Wall tent build out advice?

Joined
Nov 8, 2016
Messages
1,777
Location
Kiowa/Deer Trail, CO
The angled pipe out the back door is a great idea. The only downside being that you have to carry wood to the back of the tent and track in more mess in the process.


Women and men tend to have different expectations. If you have a floor, bring a broom.
Uhh, the stove is in the front of the tent, no wood carrying or mess involved.....

And if you have a floor, the broom idea is good. The woman needs something to do. To meet HER expectations.....grin
 
Joined
Dec 5, 2019
Messages
319
I won't own another wall tent with a roofjack. Never a burnhole in the roof, and easier to tarp with an endmount....... endmounts beat the heck out of wallmounts on the side, as they allow a steeper pipe for draft.

You won't have draw problems if you eliminate the elbows and horizontal pipes. hint

IMG_1902.jpg




A single adjustable elbow at the stove to allow a steep pipe, is where it's at...
I see charcoal briquettes in the picture. do you use those in the stove?
 

Jfish

FNG
Joined
Apr 5, 2018
Messages
31
Location
SE Va
Have a 14x16 w three guys, standard military cots, plus stove and small table in middle. Clothes in totes that side under bunks. Four guys in a 15 is going to be a bit cramped. Definitely doable but not much extra space for sure.
Regarding the awning. Picked up a large white tarp runs from back all the way out front. That extra layer over the tent has kept the roof free of stains and saved us on hot embers during a couple high wind events. Tarp burnt canvas fine.
Davis pole bags worth every penny, buyem.
Get plenty of large spikes with washers. Welding works but pushing a rubber washer under metal washers hold them in place just as good. Tie a 550 cord loop under each washer. Makes pulling them up much easier.
Good luck you won’t go wrong w Davis.
 

Seeknelk

WKR
Joined
Jul 10, 2017
Messages
847
Location
NW MT
We did 4 guys (dad n 3 grown sons) all with full size cots on a cold hunt this year. It was crowded but there was enough room. Even with bringing our packs and stuff in to dry we did ok. If it was usually 4+ guys I would certainly get a bigger size. Usually 1-3 people with Occasionally 4 , I can make do. It was high wind country so we didnt tarp or have an awning. (I haven't built that frame or ordered the awning vinyl yet) In real high wind country, an awning that is one piece with the tent canvas or even secondary tarp , might be asking for trouble. Davis mentions it somewhere.
Had a folding table against the stove side wall, bins under cots and table. Cooked inside. Had a couple camp chairs kinda in the way. I just use a cheap tarp on 3/4 of the floor in gumbo country like that, because it warms up and turns into quite a mess inside without. If it's too nasty I throw it away. Canvas right on the mud would SUCK.
 
OP
lintond

lintond

WKR
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
1,612
Location
Oregon
Have a 14x16 w three guys, standard military cots, plus stove and small table in middle. Clothes in totes that side under bunks. Four guys in a 15 is going to be a bit cramped. Definitely doable but not much extra space for sure.
Regarding the awning. Picked up a large white tarp runs from back all the way out front. That extra layer over the tent has kept the roof free of stains and saved us on hot embers during a couple high wind events. Tarp burnt canvas fine.
Davis pole bags worth every penny, buyem.
Get plenty of large spikes with washers. Welding works but pushing a rubber washer under metal washers hold them in place just as good. Tie a 550 cord loop under each washer. Makes pulling them up much easier.
Good luck you won’t go wrong w Davis.

We had 4 in a 16’ this fall but we also had a cook shack. It was plenty full. More then likely 2-3 would be more typical.

550 cord is a great idea


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Yaada_205

FNG
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
37
Location
Corvallis, MT
I've got a Davis 14x16, got it 2 years ago.

Looks like you got a good build going... just some small additional items I think you might like.

You're more than likely going to be doing some stake modifications, such as adding washers, etc just to get the guy lines securely tightened down. I just recently ordered their secure stakes, looks more improved than using the super large nails they call stakes that comes with your tent. I hope they are better than what Ive been using. You'll see once you start staking down your tent with the included stakes.

Also - I dont see this mentioned in other wall tent posts either, but I think its a good idea to bring a small fire extinguisher for emergencies. I had bought two of them for our house, in the garage and centrally located. So when comes time we are using the wall tent, I just take the one from the garage and pack it with our gear.

I just recently ordered a Carbon Monoxide battery detector too. I guess you really can get away without it, but recently what happened was I was stuck with using sappy, still wet, wood from a downed tree. So it caused the spark arrestor to get clogged quicker than I was used to, and creosote build up in the pipe..... I do a slow burn setting, by lowering the damper to 45 or even 55-60 degree angle and close the front door vents to where they are like slits rather than the shape of cat eyes. And one night I woke up to see smoke puffing inward coming from the door vents of the wood stove, bringing in potentially carbon monoxide. I still had some of the windows slightly cracked open.... but still I'd rather be safe!

And I got some of these S shaped hooks to hang on all the ridge poles through out the tent. You can hang all your clothes and jackets on to get them dried out. Or hang battery powered lanterns, other gear, etc....Heres link to the them: S Hooks

Also we went with a 3/4 removeable floor rather than the full. We sweep dirt out onto the 1/4 open dirt area and also store the wood for the night in this area up against the door. I have a small section of astro turf lay down in this area to help with keeping the dirt from being tracked into the 3/4 floor. Either way we get dirt on the floor (mud in this hunt from the melted snow) so we just sweep it out.

Hope this helps! Good luck!
 
Last edited:
OP
lintond

lintond

WKR
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
1,612
Location
Oregon
I've got a Davis 14x16, got it 2 years ago.

Looks like you got a good build going... just some small additional items I think you might like.

You're more than likely going to be doing some stake modifications, such as adding washers, etc just to get the guy lines securely tightened down. I just recently ordered their secure stakes, looks more improved than using the super large nails they call stakes that comes with your tent. I hope they are better than what Ive been using. You'll see once you start staking down your tent with the included stakes.

Also - I dont see this mentioned in other wall tent posts either, but I think its a good idea to bring a small fire extinguisher for emergencies. I had bought two of them for our house, in the garage and centrally located. So when comes time we are using the wall tent, I just take the one from the garage and pack it with our gear.

I just recently ordered a Carbon Monoxide battery detector too. I guess you really can get away without it, but recently what happened was I was stuck with using sappy, still wet, wood from a downed tree. So it caused the spark arrestor to get clogged quicker than I was used to, and creosote build up in the pipe..... I do a slow burn setting, by lowering the damper to 45 or even 55-60 degree angle and close the front door vents to where they are like slits rather than the shape of cat eyes. And one night I woke up to see smoke puffing inward coming from the door vents of the wood stove, bringing in potentially carbon monoxide. I still had some of the windows slightly cracked open.... but still I'd rather be safe!

And I got some of these S shaped hooks to hang on all the ridge poles through out the tent. You can hang all your clothes and jackets on to get them dried out. Or hang battery powered lanterns, other gear, etc....Heres link to the them: S Hooks

Also we went with a 3/4 removeable floor rather than the full. We sweep dirt out onto the 1/4 open dirt area and also store the wood for the night in this area up against the door. I have a small section of astro turf lay down in this area to help with keeping the dirt from being tracked into the 3/4 floor. Either way we get dirt on the floor (mud in this hunt from the melted snow) so we just sweep it out.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

I was planning on adding washers based on some other posts. Also love the S hooks thanks for the link!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Tbuckus

WKR
Joined
Jun 4, 2016
Messages
343
size- you can fit 4 hunters, but it will be very cramped. Done it before. 3 is our max now if cooking inside. If more are coming we bring the 16x20
windows- yes if summer camping. One of our tents has only one on the back and it works 90% of the time.
doors- doors on both ends in case you bring another one and put it end to end
eave holes- a must. Adding a porch of any type was a game changer.
storm flap- save your money. I rarely use mine.
floor- that is non negotiable. The only time I’ve ever been in a floorless tent is with a teepee tent. we have to set up with snow on the ground for elk season And it takes a day or two for the snow to melt. Walking in socks or bare feet to stoke the fire at night is nicer with a floor and not stepping on a pine cone, rock or stick. Sewn in? Absolutely not. We use a canvas tarp and put a fire blanket under the stove. The cut out ones are nice. Just don’t use a plastic tarp. Way too noisy.
stove jack- yes roof ones draft way better. Have had more issues with burn holes with the roof jack tent. Our wall vent doesn’t have that problem but once it gets going, it’s fine.
 

EasilyExcited

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 20, 2016
Messages
269
The s hooks or coat hangers fit well also
And mouse traps are a must have in a floor less in the areas we wall tent
 
Joined
Jun 15, 2017
Messages
472
Location
Wyoming
Third, you might consider some 12" lag bolts with washers for stakes and use an impact driver to put them in and take them out.

I love my Davis wall tents, very comfortable camping.

Impact driver to put in the stakes. Now, that's a pro move!
 

hh76

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 2, 2021
Messages
232
Couple of my quick thoughts.

4 in a 14x16 works, but will be crowded if you want to use it for more than just sleeping. If everyone wants to hang out in there, we usually shift the cots out of the way. If everyone wants to hang up clothes, it gets real small in there.

I love having windows on both sides. They are good for venting heat when you over do it with the stove, and it's nice to be able to look outside on occasion.

Get a full floor, especially if you plan to be setting up when the ground is wet or snowy, but I wouldn't worry about the cut out for the stove. I put down a welding blanket under the stove, but don't worry much about burning a hole in the floor. It can always be duct taped, or replaced in the future.

Get the awning, it's a great place to cook and store gear.

Get some S hooks for hanging gear, but be careful. I use some shower curtain hooks that have ball ends. I tossed out a bunch of regular S hooks after watching someone trying to jump up and hook the ridge pipe. Wasn't hard to imagine the slightly sharper hook taring through the canvas.
 

bmart2622

WKR
Joined
Jun 16, 2013
Messages
2,382
Location
Montana
A 14x16 works well with 4 guys on cots with a stove and room left over for a kitcken area. I like to have a floor that covers the sleeping area with the front 3rd open
 

Keener22

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 18, 2021
Messages
170
Location
New Mexico
I just used my Davis 14x15 for the first time, we got the elk package and upgraded to the bigger stove and better bags.

It was getting down into the low 20s/upper teens at night with a nice SE NM wind. Made it quite cold and we burned through a lot of wood, but the stove kept us comfortable if we kept it burning.

With two guys, we had room for a cook table, small chest freezer, and then an extra table for misc. stuff. We were in a palace. For 4 guys, I think it would be tight. Cooking inside plus winter conditions would be tough in that tent. We will 100% be adding an awning and maybe cook shack if we need it again next winter. Freeing up the extra room inside with those additions would make it okay with 4 guys, especially if you’re in warm conditions and don’t need a stove.

The risk of a windy day this time of year in Southern NM is constant, so we upgraded the stakes. We ended up taking 3/8” T-Bar stakes that are either 18 or 24 inches long. Those were much better than the short 12” stakes to me. We also used a few secure stakes on the side because we ran out of T-Bars. Those seem to hold quite nicely as well.

I also recommend- if you have the money, space, and time- to add a generator to your camping setup. A couple extension cords made life comfortable on those could windy days. Great for a little electric heater or freezer, and we also bought a set of those string construction site lights from harbor freight. I don’t know at what point it goes from tent to log cabin but we were pretty close.
 
Joined
Dec 31, 2021
Messages
1,821
Location
Montana
We started with one tent and the kitchen under a tarp porch. We ended up with a kitchen tent set about 10 ft opposite of the sleeping tent and the area in between bridged with a tarp. That way we could have a folding table in the cook tent for eating. The food was stored in there with seperate stove.

The sleeping tent had a stove near the door in the first half for drying clothes and boots and the second half for the sleeping area.

The combination fit 4 people very well. The food smells stayed in the cook tent and plenty of room in the sleeping tent. The tents were 10 x 15 with 5 ft sidewalls. We usually had canvas tarps set 4" above the tent to control frost buildup. They made breaking camp much easier.

In most cases we could move the camp in 4 miles with two pack horses and two round trips. The tents fit nicely as top packs over wooden kitchen boxes. The second trip was usually canvas panniers and personal gear with the stoves as the top packs.
 
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