Kodiak 10 x 10 Tent: Basic vs. Deluxe

[Leo]

Kodiak Tents offers 3 versions of their 10 x 10 flex-bow tent:
1. 10' x 10' Basic (2 windows) $400.00
2. 10' x 10' Deluxe (4 windows + 2 cross vents) $550.00
3. 10' x 10' Deluxe VX (6 windows) $570.00

I'm camping solo and will likely have some kind of shade structure over the tent. For camping on the playa, is it worth the additional cost for additional windows? At my previous burns, I was camping in a tent trailer and had the windows zipped up most of the time. I appreciate the wit, wisdom and insight from this group. Cheers!

[Popeye]

Kodiak Tents offers 3 versions of their 10 x 10 flex-bow tent:
For camping on the playa, is it worth the additional cost for additional windows?

Tents are for when it's raining, when you're sleeping, when you're having sex and when it is blowing to hard to see. At which of these times do you want/need a window?

[Leo]

Hey Popeye,
Maybe when I'm having sex!

[lucky420]

I’ve got a 10 x 14 Kodiak with 4 windows. Last year I kept the back 2 completely zipped the whole time

[ZeugmaMethod]

I have a Kodiak 10x10 deluxe with the added vestibule option. Last year The dust storms were fairly predictable so so times it was great to sleep with this under a larger shade structure. The Windows front and back gave great cross ventilation with little or no dust. The vestibule faced the street so little road dust entered the tent.
I bought star drive lag screws ( timber tech?) 10" from Lowe's. They worked great with my cordless drill.
I placed a carpet on the ground outside my tent under the vestibule as a shoe changing room.
I'd not hesitate to buy this tent again.

[Leo]

So I pulled the trigger today and purchased a Kodiak 10' x 10' Deluxe, on sale at Cabela's. For all of you Kodiak campers out there, I have a few questions:
1. It the vestibule a worthwhile add-on?
2. Do you use the awning on the playa, or do you keep it rolled up?
3. If you extend the awning, do you use additional guy lines or ratchet straps to keep it from flying?
4. Does the tent itself need any guy lines or are the stakes sufficient for keeping it in place?
Thanks in advance for your feedback!

[lucky420]

I extended the awning. My tent opening was about 2 ft from the monkey hut. I extended the awning and clipped it to my monkey hut with big jaw clips. Worked great

I used the stakes that came with the tent to anchor to the playa. The tents pretty damn heavy and had stuff inside it. It was fine

[Leo]

Thanks Lucky420!
One more question: Should I have a tarp under the tent?
Cheers!
Leo

[Papa Bear]

One more question: Should I have a tarp under the tent?

I don't have a Kodiak (and so don't know how water-resistant the floor is), but the answer to that is "yes". If we get rain like we did in '14, you'll be much happier trying to clear the stuff off of a tarp than off the bottom of your tent.

[Just_Joe]

One more question: Should I have a tarp under the tent?

I don't have a Kodiak (and so don't know how water-resistant the floor is), but the answer to that is "yes". If we get rain like we did in '14, you'll be much happier trying to clear the stuff off of a tarp than off the bottom of your tent.

The floors on these tents are very sturdy and waterproof. If it rains, we're all screwed and having a tarp that extends past the edge of the tent will cause water/moisture to collect between the floor and the tent.
Rain or not, when you get home, you're going to want to set it up, hose it off inside and out, and then vacuum out the inside with a shop vac.

[Papa Bear]

having a tarp that extends past the edge of the tent will cause water/moisture to collect between the floor and the tent.

Yep, that is why any tarp under any tent should never extend past the edges (and why, if you add a floor tarp to a carport, ice shelter, or hexayurt, you want to tape up the edges on the inside rather than the outside, so it doesn't help funnel rainwater into the shelter). I was there for the rain in '14 too, and saw plenty of folks who made those mistakes.

That said, rainwater can migrate through the ground and make mud underneath the outer edge of the tarp/tent. I personally think it's quite a bit easier to clean the mud off of a tarp than a tent, hence my recommendation, but to each his own.

[Just_Joe]

but to each his own.

Hence my transition to an RV Cheers!

[lucky420]

Thanks Lucky420!
One more question: Should I have a tarp under the tent?
Cheers!
Leo

Yes, it will protect the bottom from abrasive rubbing