similar type recommendations. For two guys who keep a pretty minimalist camp these options seem ideal. Main concerns with these would be how they hold up in high winds, overall durability, and customer service. I'd be using this for everything from archery elk throughout the west to later october deer hunts and late season AZ elk hunts where the winds could get pretty bad. I do like that the Skyliner is made in America, though the price of the Kodiak options or the Classic Jack 140 look great.

Thanks for any recommendations or first hand experiences shared.

 

[svivian]

Youre not going to have any wind issues with a properly staked/setup Kodiak flexbow or Springbar

 

[menhaden_man]

Kodiak with a buddy heater is perfect for two guys and all their stuff. Mine must be ten years old.

 

[Tmac]

My Kodiak is much easier and quicker to set up than my wall tent. Packs down smaller too, but it's not a compact tent. The biggest difference is in a wall tent the walls go straight up. The Kodiak has an inward slope so the usable floor space is less for putting tables/cots along the walls.

I’ve not used a cabin style Kodiak, but that is possibly the best of both options, straight up walls and ease of set up. I’d check those out too.

 

[camelcluch]

I set my Kodiak up in 20 minutes solo. I store in a 150 qt cooler and have no issues. The Springbar comes with a stove jack if that’s a priority.

 

[ElkArcher918]

I've used the Kodiak 10'x10' VX Deluxe the last 2 years for truck/basecamp elk hunting from early through mid-season. Comfortable and spacious enough for two guys, cots, and gear. Properly set up and staked out it handles the wind like a champ. Practice setting it up at home and you'll be good to go. I go the extra mile and set up a footprint beneath it for protection and purchased a heavy duty waxed canvas inner floor for added warm and comfort. Pro tip: use 8"-10"lag screws, washers, and impact wrench to anchor all 17 stake out points. Good value, fairly easy to set up, and weather worthy.

 

[svivian]

I've used the Kodiak 10'x10' VX Deluxe the last 2 years for truck/basecamp elk hunting from early through mid-season. Comfortable and spacious enough for two guys, cots, and gear. Properly set up and staked out it handles the wind like a champ. Practice setting it up at home and you'll be good to go. I go the extra mile and set up a footprint beneath it for protection and purchased a heavy duty waxed canvas inner floor for added warm and comfort. Pro tip: use 8"-10"lag screws, washers, and impact wrench to anchor all 17 stake out points. Good value, fairly easy to set up, and weather worthy.

X2 on the lag bolts. Just be careful not to get the threads caught in the loops as it will tear them up…. Ask me how I know

 

[cnelk]

IMO - Any similar sized tent will take up about the same footprint for storage

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Love my Flexbow 10x14 but for what you describe I'd take my Alaskan Guide 6 man instead. We don't bother with a stove in either, 10 mins of the buddy heater before crawling in the sleeping bags and off then hit snooze on the Alarm in the morning and click the buddy heater on and it's toasty getting dressed. The difference in packed size and weight is insane. I take the Flexbow with my wife and setup a table inside and all sorts of niceties, with a buddy it's a lot more streamlined. If wind is a concern I always go with the Alaskan Guide, sleep like a baby no matter the wind but the Kodiak keeps me up and nervous.

 

[cwitt]

I have no affiliation with Kodiak but I can’t recommend them or their Flexbow tents enough. I guide full time in multiple states from August to February and I easily spend 100 of those days a year in my 10x14.

A 10x14 with the deluxe bag packs down surprisingly small. Maybe a small suitcase type size for the canvas and the poles take up less room than a cot. That size would feel like a palace for two guys especially if you keep a minimalist camp but two could also sleep comfortably in the 10x10. When they’re properly staked down, I have never once had an issue with wind or snow load. They take one guy maybe 10 minutes at the most to set up - obviously even faster with a second person. They do not come with a stove jack but I have never felt the need for anything more than a buddy heater. I’ve seen videos of guys adding stove jacks to them if you do eventually go that route but again, I’ve never felt the need. Kodiak has also been great to work with. I’ve never had a warranty issue they didn’t handle. Just about everybody I work with also uses these tents personally and for clients. I’ve never heard about a bad experience from them either. If they’re well taken care of and put away dry, there’s no reason they shouldn’t last a decade or more.

If you do go the Kodiak route, the Deluxe version is well worth the extra $50 for the nicer storage bag options. It is able to compress the tent much smaller. I also have a harbor freight tarp I lay out under the tent for some extra protection for the floor that fits in the bag with the tent.

FWIW, their sleeping bags are also fantastic.