A new Kodiak for the Fam...

[JJBiggs]

Gotta say...I am big time impressed. The construction is outstanding. The setup is fabulous. And the material quality appears to be fantastic. I am very impressed. The family and I will be breaking it in this weekend. Can't wait.

Side note - Setup time was about 15-20 minutes tops. And...I was taking my time with the all the components. If rushing to get this up, you could easily get it setup in about 5-10 min.

More photos and a review upon my return.

Chad

 

[zeke2.0]

Looks a lot like a springbar, same company?

 

[JJBiggs]

Looks a lot like a springbar, same company?

Nope..similar, but different. Many have said they think the patent passed on the Springbars. Kodiak makes their own version.

Chad

 

[JJBiggs]

Morning report...

After a little rain and a heavy dew, I think some adjustable front posts is needed. Water accumulates near the tent seam on the fabric awning. Having the adjustable posts will allow for a slope away from the tent even when on uneven ground.

C.

 

[barlowrs]

Morning report...

After a little rain and a heavy dew, I think some adjustable front posts is needed. Water accumulates near the tent seam on the fabric awning. Having the adjustable posts will allow for a slope away from the tent even when on uneven ground.

C.

Yup, I found the same thing with mine, I LOVE the tent (though driving all those stakes gets old)...and i always find it fun to empty the "awning pool" on my unsuspecting friends who are huddling under my awning to stay out of the rain because they dont have one..muahahaha, yes, I'm evil haha.

 

[Utah KJ]

It's like the Springbar without all the annoying Made in the USA pre knock-off quality. :coffeedrink:

 

[JJBiggs]

It's like the Springbar without all the annoying Made in the USA pre knock-off quality. :coffeedrink:

I'll gladly take a tent that is less than half the cost with a comparable build quality. :victory:

 

[qwerty]

I'll gladly take a tent that is less than half the cost with a comparable build quality. :victory:

BULL$HIT! The 10' x 14' Kodiak costs $599.99, while the 10' x 14' Springbar costs $689.95. That's only an $89.96 (13%) difference in price. So the Kodiak tent is 87% the cost of a comparable Springbar tent, not "less than half the cost."


http://www.kodiakcanvas.com/6014/

http://www.kirkhams.com/deluxe-tents/family-camper-7-springbar-tent/

 

[Honu]

curious about the differences since I have never felt the canvas the Springbar is made out of ?
would love to get a springbar setup local to check it out

so asking this serious to those that have had or have both or seen both and disclose if you work for springbar or own one or the other please
I own a kodiak but only recently we are going to try it out so far seems nice
my reasons for buying was I could check it out bring it back if I dont like it without shipping ! got a chance to check it out in person and I liked the interior organizers better and the floor since it is thicker they say still both are think compared to African tents ! and the fabric is flimsy light compared to African tents ? but oh well and I liked the vents in the upper corners and really liked the shape of the door much better
things I did not like as much non aluminum poles and non adjustable poles and also the stake loops dont seem as nice !


so again asking
is one really nicer or with a blindfold could you tell which one ?
I really wonder which one has nicer canvas ?
the Kodiak has a heavier welded floor ? does the springbar have a welded floor or stitched meaning it could leak a bit and does it seem light compared to the kodiak ?
anyone ever pull a stake loop out on a kodiak ?
anything else pros cons of both ?
price to me is so close it does not matter also hate buying stuff I cant check out and return easy if I am not happy with it !

 

[MarcFJ60]

I haven't seen a Springbar in person, but own a Kodiak. Based on my research, although there are subtle differences, I doubt anybody could say one is noticeably better or worse than the other. Although there were some features of the Kodiak I liked better, I would have been willing to pay the extra money to have a US built tent. I'm really not a staunch "Buy American" consumer. But if I can minimize more production being sent to China, I will pay a reasonable surcharge. On a $500 tent, an extra $100 for a similar one is reasonable to me to get something domestic. (The actual difference was $499 vs. $619 for similar 10x10 models) When I bought, however, there was a 8-10 week wait for Springbars, so that gave the edge to the Kodiak since that meant essentially waiting until the next camping season. (The ability to actually see a Kodiak at a Cabelas or Sportsmans Warehouse is also nice).

To me, the only appreciable difference is the country of origin. How much that is worth is obviously up to the individual.

 

[barlowrs]

The kodiak also has the funnel vents in the sides, which the springbar doesn't. This may seem like a small difference, but those vents work WONDERS! I have a friend with a springbar, and you cannot tell the difference in material. Also, the kodiak has those little hook pins on the bottom that the standing bars hook into (this keeps the poles from really pushing down into soft dirt or the legs from kicking out). By friends springbar does not have these, so in soft dirt, the legs just sink. (he has a smaller springbar, the bigger ones may have them, not sure)

 

[Moody]

I'd highly recommend you look at them side by side before anyone makes a purchase. I viewed them side by side when the Kodiak first hit the market, and looked at them several times since. It was a no-brainer which one was the higher quality tent- I own a Springbar...

Friends will ask me about the two, and I tell them this: If you are just a weekend warrior, 2-3 times a season, KOA or established campground camper, the Kodiak is probably fine. If you are going to use it extensively each season, in a variety of conditions (winter and summer) in remote areas, and you want to be able to pass it along to your kids, buy the Springbar.


Of all things not to skimp on, it is your shelter.

 

[Honu]

Moody I guess my question would be WHY ? I thought you worked for them at one point ? did you buy it full retail or discount ?
again not trying to start a war just want to know

I know the springbar is sewn in the US with imported fabric ? not a big deal again would rather support local US

but also when I ask WHY ! those who have seen both and or owned both do say the floor in the kodiak is nicer and the way they hang the organizers is nicer the door shape is nicer since its wider feeling when going in and out then the T shape and if others keep saying you cant tell the difference on the fabric ?
how is the springbar better ? again I am asking serious not trying to be sarcastic etc.. some have said the stitching is not as nice on the springbar and the kodiaks was nicer ? if the springbar floor is not as thick and is sewn so can leak ? thats not as good either I read two reviews about the floor leaking on a springbar in super heavy water ? again I dont know if they are true or not but why wouldlnt they be ?

the things I hear about the springbar is the adjustable and aluminum poles and the stake loops ? OH and the fly you can buy extra with the sides

now I hear the springbar does not have the thing to hold the pole ? again he does not know if the new ones have that ? to me that seems like a must have

so I would say WHY is the springbar better ? because it seems the Kodiak did improve on things just saying look at them side by side ? well sadly I cant that is why I ask and why I gave examples I should buy a springbar and do a thorough review of both

we still have like 50 days to return the kodiak and get something else and in two weeks a big camp trip to try it out on compared with just around the house setup

 

[DirtWhiskey]

Figured I'd chime in here. I have owned a Springbar for a decade and have camped in a friends Kodiak. Springbar canvas is thicker and seals against rain sooner. When it's raining, a canvas tent's fibers expand and that's how it seals out the rain. Don't really think it's a huge difference, but here is the real deal: Spirngbars' warranty is for life. I can take my 10 year old tent into Kirkhams (owner of Springbar and retail outlet) and they will fix it quick, cheap and many times for free. I do have the advantage of living in SLC, so I realize that not many people can do that, but Springbar is a quality company that stands by its products. The accessory selection is superior as well. And on top of that, you can find barely used ones for cheap around here. The new price difference is minimal.

 

[Moody]

Yes, I worked for Kirkham's in 05-06, in the retail store-not in the Springbar manufacturing side of things. I paid full price for my tents. Don't get me wrong, the Kodiak is a fine tent. I just wouldn't choose it for my use. I camp a lot. Probably more than most people. I want to trust my tent when it is snowing, raining for days, etc. A hundred dollars or so just isn't worth the compromise in my opinion.

The canvas is a tighter weave than the Kodiak and unless I am on crack, a heavier weight. The stitching is polyester wrapped in cotton ('shocking' the canvas and the seams with water causes the cotton to swell and seal the tiny holes), stake loops are metal, attached to a rope that is sewn into the flooring perimeter and aren't sewn in rope like the Kodiak. People often cite the door as a nicer setup on the Kodiak, but Springbar has tried that style, and found issues with it, hence the style that is found today. I found that seeing them side by side, it was clear that the more solidly constructed tent was the Springbar. As to the floor, I haven't ever had my floors leak. Ever. I would see that as an issue with poor campsite selection rather than the floor itself. On one of my old Springbars (The Campsite) I thought about seam sealing the floor until a 4 day rain storm in Moab. I knew then it wasn't necessary.
Oh yeah, each yard of fabric is drawn over a light looking for any imperfections, set up after the sewing process to ensure a solid construction and to catch any flaws. I think that is is pretty solid commitment to quality.

I grew up camping in a Springbar Family Camper. It was literally 30 years old when I donated it to a scout troop that (to my knowledge) is still in use.

I think you should totally get both and do a review.

The family camper I used throughout my childhood: