Canvas lean-to shelters....

[robtattoo]

Anyone ever spent any amount of time in a Whelan or Baker style, lean-to tent?

I'm seriously considering one for decent weather camping, rendezvous etc... but I've never actually been in one. I'm told that they're the 'ultimate shelter' but I'm told that about every shape, size & style of tent ever made.

 

[crockett]

Yeah. I wouldn't use it if it is summer and the bugs are bad but in the Fall or once the bugs go away I really like an open shelter because you are "always outdoors" rather than cooped up in a canvas enclosure. It's easy going in and out without doors, bug nets, etc and in a rain you stay about as dry as a lot of tents. A lot of tents only keep you dry a few hours but after a couple of days everything is pretty wet. IMHO a lean to works best with an open fire and in many places today the open fire isn't allowed so that influences things a bit. You also need poles cut on site- usually.
And there's all sorts of things about the open shelter- I've had a rabbit crawl up my back and go to sleep. Seen deer sneek by, and had a porcupine keep wanting to nose around. The fun never ends. :grin:

 

[Claude Mathis]

I had one a long time ago and it was easy to live in. Being able to drop the awning part way when it rained was nice.

 

[William O.]

They always issued us Baker tents at BSA summer camp and there was always a thunderstorm at least one night each week. I found it to be pretty comfortable and water proof, but these were heavy, OD green canvas construction so I don't know how Sunforager type canvas would have faired in the same type of conditions. Being able to put the front flap down did help keep out the rain.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

According to Kephart in Camping and Woodcraft, he prefers the Baker for summer and winter, especially a variation that he calls the Campfire Tent. Since he could have any tent that he wished, as back then folks simply took the specs to a seamstress or sailmaker, and had the tent sewn up..., he tried and reviewed many tents.

His second choice was what he called The Royce Tent, which is a modified, one pole, pyramid, that gives one some of the advantages of a lean-to, and some of the all weather quality and ease of set-up and transport of a pyramid. The drawback of the Royce is the front doors don't form an awning as the Baker or Campfire tents do.

His book is available online in PDF, and include plans for sewing a Royce, as well as his reviews of the other tents out there in his time.

Camping and Woodcraft

LD

 

[zimmerstutzen]

The standard Baker style requires too many poles for some uses. My first primitive tent was a baker from RK lodges and required 8 poles to set it up. My Panther wall tent could do with three. My Marquis requires a trailer load of poles. A tipi is even worse. A lean ti is the ultimate for ease of set up. However, each has it's draw backs for standing room and entertaining guests in bad weather. Spent a rendezvous in an 8x8 baker with two kids. rainy days tried my patience. Spent two or three rendys with 4 people in a 10x10 wall tent, ... better. But the 15 x 15 Marquis was like heaven, even with 6 people.

 

[Black Hand]

A large bell-back wedge is very comfortable and easy to set up - 3 poles and no ropes.

 

[DUSTY 14]

look at the setup tutorial on nwwoodsman.com i added loops and d rings to tarp and set it up as the closing tent. appears very versatile and matches some of the tents in my wifes grandfathers pics from 1900

 

[crockett]

Loyalist Dave, if you get down to the Smokies both visitor centers sell both hardback and paperback editions, the paperback is around $15 if I remember, A classic book everyone ought to read.

 

[S.Kenton]

I'd like instructions on how to make the Bell Back wedge ...I'm looking to make a shelter soon. however I want it as transportable as possible. No frills...just a roof over my head.

 

[onepaw]

i loved my baker, cept for putting it up and taking it down...

 

[kodiakmarine]

I'm looking at making a diamond shelter out of a drop cloth. Should work for the limited camping I'll be doing during the summer. I'll buy another canvas in the fall to add flaps. I'll coat it all with Thompson's. Cheap, simple to carry and set up, and easy to make.

 

[Black Hand]

With high-quality canvas, treatment is unnecessary. Avoid the canvas drop-cloths from Lowes/Home depot, as they rip easily and don't shed water. Treated, they may repel (some) water but are more prone to ripping (Been there, done that). I have had great luck with Sherwin-Williams canvas drop-cloth right out of the package (No treatment what-so-ever). Used in torrential downpours without any leakage or even misting.

I repeat, avoid the cheap drop-cloths from Lowes/Home depot.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

THANK YOU! :thumbsup:

Great tip, but I already have a copy in paperback..., it's so useful it is what prompted me to find it online for quick reference when using the computer. :grin:

I'd like instructions on how to make the Bell Back wedge ...I'm looking to make a shelter soon. however I want it as transportable as possible. No frills...just a roof over my head.

Well though it is a rather simple tent, and one person can set it up, a single pole tent or a diamond shelter are simpler and lighter. My bell back has 3 poles, 16 stakes, and a 2 pound hammer.

LD

 

[jbtusa]

I agree. Home Depot/Lowes are too cheap. The weave is too loose, even after washing & shrinking, and rain seives through.

 

[kodiakmarine]

Thanks for the tip Black Hand.