Canvas Tent – A Complete Guide

Serious hunting, camping, and fishing expeditions require a sturdy canvas tent to outlast the elements. For these trips, canvas cabin tents become the home away from home which contributes to a successful outing. Made of a thick cotton fabric, it consists of four walls and a pitched roof, held up by a stout frame.

The Basics

The rugged nature of a canvas wall tent provides a base camp with stability. Instead of rip-stop nylon, they are manufactured from cotton duck, and treated for water, mildew resistance, and to be fire retardant. Although these durable structures tend to be larger than their nylon counterparts, they have many of the same features, including zipper secured storm flaps and doors, and the need for a frame to hold it up.

The use of these tents goes back to the Civil War, where they were used in the field encampments as hospital tents. The portable structure is also used by some nomadic cultures, military populations in Iraq and elsewhere, and is a sensible solution for sheltering refugees. The heavier material and frame make this a cumbersome choice for a camp on the move, but far superior for an extended stay.

Common Features

Aside from getting a tent comfortable enough to sleep the whole group and store their gear, the material is a serious consideration. In warm weather, adequate flaps are needed for ventilation; in bitter cold or snow, superior weather resistance treatment is crucial for the camper’s comfort.

Superior material is available in 10 to 12 ounce canvas, and the fabric needs absolute water repelling capabilities. When water is repelled and cannot settle in, mildew is prevented from settling as well. Finally, be sure the canvas is treated to be fire retardant to the specifications of the local fire department. Besides treated cotton duck, a new fabric is now available which blends the tear strength and stability of canvas with moisture-wicking, easier to clean synthetics.

The canvas wall tent is used for more than just sleeping, and is typically equipped with a stove jack, buckled weather flaps, and the ability to stake the tent from the inside or outside. Stove jack sizes can be customized for safe ventilation with the use of any burner, and an extra one ordered if necessary; this accessory is typically available with a flap. In order to use one, the flap is lifted and secured, and the pipe is extended outside through the hole; the tent is protected by a heat resistant ring of rubber.

Other accessories include additional screen doors and windows, storage pouches, and gun and bow racks for practical storage and increased comfort.

Do it yourself flame retardant and waterproofing

If you want to make your own canvas tent then you will have to apply the fire retardant yourself. Companies like burn barrier offer a do it yourself flame retardant liquid that you mix yourself. You can either spray the mixture onto the canvas or dip it, soaking it entirely.

If you want to do the water repellent yourself than that is easy as well. There are 3 different methods of doing it.

The first one is to buy a water repellent from the store, lay out your tent on a flat surface and spray it thoroughly. Allow to dry and you should be good to go.

The second method is to use soy bean oil. Mix 8 ounces of soy bean oil with 4 ounces of turpentine together in a pail or bucket. Put the mixture into a spray bottle and repeat the application as laid out above. You may have to spray the fabric again and allow it to dry in order to get the best result.

The third method is using laundry detergent. Mix 1 pound of detergent with 2 pounds of hot water. Mix together well and dip your canvas tent into the solution. Lay out the tent to dry over a railing. Next, Rinse out the large pail well and mix together 1/2 pound of alum and 2 pounds of water. Saturate the tent and allow to dry. You may have to repeat this method often after you have survived many hard rainfalls.

Frames

The frames of canvas camping tents are larger and heavier by necessity. These frames are not like what you normally think of as light, flimsy tent poles. Depending on whether it is for an 8’ x 10’ or 18’ x 23’ structure, the framing can weigh between forty and a hundred pounds. Look for aircraft grade aluminum poles which fit together without tools, and can be assembled by a single person.

You will find canvas tents for sale online and at your local super outdoor sportsman store. These tents are not as common as the dome tent, so you may need to look a little harder to find these.

A canvas tent is the perfect shelter for the ultimate family outing or hunting trip. Outfit it with a wood stove and some unique cooking and storage accessories, and it comes close to providing as much comfort as your own home.

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