Help, please? Making a tent/structure.

[SaritaSyrah]

I really, really, really want to make my own tent for 2012. I was thinking something along the lines of an arabic tea tent. I know, dream big.

Anyway, I was thinking I could modify a monkey hut. Tarp/reflective something or other on the outside, cotton-y fabric on the inside. Tarp on the ground, big comfy pillows, big comfy blankets.

Does that make sense to anybody? Also, what would be the best way to modify the open ends of the monkey hut so that they are element-proof? Flaps?

Would it be easier to just do a regular monkey hut structure and make a tent to go inside of it?


SO MANY QUESTIONS!

[AntiM]

A tent inside a monkey hut would be cooler as there will be airflow over the tent.

A sealed tent will be an oven, so if you go the monkey hut route, plan to seal off just half, and leave one end more open as a "front porch" shade/sitting area. We tried sealing up our shade structure against the dust for a couple years, but now we dustproof our sleeping tents and leave the rest to the mercy of the winds and dust.

Big comfy pillows become big dust magnets. We keep a comforter covering our common use napping cot, and we have to turn it over to the clean side to use it. The trick is turning it back over when not in use.

[3rdeyekind]

Sage (eplaya) advice says the shade structure is the most important part.

http://www.chromatest.net/Lovemonkey/

I will likely be erecting a variation on the above design, granted I'm lucky enough to "win" a ticket.

Should you be awarded one too, I'd be willing to share, both shade and ride to BM from central TX. I'm going as a first timer, think it would be great to help someone else get there too.

[Bob]

Might try your local public library, look up "Bedouin" or "Arabian" rather than "Arabic", and see if you can adapt a canopy kit (eg here) to what you're visualizing, using your own tarps & fabrics.

[SaritaSyrah]

You guys are the best! Thanks for all the help.

[larsonfarmer]

this sounds like a great idea! cant wait to see the outcome!