Best way to add sod flaps and can I see some pictures please?

[Bark-eater]

I've got a new RK Lodges British infantry wedge tent that I'm considering having a local canvas maker add sod flaps too.

I figure that once the tent gets muddy that opportunity will be gone and was wondering if anyone had any pictures of how sod flaps are sewn on to their tents or any suggestions on how to "design" them that I can pass on to the canvas maker. Thanks, Woody

 

[FlaminCrow]

The sod cloth, generally a 12” flap, is usually sewn into the edge seam.
I don’t have any pics but just tell them to stitch it around the INNER edge.
When I started out I used a 5x7 Panther wedge, cheapest I could get, no sod cloth. I learned a good 10x10 painters canvas worked really well for a floor, curled up the sides.

 

[Bark-eater]

The sod cloth, generally a 12” flap, is usually sewn into the edge seam.
I don’t have any pics but just tell them to stitch it around the INNER edge.
When I started out I used a 5x7 Panther wedge, cheapest I could get, no sod cloth. I learned a good 10x10 painters canvas worked really well for a floor, curled up the sides.

Are the flaps connected at the corners, or just overlapped?

 

[FlaminCrow]

Are the flaps connected at the corners, or just overlapped?

Just overlapped.

 

[andy52]

Sod flaps are nice to keep the wind from coming in the bottom of the tent but as @FlamingCrow said a oversized ground cloth would do the same thing.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Yes they just overlap at the corners, and I lay the painter tarp so it's over top of them in the corners. Sleep like a log with temps in the Fahrenheit teens.

 

[Bark-eater]

I thought making some sort fitted version of the oversized tarp with corners sewn up to make a bathtub that came up the walls a bit.

Back in the dark ages, I spent the good part of a year in northern coastal California under a canvas tarp with an inner skirt wall from a tipi hung around the inner perimeter.

I found that as long as the tip of my nose was bellow the level of the skirt I slept warm. Because of the constant damp it was important to have lots of airflow. The second hand Tipi was not the way to go in that environment.

Being on the East Coast for 3 of 4 seasons, it's the bugs that are the biggest concern for getting some sleep and avoiding tick bourn sickness.

 

[FlaminCrow]

I thought making some sort fitted version of the oversized tarp with corners sewn up to make a bathtub that came up the walls a bit.

Back in the dark ages, I spent the good part of a year in northern coastal California under a canvas tarp with an inner skirt wall from a tipi hung around the inner perimeter.

I found that as long as the tip of my nose was bellow the level of the skirt I slept warm. Because of the constant damp it was important to have lots of airflow. The second hand Tipi was not the way to go in that environment.

Being on the East Coast for 3 of 4 seasons, it's the bugs that are the biggest concern for getting some sleep and avoiding tick bourn sickness.

Tipi living is another monster all together.
Make a little mix of sulfur and lime, dust around your tent, will keep ticks at bay.

 

[beardedhorse]

My Don Strintz 12 ft pyramid had a sod cloth that rotted. Got some Sunforger to re sew by hand. If no one sees it you could velcro the sod cloth and remove it to dry separately. Putting away wet canvas is sure fire way to shorten lifespan by mild and rot. Take precaution to use a mildew resistant, treated sod cloth. They stink from off gassing. Never use bleach on canvas to wash, kill mold.

 

[Bark-eater]

I was thinking about using some sort of synthetic non absorbent canvas for the sod flaps to reduce the chance of mildew.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Have a look at some painter tarps in your local hardware store. The one I use for tent floor is vinyl on the underside. Might work for you to cut one up.

 

[FlaminCrow]

I was thinking about using some sort of synthetic non absorbent canvas for the sod flaps to reduce the chance of mildew.

I’ve seen it done like that. Just remember the seams are where the rot will start. Still have to hang and dry.