Canvas tent for car camping (trailer, motor, typical, trip)
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Is it worthwhile to get a canvas tent (like a Springbar) if I only summer camp from a car ? I like the idea of no rain fly but not sure if extra cost is worthwhile. Thanks
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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We used one for about 8 years when we did a lot of camping in the woods with the 3 kids, it was 8' x 10'. I just saw it in the garage the other day, we still have it, but it's been sitting for probably 20 years. We have a 25' travel trailer now, too old to lay on the ground with a thin pad.
Look for one that has a loop in the top center for hanging a lantern. The fabric may be better now, ours was not great in rain. When we lived in California and camped in the Sierras it was great. Here in Washington, in the Cascades, it was nice and dry . . .until someone touched the inside roof. That spot would start dripping.
We used one for about 8 years when we did a lot of camping in the woods with the 3 kids, it was 8' x 10'. I just saw it in the garage the other day, we still have it, but it's been sitting for probably 20 years. We have a 25' travel trailer now, too old to lay on the ground with a thin pad.
Look for one that has a loop in the top center for hanging a lantern. The fabric may be better now, ours was not great in rain. When we lived in California and camped in the Sierras it was great. Here in Washington, in the Cascades, it was nice and dry . . .until someone touched the inside roof. That spot would start dripping.
Wow, that memory took me back! Same thing happened with ours.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat
Wow, that memory took me back! Same thing happened with ours.
Fortunately the bottom of the tent is made of waterproof tarp material. One time we awoke to the feeling of being back in the 70s in a waterbed. It had rained all night and a puddle formed under us, over an inch deep.
Is it worthwhile to get a canvas tent (like a Springbar) if I only summer camp from a car ? I like the idea of no rain fly but not sure if extra cost is worthwhile. Thanks
IMO, a rain fly is always a good idea.
A drippy tent can be just miserable. AND, that extra top layer helps protect against damage from falling twigs / pine cones, and helps control sun damage.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lpranger467
Is it worthwhile to get a canvas tent (like a Springbar) if I only summer camp from a car ? I like the idea of no rain fly but not sure if extra cost is worthwhile. Thanks
a $1299 canvas tent? For car camping? Do you have a truck with LOTS of space? Do you have plenty of time to set up and take down camp (hopefully you're not doing this every night, as I typically do)
Maybe I'm missing something (common sense?)
I've spent many hundreds of nights in $30 - $50 tents, One lasted me over 30 yrs of rough motorcycle, bicycling, and backpacking and high wind / mountain use.
Canvas tents are very heavy and tend to mold and are hard to set-up, maintain, waterproof, store...
Since I only have about30 more yrs of camping left in me, I will choose to use a $100 'replaceable' tent, such as a very light backpacking tent. (and it will have a rainfly, since I live and camp in the PNW(et).
I don't see much advantage to "car camping." Myself, I use an ultra light tent that I can take anywhere and set up in just a few minutes! Current tent (Agnes UL2) is now 10 years old and has had very heavy use with no issues. Getting ready to take it to Alaska in a few weeks!
A canvas tent seems like overkill to me. While they are great for blocking the wind, they are heavy and take longer to setup. Ventilation can be a problem. If it rains, it will get really heavy. I think they are more suited to something like ice fishing/photography blind.
I went to the Springbar website and watched one of the setup videos. If it was windy, I don't see how one guy can set it up.
A canvas tent seems like overkill to me. While they are great for blocking the wind, they are heavy and take longer to setup. Ventilation can be a problem. If it rains, it will get really heavy. I think they are more suited to something like ice fishing/photography blind.
I went to the Springbar website and watched one of the setup videos. If it was windy, I don't see how one guy can set it up.
Wet canvas stays that way a lot longer making it even heavier. Then you get to load a heap of wet heaviness into your car, and then set it up to make sure it's dry at home. It also molds. Nothin' more evocative than the scent of mildewed canvas on a camping trip !
The one I looked at was $599, The Kodiak's are pretty similar. The $100 tent I have now isnt bad but I cant stand up inside, set up a table and such so I figure if I have to buy another one anyway maybe I should research canvas. I also considered a tear drop camper
Quote:
Originally Posted by StealthRabbit
a $1299 canvas tent? For car camping? Do you have a truck with LOTS of space? Do you have plenty of time to set up and take down camp (hopefully you're not doing this every night, as I typically do)
Maybe I'm missing something (common sense?)
I've spent many hundreds of nights in $30 - $50 tents, One lasted me over 30 yrs of rough motorcycle, bicycling, and backpacking and high wind / mountain use.
Canvas tents are very heavy and tend to mold and are hard to set-up, maintain, waterproof, store...
Since I only have about30 more yrs of camping left in me, I will choose to use a $100 'replaceable' tent, such as a very light backpacking tent. (and it will have a rainfly, since I live and camp in the PNW(et).
Good luck with your choice, and happy camping.
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