jeep-N-montero
Expedition Leader
Yes, I will never understand why people with kids try to make RTT's work.
Show me Springbar Tent pron!
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Yes, I will never understand why people with kids try to make RTT's work.
TT-Tacoma
Observer
What's the advantage to a canvas tent vs a backpacking style tent? Are they better because of the standing room, can be heated and no footprint needed?
They look enticing and everything but man are they expensive compared to my REI Half Dome 4.
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They look enticing and everything but man are they expensive compared to my REI Half Dome 4.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
REDONE
[s]hard[/s]MEDIUM Core!
It's hard to quantify a lot of it, but I've been in one a for a rainstorm and it's a whole other experience. Canvas doesn't amplify the sound of rain to a defining roar, wind doesn't sound like Archer slapping the crap out of Ceril, and while I don't know any actual r-factor, it's definitely warmer feeling.
Some differences that are quantifiable are that canvas filters dust while poly/nylon tents let it right through the screen portions, canvas is tougher and easier to repair if it does have a problem.
I've been using polyester/nylon tents my whole life and never thought about a canvas tent until I saw a buddy's on a camping trip. If I only camped once or twice a year I wouldn't even consider it, but getting my wife and daughter to adventure with me 4-5 long weekends a year, I think it's worth looking at. I've still got until April to pull the trigger so I'm keeping my eye open for used.
Some differences that are quantifiable are that canvas filters dust while poly/nylon tents let it right through the screen portions, canvas is tougher and easier to repair if it does have a problem.
I've been using polyester/nylon tents my whole life and never thought about a canvas tent until I saw a buddy's on a camping trip. If I only camped once or twice a year I wouldn't even consider it, but getting my wife and daughter to adventure with me 4-5 long weekends a year, I think it's worth looking at. I've still got until April to pull the trigger so I'm keeping my eye open for used.
TT-Tacoma
Observer
Best reason right there. Enjoyed the Archer reference!
In all seriousness they do sound like a good option. And I'm with you on saving roof space because we will be using ours to hold our Thule which will in turn house the majority of our gear.
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Springbar customer service is second to none.
We drove to SLC to look at the models in the showroom. Ended up ordering our 10x10 that day. Drove back a month later to pick it up and use it in eastern Idaho. Great tent, still stoked on it 2 years later.
The down sides are the size... not the open dimension, but all the room it takes up to haul it around. With the awning, the poles, the portico, the ground tarp, it takes up a large chunk of real estate in the back of the JKU.
Another down side is that it requires tent stakes, obviously not brand specific, but design specific. Stakes are the biggest pain. Sometimes pulling stakes is a 5 minute operation. Sometimes an hour. By and large, setting up and tear down time is dictated by the stakes.
I bought a second small free standing tent if camping on the move.
The springbar is a fantastic base camp tent for multiday single location outings. Setting up and tearing down is to much work for single night setups.
The springbar is also nice for the toddler to go wild in, at 10x10 with a large bed, it takes a while for the boredom to set in.
It's more glamping than it is Expo style imho.
We drove to SLC to look at the models in the showroom. Ended up ordering our 10x10 that day. Drove back a month later to pick it up and use it in eastern Idaho. Great tent, still stoked on it 2 years later.
The down sides are the size... not the open dimension, but all the room it takes up to haul it around. With the awning, the poles, the portico, the ground tarp, it takes up a large chunk of real estate in the back of the JKU.
Another down side is that it requires tent stakes, obviously not brand specific, but design specific. Stakes are the biggest pain. Sometimes pulling stakes is a 5 minute operation. Sometimes an hour. By and large, setting up and tear down time is dictated by the stakes.
I bought a second small free standing tent if camping on the move.
The springbar is a fantastic base camp tent for multiday single location outings. Setting up and tearing down is to much work for single night setups.
The springbar is also nice for the toddler to go wild in, at 10x10 with a large bed, it takes a while for the boredom to set in.
It's more glamping than it is Expo style imho.
jeep-N-montero
Expedition Leader
A tip on removing the stakes, pull them up using pliers or channel locks, I started doing this a few years ago and works very well. Sadly I have seen some people try to pull stakes up by the metal loops or by grabbing the fabric and just shook my head at the damage it could do.
Completely understand the concern. Ive used channel locks, hilift handles over a block of wood for fulcrum , etc. That's part of what makes stake removal difficult is to not damage the tent when you have a hung stake. Especially in hard ground on a tent that requires them to be seated deep enough and equally. Really, you need multiple sizes of stakes. I went to large wood lag bolts and my 20v impact to run them in and out. Makes it easy but more stuff to carry.
jeep-N-montero
Expedition Leader
We carry 2 sets of stakes to have us covered, thankfully I haven't had too much trouble pulling them up as you described. Do you use a large washer with the lag bolts?
dman93
Adventurer
We (me and wife, no kids/dogs) had an RTT but for many reasons it just didn't match our camping style and needs too much of the time. So 2 years ago I was in SLC and checked out the Springbars with great expectations. Great design, decent quality, but just seemed too heavy and bulky for our use. And we have a truck, so space isn't that big deal. Seems like a nylon tent with aluminum poles is simpler, but we don't deal too much with rain or really heavy winds. Anyway, not to sound negative, but just trying to offer an alternative view.
REDONE
[s]hard[/s]MEDIUM Core!
Yeah, Dman, we already have a big nylon tent and it does the job:
After seeing my buddies Kodiak in action, I'm wanting a canvas tent. After comparing Kodiaks to Springbars, I want a Springbar, but still looking for "previously loved" rather than paying for new. The silver tarp is where the tent we have now rides. I think a 10x10 Springbar will fit in the same place but stick up a little higher. At least until I build a longer basket.
After seeing my buddies Kodiak in action, I'm wanting a canvas tent. After comparing Kodiaks to Springbars, I want a Springbar, but still looking for "previously loved" rather than paying for new. The silver tarp is where the tent we have now rides. I think a 10x10 Springbar will fit in the same place but stick up a little higher. At least until I build a longer basket.
Yeah. Just a large washer. I'm going to put them in the press and cone them a bit to make them more friendly to the wire tent hold downs.
Yeah, Dman, we already have a big nylon tent and it does the job:
After seeing my buddies Kodiak in action, I'm wanting a canvas tent. After comparing Kodiaks to Springbars, I want a Springbar, but still looking for "previously loved" rather than paying for new. The silver tarp is where the tent we have now rides. I think a 10x10 Springbar will fit in the same place but stick up a little higher. At least until I build a longer basket.
Primary tent poles and awning poles are about 56" long.
Keep in mind that besides the main tent body bag you will also have a heavy canvas ground tarp bag, portico/awning bag, stake bag totaling 4 main bags and the pole bag.
I keep meaning to order the Kodiak tent bag. It works like a compression sack you fold around the tent versus just rolling and stuffing in a sack.
jeep-N-montero
Expedition Leader
Kirkham's just came out with their duffle style bags with cinch straps for their tents, not sure if they have them online yet but we grabbed one and definitely makes them seem less bulky, you fold the tent in 1/3's instead of 1/4's.
NICE! Thanks for the heads up.