New DIY Canvas Hot Tent

[4estTrekker]

I've spent the last two Winter Camping Symposiums enthralled with the idea of a Snowtrekker tent. The more I study them and see them in action, the more they impress me. I want to buy one (and will definitely some day soon), but I decided to see if I could build one this go 'round. Much to my surprise, it all worked out really well. Been testing it in snow, ice, winds, the works without a hiccup. My pup and ever-ready camping buddy heartily approves. However, I won't make another one! I did save some money and had a lot of fun building this tent, but I really respect the crap outta Snowtrekker and the research, design iterations, field testing, and materials development that have gone into making their product line...not to mention doing it at such a reasonable price. So, kudos to them for such a great product. Here's the specs of my less-great product 😆:

• Dimensions: 8x10 with 6'2" peak height
• Material: 7 ounce untreated canvas (preshrunk) tent body with midweight ripstop nylon sod cloth
• Weight: 11.75 pounds (tent) | 17.25 pounds (tent and frame)
• Paired with the small Kni-Co stove from Snowtrekker
• Replaceable stove jack

[brianw]

Great job on the creation of this hot tent. Where did you source the 7oz canvas?

Cheers
Brian

[snapper]

That's a beautiful shelter and set-up. You should be extremely proud of your efforts and the end result. I hope you enjoy it for years to come.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

[4estTrekker]

Great job on the creation of this hot tent. Where did you source the 7oz canvas?

Cheers
Brian

I searched high and low for 7 ounce Sunforger canvas. Snowtrekker and Atuk get their canvas custom milled at that weight, so the lightest weight Sunforger canvas I could find was 10 ounce/square yard. I wanted the packability and finished weight of 7 ounce, so untreated it was. I sourced it through Big Duck Canvas in Georgia. I think they offer custom treatments like water repellent/mold resistant/fire retardant applications, but I found that out too late for this project. I supposed there are DIY options for that, but I'm not sure how well they work or affect the fabric. This fabric should last a good while as is with care and proper drying/storage. It sews very nicely on my Kenmore serger and Singer Heavy Duty sewing machine, for what it's worth. Being untreated, it has a softer hand than Sunforger canvas.

[jamieS]

Very nice!!

[timdaman]

I am very impressed, that is some serious craftsmanship. A very cozy looking setup, I hope you get many seasons of fun.

[Undersky]

Your new tent looks amazing 4estTrekker! Well done!
You have put a tremendous amount of time, thought, and effort into your project. I bet it feels pretty darned good to be inside YOUR project with the stove hustling!
You are absolutely correct about untreated cotton lasting a long time if you care for it properly. Also, to reduce mildew spray-on or roll-on treatments are available for the areas that get wet and don't dry quickly (walls just above snow skirts, or the lower wall furthest from the stove, etc.
I sewed up a big tent out of untreated 100% cotton fabric in 2005, and it is still going strong today. Yours will last a long time, I am sure!

[4estTrekker]

Your new tent looks amazing 4estTrekker! Well done!
You have put a tremendous amount of time, thought, and effort into your project. I bet it feels pretty darned good to be inside YOUR project with the stove hustling!
You are absolutely correct about untreated cotton lasting a long time if you care for it properly. Also, to reduce mildew spray-on or roll-on treatments are available for the areas that get wet and don't dry quickly (walls just above snow skirts, or the lower wall furthest from the stove, etc.
I sewed up a big tent out of untreated 100% cotton fabric in 2005, and it is still going strong today. Yours will last a long time, I am sure!

Thank you, and the fact you have a tent from untreated canvas from 2005 still in service encourages me!

[Heavy Duty]

Ok.

dude.

That looks on point, you fully felled your seams, nice touch. Quality work for sure, you should be proud.

[4estTrekker]

Thanks, man. I'm actually upgrading the frame as we speak to .749 Eastons. I used my supply of aluminum tarps poles to make the initial frame, because A) I didn't know if the project was gonna work, and 2) if not, I didn't wanna have $225 of poles with nothing to do. I'm super excited to take it to the Winter Camping Rendezvous in February. That'll be a good next step.

[Hamingredient]

Wow, man. Major props to you for pulling that off! Your tent looks convincingly professional.

[MRaske]

That looks amazing! I'm sure it will serve you well for many years.

[Bkrgi]

"less great" dang I'd say you nailed it so why ever consider a snow trekker when you have created this master piece. That will serve you well for a very long time for winter adventures.