Wall Tents Tips and Tricks

[RG]

I second trenching the tent. I don't care what kind of tarp you have, when the big thunder storm soaker rain comes through, and it has to me multiple times over 35 years of wall tenting, you will think you are on the set of the movie "a river runs through it" if you don't trench at the edges of the walls.  This is especially true if there's any kind of uphill slope nearby.  Take my word for it.  If you have a floor that isn't completely waterproof it will get damp eventually.  Make the trench.  Also, bring mouse traps.  Nothing is more irritating than a mouse or chipmunk scratching around at 0200 after you hiked 10 miles today.  The "snap" and squeak is a very satisfying sound.

[muledeer78]

 :yeah:100 percent agree

[Netminder01]

tag

[birddogdad]

post use DRY and store, I suspend in garage in bag with a sash of mothballs in each tent bag to keep out rodents or your tent can quickly get chewed up!

[ghosthunter]

I put chair rubbers on my tent legs to protect the sod cloth from downward weight.

[T Pearce]

When using the wood stove, I cover the wall behind the stove with a mylar sheet. This reflects heat and keeps the wall cool. Mylar on the wall opposite the stove makes it feel like you have a second stove in the tent and you dont have to move the stuff you have hanging to dry.

I no longer use the stove mounted water heater, (too much steam) we have a 20 qt pot with spout and lid. Preheat on the camp chef then bring in for simmer if needed. A five gallon water jug (insulated) keeps warm water on hand for washing dirty fingers away from the tent.

Large cots have 18" of room under them for duffel bag storage.
Shovel a couple scoops of soil into the stove prior to using. This insulates the bottom metal.

Note... trenching is a good idea. Pay attention to drainage, I've returned to water flowing under the floor tarp due to the two track above us not having a diversion. Quick fix but I should have seen it coming. All stayed dry with the floor tarp on top the sod cloth.

When the weather cools down some the flame baffle is coming out of the new stove. It effects loading and restricts the burn.

Stake it down. As mentioned in another post. Watch for widow makers. Lodge pole thickets make good wind breaks and fit in the stove without splitting.

Edit to add: SECURE THE STOVE JACK FLAP and keep an eye on it. A friend burned his camp down due to if touching the stove pipe one season.

T

[ghosthunter]

Mylar umm Good idea.

How many guys use something behind their stoves to protect the wall?

[T Pearce]

Mylar umm Good idea.

How many guys use something behind their stoves to protect the wall?

Ghost,
I use the mylar for a heat reflector first. The fact that the frost stays on the wall outside convinced me that it works very well for that. I have had the wood stoves and pipe glowing in an effort to dry things out and I believe the high temps can't be good for the canvas.

The mylar would prevent drying this portion of the wall too, so remember to take it down and let the walls dry prior to folding and storage.
T

[Axle]

if the canvas isn't sealed, set it up when the weather will be warm and dry for a few days. Then take your garden sprayer and fill it with Thompsons original and spray it down good.
Then it will last much longer! Otherwise they can rot out real fast.

[Jason]

Mylar umm Good idea.

How many guys use something behind their stoves to protect the wall?

I had two stove jacks installed in my tent when I bought it from Davis, one just to the right and 2/3rds to the front and the other in the front right side wall. When i setup the stove to the use the stove jack in the side wall it does get really hot on the canvas and i starting using a sheet of aluminum to block the heat, but I found its easier to heat the whole tent with using less wood when the stove is in the center of the tent.

[Shawn Ryan]

If space is a premium--mine usually is--then getting stuff off the floor has helped.  The first and last photos are a simple system for hanging stuff (packs, bows, etc.).  The second 2 photos are a clothes rack that lets clothes dry by the stove and gets them out of the way.  I also use bright colored line/rope for staking out the walls to help avoid tripping/collisions.

[Stein]

I used scrap wood to make a nice looking gun rack that attaches with bolts to the end of one cot.  The other cot received a drying rack made from PVC.  Both projects were $0 out of pocket.

Bring/cut about 3x the amount of wood you think you need.

Bring good food to cook, with daylight during the winter months in the north you will have plenty of time after dark.  Also bring games to play.

[Rainier10]

Anyone know where I can get a stove jack retro-installed in a tent and tarp?  I already own the tent and tarp, would be willing to send it out if needed but prefer in state.

Bravo, site sponsor, from Camas Washington works on all makes of tents to do repairs and modifications.

[Wolfdog2314]

Anyone know where I can get a stove jack retro-installed in a tent and tarp?  I already own the tent and tarp, would be willing to send it out if needed but prefer in state.

Bravo, site sponsor, from Camas Washington works on all makes of tents to do repairs and modifications.

Called them last week for stove jack install. Said he is pretty well booked up and busy thru October or somewhere close to there.

Beckel Canvas co in portland also does em. I'll b taking mine there tomorrow. They said 3-4 week turn around.

[ghosthunter]

Anyone know where I can get a stove jack retro-installed in a tent and tarp?  I already own the tent and tarp, would be willing to send it out if needed but prefer in state.

I ordered a stove jack on line and took it to my local upholstery guy for our cook shack.