Educate me on wall tents

[stealthy_bowman]

I use a 10x14 (140 sf) with 2 guys. It’s very comfortable but I wouldn’t want anyone else in there. For 4 guys, I think a 14x15 (210 sf) would be on the small side. I would go bigger.

 

[El Jason]

Agreed.
That bunk cot is bomber.

As long as the guy on top doesn’t fart a lot.

 

[mtmuley]

Agreed.
That bunk cot is bomber.

Umm. No. I like my space. mtmuley

 

[RealMuddyboots]

OK 3x6 cots? Are you guys hunting with midgets? Every guy I hunt with is well over 6' and couple of us are Sasquatch size. My cot is 84" and I barely fit length wise.

Edit: The 14x20' is the bomb and you will not regret the extra space. Clothes will need drying at some time whether snow or rain. You need that extra bit for that. A 10' rain fly absolutely. We used tarps and small runner rugs in front of each cot for tootsies. My size 16H Irish Setter Elk Trackers took up the runner.

Couple of heavy duty Plano type tube shelves were nice for whatever. Even firewood stacked upwards was space saver. Shelves go up in instant and hold weight.

Don't forget inside height as well. Ran solar light strings and were just enough light. No, just white lights, no rainbow colors.

I loved wall tents and plus 1 on inside conduit frame. My buddy has one we used and we felt much easier to put up and down with less risk to tent.

Edit: I had it as 14x18 and its really 14x20.

 

[TheTone]

Just checked; my roll a cot is 74x28

 

[INMT]

OK 3x6 cots? Are you guys hunting with midgets? Every guy I hunt with is well over 6' and couple of us are Sasquatch size. My cot is 84" and I barely fit length wise.

Edit: The 14x20' is the bomb and you will not regret the extra space. Clothes will need drying at some time whether snow or rain. You need that extra bit for that. A 10' rain fly absolutely. We used tarps and small runner rugs in front of each cot for tootsies. My size 16H Irish Setter Elk Trackers took up the runner.

Couple of heavy duty Plano type tube shelves were nice for whatever. Even firewood stacked upwards was space saver. Shelves go up in instant and hold weight.

Don't forget inside height as well. Ran solar light strings and were just enough light. No, just white lights, no rainbow colors.

I loved wall tents and plus 1 on inside conduit frame. My buddy has one we used and we felt much easier to put up and down with less risk to tent.

Edit: I had it as 14x18 and its really 14x20.

One of your buddies texted me a picture of your hunt camp. Rainbow lights indeed.

 

[BuzzH]

Looking for advice from the group with wall tent experience. I'm considering purchasing a Davis 14'x15' Elk package tent, to sleep up to 4 guys on cots. Considering the investment is kind of substantial want to make sure I get it right... no buyers remorse. Anyway here goes:

Do you think the 14'x15' is realistically large enough to fit 4 guys, stove, and their gear? and Yes, we have one of those guys who seems to yard sale his stuff everywhere...

Davis seems like they are a pretty good company. Anyone vouch for their customer service? Any other brands I should look at?

Not sure I need a floor. It seems it would just attract dirt from everyone's boot going in and out. thoughts?

Windows, are they worth the extra cost? I guess on hot days some cross breeze might be nice.

Thank you!

I would highly recommend if you're going to have 4 guys most of the time and you go with a Davis, I would get the 10x14 cook shack.

It can be added to the front of your main tent or used as a smaller stand alone 10x14. That really opens up the entire 15x14 (I have an older 14x16 Davis) for just a sleeping area for 4 guys. You set up all your kitchen stuff in the front which really opens up the main tent for 4 cots, etc.

Cook shack 14x10:

The 14x16:

I would also go with that fake green turf stuff that comes on the big rolls at home depot for the floor. I was skeptical when I bought it 20 years ago, but its held up incredibly well. I doubt I'll ever wear it out. Its just nice to have a floor so you walk around in your socks.

I've also converted from propane lanterns to strings of LED's...wayyyy better light. I still use one propane lantern but the rest all LED's. You can run them on a small ATV battery for a 2-3 days.

Wall tents are their own pain in the ass, but they also make a pretty darn nice hunting camp.

Good luck.

 

[Hem]

Umm. No. I like my space. mtmuley

Ha...mostly thinking extra storage space. Good place for rifle, pack, etc off the ground.

 

[SFC B]

This is the Davis we use.....15x18 with the awning for cooking. 4 usually and it is great. 5 is ok, anymore would not be comfortable. We went from an Army GP small to this and it was a HUGE upgrade in every way. Windows would be good if you are going to be using it in warm weather. Floor is a NO GO.....use tarps (canvas is best). Wood stoves are the best heat ever. Use oversized cots (Byer of Maine EZ Cot-you will be envied). Wonderful.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

One of your buddies texted me a picture of your hunt camp. Rainbow lights indeed.

View attachment 372051

OMG! Can't stop laughing!

 

[tormenter]

Big wall tents with a wood burning cylinder stove will be the best investment you can make! You haven't lived until you are walking or riding up to that beautiful warm wall tent in blizzard/rain storm or just a great day of hunting.

Go Big - add tarps for your floor,

Start living the good life- get that tent.

 

[Bill Zent]

Think about stove placement and flue opening when planning for cots, gear, etc.
I have stayed and been in many tents since 1950 and prefer a 45 degree flue through the wall. It takes less pipe and no worries about leaks from above.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

Posted up couple years ago:
My tent jack was not really holding up well to stove pipe thru it. I found this at Jegs which might be easy button fix to insulate the pipe from the tent jack. I ordered it and just fender washer screw it to pipe. Its good up to 750 direct heat and 2000 radiant heat. 18x20" so perfect for total pipe wrap.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Thermo-Tec/893/14061/10002/-1

I added to stove pipe and it holds up to 750 direct heat and up to 2,000 for indirect heat. Doesn't take up much space at all. Worked like a charm at $28!!! BTW the tape was just my 3rd hand to keep it in place for drilling.

Worked FANTASTIC!

 

[Birddog916]

Thanks guys. Tons of good info here.

 

[bmontang]

I have a Davis and have owned it for almost 10 years. Except for being a bit dirty you would think it is new.

If you have 4 guys regularly I would think about the next size up, this is a buy once cry once deal. Mine is a Grizzly (16x20) and four is great in it, 6 is a little crowded. Some year we only have 2.

Davis as a company is outstanding, I was on the phone with them for 25 minutes today asking about coal in the stove. It took that long because the person I was speaking with was trying to run down places to buy lump coal for me.

I have the unattached 3/4 floor - its ok but I can live without it unless it is rainy.

Windows are absolutely worth it, if you burn wood at some point you will 1) get it way too hot, 2) mess up the flu and fill the tent with smoke 3) repeat 1, 4) repeat 2 and so on.

Good luck.

Looking for advice from the group with wall tent experience. I'm considering purchasing a Davis 14'x15' Elk package tent, to sleep up to 4 guys on cots. Considering the investment is kind of substantial want to make sure I get it right... no buyers remorse. Anyway here goes:

Do you think the 14'x15' is realistically large enough to fit 4 guys, stove, and their gear? and Yes, we have one of those guys who seems to yard sale his stuff everywhere...

Davis seems like they are a pretty good company. Anyone vouch for their customer service? Any other brands I should look at?

Not sure I need a floor. It seems it would just attract dirt from everyone's boot going in and out. thoughts?

Windows, are they worth the extra cost? I guess on hot days some cross breeze might be nice.

Thank you!

 

[RealMuddyboots]

I've stayed in wall tents, RV's, truck campers and even used a truck cap. The TOTAL experience in a good wall tent with good woodstove is absolutely second to none. There is something about walking up to a really good wall tent that just brings smile.

 

[okie archer]

So, question for you guys not using an attached floor.
What would happen if you were using vinyl or canvas tarps for floor and a heavy rain came? Wouldn't the rain water run into tent and soak tarps?

 

[Paul from Colorado]

You are right on Davis tents; Don makes a great product. I was very fortunate to be given an old used one but still in great shape, some staining on the canvas but no mold so good to go. We put three folks on our 12’x16’ tent with a cooking area and a barrel stove. It does make for tight space, but we can still sit around and relax and stay warm. We tend to keep our gear bags under the cots, so each person has their own space. One thing to remember is that these tents are a large space to heat, and propane heaters produce water vapor that condenses on the inside during the night where the wood stove dries out the air inside so be mindful of your options.