Floorless Shelters

[SDMFer]

#2813

I’ve decided that the way to go with future hunting camps is a floorless teepee (tipi if you prefer) style shelter. Preferably in the 4-6 man range. What I’m dreaming about is a backpacking teepee (i.e. black diamond megamid) and sewing a stove jack into the top. The stove is key because my wife came along on the last day of archery season last year and we got rain and then feezing rain which turned our dome tent into an igloo, and sort of soured her on the idea of coming again, but otherwise she had fun and I’d like her to tag along some more.

So, what I’m asking from all of you is: Does anybody have experience with this type of set up? Primarily putting the stove jack in? What about the size of a set up, will what is claimed to be a 5 man really fit 5? How about 4 with a small stove? Anything that google hasn’t yet told me would be greatly appreciated.

Another caveat is that I’m far from wealthy, into my 11th year of college and not exactly making the big bucks. So the kifarus and seek outside options are not really options. Thats why I’m looking at the cheaper backpacking types, the golite shangri la 5 is in the running too.

[sinawalli]

#13264

Yup, minimalist tent with maximus price! Another option for you if looking for a tipi is Wyoming Lost And Found. A lot better priced than Kifaru or Seekoutside! It will come with a stove jack too. Google “range tent” as well. I found a company that makes them fairly cheap as well. Can’t think of the name, but I’ll have a look for you. Be patient and I’m positive you will find a viable option!! Good luck!

BTW, a small stove can be expensive like a Titanium Goat. If you’re handy you tube has some good ideas!

Found these, prices aren’t too bad!

http://www.somomule.com/RangeAndSpikeTents.html

If it’s just you and the wife, then 4 man + stove should be good. Highly doubt you can get a cot into a tipi, maybe by yourself and the stove, unless you buy a real big one, like a 8 man.

[pewanogo]

#23539

Perhaps a contact with G. Fred Asbell would be of help. He’s written several pieces about tipis and has used them as base camps on several occasions. Robin could assist you in making contact with him Good luck.

Pewanogo

[Robin Conrads]

#23955

Here is the contact info for Fred Asbell. http://www.gfredasbell.com. He does visit our site from time to time. I will ask him to reply in the forum for the benefit of all the readers here.

[gfredasbell]

#24005

Webmother wrote: Here is the contact info for Fred Asbell. http://www.gfredasbell.com. He does visit our site from time to time. I will ask him to reply in the forum for the benefit of all the readers here.

I’ve seen a couple of the “backpacking” tipis, but have had no experience with anything other than a regular tipi, which is a long way from backpackable. I will say this however, a regular tipi with a fire inside is wonderfully comfortable in cold or foul weather. I’ve set mine up in lots of snow and freezing rain. But…again, the problem is that you need to be able to drive to your camp location. The problem with stoves…wood burning…is that they are way too hot in anything smaller than a big walltent…which I’ve stayed in on guided hunts. In the tipi the fire is a simple fire in a pit in the middle of the tipi..but they make the thing wonderfully comfortable in a maximum of 3 minutes. In a backpacking situation I’ve found that a plain old Coleman lantern is all the heat I can stand in a backpack tent. I would think a stove of almost any type would be over-kill in a small backpacking tent. Just my experience….G. Fred Asbell

[jpcarlson]

#24076

Mr Fred,

On Tipis, what size lodges do you have/have experience with? What size makes a good base camp/family size lodge with 4+? Any suggestions on where to look for a decently priced one? Are yours hide or canvas? If canvas, did you treat the material to waterproof it, or does the smoke take care of that? What do you use for flooring/covers if at all? Have you made your own lodges, if so, advice on sources for material and patterns?

I grew up and live out on the prairies and have been in a few lodges but never over nighted or had the chance to really put them to the test. The old timers out this way say a good tipi can withstand 60mph winds, keep you dry in the rain and snow, and cool in the summer. I would love to get a lodge for a hunting base camp and family excursions. I often find a good location I can get to with the truck and set up a base camp for my hunting. I would greatly appreciate any feedback!

Regards,

Jans Carlson

[SDMFer]

#24355

Thanks all,

I’ve found a back packing tipi in my price range, so thats step one. It covers 97 ft^2 so we should have plenty of room, and only weights a few pounds. While I like the idea of a coleman lanter to warm it up, I don’t want carry one around, mostly because I’ve broken a few car camping and can only imagine what would happen if I tried to carry one to a camp. Unless its really cold just using a back packing stove to cook on inside may warm it up plenty.

I’m intrigued by the idea of a DIY ammo can stove, so I may explore that route. At least try and build one and see what happens.

Being early March I have lots of time to tinker before Sept. one opener.

Thanks again.

Anthony

[gfredasbell]

#25137

Mr. Carlson…I have owned 2-18 ft tipis. One was second hand, hippie-built, and one was from Panther Primitives, which is much the better tent…and it is superior to any others I have looked at. Three-fourths of the time I stayed in the tipi by myself, occasionally with another person, and a few times with a total of four. I was just in a 14 ftr and thought it a little crowded., The tipi canvas itself wouild be heavier, but the major difference would be the length of the poles. The poles are supposed to be 6 ft longer than the diameter…thus 24 ft poles for an 18 ft tipi. I usually set the tipi up by myself, but another person can simplify…although some people helping can be a negative. My tipis were canvas and I never did anything to waterproof them. Water swells the fabric tight and the water runs off and nothing run in…particularly with the liner properly installed. My tipi withstood heavy blowing rain storms and high winds many times. I tried a floor when I first got the tipi, but always much preferred it without the floor and never used it. It’s the most comfortable tent, temperature wise, youi’ll ever be in…winter and summer. I heard people say they can be warm in the summer but I never saw that, but never had it up in high humidity country. The indians rolled up the sides I guess in really hot weather. I hung a single Coleman lantern in mine and could read a newspaper with no additional light…it’s all white and reflects light, even though the ceiling/walls are probably 12 ft high. They can be costly, but if you’re an outdoorsman and like the ouitdoors, you’ll not spend a better dollar. G. Fred Asbell

[sinawalli]

#25325

SDMFer wrote: Thanks all,

I’ve found a back packing tipi in my price range, so thats step one. It covers 97 ft^2 so we should have plenty of room, and only weights a few pounds. While I like the idea of a coleman lanter to warm it up, I don’t want carry one around, mostly because I’ve broken a few car camping and can only imagine what would happen if I tried to carry one to a camp. Unless its really cold just using a back packing stove to cook on inside may warm it up plenty.

I’m intrigued by the idea of a DIY ammo can stove, so I may explore that route. At least try and build one and see what happens.

Being early March I have lots of time to tinker before Sept. one opener.

Thanks again.

Anthony

Anthony, what did you buy? Let us know if you build a stove, I too was intrigued by the ammo can stove! Good luck!

[jpcarlson]

#25658

Mr Asbell,

I looked at the panther primitives; nice lodges and they seem well made! I plan on making/buying/trading/bartering for one some day soon:) The price isn’t in my budget right now as I have young children;), but I can’t think of a better shelter for getting out in the mountains with! I’m not sure who would like it more, me or the kids:) Thanks for your input, it was greatly appreciated!

How well do they draft smoke from an open fire? Have you used yours with an ozan, and how does that work?

Sincerely,

J Carlson

[SDMFer]

#26228

I picked up a Nemo Pentalite 4p.

Its listed as 4 person, but I think 3 is a reasonable number.

Especially with a little stove in the middle.

I’m going to order a stove jack from Titanium Goat and there is a small business in town here that makes custom gear so I’m going to see if they will sew the stove jack into the top at reasonable price.

[sinawalli]

#26564

SDMFer wrote: I picked up a Nemo Pentalite 4p.

Its listed as 4 person, but I think 3 is a reasonable number.

Especially with a little stove in the middle.

I’m going to order a stove jack from Titanium Goat and there is a small business in town here that makes custom gear so I’m going to see if they will sew the stove jack into the top at reasonable price.

Let me know how it works out for you! Going with ammo can stove? Love how the minimalist shelters are a maximus price!!

[SDMFer]

#27472

I’m going to tinker with an ammo can stove for a while and see if I can get one built.

A friend tried to build a small stove for his garage out of 8″ chimney pipe with the idea that if it worked well it could be used in a wall tent. That one didn’t turn out overly well, but it was a first attempt. I doubt I’ll get the ammo can version right on the first try, but it will give me something to play around with over the summer.

I’m also going to try the pentalite out with no heat a lot this summer with backpacking, fishing, and scouting trips. As Mr. Asbell eluded, a stove may be over kill.

As far as the prices go, I agree. I’ve spent a few nights in a friends 6 man Kifaru and while it was a pretty slick set up and ultimately inspired my decision to go the floorless route. I can’t justify spending over a grand on what in its raw form is a nylon tarp with zippers.

[sinawalli]

#27697

SDMFer wrote: I’m going to tinker with an ammo can stove for a while and see if I can get one built.

A friend tried to build a small stove for his garage out of 8″ chimney pipe with the idea that if it worked well it could be used in a wall tent. That one didn’t turn out overly well, but it was a first attempt. I doubt I’ll get the ammo can version right on the first try, but it will give me something to play around with over the summer.

I’m also going to try the pentalite out with no heat a lot this summer with backpacking, fishing, and scouting trips. As Mr. Asbell eluded, a stove may be over kill.

As far as the prices go, I agree. I’ve spent a few nights in a friends 6 man Kifaru and while it was a pretty slick set up and ultimately inspired my decision to go the floorless route. I can’t justify spending over a grand on what in its raw form is a nylon tarp with zippers.

http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=93902

Here are plans for a ammo can stove that are pretty simple!

http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php/28705-Troll-s-ammo-can-stove-Pic-s

This guy uses baffles to improve efficiency, also looks fairly easy! Like yourself, I can’t justify big $$$ for a glorified tarp setup! I am looking at Wyominglostandfound. Pretty reasonable prices. Being a machinist, I’m pretty sure I can whip up a stove, just need a welder. Best of luck to you!!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#43952

After literally years of deliberation, and going back and forth between a traditional canvas wall tent and a lightweight tipi design, I finally pulled the plug today on a Seek Outside 6 with a woodstove (stock pics, since I’m waiting a couple weeks for mine):

I was able to chat with Angie from SO @ the BHA Rendezvous in Boise this past weekend, and check out one of the tipi/stove setups in the flesh. Quality throughout was evident. The whole thing, with stove and pipe, weighs under 10lbs. Easy enough to break up between a few people and pack in just about anywhere.

With two turkey hunts coming up in a few weeks, it should get lots of use soon. Can’t wait!

[Troy Warner]

#46229

Smithhammer,

Did you order a nest also?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#46259

No, I decided to hold off on the nest. May pick one up down the road, if it seems necessary. But I’ve spent a fair bit of time in floorless wall tents, etc. and haven’t found a huge need for one yet.

[Author]

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