Tipi size?

[chipper]

I just sold my 12' tipi for a nice profit and I'm on to make my second one. I have a family of 4 (two small children).
What's a good size for my next Lodge? I plan to use it hunting and rondys durning the summer. The 12' was nice but a bit snug with family and gear. I've only been in a 12' and an 18 foot tipi. The 18 seemed to be almost too large. Does anyone have a family like mine and use a tipi? What size do you suggest?
Normally with the 12', I built a fire in a brazier and moved it outside for sleeping.

Note: I'm planning to initially use ripped 2/4's for poles. Later in the summer I'll gather poles as needed.
The ripped 16'x2x4's worked good on a 12' tipi, will they also work on something up to 18' if I use 2x4x20's

I'll carry the poles on top of my mini van.
I have a small utility trailer that I pull for gear storage.

Regards
Wounded Knee

 

[Holley]

I would go for a good size 16ft' tipi. I have had an 18+, 17'+, 14', 12'+ and a 10'. Go with the 16foot for that size family.

 

[chipper]

Thanks Will I be able to reach the lacing pins on a 16'? I'm 6 foot tall. Carrying a ladder is a bummer.

Regards

 

Thanks Will I be able to reach the lacing pins on a 16'? I'm 6 foot tall. Carrying a ladder is a bummer.

What would the Indians have done? Perhaps make a 2-3 rung ladder from your smoke flap poles and scrap wood? :grin:

 

[Mike Moore]

Loyd,
Good question! Tying the cover and placing the top lacing pin can be hard sometimes. I can do it on my 14', on a 16' you probably can do fine. If not, here are some suggestions:
-you did not say how small your kids are, if they are old enough to tie their moccasins, they can do the tie (if it is not pulled away too tight) and place the lacing pins in. They fit well on your shoulders and usually like to help anyway.
-I have stood on ice chests, wooden boxes and even my bag of tipi stakes to do things like that.
-In your vehicle, keep a small step ladder or stool, a two to three step will probably be more than enough.
-get on your hands and knees and have your wife stand on your back. (most wives can do this and relish the opportunty to step on us men.)
- I have used a rolled up bed roll to do the same thing. Lots of time we don't need much of a boost to get things like this done. Of course, we can just let the lady of the house figure this out, since it actually their job to do this!
Hope you have many good trips in the new lodge!
mike.

 

[chipper]

Thanks for the reply's. I think I've settled in on 16' as the size I need. I think I'm going to use rather short poles from reading the other posts and I'm going to keep the size of the smoke flaps shorter this time. It never dawned on me but If I use longer smoke flaps I could probably get away with fewer lacing pins twords the top and I won't have to reach so high. During rain and wind, I just shut the smoke flaps anyway.

Regards

 

[Turtle2]

Loyd,

Any update on your new Tipi? Just curious how it's coming along.

-Turtle2-

 

[Bountyhunter]

I'm working on a commercial venture in Colorado presently building a Tipi Village. We will be using Reese Tipi's. Their website has a lot of useful info on tipis and smokeflaps.

B

 

[Turtle2]

Whereabouts in Colorado? Sounds interesting.

-Turtle-

 

[chipper]

Whereabouts in Colorado? Sounds interesting.

-Turtle-

Sorry, I was sick all last week with diptheria, or was that colera. Well, at least I was sick. Anyway, I live in Loveland Colorado and I'm the scribe of the Buckhornskinners shooting club.
I still haven't started the tepee yet, I just spent a load of money getting my blacksmithing tools together and some leather craft stuff. I have a small side business making copper trinkets.

Regards
Wounded Knee