Ive just joined the forum and I really enjoy to read around for different tips and advice.
I cant really find any posts about living in a tent, and due to that, heres my question, first, about tents and quality, have tryed to find more review on the 10T for example, and would just like to hear your opinion about different tents and fabrics.
Ive been considering one of these:
A full canvas Bell Tent, 5m. (Been looking at various and cant really decide from which place to order, mby belltent.co.uk.) Pref. with a place to stick out a chimney to keep warm in winter.
How is the polycotton and quality of this? and how with the windows? will that be extra noisy? kinda like that it has windoes, but will it last? Anyone know about the quality of this tent?
Also I really like the front porch.
But Ive heard about leaks from the A-Frame on the Robens, and not sure Ill be wanting to pay almost the double of the 10T in the seemingly same canvas mix?
Hope any of you got some advice and experience, feel free to give pros and cons on either one of the tents.
Im from Denmark, (so pardon any mistakes.) and Ill be living on a campsite close to Copenhagen.
Wish you all a great fall, and
Appreciatively
Morten
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
I've got a 5 metre bell tent by Bell Tent Boutique complete with wood burning stove if you're interested. Only used for three nights...We found out too late we are to old and feeble for such a heavy tent.
------------- Getting old isn't Fun but the alternative is much worse.
If I had to live in a tent long term on a standing site I too would think in terms of heavy canvas but I would also think flysheet. The 2 tents you've suggested look on the light side and don't have flysheets, touching the side in rain will produce leaks until the tent dries out again and the gap between the flysheet and the tent creates insulation.
I'd also think military surplus as military tents are usually 4 season. This looks like it would do the job:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ex-British-Army-10-Man-Arctic-Bell-Tent-with-Chimney-Section-Includes-Liner/352848687044?hash=item52276bafc4:g:CsYAAOSwvKRcregg
A Dutch pyramid in heavy cotton canvas and a sewn in groundsheet.
I camped in mine in the colder months, and it was very cosy with carpet in the living area and a fan heater to keep warm.
Pitch with some shelter like a hedge as a natural windbreak with the tent'sloping side against it.
Have a look at ESVO range of Dutch pyramid tents to find one that suits.
I would advise getting one with some living space where one can stand up fully.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
10T/Spreen tents are very good quality, especially when considering price, for a polycotton tent. They are robust. The cloth has a higher polyester content than many polycottons at 65%. Nordisk have taken over the marketing of their excellent large ish ridge tent (Ydun 55 as they now call it).
Robens make good tents, although they to have changed their polycotton ("Hydrotex") cloth also to 65% polyester. The Klondike is a perfectly good tent, but there are other bell tents I would prefer (Blacks of Greenock Solace for one) for a host of reasons.........
Robens do a very nice "Prospector" type tent if living therein, as would a large "Baker "style tent be of interest?
Also as "DK" says above some dutch pyramid style tents would be good, such as a second hand de Vrijbuiter?
I used to have the ex army 5 man bell tent and still own the 5 man ex army arctic ridge tent.
The liners make all the difference and would be good for those cold months, but be aware, they're not 'refined'!
Down side maybe that not sewn in groundsheet. They have huge mud/snow flaps though (the liner also has mud flaps) which with a heavy duty groundsheet on should keep most of the draughts out.
Another downside is you're either in, or out of the tents....no porch/canopy to sit under and if raining would need the doors shut.
I sold the Bell tent as it took up a huge pitch for not a lot of standing height. The 10 man has better proportions, but check any measurements carefully, they're quite different to normal bell tents....
Personally I'd go for a pyramid style and with a decent inner.
To the OP: there was no mention of a stove (a good idea in the winter) in your post, but if you did want one, as has been said, they can be retro fitted, but some bell tents are geared up for them already with either flap and/or stove jack fitted.........Without checking again I think the Robens Prospector might have one fitted for example if you wanted a squarer shaped tent aka the 10T options?
Quote: Originally posted by Polskapihl on 30/8/2020
Hey fellow canvascampers!
Ive just joined the forum and I really enjoy to read around for different tips and advice.
I cant really find any posts about living in a tent, and due to that, heres my question, first, about tents and quality, have tryed to find more review on the 10T for example, and would just like to hear your opinion about different tents and fabrics.
Ive been considering one of these:
A full canvas Bell Tent, 5m. (Been looking at various and cant really decide from which place to order, mby belltent.co.uk.) Pref. with a place to stick out a chimney to keep warm in winter.
How is the polycotton and quality of this? and how with the windows? will that be extra noisy? kinda like that it has windoes, but will it last? Anyone know about the quality of this tent?
Also I really like the front porch.
But Ive heard about leaks from the A-Frame on the Robens, and not sure Ill be wanting to pay almost the double of the 10T in the seemingly same canvas mix?
Hope any of you got some advice and experience, feel free to give pros and cons on either one of the tents.
Im from Denmark, (so pardon any mistakes.) and Ill be living on a campsite close to Copenhagen.
Wish you all a great fall, and
Appreciatively
Morten
Hi,
It would be interesting to hear what your thoughts are bearing in mind the feedback given here? Are you finding what you wanted?
Thank you all for your replies, was real helpfull. Ive got plenty of stuff to consider now I didnt think about.
Thought I did mention that I might want a stove, to fight off the coldst of winter. But I might forgot that part.
Im as one states, just a little scared to start cutting in Any tent to costomize it to fit a chimney.. Retro fitting is that through the side vents?
The bristish ex army tents looks quite nice, but I Hope I can do with a little Less. Looks like you wont see daylight :)
Dutch ones, Im really considering
But I think I need to buy a used one to not to destroy My budget. And try to think of some other way to heat, than wood stove maybe?
Is gas ok for heating in winter, with proper vent and a carbon dioxide monitor?
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts
Written from mobile
There are several sources of second hand Dutch pyramid tents.....all of mine have been second hand. Retro fitting a stove flue hole is easy but you must be sure of your stove, where you want it and what chimney is supplied. There is lots on line and u tube videos about that.
That Robens Prospector is now available in the uk heavily discounted, and has specially made groundsheet for the stove and a flap ready. Also easy to live in? A little expensive are Tentipi, very good, also designed for a stove and chimney pipe.
Depending on your situation and your management of the heating system you choose, yes you CAN use anything to heat, as long as you are safe at night time in particular?
I think one thing to think about wrt a gas heater would be condensation. I am not remotely experienced in any form of camping heater, but I know this is an issue with gas for cooking.
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Topic: Live in a tent, which one?
via mobile 30/8/2020 at 5:11pm
