Canvas Tent???

shantiapaz · Post by **shantiapaz** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:35 pm

Hi everyone! This is a question for you experienced burners about the feasibility of a possible tent.

My sister and I are Burning Man virgins and we have borrowed a large canvas tent that we are looking at as an option for this year's burn. It is a Colman Oasis tent (model # 8476-130) measuring 13' by 10' and 7' tall. There are big screen windows that we would have to tape shut to minimize dust, but our main concern is the wind. Of course we'll be using guy-lines and rebar, but it will probably still be a bit shaky.

Here are some pictures we took after quickly and loosely assembling it in the yard:

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221 ... ent001.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221 ... ent002.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221 ... ent003.jpg

So what do you think? Will it hold up to the winds and other playa elements? Does anyone have an experience with this tent or one that is similar? We would greatly appreciate any input!

Thanks!!!
K & A

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:01 pm

That's going to be hot, and not in a good way. Do you have plans for shade too?

I don't know if it will stay up, it might. Can you borrow it now and go camping somewhere windy?

shantiapaz · Post by **shantiapaz** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:22 pm

We're definitely going to rig up some make-shift shade structure, but we're probably not going to get a chance to try it out some place windy.
Do you think a ton of extra guy-lines would be especially helpful? Any other suggestion would be great!

sputnik · Post by **sputnik** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:38 pm

One of my camp mates in 06 (Boxburner) had a big canvas tent that he used at ren-faire type events. He had no issue with it as I recall.

DrPeffer · Post by **DrPeffer** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:31 pm

Yes indeedy, that is a loosely-set up tent. Looks a little rickety for Playa purposes to me by the pics, particularly if that's as loose as the canvas sits on the frame. If you can get the canvas taut, it would look more wind-worthy. The boxy shape is also not as preferred as a rounded shape, which will take the wind better. Yes also, that you would be well-advised to put some shade over the tent itself.

As for guy lines, its not about having 'a ton': It's about having four corners guyed-out. That's all.

Regarding the windows, tape won't do it. It won't hold, and any re-taping you try on the Playa will be a hopeless pursuit, as the surfaces will be all dusty. You need to sew or hot glue in some velcro to the various pieces.

If the poles for this tent are aluminum, if you can keep the canvas pretty taut and guy it out, I think it would work. If they're fiberglass poles, or if you're not able to meet the other criteria, I'd look at a different tent.

StevenGoodman · Post by **StevenGoodman** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:15 am

Guy down the four corners; and, yes, re-bar is great. But re-bar is not a requirement; there are many other stakes that will work.

Canvas tents are way better than nylon, etc. But the MAIN (or only) thing is that you can zip up ALL the windows/doors. If you can't, it WILL fill with playa dust. No matter what you do.

If you aren't worried about all the playa dust, then most any GOOD tent will do.

Martini Steve

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 5:53 am

Taking a second look, even if you manage to cover the mesh window, all the dust will come in under the door.

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:08 am

less dust will come in under the door

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:19 am

Heat should be less of a problem than with your average nylon tent. Dust will be an issue, but if you're ok with that it should be fine. I agree about the tape - leave it at home. Old sheets and spring clamps are your friend, as is some sort of shade over it or at least a truck to use as a windbreak.

Also an extra sheet to put over your bed when you aren't using it so it isn't completely saturated when you settle in for the night.

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:05 am

it should hold up just fine if you do a good job staking it down. You probably know this already, but make sure to use rebar longer than 1 foot, preferably two or three feet sections AND mark the guy wires with el-wire or something that glows and cap the rebar. Our camp had two canvas desert tents and they held up just fine.

justfred · Post by **justfred** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:37 am

Please don't use rebar. Use 6-8 foot-long military tent stakes, pounded all the way into the ground. They hold better and are easier to get in and out. There is no benefit to using rebar, and even less benefit to any bit of rebar that sticks out of the ground.

Otherwise the tent should be fine. With an overshelter (I just put an easy-up over the top) it should be plenty cool in the morning, and warmer at night, and as long as it's taught it should hold up to the wind.

I'd sew or safety-pin heavy cloth over the mesh windows. The ones in my canvas tent zip up completely so it isn't an issue. Sure, some dust may get in through the door (again, mine zips up), but if you keep it closed it should work fine.

Token · Post by **Token** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:44 am

justfred wrote:Please don't use rebar. Use 6-8 foot-long military tent stakes, pounded all the way into the ground.

What kind of hammer should I use for this and who holds the stakes as I swing it?

justfred · Post by **justfred** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:55 am

Token wrote:
justfred wrote:Please don't use rebar. Use 6-8 foot-long military tent stakes, pounded all the way into the ground.
What kind of hammer should I use for this and who holds the stakes as I swing it?

A small 2lb hand-sledge is perfect. If you can pound a nail by yourself, you can pound a tent stake. Good luck trying the same method with the 3-foot rebar, though. For that you need to find some sucker who's never tried it before and doesn't know what a stupid idea it is. I suggest a DJ.

justfred · Post by **justfred** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:58 am

justfred wrote:Use 6-8 foot-long military tent stakes, pounded all the way into the ground.

Um, yeah, that meant 1-foot long tent stakes. Half a dozen of them, maybe 8, depending on the tent. 16-inchers would work slightly better but are harder to find and are overkill.

Or a single 8-foot long stake. Pounding it in will take half the week, removing it will take the other half.

justfred · Post by **justfred** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:59 am

justfred wrote:Use 6-8 foot-long military tent stakes, pounded all the way into the ground.

Um, yeah, that meant 1-foot long tent stakes. Half a dozen of them, maybe 8, depending on the tent. 16-inchers might work better but are harder to find and are probably overkill.

Or a single 8-foot long stake. Pounding it in will take half the week, removing it will take the other half.

peachandpapa · Post by **peachandpapa** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:23 pm

We use three wall tents and our smallest is a lot like your tent. They work great if you stake down the base of the tent. I'm sure there are loops or gromments along the base and use guylines, especially the corners. The windows are another issue. Taping will not work! Try to sew them shut. Have a great Burn!

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:57 pm

Ummm, I know I'm not the only dirty old man round these here parts, but did anybody else take a good gander at the urls for the pictures?

ashleypee666

Interesting, very interesting

Oh and K & A, either you live in the middle of BFE, or your yard needs a little work

Guy all the corners, and consider if you can run guys over the top as well
Cover the screen mesh windows, buy some cheap funky looking sheets or blankies and clip them over the windows
cover your sleeping bag with another sheet

above all, embrace the dust