tarp alternatives for wall tent?

[rosscrazyelk]

For my elk camp our living tent is a 12x14 with 12 feet of awning out the front.
we havin been using 2 tarps to cover this area. Besides the pain of using 2 tarps and having extra hangover. I thought about having a custom tarp made from davis tent. However after seeing the price tag I will have to hold off on that for awhile.
While driving today It made me wonder if anyone has used a synylon tarp over their tents? lighter maybe easier to work with?

[trophyhunt]

Tag, I also use tarps to cover our camp, it a pain to keep them tied down when the wind starts blowing.  Seriously disappointed that the alaknak roof cover only covers 3/4 of the tent??!! 

[Happy Gilmore]

Call Northwest Linings and ask for 12 or 15 mil reinforced PVC. You will give them the size you want and they will tell you the fabricated panel width you can get. It would be a couple hundred bucks most likely. It would be the last one you buy. You can buy your own grommet tool and put them where you need them

253-872-0244.

I used to work there and used this material for all sorts of application. It would be the last tarp you buy. Probably not much more to buy a piece twice as big or, split one with a friend. The floor time costs more than the material. Or, better yet, buy a big piece, cut one for the floor and one to cover the whole wall tent. It will probably weight about 20-30lbs and will not fold up real tight. For pick up truck/wall tent camping its perfect.

Ask for Kelly(female) and tell her you are a friend of Paul Happy Gilmore. Tell her I said she is super cute to you too...

[Happy Gilmore]

http://m.harborfreight.com/103-piece-1-2-half-inch-grommet-installation-kit-30037.html

[Buzz2401]

Have had our wall tents set up for two-three weeks a year for last 25 years and never needed a tarp.  I can't stand the noise they make when it gets windy and raining hard.  The sound of rain falling on canvas is so much nicer then rain falling on a poly tarp. 

[trophyhunt]

Have had our wall tents set up for two-three weeks a year for last 25 years and never needed a tarp.  I can't stand the noise they make when it gets windy and raining hard.  The sound of rain falling on canvas is so much nicer then rain falling on a poly tarp.

Do you just keep the fire going to keep the condensation away?  I'm not sure the alaknak would do well without a tarp over the top?

[rosscrazyelk]

Have had our wall tents set up for two-three weeks a year for last 25 years and never needed a tarp.  I can't stand the noise they make when it gets windy and raining hard.  The sound of rain falling on canvas is so much nicer then rain falling on a poly tarp.

Our living tent is a ancient wall tent. Even though the wind does suck we need a tarp over it.

[BULLBLASTER]

I've never put anything over my alaknak except the roof protector panel no issues with condensation either

[trophyhunt]

I've never put anything over my alaknak except the roof protector panel no issues with condensation either

really?  That's interesting, I might have to try that out. 

[Buzz2401]

Have had our wall tents set up for two-three weeks a year for last 25 years and never needed a tarp.  I can't stand the noise they make when it gets windy and raining hard.  The sound of rain falling on canvas is so much nicer then rain falling on a poly tarp.

Do you just keep the fire going to keep the condensation away?  I'm not sure the alaknak would do well without a tarp over the top?

All canvas tents and never had a condensation issue.  Fire is usually going though.  Seems like a tarp would make condensation worse.

[Jpmiller]

I can't remember the name offhand but I treated my canvas last year right before the season and left the tarp at home to see. It rained pretty hard the couple days I was up there so I set it back up once home to dry. No real condensation and no leakages. I have a ton of tiny pin prick holes all over and still didn't get any water.

I think I lost out on insulation though

[elksnout]

We tarp our Davis wall tent just to help keep the canvas nice.

Elksnout

[ghosthunter]

Most if not all good canvas tents will shed water.
A rain fly or tarp helps in many ways.

I buy my tarps 10 ft longer than the tent to provide a dry space out front.

If the tarp. Is 4 ft wider you can have a 2 ft over hang on each side,which allows rain wTer to drip out away from the tent. This keeps the tent cleaner because it's not dripping in the dirt next to the tent.

Most damage to the roof of a tent comes from sparks or tree debri falling on the roof. The tarp provides extra protection.

The tarp should not be directly on top of tent, touching ridge but pulled out to allow a 6 inch air pocket.

 

[Jpmiller]

Most if not all good canvas tents will shed water.
A rain fly or tarp helps in many ways.

I buy my tarps 10 ft longer than the tent to provide a dry space out front.

If the tarp. Is 4 ft wider you can have a 2 ft over hang on each side,which allows rain wTer to drip out away from the tent. This keeps the tent cleaner because it's not dripping in the dirt next to the tent.

Most damage to the roof of a tent comes from sparks or tree debri falling on the roof. The tarp provides extra protection.

The tarp should not be directly on top of tent, touching ridge but pulled out to allow a 6 inch air pocket.

 

I got my tent from my dad who used it since before I was born. I SWEAR all the little holes are from embers from the fire. He assures me they aren't. Anyone who religiously tarp their tents have those? He didn't ever tarp it, I did the first few times I went without him but not last year. That is the one thing I worry about without he tarp.

[Gamblin Guy]

I use one of these, keeps it dry and clean without it being a dark cave during the day. 

http://www.a1tarps.com/clear-tarps.html