Wall tents and the stuff that goes with them.

[FemoralArchery]

I spent this year's elk hunt in my 6 man Ozark Trail tent. It's cheap and doesn't do a damn thing for the cold, but it has enough room for me and my stuff and keeps me dry at night. I have a good sleeping bag, so the temp is of little concern to me.

My biggest problem with it was the lack of room. When it was raining, which it did for several days this year during archery season, I had nowhere to get out of the rain. If I wanted to go inside, I pretty much was confined to my bed. Not fun when its raining all day. I also didn't have anywhere to hang up my clothes and get dry. I have a 2 burner coleman stove which I use for cooking and warming up my tent when it was especially cold in the mornings.

My dad had a wall tent for as long as I can remember (he lost it in a fire about 9 years ago) so I've spent a few nights in a tent. We never used a wood stove, we had a 3 burner propane stove, similar to a camp chef, that we used to keep the tent warm on cold nights. For the most part as a kid, we just used it camping, so it was never very cold.

I am purchasing a wall tent this spring. We will be staying in the tent for our 2 week hunt next year. Its going to be mid October, so it will be chilly for sure.

The tent is going to be big, probably a 15x21. I know this is huge, but I have a wife and 3 kids that will be staying in it while we are camping and after talking to the tent maker, and after much deliberation, we've decided this is the one I want.

[FemoralArchery]

What size of stove do you guys recommend? And what brand? This camp will always be driven to, never packed in on horses, so weight isn't a huge concern.

What about cook shacks? I'm looking at the awning/porch that extends out from the main tent. I've seen different variations; just the roof, one wall, two walls, fully enclosed. What do you guys with experience recommend?

What other stuff do you find useful for tent camping. Any and all info is appreciated.

[cnelk]

I have 3 wall tents.
I dont use a wood stove - only a propane MR Heater.
I also use a solar panel/deep cycle battery for 12v lights.

IMO - the 15x21 is a bit large. I would go with two 10x12s - [probably about the same price as one tent]
That way kids can have their own and mom and dad can have their own.

Use one for cooking/sleeping and the other for sleeping/gear.

I use astro turf for floors in two of them - one has a sewn in floor

Cover the tent with a tarp to keep any moisture of the canvas - also help to shed snow

Always think about the future as the kids wont be little for long, and you may just want to go by yourself sometimes
A 10x12 will sleep 3 guys with cots comfortably and with a small kitchen too

I build my own frame. Save some $$$

Here is a link to Davis Tent - some good info there - check out the stove section
Give them a call. They are very helpful

http://www.davistent.com/


Here is my 2013 camp and a pic of the 'cook tent'

[Glacier Country]

I have a camper that I use most of the time,but I also have a Montana Canvas 12x17 wall tent that is bad ass. I really like this tent!
Check them out at http://www.montanacanvas.com/collections/wall-tents . my wall tent is all canvas but the relite tents they make look very interesting. I have talked to them on the phone and they really know their Stuff. IMO

[elkaholic]

I have a 12x14 with a stove from Ken's and love it! Im not sure of the make but its just a square fire box and the pipe breaks down and the whole thing packs inside itself. I put an oversized tarp on the roof and stake it down. This gives me a bit of an awning yet helps with the rain and snow going off easier. Definitely get a frame. It helps in getting the most out of the tent and if things are wet you can run string from the braces to build clothes lines. Its been in the teens outside and with the stove I have been in my shorts and a t-shirt inside. Nice thing about the stove is you can feed it all night long or put a big log on just before bed and then shut it down.

If you need a big tent like that I would go with two. You will have a bit more privacy and if you ever go with just 2, you won't have to set that giant up.

[FemoralArchery]

I might go with a smidge smaller, but I will only be getting one tent this year. Next year I can get another.

Shane, do you have a window or screen door in yours? What do you use as a floor in your tent?

I guess you probably had a pretty good idea where I was getting my tent at, didn't you? Did you get your frame from him?

[elkaholic]

LOL. Yes I had a good idea where you would get yours. I don't have a window or screen on mine but really like the zipper on the door. Zip her up and buckle it down that things stays toasty! Days that are nice I open up one flap and hold it back with the build in straps on the corner eave.
For the floor I just use old carpet chunks that I roll up. I went to Thunder Mtn and got the angles for my tent, then went to Grover's and had them cut the round 1" piping to connect the angles. The tent should come with a chart on the lengths needed for the eaves, rafters, and legs. I can send you the lengths on mine if you get the same size.

I put letters on the 3 different sets of pipes to help me tell what went where. Makes it a lot easier in the dark.

I just measured my stove and it is 24x13x10. Easily heats the tent.

[Indian Summer]

http://www.walltentshop.com/canvaswalltents.htm

I've owned them all... Davis, Montana, Colorado, Big Sky. These out of Idaho are as good as I've found. Double & triple reinforced canvas where it counts. Seat belt strap down the eaves with steel d-rings sewn in instead of grommets punched through. Free screened rear window. Snap buckles for holding door flaps open. Plastic sod cloth all around the floor. Includes angle kit for a very reasonable price if you want it. Free shipping too.

Just bought a 10X12 for myself this spring and have had several others from him. 4 stars.

[FemoralArchery]

I already have a tent maker, although I appreciate the input on brands.

I think the quality of his tents rivals or exceeds all those of which were mentioned.

Based on his recommendation, I think I will go with a Riley stove.

I will go with a slightly smaller size than I originally wanted, something like a 12(or 15) x 18. I can always add a cookshack if I want, and I can (and most likely will) get another tent to fit more specific needs.

[>>>---WW---->]

Looking at the picture of cnelk's cook stove stand, that is OK for truck camp. Here is an idea that might be better if you are horseing it in. Get one of those walkers that crippled people use. They fold up so they are portable. You can lay a board of any size you choose across the top and you are all set.

Also, I remember my first elk camp in a wall tent. We had a small Monogram oil burner with a fuel tank on the back of it. If I remember right, it kept us nice and cozy for 5 days on about 5 gal. of fuel.

When I was a kid, we were hi on the hog when we switched from the old coal stove to an oil burner. These old oil burners may be hard to find now days. But if you happen to run across one, it would make a great addition to your wall tent.

[Indian Summer]

Stoves: the Cadillac: Cylinder Stoves out of Chester Utah. You get what you pay for.

A little pointer....Round (cylinder) stoves don't warp, square ones always do.

http://www.cylinderstoves.com/stoves-c- ... 67b779affd

No matter what tent the Outfitter model is great. if you really want one with a big enough capacity to make it all night the Yukon is the bomb. I have one in my house.

[FemoralArchery]

Indian Summer. I will definitely look into those stoves. They are very good looking setups.

The stove by both manufacturers that I was looking at are only $20 different in price(with the accessories). My tent maker said he could get me the stove (from Riley) and if he gets the hookup I will likely go with that one as my wife is leaning towards the lighter stove (26# Riley vs 93# Cylinder).

I do very much like the looks of that Cylinder stove though.

[Indian Summer]

Femoral... 26 pounds!!!! Yikes man that's a big red flag for me. Too thin and no question that stove will eventually warp and have a shorter lifespan. With that gauge of metal I'm surprised it's not significantly cheaper than the Cylinders which will last a lifetime.

Remember to put an inch or so of dirt across the bottom regardless of which one you go with. It distributes the heat evenly eliminates hot spots on the bottom and prevents warping.

[Elkduds]

I love wall tents, to me they are the essence of elk camp! My first one was 8x10 with 2' sidewalls, an old scout tent. I built a frame and had a canvas shop add an 18" layer of stout canvas to the bottom edge of the entire tent. It was tight but doable for 2 guys. My current tent is 10x12, which to me is the best size. I fit my tent, poles, in fact my whole camp in the back of my pathfinder, and still had room to bring home elk quarters back there. I almost always have to pitch the tent alone, so I don't want it too heavy. Metal internal frame. 2 or 3 cots fit easily, along with a propane tank heater. Cots are much more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, plus you can store gear out of the way under them and save space. I have a heavy poly tarp that is 4' longer than the tent, and I can extend the ridge of my frame to support it as a vestibule over the door. Floor is another heavy tarp w a carpet scrap over it. Inside the door I hang a heavy blanket or quilt as an extra wind barrier, I believe the tent stays warmer with that. Often my old 2 mantle Coleman fuel lantern is enough to keep it warm. This fall it rained and snowed the first 2 days of season and I was sick. I stayed warm and dry in the tent, slept in, got well, hunted 2 1/2 days and got my elk. I stay out longer, hunt harder and sleep better in a comfortable tent camp.

[Indian Summer]

I love wall tents, to me they are the essence of elk camp! My first one was 8x10 with 2' sidewalls, an old scout tent. I built a frame and had a canvas shop add an 18" layer of stout canvas to the bottom edge of the entire tent. It was tight but doable for 2 guys. My current tent is 10x12, which to me is the best size. I fit my tent, poles, in fact my whole camp in the back of my pathfinder, and still had room to bring home elk quarters back there. I almost always have to pitch the tent alone, so I don't want it too heavy. Metal internal frame. 2 or 3 cots fit easily, along with a propane tank heater. Cots are much more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, plus you can store gear out of the way under them and save space. I have a heavy poly tarp that is 4' longer than the tent, and I can extend the ridge of my frame to support it as a vestibule over the door. Floor is another heavy tarp w a carpet scrap over it. Inside the door I hang a heavy blanket or quilt as an extra wind barrier, I believe the tent stays warmer with that. Often my old 2 mantle Coleman fuel lantern is enough to keep it warm. This fall it rained and snowed the first 2 days of season and I was sick. I stayed warm and dry in the tent, slept in, got well, hunted 2 1/2 days and got my elk. I stay out longer, hunt harder and sleep better in a comfortable tent camp.

Great post Elkduds... and love your title.

Love my 10 by 12 for 2 or 3 people. Not only do cots give you more space but try putting your hand down near the floor and then slowly raise it to the cot height... and then to the ceiling. Temperature variation is substantial. Cool down low, way too hot up high... and perfect for sleeping a foot or so off the ground. My tarp is also wider than the tent. I have a couple feet extending out the sides where I can keep coolers and firewood under roof and within easy reach.

"wall tents, to me they are the essence of elk camp" Yep! At night that glowing home away from home is a beautiful sight is it not.

[FemoralArchery]

Femoral... 26 pounds!!!! Yikes man that's a big red flag for me. Too thin and no question that stove will eventually warp and have a shorter lifespan. With that gauge of metal I'm surprised it's not significantly cheaper than the Cylinders which will last a lifetime.

Remember to put an inch or so of dirt across the bottom regardless of which one you go with. It distributes the heat evenly eliminates hot spots on the bottom and prevents warping.

I feel the same way about how light they are. If it wasn't for his recommendation, I never would have considered it. I know there are many decades of experience on this forum. But I've known the tent maker literally my entire life and I certainly respect his opinion. He does a lot of horse packing, so the weight is important to him. Me, not so much, I will always be driving to camp.

I have to say that the cylinder is a better looking rig.

I will spend as much time as I can this year preparing my camp and working out any kinks. I'm pretty much starting from scratch. I don't even own a lantern lol.