Period Tents

[Montana Slim]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice on tents. I've had my heart set on a wall style tent (panther).....probably in the 10' x 10' or 10' x 12' range. Wondering if this style/size is difficult for one person to unpack, set-up and take-down.

My second choice is the "mini" wall tent.

Thanks,
Slim

[Major 2]

Not bad to pack if you roll them I get them down to about  30" X 14" tight ( make sure it is dry ).
Poles are a different matter the the ridge is around 12' and the two uprights are 7'6" so unless you section them they are Long...
Set up is not hard but... it is a 3 man job to holding the uprights till you get at least the 4 corners splayed out.
I done it with just two of us before though.

Panther is a good choice, also try Yakima Tent Co.  in Yakima WA.
I've used them for set dressing in about every Film I've done, about to use them again.

There is also an A tent about 7 tall ,7 deep, and 6 wide.... plenty roomy for one or two and much easier to port.

[Russ T Chambers]

Here's a pic of my camp setup.
It can be setup by one person.  I know, Ive done it several times.
I was taught to stake out the four corners first.
Then put up and stake out the four corner posts for the sidewalls.  This creates what looks like a big canvas bathtub.
Next run the ridge pole in through the door.  My ridge pole is in two sections that get coupled with a sleeve, for easier transport.  The main upright poles are hinged to the ridge pole to make it easier to do one manned.  Raise the front pole and set it, then crawl inside and raise the rear pole. 
Go out and finish staking and setting the sidewall poles.
Done!
The tent gets folded up and it and the stakes go into a box I made that serves to hide my cooler while the camp is up.
The biggest challenge is lifting the packed tent and box into the back of the 4-runner.

[Books OToole]

The easiest to set up is a pyramid tent.  Stake out the four corners, step in and place the center pole.  Then stake out the rest of the tent.

However a pyramid is not as roomy as a wall tent.

I have a 10X10 pyramid that I will be using this weekend at the Ruckus at Racoon Forks. (See the May-June 2006 Shootist)

If you want to live in true authentic luxury a wall tent is the way to go.  My long term camping shelter is a 9X9 (8.5 tall) wall tent. [These are the military dimensions for the fist half of the 19th century.]  I only need help seting the uprights with ridge attached.

Both of these tents are from Panther Primitive.  I also have one of their British Rev. War Common tents. (6X9 X 6'2" tall)

Books

[Doc Neeley]

A wall tent would be roomiest, but most old photo's show pyramid tents and a rain fly off the chuckwagon for cover. I've had all sizes of wall tents over time, 8x10, 10x12, and a 14x16 (condo). All take 2 people to set up easily. I used a lean-ti (voyageurs tent) and rain fly when I camped by myself.

Look at what other have and offer to help with set up. Then make a decision.

Good luck, Doc

[Dr. Bob]

Howdy Montana Slim,

I have a mini wall that I find quite comfortable!  I have a 12 X 12 pyramid, also from Panther.  I am taking it with me to the Ruckus tomorrow.  I set my wall tent up by staking the corner ropes [know about where by experience of 12 years ], inserting the ridge pole and then the front pole.  Go in [don't forget to take off your hat!] and lift the ridge and place the back pole.  Then I tighten the corner ropes and stake the bottom.  Not hard at all, even for an old fart like me.   I do need 1 helper to get the fly set up.  Just a "hodepol"  [hold the pole] while the stakes are driven.  I borrow a pair of hands for about 5 min. and am finished.

My pyramid has an attached fly and so the hodepol is needed for just a couple of minutes.

Good luck!

[Montana Slim]

Well, there is some good news...it can be done, but I suppose easier with a bit of help.
Before posting, I had a notion that staking the corners might allow one person to put it up.

I figured on getting the sectioned poles to allow easier transport / storage.

My son has interest in camping with me and the roominess of the wall tent is very appealing. Stooping into my old nylon (arrgh) tent is rough on my back and I'm excited about having head room and ability to put cots, etc close to the edges.

Of course all I need now is approval of the "boss" and some free-time to play with my upcoming purchase (ha). Sadly, the latter is more critical.

I'm going to save the many tips from this message for future use.
If there are more, just tack them on.... much appreciated.

Thanks a bunch, all 
Slim
Slim

[RattlesnakeJack]

My own "period" shelter is what I suppose would fall into the "mini wall tent" category.  I believe it is older than I am (don't know for sure, as it was already old when I got it nearly 30 years ago.)  It has short (2') sidewalls and is very lightweight  (7 oz.) canvas .... so the over-fly is an actual necessity if rain is possible.

I've  always had the means (roof rack) to carry fairly lengthy poles, and thus have favored the "scissor-truss" method of putting it up, as seen here.  Have almost always put it up by myself .....

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

       You're the man Jack,your site really looks inviting, it has that come on over and sit a while, coffee's hot, look about it, you have this down to what it takes to be comfortable, and have the necessary items to make it work. Well done Pard,

                                     Thanks for letting us take a look see, ( great picture )

                                                        Regards

                                                   tEN wOLVES 

[RattlesnakeJack]

Thank'ee kindly, Ten Wolves!   

I do like to be comfortable when "roughing it" ...... 

This was the "International Camp" of Hardtack Henry and myself (his tent this time) a few years ago at the GAF National Muster ....

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

            Nice camp, and everything is so tidy, love these pictures

                               Regards

                            tEN wOLVES 

[Curley Cole]

Dang makes me wanta camp old style and smell the canvas...

very nice...I sent Old top the pix tryin to convince him that was the way for us to do the next shoot..

curley

[Dr. Bob]

Howdy,

Just back from spending a week in my Mini Wall tent at the NCOWS Nationals!  I can set the tent up by myself.  I usually put my 10' X 16 ' fly in front for a "porch"!  I need help to get the ridge pole added to the top of the front tent pole.  It is also easier to have some help in rigging the 4 poles at the corners of the fly.  I have room fro my bed, two tables and my field bar and 2 or 3 Gladstone bags.  I am extremely satisfied with mine and have been for about 15 years!  I have the plain Sunforger.  I may get a super floor for it before next year.

[John William McCandles]

Sierra Sue and I are looking for advice on a wall tent to use at the period camps at the NCOWS Nationals and other longer shoots.

Such as size for the two of us, don't want anything toos large but would like enough room to be comfiy.  Somthing two people could put up and take down. What type of material and whether to get fire proof or not.

We plan on having  fly for a front porch if room allows.

What does everyone do for poles?

Thanks
JW

[Books OToole]

I use a 9 X 9.  It is 8'6" at the top.  For two people I would not go any smaller.
Go with "Sunforger" canvas; fire retrardant if you plan on using a stove.  (You'll want about a 10 X 12 if you plan on using a stove.)

Books

[John William McCandles]

I use a 9 X 9.  It is 8'6" at the top.  For two people I would not go any smaller.
Go with "Sunforger" canvas; fire retrardant if you plan on using a stove.  (You'll want about a 10 X 12 if you plan on using a stove.)

Books

Thanks Books this was the info I was looking for.
We won't be using a stove. It will mostly be used for camping at shoots.

Regards
JW

[Dr. Bob]

My 8' X 10' Mini Wall tent from Panther is a great size for 1 person and a lot of stuff.  Will work fine for 2 people with modest stuff.  A fly to go in front gives day and evening space to be cooler and still shaded. 

[Montana Slim]

Update.. I went with a 12x12 pyramid tent. It's a Panther, been using it for two years now and was a good choice. I have a separate floor and fly, so I can easily choose how much tent technology to deploy with. My campsite has a ways to go, but it's a start.

Regards,
Slim