CABELA'S XWT 10 OR 12 by TENT

[HerdBull]

Looking at the Cabela's XWT 10 X10 or the 12.   Bowhunt solo but at times with another buddy.  November hunt mostly.  Cook (boil water mostly use vacuum seal bags) and dry clothes inside tent.

Not sure if 10 X  10 would be the ticket or should get the  12 x   12 for the room.   I hear putting up the 12 solo could be a bitch?  or is it doable??

Any one out their with their  ??  The 12 plus pitch kit and all is real expensive (about a grand all up) but I guess so is the 10.

Need comment with those who have had experience with these tents !!

Thx all !!

[Goldeneye]

I would get the 12x12.  Extra space is a real good thing, especially when you need a little room to dry out some wet gear.  I don't have this model but I do have a Alaknak 12x12 and have put it up for the last two years by myself.  Very doable.

[HerdBull]

Come on people !!!!   Help me out here !!  Isn't there one of you that has any experience with this style of tent.   I appreciate Goldeneye's response but I am talking about the XWT tents .  Specifically the 12 X.   

Can it be set up by one person?  Anyone out there with knowledge of this tent ?  I have read all the reviews and all sound good !  But did not truly address the  12 X set up solo.   Cabela's tech service said it is a two person unit !!  While I am 60 yrs young I  ain't fricken lame.  I keep up with my  32 yr old prospectin buddy!

I do not want to buy the 10 footer only to be frustrated      later on when I learn there is not enough room for what I want to do:    Solo hunter but do have a partner once in  while.  Need to be able to cook (vacuum sealed meals boiled in the pouch) on a 6 ft folding table.   Dry clothes on a folding clothes dryer rack.  Plus use a lil buddy heater for drying clothes and heat.

This is why I am leaning towards the  12 ftr.  Plenty of room for  base camp use for two perhaps .  But if it is nearly impossible to set up by your self then I will  have to buy the  10 ftr!  I have looked at all the other tents and the XWT is the hit believe me.  Aknaka lak or whatever you want to call it .  Alaskan guide model . . . any of them is not built as good as the XWT!! 

Need some input boys !!  Be great if I had a steady Bowhunting partner !!  Give me your positive    Going to Lacey Sunday

[DBHAWTHORNE]

If you get the pitch kit it's doable but like you mentioned it can be a bitch. I actually sold that one and now I own the Alaskan Guide. I like it better for my needs.

[HerdBull]

Thanks DB.   I really want to get the 12 ftr but that is one hell of a tent. Talked to the Supervisor for that area in Lacey at lunch today .  Said it can be done with 1 person but still a bitch.    

Am going down Sunday to see .  Will have the crew take down the  10 ftr which is still on display, have them put it back up so I can see for myself !  Either way I am coming out of there with a tent!!

Did you own a 12 or a  10 ftr?  In your mind was it impossible to set it up Solo?  Or is it a  ?  If you owned a 12 what was so hard about setting it up?  The Lacey guy said something about setting the poles up.  Again he did not go into it much.     Hell I am  6' +  and am pretty smart ( I think ) So I should be able to figure out something    We Will see come Sunday

Thanks for your thoughts All

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I owned the 12 Footer. Like the guy from Lacy said setting the poles (putting them in place and actually pitching the tent) is the difficult part. If the additional weight and gear is not a limiting factor you are going to want the pitch kit. If you are going to be putting this thing up by yourself it will make the setup easier.

I think you should go with the 12 footer because you will probably wish you had the extra space if you get the 10 footer. Putting the 12 footer up by yourself is not impossible but the first few times I did it without the pitch kit and it was very aggravating. The first few times you put it up by yourself a few curse words may slip out but over time you will develop a system and it will become easier and quicker.

[HerdBull]

Thanks DB again.  Just as I figured !!  It has been my intention to get the Pitch kit.   But wanted to know a bit more about the Pitch kit .. . appears to be just a tarp that connects to all 4 corners of the frame?  Can the frame stand alone or does it need the tarp to hold all 4 corners together.

Did you have trouble chuckin the Fly over the frame?  I have a couple of ideas on getting that task completed solo but may find out come Sunday .

I had an old canvas Coleman Oasis 9 x 12 back in the 70's.  Good sized tent .  A friend of my father in law , actually both of them wagered a case of beer that I could not set up that tent in 45 minutes.  Well they turned over that case and it tasted good !  Got that beast set up in 25 min. All in the technique. I am figuring that will be the case  with the 12 ft XWT !! ??

[DBHAWTHORNE]

You are correct in your assessment of the pitch kit. The frame can stand alone without the pitch  kit (but with the tent) but getting it to that point is the difficult part which is why the pitch kit is helpful (albeit a little over priced). You can use the pitch kit to set the frame and then hang your tent. If it is raining you can put the fly on first to get out of the weather then hang your tent.

The fly can be a pain if the guy lines catch on the frame. The height can also make it a chore. Eventually you will be able to set it up in 25-30 minutes.

[ICEMAN]

Great tent. My buddy sets his up couple times a year next to my more simple tent. He loves the pitch kit.
 
The tent is made extrememly well, heavy duty, etc..... He abolutely loves it.
 
It does take a while to set up compared to mine. A bit confusing setting the fly as he often gets is started backwards.... and has to re-do it... 

[HerdBull]

Want to thank everyone for posting .  I did get the 12 ft'r and love it .  Yes a bit of a pain to set up solo but when you are done you are done.  Especially nice during bad weather and long trips .

Got the Pitch kit , floor etc etc .  Bought an extra duffel.  One for the metal and one for the fabric .  Makes cartin the thing a lot easier !

Thx Guys 

[Jingles]

Can't speak for either of the tents you mentioned however I can speak for the Cabela's 14 X 17 with internal frame.
The 14 X 17 is a bear to put up by yourself. I have a feeling you are not talking about a wall tent  so I will leave it at that except to say the extra space from the 12 x 12 will be appreciated if you're in it for very long. If I can get my wall tent up by myself surely a younger and able bodied person can put up a cabin tent by themselves...

[ICEMAN]

Hey Herdbull, letting us know three years later? What is up with that!?