First outfitter tent purchase

[Miles]

I have a Silverado standard bed and my longest poles have to go diagonal from corner to corner.  Makes packing a little bit more of a pain.  Try to get a stove pipe that nests together as well if you have a smaller truck.

[Duckslayer89]

I battled that decision for a long time trying to balance hunting, family and everything being able to be set up as quickly as possible by myself.  This is what I decided on and never looked back.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,172708.msg2282754.html#msg2282754

Dude that looks really cozy. I bet it stays warm. Good set up for going solo to. That's the only thing I'm worried about buying a bigger tent. I want something my buddy's can come stay in but I bet 75 percent of the time I'll be going solo with it.

When using the tent for hunting, two of us with all our gear for later season elk hunting fit and use the tent beautifully.  During the summer time, 3 guys with cots and clothes fit fine and when family camping, there are 2 adults, one baby and 4 dogs with the smallest being 75 pounds that fit in there fine with the double stack queen air mattress, all the dog beds and the baby in a rubbermaid tote full of towels.

That sounds like a good size. I meant cozy in a good way, comfortable and clean! Love coming back to a clean camp. You guys are making it hard. The Alaknek looks like a great deal right now with the free vestibule. What size Davis tents are you running? I was thinking 14x16 would be about right and not to big. Maybe with the overhanging awning they come with. The long poles could be a problem with my truck. Idk I'm thinking about buying a Tundra and keeping the Tacoma for a commuter and rally rig up in on logging roads around home. Or maybe a trailer?

[stew pidasso]

Mine is 14x16 but I had them leave holes in front for 10' extra of frame. Then a 20x30 tarp runs long for an outside shelter. Wood, coolers etc. I cut some pond liner for the floor that I cover with fabric for the floor which is awesome.

[Duckslayer89]

Mine is 14x16 but I had them leave holes in front for 10' extra of frame. Then a 20x30 tarp runs long for an outside shelter. Wood, coolers etc. I cut some pond liner for the floor that I cover with fabric for the floor which is awesome.

That is sweet!!! So you run the tarp over the whole tent? Is that a Davis? The Alaknek is sweet to. Not sure if you can go wrong with either now. Can you set yours up by yourself?

[Clearcut]

I have a 14x16 Davis tent an one guy can set it up by himself.. It can be a pain since the poles can pull from the joints but if you spend a little time an drilled an had picked up some pins of some sort to hold them in then it'd be super easy to set up in my opinion.

[jackmaster]

My set up is the exact same as stews, only problem is once I get my queen cot set up with my pillow top mattress and bunk bed cots, my shower, wood stove and a table to eat at, I also cook outside under the awning and that is also where I stack my wood but after all that there isn't much room left in the wall tent , oh and I bring a generator a flat screen and an Xbox 360, I can watch movies and play video games..

[Old Man Yager]

I'm calling BS on you!!

[trophyhunt]

My set up is the exact same as stews, only problem is once I get my queen cot set up with my pillow top mattress and bunk bed cots, my shower, wood stove and a table to eat at, I also cook outside under the awning and that is also where I stack my wood but after all that there isn't much room left in the wall tent , oh and I bring a generator a flat screen and an Xbox 360, I can watch movies and play video games..

Someone doesn't get out and hunt enough, when I get back to my tent, it's dinner a drink and off to bed.   

[stew pidasso]

If you look in the back corner you can see the waterbed.

[trophyhunt]

Duckslayer, If I was you and you might be putting this tent up by yourself sometimes, I'd recommended an alaknak. I have had both set ups, both have their pro's and con's.  Setting up a canvas wall tent by yourself is a pain, especially if you get a bigger one.  canvas holds the heat much better, but is heavy to pack around and if you put it away wet it will mold.  You have to store them in a dry environment or opened up in a big area.  I loved my wall tent but I just didn't have a big area to store it and when it did mold, on my mold resistant material, it was a major pain to get off.  We are now using the alaknak tent, my buddy has owned his for over 15 years I believe.  Much, Much easier to deal with, way easier to set up.  You can put it away wet if you have to and NO mold, we put a tarp over the entire tent, which any set up needs and it will hold the heat in pretty well.  With a good stove you really don't notice much of a difference between the canvas and alaknak.  We don't miss the put up and take down of a wet canvas tent, the lighter, easier to deal with alaknak is great.  A 16x20 wall tent will take up half your bed up after the frame and stove. You will save space with the alaknak.  We have the floor liner which I would recommend and just buy a oversized tarp to cover with.  Just my 2cents.

[Magnum_Willys]

 
Have used both - the internal frame canvas is fine and doesnt pinhole from chimney embers like the alaknak.  But the alaknak is much easy to handle and setup. 

[jackmaster]

I'm calling BS on you!!

i wouldn't b.s a b.s.er chief... Don't you have an antler to go find or somethn..

[jackmaster]

My set up is the exact same as stews, only problem is once I get my queen cot set up with my pillow top mattress and bunk bed cots, my shower, wood stove and a table to eat at, I also cook outside under the awning and that is also where I stack my wood but after all that there isn't much room left in the wall tent , oh and I bring a generator a flat screen and an Xbox 360, I can watch movies and play video games..

Someone doesn't get out and hunt enough, when I get back to my tent, it's dinner a drink and off to bed.   

dude you don't have to hunt to do that, your old a$$ is in bed every night by 7:30 whether your huntn or not.

[Duckslayer89]

Duckslayer, If I was you and you might be putting this tent up by yourself sometimes, I'd recommended an alaknak. I have had both set ups, both have their pro's and con's.  Setting up a canvas wall tent by yourself is a pain, especially if you get a bigger one.  canvas holds the heat much better, but is heavy to pack around and if you put it away wet it will mold.  You have to store them in a dry environment or opened up in a big area.  I loved my wall tent but I just didn't have a big area to store it and when it did mold, on my mold resistant material, it was a major pain to get off.  We are now using the alaknak tent, my buddy has owned his for over 15 years I believe.  Much, Much easier to deal with, way easier to set up.  You can put it away wet if you have to and NO mold, we put a tarp over the entire tent, which any set up needs and it will hold the heat in pretty well.  With a good stove you really don't notice much of a difference between the canvas and alaknak.  We don't miss the put up and take down of a wet canvas tent, the lighter, easier to deal with alaknak is great.  A 16x20 wall tent will take up half your bed up after the frame and stove. You will save space with the alaknak.  We have the floor liner which I would recommend and just buy a oversized tarp to cover with.  Just my 2cents.

Well that covers a lot of my concerns and questions when comparing the two. I like the fact that the material is easier to take care of and not going to mold. Why do people put tarps over the top? Just to protect the fabric? I was looking at a four dog stove, but was thinking a 3 dog would be enough. What stove were you running?

[trophyhunt]

The tarp does two things, one it helps with the embers from your fire putting tiny holes in your fabric, which will eventually happen.  Two it help insulate your tent, you won't get water built up on the inside of the tent on the roof or sides with a tarp cover. It also help the snow slide off.  Not sure what the name of the stove we have but its big, I can fit 18" logs easily, go with 6" outlet for better air flow and get enough pipe to reach a couple feet above your peak.  I can let you know what I have when I get home, just text me if you want.