Recommendations for first Tent?

[colmoultrie]

I'd like to look into a first tent for use at Cherry Flats Rendevous this August. Last year, Nessmuk was kind enough to let me bunk in with him for a night, but this year I'd like to bring the wife and two kids, at least for one day.

They will definitely stay at Ft. Motel, and depending on the weather and how things go, I might too, but my wife definitely wants to get a cmpsite and a primitive tent, just so the kids have somewhere to go and rest and play - they're 5 and 2.

What are your recommendations? I would rather not spend $500 on a tent that may not see too much use (although, who knows as the kids get older), but I would like a source for a decent primitive tent that will sleep at least two. If it's HC for F&I or Rev. War, so much the better! Thanks.

 

[tg]

One of the larger Bell Back wedge tents might be a good choice, I have the small one whish is OK for two and great for one.

 

[mmahlock]

Check out Panther Primitive and Tentsmiths. :thumbsup:

 

[Ranger1759]

check out the big ones....Panther primitive, tentsmith, R&K lodges...all offer decent wedge tents... British and French bell backs...most models under 300.00 a few nice ones around 250.00 I have a panther 8X8X6 British troopers wedge and I love it! It will fit my wife and I plus plenty of gear...But with the little one(who seem to always get bigger)I would go with a:

Large Revolutionary War w/ 15” Bell 6’ X 9’ X6’2" Sunforger Marine Boatshrunk $260...

British Cavalry (24” Bell)7’ X 7’ X 6’
Sunforger Marine Boatshrunk $242

1751 French (42” Bell)7’ X 7’ X 6’
Sunforger Marine Boatshrunk $300

This is copied and pasted right from the panther primitive website.
I also looked at tentsmith, as they are under on some tents, and over on other style...

Bottom line is shop around deals are out there!

 

[zimmerstutzen]

check on the price of canvas with art supply houses like Utrecht. They sell some really big pieces, as I recall up to 10 ft wide. I bought such a peice years ago at Utrecht and used it for a diamond shelter, then as a fly
http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_specialgroups.cfm?sp_groupID=613

 

[pargent]

I agree a wedge tent fits into so many timeframes ,its the way to go.You can add awnings etc. as you need, I use painters drop sheets for awnings & flys etc :thumbsup:

 

[colmoultrie]

Sounds good - a wedge tent it is - preferably with a bell. Then what poles are required? Are there any that, like a modern tent, use pieces that would easily fit into a small SUV - an Escape to be exact?

 

[Coot]

You might check Tentsmiths website for lots of info & suggestions on period tents. A wedge needs three poles - two vertical and one ridge, which will vary in length depending on the size of the wedge. Some people use metal tubes to join two piece poles, making for more compact packing. Others tie their one piece poles to the roof of their vehicle. Both systems work. My personal preference is for one piece poles.

 

[Ranger1759]

tell ya what I did....like I said earlier, I have a 8x8 british wedge. without a bell...anyhow, I use treated 2x2's from lowes and a couple peices of 2inch pvc pipe.... for the 2 up rights I used plastic paint to paint them black.. for the ridge I left it white(no one will see it anyway)

cut all poles in half...
cut the pvc into lengths of about 14-16 inches
carfully shave one end of the poles until they slides into the pvc pipe about half way(7-8inches) and put a screw through it to hold it in place

The 3 remaining half poles... just shave the ends until they slide into the other end of the pvc, but don't screw them in

now you have 3 poles that are strong, but come apart easily and are about 3 to 4 foot in lenght...

my poles = 4 @ 3 foot and 2 at 4 foot
they easily fit into my Jeep Wrangler.
hope this helps...Ranger

 

[ohio ramrod]

While a wedge tent is PC for all time frames. I use a one pole pyrimid ( I know that isn't correct spelling but it is the best I can do ) because it is easy for one person to set up. And besides as the kids learned long ago you can fit eight boyscouts in a 12x12 at a polar bear campout when freezing rain hits the light boy scout tents.

 

[fiddler]

I have a Tentsmiths 1751 French Bell wedge and I drive a Ford Escape. The 2 uprights and ridgepole get lashed on the roof rack (along with poles for the awning). I used to use a hinged ridgepole that would fit inside and I suppose you could make 2 piece uprights, but if you have a roof rack, its the way to go. (plus thats how you spot fellow rendezvousers on the road) You will have no problem filling the inside of your vehicle by the time you add coolers, boxes, cooking gear etc. I have recently added one of those racks that fit your hitch receiver to haul my coolers and that has been a help. I have been trying to avoid a trailer just because I don't have a convenient place to store it but....it may be a losing battle.

 

[Heavy Eagle]

:thumbsup: For my own camping by lonesome, I use a 9X9X7 wedge tent. But since you say you have a wife and two kids I would recommend a pyramid tent. Friend and I use to have a 14X14 that was 11 1/2 ft tall. Four stakes and then run a single pole up inside and it was set up. I could set up by myself in 5 minutes and take it down and roled up in 10. Need long big stakes (16-18" of 3/8)at the corner and then 12" quarters along the side. Recommend lodge pole pine as it will bend when the canvas gets wet and tightens. Ours had a tipi style door, a screened in back window and a stove pipe panel and flap. Depending how old your kids are, 2 things: 1) small kids tend to trip over a tipi door and 2) a propane heater buddy to heat tent since kids can easily get burn on a stove. A blacksmith can build hangers to go on the pole to hang lanterns or clothes. A nice 8X10X7 wall tent would work nicely also. :hmm:

 

[napolean]

Try Don Strintz, Here is a link.
He often has some used tents as I believe he takes trade ins.
His quality cannot be surpassed. https://www.strinztipi.com/estore/
Jon D

 

[Scott_C]

If you're looking for historical accuracy, both the wedge and wall tents are your best bets.

 

[colmoultrie]

Thanks everyone - looks like a wedge tent it is - combination of ease of setup and historical accuracy.

Now the next question: did any tents ffrom the 18th century, say end of F&I War or Rev War, have doors at both ends? Seems like that would be nice for the daytime heat.

 

[BillinOregon]

Second question is how does a rear door work on a bell back.

 

[Coot]

Before going to a marque, we had a Tentsmiths museum wedge with a rear door and a roof vent. At a lot of the events that we go to, heat is much more of an issue than cold. The roof vent was used a lot - easier to open & shut than the rear door, more privacy and more effective in still air (lets hot air escape out the top of the tent). The rear door worked fine if there was a bit of air moving but took more time to fasten/unfasten and since the bell was kind of a storage area, we often had to step over stuff to get to the rear door. If we were to go back to a wedge, I would certainly want the rear door option (and the roof vent). Neither the roof vent nor the rear door was ever questioned at juried events such as Mansker's, Martin's or Fort Fred.

PS - we also got toggles rather than ties on the doors - much easier to work the outer closures from inside the tent.