Tent Questions!

[sisu]

OK, I've got a few questions about tents.
I've been looking a the following companies regarding a "wall" tent.

http://www.coloradotent.net/ 
http://www.walltentshop.com/index.html
and finally Cabela's, Alaknak tent and the Big Horn Tent

Each of these sites have good tents, but I've never owned anything quite like this. All my experience has been light weight 4 season or three season tents that we have used as a 4 season

I want a tent, hopefully used, that is about 12x12 no bigger than 12x14, with stove capabilities so we can stay warm and dry out gear.

I've searched a lot on line and found that there is a VAST difference in quality when talking wall tents. Some of the tents I've found were less expensive than the two wall tent specific site above but when looking at the pictures and viewing stress areas I was not impressed. That is why I posted the two sites above as they seem to have the best quality, but are definitely not cheap.

Please add information and suggestions etc. Thanks a lot.
Scott=Sisu

[Slenk]

Yakima Tent & Tarp
1312 S. 1st St.
Yakima
1-800-447-6169
I have used one of their's for over 20 yrs. . They will Custom make what you want . Ask for their cataloge .
Slenk

[bobcat]

How much are you willing to spend? 

If you can spend around $1200, I would suggest going to the Puyallup Sportsman's Show in a few weeks. There are always some local wall tent makers there with examples of their tents set up, and some have special low prices just for the show.

Otherwise, if you really want to find a used tent, have you checked www.craigslist.com?

Another one you might look at just for fun, although they are pretty spendy, are the Kifaru "tipis."  They're lightweight and easy to set up.

http://www.kifaru.net/TIPI.HTM

[edmondshunter]

I stayed in a yurt when I went to Montana. If you can drive up to your camp, they are awesome .  Can have stove and a real door if you like.  There are a few local companies in WA. Check em out

[actionshooter]

How much are you willing to spend? 


Another one you might look at just for fun, although they are pretty spendy, are the Kifaru "tipis."  They're lightweight and easy to set up.

http://www.kifaru.net/TIPI.HTM

I have been looking at these, the price is gonna kill me.   
 

[sisu]

How much are you willing to spend? 

If you can spend around $1200, I would suggest going to the Puyallup Sportsman's Show in a few weeks. There are always some local wall tent makers there with examples of their tents set up, and some have special low prices just for the show.

Otherwise, if you really want to find a used tent, have you checked www.craigslist.com?

Another one you might look at just for fun, although they are pretty spendy, are the Kifaru "tipis."  They're lightweight and easy to set up.

http://www.kifaru.net/TIPI.HTM

The kifaru is a nice set up but I don't believe it is the tent to have for durability. It's a light weight tent and from our experience with tents of this flavor you need to be careful in their use. Dogs, and people in a tent made of light weight nylon and a stove just don't mix in my opinion. Now their stove is a honey for back country use. A buddy's son in Wasilla uses that stove in their squad tent.

[actionshooter]

I agree, that is one of my concerns. I think it would be tough to beat in a pack in hunt though

[MuleySniper]

I stayed in a Kifaru in sub-zero conditions. Three of us stayed in it. The bottom 3 feet, where we were sleeping had a layer of ice on it in the morning. When you stood up, it was eighty degrees. The wouldnt rate the stove very high. It was pretty flimsy, and basically good for burning twigs and large branches. It worked great for us because we packed our camp in on our backs! I wish I could find the picture of us with all our gear strapped on our backs, its hilarious, we had stuff tied all over our packs. Id love to get a nice walltent someday, but I need some sort of pack animal first.
MS

[Ironhead]

I have the 12 x 12 Alaknak and have had it for 8 or 9 years. A great tent for the price. I have stayed in weather from 80 to - 12 and have never had problems. I will say after a few days in sub freezing temps the condensation will build up and freeze on the ceiling at night then thaw in the mornings if you turn on the heat or it warms up I have  the alaknak wood stove and have used it many times but lately have just been using a mr. heater.  For the price this is an outstanding tent. One other thing if you are going to use a stove by the fire sheild for the roof as the embers can leave pin holes with out it. Check out my photo albums for pics of the tent in the feild.

[Rick]

We bought a 16x20 Rainier at the Puyallup sportsmans show about 6 years ago. Basically all we do is sleep in it. We have 6 guys that stay in it for 10 days during deer season. We also use it at Sekiu when camping in the Summer and Fall.

We also looked at  Colorado Tent,Bravo manufacturing,Canvas Cabins,and all the others. For what we spent for the tent and frame ($1200) I think we got a pretty good deal. Its been very waterproof and other than being a bit dirty,it still looks like new.

My Grandpas Elk party has been using the same Rainiers for about 25 years.

[Bigshooter]

Have you checked on ebay.

[Blade]

I second the Rainier Tent.  We used one for the past few years. 12x26, with cook shack added. Internal frame.  Wood stove inside makes it very comfortable, funny how all the guys with trailers at deer camp end up in our tent drying out from the rain and snow.  Set up is about an hour with 2 guys, take down about the same.  Get the rain fly for added protection and keeps it warmer inside.  Wall tents are the way to go, IMO.  They look so cool at night with a lantern inside, no generators, I like to keep it simple.
 

[boneaddict]

I 'm enjoying my Montana Canvas that I nailed this summer.  Not likely to ever find a better bargain.  Used once, with internal frame, spark arrester etc, $300.  First real bargain I think I ever got.  Very vryvery happy with it.  Sportsman wharehouse carries thm.

[high country]

I am sporting a alaknak 12x....not a thing to gripe about. easy to set up and what I really really like is they dry out 100x faster than a cotton tent.