outfitter wall tent input

[jeepster]

im in the market for an outfitter tent.

i have a really nice 3season tent already (rei kindom4), but, i want something with a stove in it... right now im in alaska, and when i get back, id like to just disappear into the mountains for a few weeks with the jeep and dog, or maybe ill go find a place near winthrop, grab my flyrod and catch the fall steelhead run on the methow/chewuch, who knows... i just know that i really like cabelas alaknak 12x12. the 12x20 also seems really nice, i like the idea of having a stove cranking out hear, a huge inflatable matress that makes for a bed more comfortable than home, and all the comforts of a cabin, in something that i can pack into the back of my jeep and take where-ever i want... i know this isnt real camping, but, im basically looking for a portable cabin.

the other big thing is that im more than likely going to be solo on this trip, so, if it takes an army to set up, its not going to work

i dont have my mind set on any tents in particular, and im just wondering what others are out there that are worth looking at, and what you guys say about them. the montana tents dont really appeal, there is just something about them...


i know that there are threads about this already, but i am on a very poor satellite connection on a fishing boat in the middle of the alaskan back country...

[Pathfinder101]

I love my 16'X20'.  It's made by Reliable Tents and Tipis.  I picked it up at the White Elephant in Spokane for a great price 2 years ago.  No frills, just a good, solid tent.  Used it in Montana 2 years ago when it was -20.  The night after I killed my buck we went into town for Buffalo Ribs and a beer.  When the locals found out that we were the crazy *censored*s camped out in the tent in the blizzard, they started buying us drinks...

[CedarPants]

I have the 13 x 27 Alaknak with a Riley pellet stove.  Get to camp, set up, dump a bag of pellets in the hopper and you have heat within minutes.  Works perfect for me, my wife, our 9 year old and our two 2 year olds.  No hassle at all.

[splitshot]

a friend of mine bought a montana canvas tent and it leaks bad.  we even put some stuff on it they sent us and it leaks.  we have to cover it with a tarp or it leaks.  did i mention that it leaks.  mike w

[Smokey Bear]

I use an old US Army GP small.  It is 6-sided round, 10.5 feet high in the center, and 18 feet diameter.  Bought it for $300 with the stove and it had so many spark holes it looked like a constellation star chart!  Patched it over the years with canvas and it still works great.  Yes, we have to use the blue tarps but if you look around, 98 % of canvas tents set up in hunting season have tarps on top.  It is a bitch to set up by yourself but I can do it after several streaks of swearing and cussing at it.  Also, you will never find another tent that on the inside of the flap in big block letters it reads, "Close flap before erection."       

[bearpaw]

a friend of mine bought a montana canvas tent and it leaks bad.  we even put some stuff on it they sent us and it leaks.  we have to cover it with a tarp or it leaks.  did i mention that it leaks.  mike w

I don't like them because they are too heavy, but they shouldn't leak, I have 3 Montana Canvas and they don't leak, I would call the factory.

[fillthefreezer]

i run a montana canvas spike3 when we are camped near the truck. 12x12. relite fabric. lightweight. breathable. sets up in about 15min. we run a riley stove. queen cot and air mattress. i trust it in any weather. had it in negative temps to last weekend 100deg.
i can email you pics if youre interested.

very much like the alaknak tents, just made in usa by a real tent maker..

[Rick]

Look at Rainier tents. Been in business for something like 100 years and made just south of Seattle.

My grandpa hunted out of one for 30 years before he quit hunting a few years back. My group doesn't have 30 years in one yet,but we're getting close to 10.

[splitshot]

raineer tent sent my friend some stuff to put on the tent let it dry and then water the tent real good.  he did that 3 days in a row in the summer and it still leaked.  a lemon tent.  it does get warm in othello.  mike w

[Rick]

raineer tent sent my friend some stuff to put on the tent let it dry and then water the tent real good.  he did that 3 days in a row in the summer and it still leaked.  a lemon tent.  it does get warm in othello.  mike w

We set up our Rainier, ran a sprinkler on it for a few hours to get it soaked,let it dry and started using it. We've done nothing else to it and its never leaked. We've used it in some serious rain/snow storms and its always been warm and dry.

[glowaski81]

Im also looking for something around a 12 X 14 it seems like they are about a grand. Looking at montana canvas? Any other suggestions?

[gasman]

Im also looking for something around a 12 X 14 it seems like they are about a grand. Looking at montana canvas? Any other suggestions?

Rainier Ind. is right in Tukwilla.... Make a good tent IMO........... Have had one for 15 years 

[Shawn Ryan]

Bravo in Camas, WA makes a great tent. No grommets, just "D" rings sewn into webbing.  Starts with a very water proof canvas.

If you want lighter, try a silnylon teepee by Kifaru or SeekOutside.  You can still put wood stoves in them.  Variety of sizes.

[washelkhunter]

We use an old rainier as well. If they dont have something you want they will make one to your specs. Also check out Beckel canvas in portland, they make a wide variety of shelters. Their eena tent in 2 dfferent sizes is easily packed and put up by one person.

[fillthefreezer]

Bravo in Camas, WA makes a great tent. No grommets, just "D" rings sewn into webbing.  Starts with a very water proof canvas.

If you want lighter, try a silnylon teepee by Kifaru or SeekOutside.  You can still put wood stoves in them.  Variety of sizes.

or wymoninglostandfound if youre cheap 

[Shawn Ryan]

Bravo in Camas, WA makes a great tent. No grommets, just "D" rings sewn into webbing.  Starts with a very water proof canvas.

If you want lighter, try a silnylon teepee by Kifaru or SeekOutside.  You can still put wood stoves in them.  Variety of sizes.

or wymoninglostandfound if youre cheap 

Or a Go-Lite Shangri-La, if you are even cheaper!

[fillthefreezer]

love my sl5! little small for staying in for weeks though, especially if weathers bad... its the size of a truck sleeper compared to a motel room...

[elkslayer99]

I have Cabelas Big Horn III with the vestibule GREAT Tent! I have had 3 years no problems!

[Wake1]

I have the Alaknak 12X12. It can be set up by one person in about 30-45 minutes. Have the vestibule also. Would not get one without it. Seems to be a pretty good tent. No issues here anyways.   

[magnanimous_j]

Somewhat off topic: when you guys set up those big, elaborate elk camps with the canvas tents and wood stoves and all that, do you leave them unattended during the day?

Seems like there would be a lot of expensive gear to leave alone in the woods.

[Woodchuck]

I do. My camp stays up for a month. I will say this, my camp is fairly tucked away and if you don't know where you are going it could be "difficult to locate". I have never had an issue with to date. Knock on wood. Did however have a bear that did a number on the trash bag while we were out once.



By the way I have a 12x20 Alaknak with two vestibules and am very happy with it. 

[jackmaster]

Bravo in Camas, WA makes a great tent. No grommets, just "D" rings sewn into webbing.  Starts with a very water proof canvas.

If you want lighter, try a silnylon teepee by Kifaru or SeekOutside.  You can still put wood stoves in them.  Variety of sizes.

second the bravo, john the owner does everything himself, he also make a light weight tent, he does alot of backcountry huntn so he has built them from experience, i have the 16 x 18 and the alaskan yukon model stove and it will cook you right out of it if ya aint careful

[CedarPants]

Somewhat off topic: when you guys set up those big, elaborate elk camps with the canvas tents and wood stoves and all that, do you leave them unattended during the day?

Seems like there would be a lot of expensive gear to leave alone in the woods.

My turkey camp went up the 1st weekend of April and didn't come down until Monday of Memorial Day weekend.

Private land though 

Although I have arrived several differnt times to find the tent unzipped (all my stuff locked up in the shed), so even on private it's hard to keep everyone out.

[washelkhunter]

Somewhat off topic: when you guys set up those big, elaborate elk camps with the canvas tents and wood stoves and all that, do you leave them unattended during the day?

Seems like there would be a lot of expensive gear to leave alone in the woods.

Its nice if you can have a dedicated "camp bitch" to keep an eye on things but what are you going to do? There are instances of camps being robbed. We just have all of our gear marked and easily identifiable if we have to try and recover it.
My personal philosophy is that my camp is my home. If you were to be caught stealing from us in the middle of nowhere when our home is literally our lifeline, well, it wont go well for you. 

[Rick]

Bravo in Camas, WA makes a great tent.

A nice tent for sure...too bad the owner is a first class *censored* bag. We talked to him about his tents before we bought a Rainier.

I'd sleep under a tree before I gave that jack ass a penny of my money.

[Bshiftbc]

We have been using Beckle tents for years with great results.

We have always left our camp during the day with no issues. The past couple of years we have been hunting the wet side, and it makes me more nervous (more people). It is sad that you have to worry about that kinda thing.

[couesbitten]

Bravo in Camas, WA makes a great tent.

A nice tent for sure...too bad the owner is a first class *censored* bag.

  That was my impression of him as well.  I'll admit his tents are well made, but you have to be willing to part with more of your money and put up with his attitude.  Mine's a 15 x 21 Canvas Cabin out of Hillsboro, OR, great tent, doors both ends, dual stove jacks, window on one side, lot's of room.  Go bigger than you think you need, you won't be sorry.

[SemperFidelis97]

Go with the alaknak you will not be dissapointed we have had one for a few years now, and they are fantastic.  The wife, and I can have it up in about 20ish minutes.

[jeepster]

Well, I bought the Alaknak 12x12 and a Colorado cylinder "spruce" stove compete with hot water tank. It will be waiting for me when I get home.

My main reasons with going for the Alaknak is it says cabelas on it, which means I have one year, no questions asked to try it out and if I don't like it, I can return it and have credit towards something else... Also, hard to beat the price...

Can't wait to set it up...

Vestibule and rooftop spark protector are next

Oh I also saw a small oven that mounts in the stovepipe that seems awesome for biscuits or whatever... One thing that concerns me... Who cooks in thier tent, and do you have any problems with bears, or other critters? I was always told no cooking or storing food in tents...


Only a few weeks till i get home and take off camping but Elk season is gonna be sweeeeeeet

[washelkhunter]

Kewl Dude. The alaknak is a sweet tent that will serve you well. What you may want to do is make a camp kitchen say 6or8x12 at the front door to reduce cooking odors inside the tent and around your clothes, while at the same time being able to enjoy the benefits of that wood stove. 

[huntnnw]

I also have a Montana canvas tent in Relite and it works great

[Miles]

I bought a wilderness tent from www.walltentshop.com out of Idaho.  I'm happy with it, and the prices are pretty good.  It's worth taking a look or giving them a call.

[jackmaster]

awesome jeepster, with this heat ya might just wanna go home and set it up so ya can sleep outside, i had my walltent up for the kids to sleep outside when its hot...... but then i caught my son sneaking out to his girlfriends house........ i aint ready to be a grandpa

[toyman2]

I bought a wilderness tent from www.walltentshop.com out of Idaho.  I'm happy with it, and the prices are pretty good.  It's worth taking a look or giving them a call.

same for me, i got a 12x14 and am very happy. Service was pretty good also, it seemed like mom and pop kind of shop.

[summit creek]

theres lots of good tents out there just depends on how hardcore you are yakima tent and awning makes a good planejane walltent for a real good price check em out