Tent/Sleeping Structure suggestions.

DangerMouse · Post by **DangerMouse** » Thu Jun 17, 2004 12:26 pm

I've tried the cheap route. K-mart, Walmart, Target, Etc... Nobody seems to carry a fairly inexpensive (Sub $100) tent that doesn't have mesh roofs.

Does anyone have any specific suggestions of brands/models to purchase.

So far I'm harkening back to my BoyScout days and eyeing Eureka's Timberline XT series. I'm very familiar with their set-up/teardown and they survived the abuse that teenaged scouts can dish out fairly well.

I figure if I'm looking at $200 or higher for a tent I might as well ask for other brand opinions.

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Thu Jun 17, 2004 3:17 pm

I recommend you do not BUY a tent, but make one. That way you save money and get a much more "burny" looking structure (that will work better anyways)

I use 4x 20' 1"dia PVC pipes and 6 pieces of rebar. I pound the rebar into the playa spaced just so in a hexagon (the pvc should bend into a hemisphere over 2 opposing rebars). Setup 3 of the PVC pipes so that they cross - this will give you a roughly hemisphereical shape. Use the 4rth PVC pipe around head level going around the structure. Duct tape or velcro or zip-tie together (be liberal here). Cover with a tarp (or even better sew a covering).

This will result in a wind-resistant structure that is big enough for a queen-size air mattress with room left over for a chair (essential) and your bags/chests. I had 5 people in my "tent" last year during the big windstorm on Saturday, no dust, no worries. If you arrange your doorway downwind, you do not even need a door!

regards, Jafe

DangerMouse · Post by **DangerMouse** » Thu Jun 17, 2004 6:56 pm

dragonfly Jafe wrote:I recommend you do not BUY a tent, but make one. That way you save money and get a much more "burny" looking structure (that will work better anyways)

Vehicle space is at a premium to be honest. Plus I really don't want to drive 1600 miles with 8' PVC segments strapped to the roof.

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Thu Jun 17, 2004 9:23 pm

Have you had trouble with mesh-top tents in the past or do you just imagine it would be a problem? They actually do seem to keep a significant portion of the dust out. You need some level of airflow anyway.

Military surplus canvas tents might be what you're looking for if you can't have any mesh.

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 6:21 am

We solved our mesh top problem with either a large comforter (big cheap tent) or a wedding kimono (small pricey tent) clipped securely over the top of the tent. Seems like it would be hot, but the extra insulation under the shade canopy kept the tent cooler, and kept the dust out. Note the thick heavy padded aspect of both coverings.

Angel Ben · Post by **Angel Ben** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 6:36 am

I'll be using a 5/8 3V 7'10" geodesic dome for my tent this year (as well as my three camp mates). I haven't finalized the measurements, but here's a rough diagram:
http://img70.photobucket.com/albums/v21 ... 2_door.gif

It should only cost you about $200-300 to build (depending on whether you need to buy new tools, and how you choose to cover it). Go here
http://www.desertdomes.com/index.html
for the specifics.

DangerMouse · Post by **DangerMouse** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:54 am

I just imagine in a white-out that they'd act as perfect channels with which dust to flow up under the rain-fly and deposit itself down on top of the rest of my gear.

I've never been out to Burning Man. Just followed the event/eplaya since about '96-7 or so.

As for the shade structure. Since it will also have to be small/compact for vehicle travel. I imagine it will not be large enough to place said tent under.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:50 am

Angel Ben- I notice in your diagram that the doorway is up off the ground....We discovered that that makes hauling coolers and ESPECIALLY bikes a lot more trying than one at ground level......I am still searching for the perfect dome doorway, one that allows easy passage without compromising structural integrity!
DangerMouse- Have you considered using your vehicle as part of the shade structure? Perhaps a tarp running down from your luggage rack, if you have one, to the ground or to poles.....Room for a decent-sized tent underneath.

Angel Ben · Post by **Angel Ben** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 10:38 am

robotland wrote:Angel Ben- I notice in your diagram that the doorway is up off the ground....We discovered that that makes hauling coolers and ESPECIALLY bikes a lot more trying than one at ground level......I am still searching for the perfect dome doorway, one that allows easy passage without compromising structural integrity!
DangerMouse- Have you considered using your vehicle as part of the shade structure? Perhaps a tarp running down from your luggage rack, if you have one, to the ground or to poles.....Room for a decent-sized tent underneath.

Heh, that's a good point. I'll probably put all the coolers and everything down, then build the dome around them. I'm not bringing a bike this year, and even if I was, I probably wouldn't waste precious dome space with it.

Here's another door design that works better for a larger 5/8 3V:
http://www.videogasm.com/burningman/200 ... 310166.htm

My worry is that an opening like that would be too small in my dome.

DangerMouse · Post by **DangerMouse** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 11:01 am

robotland wrote:DangerMouse- Have you considered using your vehicle as part of the shade structure? Perhaps a tarp running down from your luggage rack, if you have one, to the ground or to poles.....Room for a decent-sized tent underneath.

Well, there isn't a luggage rack at this time on the vehicle in question. Might have to look into that. However even then it probably wouldn't be tall enough for the tent as it's car and not an SUV-like vehicle.