Anyone own a canvas tent?

[Sho'Nuff]

If so, do you like it?

As many of you know, my wife and I have a seasonal campsite in Maine. In reality it can hardly be called a campsite, as it houses a 36 foot travel trailer, deck, outdoor cookstation, etc. on it all year round. "Poor man's lake access" property is more like it.

Anyway, we have been having more and more guests up at our camp, and last year it was tough to house them all. As a result, I am going to build a platform and set up a tent on it for guest use. And mine when I need to get away from the wife and kids for a bit.

Most folks at our campground that have a tent platform pitch a canvas tent on it. I like the way their tents look, but being the cheap bastard I am I am having difficulty coming to grips with spending $1000+ on a 10x12 tent (this is the going rate). So I have to ask - what (if anything) makes a canvas tent better than a regular run of the mill nylon tent?

Also, anyone have any experience with the following tent companies?

http://www.coloradoyurt.com/tents/

http://www.davistent.com/index.cfm?id=B9780A99-715B-4DEF-8C66CDD920C0633F

I know plenty about Cabelas - anyone have any experience with one of these tents?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabela-s-Outfitter-Wall-Tents-by-Montana-Canvas/732409.uts

 

[DaTT]

If I didn't have to carry it anywhere, I'd use a canvas tent. The smell of them alone would bring back childhood camping memories on Georgian bay.

 

[DaTT]

Just looked at the links in your OP....wasn't expecting canvas houses.

 

[olds]

OP, how long do you want it to last?

 

[Sho'Nuff]

OP, how long do you want it to last?

Preferably as long as possible. It will be used pretty consistently between May and September each year. 8-10 years would be excellent. I think that is doable because the tent will not be on the ground, and I will likely hang a tarp over the top to keep the rain off most of it.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Just looked at the links in your OP....wasn't expecting canvas houses.

Not really looking at something quite as nice as what the pics on those sites show. I would like a 10'x12' so that we can put a couple full size beds and a cheap dresser in there. Otherwise I just need the tent to be waterproof and preferably tall enough to stand in.e

 

[olds]

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/search_catalog_command.cmd?fromProductSearch=true&item1=IK-513987

 

[Sho'Nuff]

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/search_catalog_command.cmd?fromProductSearch=true&item1=IK-513987

Yeah I saw those too. They are made by a company called Montana canvas. Funny thing is - you can order the same tent through montana canvas direct for ~$400 less (once you add the poles and the fly).

 

[BoomerD]

Canvas tents tend to be stronger than nylon for long term use, but IMO, there are two drawbacks...water seeps through them...waterproofing helps but IME, doesn't completely stop it...and the smell. Canvas tents always seem to have "that smell" about them. It's not a bad smell to most people...but for me, it's a bit of a turn off.

Other than one 4th of July weekend about 40 years ago, I haven't used a canvas tent since the 60's.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Canvas tents tend to be stronger than nylon for long term use, but IMO, there are two drawbacks...water seeps through them...waterproofing helps but IME, doesn't completely stop it...and the smell. Canvas tents always seem to have "that smell" about them. It's not a bad smell to most people...but for me, it's a bit of a turn off.

Other than one 4th of July weekend about 40 years ago, I haven't used a canvas tent since the 60's.

OK, makes sense. Can you recommend a good family wall tent that is not made of canvas?

 

[dougp]

OK, makes sense. Can you recommend a good family wall tent that is not made of canvas?

Doubtful, especially one that you can keep up year round. Quality canvas tents that are properly treated shouldn't even seep - but you still have to treat them every year because the sun will damage them. The best thing you could do is canvas tent + tin roof if you're concerned about seepage over time.

 

[JJ650]

We have a huge one that belonged to my dad. It was a Sears model from the 70's. No dry rot and holds in the heat quite well when the heaters are used. Heavy as hell though. There is no easy way to move it around. It's something you keep in the jeep or vehicle and then drag it out. It's not good at all to hump to the camp site.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

We have a huge one that belonged to my dad. It was a Sears model from the 70's. No dry rot and holds in the heat quite well when the heaters are used. Heavy as hell though. There is no easy way to move it around. It's something you keep in the jeep or vehicle and then drag it out. It's not good at all to hump to the camp site.

I won't be humping it anywhere. Its going to be set up on a platform next to my travel trailer. I plan to set it up in May and take it down in September . . . so . . . weight is not an issue.

 

[Alevian]

love it and do not regret buyin it

 

[xSauronx]

i cant help but wonder if an old pop-up or some kind of do it yourself storage shed wouldnt fit in that budget and...not be a tent.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

i cant help but wonder if an old pop-up or some kind of do it yourself storage shed wouldnt fit in that budget and...not be a tent.

This is not a bad idea . . . but the issue is that I can't erect a structure on the property that even looks permanent. We rent a seasonal campsite and the campground owner pitches a fit if it looks like you are erecting a permanent structure (a shed would qualify). Lots of people in the campground have tent platforms, which makes sense as the tent can come down in a half day and the platforms are built in sections so that they are easily moved.

As for the old pop up - those I have seen in the sub $1000 price range are in disgusting condition.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Canvas is superior to any other material in all ways except weight. When people say canvas wears out and leaks, the truth is all tents do and zippers fail way more frequently than waterproofing which can be renewed by the way. The company that offers the best engineered tents bar none is Panther. http://www.pantherprimitives.com/panther makes cabin tents, historical, military and, medieval tents. We have owned a 16 x 16 Regency for about 10 years. It is simply the best tent I've ever owned in 40+ years of camping. Panther is the go to company for historical movies and the like. The most important aspect of tents is the seam technology, followed by protection against sun rot and rain. Our tent does not leak, smell or, have any zippers to fail.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Canvas is superior to any other material in all ways except weight. When people say canvas wears out and leaks, the truth is all tents do and zippers fail way more frequently than waterproofing which can be renewed by the way. The company that offers the best engineered tents bar none is Panther. http://www.pantherprimitives.com/panther makes cabin tents, historical, military and, medieval tents. We have owned a 16 x 16 Regency for about 10 years. It is simply the best tent I've ever owned in 40+ years of camping. Panther is the go to company for historical movies and the like. The most important aspect of tents is the seam technology, followed by protection against sun rot and rain. Our tent does not leak, smell or, have any zippers to fail.

Interesting. Panther certainly looks like it makes a good tent. But I am wondering whether it might be better to go with tentsmiths.com. They are based in NH (driving distance from my home) and have a similar reputation.

Only issue I have with either manufacturer is that the specialize in period accurate tents ... which means no windows. Neither manufacturer states that windows are an option for their wall tents. And they do not offer other niceties (e.g., mosquito netting) either. At least not on their websites.

I'm going to run the Colorado Yurt specs by them and see what they say. If they can give me the same tent for less, that would be great.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

The only reason for windows is circulation. No one spends any time looking out them. Large period tents actually have pretty good air flow due to their high roof spans (ours is 13 foot). We have two candle chandeliers that give out as much light as a 60 watt bulb. They do raise the air temp about 7 degrees. We also have a king size bed that fits with room for a pair of side tables, a dining table, two chairs and, a portal privy with coverlet that doubles as a third chair. We also have a clothes rack and storage under the bed.