Tyvek Tipi

[Todd_ID]

I decided to build a tipi out of Tyvek to see how it'd do. I hunted out of it five days with no major problems. It was 100% waterproof. My little wood stove did well to keep it cozy warm. It rained or snowed every day, and the most snow at one time was 4", and it shed it fine.

You can sew the seams, but I don't have a sewing machine. All of my seams were made with a bead of Liquid Nails adhesive and Gorilla Tape on each side of the seam. This held up well in the last storm we had, but I've got no guarantee on the longevity of the seam.

I used a 9' wide roll of Tyvek I had left over from building my house, but a wider roll would've been better. The layout picture shows the fold I made, the string length I used, and the area I added material to make up for the narrow roll to get the height and width I wanted. I made 2 of these pieces (as laid out and added to), and then I joined them together with a seam.

The stove pipe was originally just a cut out in the side. It worked, but it melted out pretty big as the wind blew. I used an 8x10 piece of sheet metal with the same seam attachment. It'll work much better.

The stakes (6) are spaced evenly and made with a grommet that is put in by folding over the Tyvek, reinforcing with Gorilla Tape and punching the grommet in. None of these tore at all, and they had a lot of strain in the wind.

This tent ended up being better than I expected. It's big enough for 3 guys and their gear on cots plus stove, chairs, food, etc. It's about 12' diameter and takes a 13' center pole.

[coop2424]

Nice work!!I have been pondering making a tipi style tent this winter..  I think I actually have a role of 6ft tyveki could use.. 

[KFhunter]

interesting, would make a decent backup plan too.

wonder if it would get really moist in there

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Good ideas!

[Karl Blanchard]

Nice work!!I have been pondering making a tipi style tent this winter..  I think I actually have a role of 6ft tyveki could use..

Your power is out, may as well do something constructive

Cool shelter Todd!  I've been eyeing a Tipi/stove setup for a while but they are just so stinking expensive I haven't been able to drop the hammer on one.

[Todd_ID]

interesting, would make a decent backup plan too.

wonder if it would get really moist in there

It stayed nice and dry. I was soaked each day of hunting, and my clothes were dry by morning. I think the Tyvek let's vapor go through but stops droplets.

[Todd_ID]

Nice work!!I have been pondering making a tipi style tent this winter..  I think I actually have a role of 6ft tyveki could use..

Your power is out, may as well do something constructive

Cool shelter Todd!  I've been eyeing a Tipi/stove setup for a while but they are just so stinking expensive I haven't been able to drop the hammer on one.

That's why I made my own. 

[TheHunt]

I like it.  I will try to talk to some folks on making one.   HOw about a stove and the jack.  Will any of the material burn? Did you do a test burn? 

[Todd_ID]

I like it.  I will try to talk to some folks on making one.   HOw about a stove and the jack.  Will any of the material burn? Did you do a test burn?

Yeah, I used the stove each day and night. The Tyvek does melt when it hit the stove. I put the metal stove jack in to hold the tent in place in relation to the stove. It'll work better.

[coop2424]

Nice work!!I have been pondering making a tipi style tent this winter..  I think I actually have a role of 6ft tyveki could use..

Your power is out, may as well do something constructive :chuckle

I wish maybe if the power ever comes back on and I get the humming sound of the generators out of my ears.. 

[LittleJohn]

Very Cool,

Any Idea on the total weight?
Just curious 

[Todd_ID]

I'd guess it weighs in at about 4#.

[Todd_ID]

I spent last night in the Tyvek palace. I set it up in 4" of snow, 23 degrees and snowing. It was 14 in the morning as I awoke. My fire had subsided but still had coals left, and it was not too cold inside. It'd snowed an inch or two overnight, but the tent did just fine. The small metal stove jack was a tremendous addition. The wind blew at about 10-15 all night. The sides flapped around like you'd expect, but the stove jack stayed in the same place just fine.

[Todd_ID]

Here's the stove jack in use.

[Special T]

Cool Idea!