Buying a theme camp tent

paylors · Post by **paylors** » Fri May 29, 2009 1:26 pm

I'm charged with picking out a tent for a theme camp. I've got some likely candidates for it, but thought I should check with the crowd.

If you recommend a specific item, that's great. We're looking for about 600 sq. ft. (55.7 m2).

I was wondering about vinyl vs. canvas. I like the organic associations of canvas, but vinyl seems to be cheaper. On the hand, perhaps canvas is cooler in the heat and easier to decorate. I don't think humidity will be a problem on the playa or during storage.

100 days and counting :)

Post by **mdmf007** » Fri May 29, 2009 2:18 pm

Thats 100 days until the Man burns!! not the first day.

Canvas breathes, and humidity does build up on playa with people sweating and stuff evaporating.

Color helps maintain cool as well.

Canvas lasts longer and is easy to repair, mildews and molds if not stored dry as well.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Fri May 29, 2009 4:06 pm

I'd go with canvas as well, here, check out these...

http://www.rddusa.com/Military-Tents.html

Something that big gonna catch some wind so I'd consider something heavy duty

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri May 29, 2009 4:15 pm

does anyone know how to calculate lift from a sail, for given wind?

It turns out I've got a parachute, I'd never taken it out of it's super nice bag......well, Looney tune and I took it out last week to see it and make a shade.......
it's about 100' diameter!! dang, bigger than I expected. All cammo.
we stepped it off, laid out, from center to edge was 50'....so.....but, it seems to not be a straight cone, more rounded, like a mushroom, I'd imagine if inflated......

anyway,
It seems it'd take tying it to some vehicles to maintain it in a dust storm.....and then, how to do that without it tearing away......

be a bummer to have that flying down the street........

thanks

paylors · Post by **paylors** » Fri May 29, 2009 6:53 pm

Yeah, I'm looking at that tent, but from another site. I'll compare prices, tax & delivery.

dj_john69 · Post by **dj_john69** » Fri May 29, 2009 9:48 pm

Canvas tents are the way to go. They are worth the price in the long run. Id also recommed getting the one with the longest leg poles for more i
inside head room.

They stay a lot cooler tham regular tents.

They hold up better in high winds.

They are pretty easy to put up.

They last a long time if taken care of.

StevenGoodman · Post by **StevenGoodman** » Fri May 29, 2009 11:57 pm

You could always just use three 10x20 carports, which would give you 30' x 20 '. Nice and simple, easy to setup.

Martini Steve

paylors · Post by **paylors** » Sat May 30, 2009 5:48 am

But the carports don't normally have walls, right? We'd want those. I guess you could add them easily enough, have to consult an architect on that one.

Post by **AntiM** » Sat May 30, 2009 6:14 am

Our carports have walls.

paylors · Post by **paylors** » Sat May 30, 2009 12:41 pm

oh, ok, i'll check out prices for them then

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Sat May 30, 2009 1:35 pm

ygmir wrote:does anyone know how to calculate lift from a sail, for given wind?

It turns out I've got a parachute, I'd never taken it out of it's super nice bag......well, Looney tune and I took it out last week to see it and make a shade.......
it's about 100' diameter!! dang, bigger than I expected. All cammo.
we stepped it off, laid out, from center to edge was 50'....so.....but, it seems to not be a straight cone, more rounded, like a mushroom, I'd imagine if inflated......

anyway,
It seems it'd take tying it to some vehicles to maintain it in a dust storm.....and then, how to do that without it tearing away......

be a bummer to have that flying down the street........

thanks

Seems to me someone in another thread could use that chute for kite boarding. Then again, a chute that big may slice and dice him as he goes through the trash fence.

mastermtn · Post by **mastermtn** » Sat May 30, 2009 1:48 pm

It turns out I've got a parachute, I'd never taken it out of it's super nice bag......well, Looney tune and I took it out last week to see it and make a shade.......
it's about 100' diameter!!

Sell the dang thing...after half dozen trips I have found that
(well actually on the first trip! LOL)
1- Parachutes do not block UV AT ALL!!
2- the unruly nature is not worth it- I had to literally wrap mine in
rope to keep it where it belonged during a storm
3- Canvas tent is soooo much better..easier to put up, easier to secure,
more storm resoistant, ,more dust resistant....etc

R

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:31 pm

Plus no one thinks you're a hippie!

paylors · Post by **paylors** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:41 pm

[quote="StevenGoodman"]You could always just use three 10x20 carports, which would give you 30' x 20 '. Nice and simple, easy to setup.

Martini Steve[/quote]

I'm still checking these, but they appear to be out of my price range. Please post a supplier if you know of a good one. It could be a great modular solution!

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 2:02 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:Plus no one thinks you're a hippie!

very few mistake me for a hippy.......

zorro sings · Post by **zorro sings** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:06 pm

paylors wrote:oh, ok, i'll check out prices for them then

How long do you see yourself hosting a theme camp?If this is a long term idea/project you may want to bite the bullet and spend the dough for a good tent.We spent our first three years as a theme camp with a"money saving"basic vinyl tent with many poles.After the third year at unforgiving BRC it was finished.

For double the money of the crap tent(800 sq ft btw) I had a 700 sq ft canvas tent custom made for the elements found on the playa.Features include;

Roof of tent given layer of shade material making it cool in the afternoon.
Minimum number of dependable and strong aluminum poles.
Windows that could be opened and,more importantly, shut very quickly
Backup and double back up tie down/secure methods
Simple construction plan
To discourge the dust from entering the tent a large drop cloth is sewn on both roof ends and flloor of tent sides

It has served us well and will be making its 7th appearance this year with no problems.This advice will of course do you no good this year.In fact if this is the first year of your camp it probably is wise to go with the bare minimum until you see how things work out.Camps come and go quite quickly at The Project. Good luck!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:40 pm

zorro sings wrote:Camps come and go quite quickly at The Project.

Can't the Black Man ever get a break?

itssunnyv · Post by **itssunnyv** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 11:55 am

what's your price range?

we got a carport last year at PEP BOYS for $230. LOVE IT. probably one of the best purchases we've made as a camp.

i think it was originally 250, but pep boys frequently has coupons for 20% off online that you can find.

it did have walls also.

hope that helps.

paylors · Post by **paylors** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 12:07 pm

[quote="itssunnyv"]what's your price range?

we got a carport last year at PEP BOYS for $230. LOVE IT. probably one of the best purchases we've made as a camp.

i think it was originally 250, but pep boys frequently has coupons for 20% off online that you can find.

it did have walls also.

hope that helps.[/quote]

Get out, Manny Moe and Jack on the playa, who knew.
Was it called a carport? I'm having trouble locating anything close to that on their website.

paylors · Post by **paylors** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 12:09 pm

but for some reason they sell a nitrous kit for my volkswagen

paylors · Post by **paylors** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 12:21 pm

OK, I called in, using 19th century technology, and got the details.

They sell two different models.
One has six legs and no sides. $99
The other has eight legs and sides. This one is made out of canvas, with a zipper door. $249, item #62680

I saw mention online for specials for these that make them really cheap. A concern I have is that if I lash three of these together is that I'm going to have a lot of interior support legs. Perhaps it's okay to do away with themand relay on the strength of the joined outside legs?

At this point, I'm going to take note of this option for my meeting, but unless we could get them much cheaper than this, I think it's better to get a single larger version.

Wish I lived out there and could try to make my own. My caving club (phillygrotto.org) once built a portable dry sauna with a metal frame not unlike what I'll need for this, plastic sheeting lifted from a construction site and a burn barrel. Worked out pretty nice, just a hassle to transport.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:07 pm

paylors wrote:but for some reason they sell a nitrous kit for my volkswagen

Hey, any good drainbow shares with his faithful wheels.

paylors · Post by **paylors** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:59 pm

speaking of sharing wheels, girlfriend's neighbors let me drive their '55 corvette and '60 rolls royce tonight! ok, just around the block more or less, but still driven

Buying a theme camp tent

Buying a theme camp tent

re: that tent link

carports - no walls?

carpools in fact have walls

Re: carpools in fact have walls

Re: carpools in fact have walls

CARPORT

Re: CARPORT

Pep Boys

Pep Boys carport info

Re: Pep Boys

sharing wheels