Wood Heated Tents

[Heat]

Does anyone have any experience with the Selkirk Spike Tent from the Wall Tent Shop? I just noticed this tent as an option for a canvas shelter that can accept a wood stove, and sets up easier than your typical wall tent with internal frame. They come in three sizes 10x10, 12x12, and 14x14. Sewn-in floor, 4 ft walls, two doors with storm flaps, two screened windows, stove jack, aluminum frame. I can't find ANY reviews on this tent, good or bad. Thoughts on Wall Tent Shop out of Idaho in general? Anyone know where their tents are sewn (I'm guessing China for the price)?

 

I've posted on this topic before but I can't seem to figure out or decide what I want/need. My must haves are: includes or can accept a stove jack (1st priority), easy to set up for 1 person (this is HUGE), stand up room (I'm 5'9" tall barefoot), room for two small cots or one Slumberjack Big Cot for truck camps. Lightweight and backpackable are bonus, but not an absolute requirement. Things like screen windows to move breezes through the tent are bonus, but not an absolute requirement. Pretty sure I lean towards floorless over a shelter that includes a floor for this one. I really prefer Made in USA, if possible.

 

 

I also have checked out Davis Tent extensively, and for a full wall tent they seem to be the ticket, but I often move camp every few days or don't hunt for more than 3 days many times. I feel that a full wall tent would be more trouble than it is worth for the majority of my trips. For 10-14 day elk hunts near the truck, I can't find anything better. A 10x12 looks good, a 12x14 is likely overkill for most situations. Made in USA.

 

I have looked into the Kifaru for their lightweight shelters (6 man tipi, Sawtooth). A lot of times I think I have decided on a Sawtooth, but hard to tell if it will work without seeing it up close. Same with the 6 Man tipi. I am also considering Seek Outside and their shelters. They also have a 6 man tipi and a BackCountry Shelter, which is similar to the Sawtooth. Seek Outside has a few features I like better than Kifaru but they don't have the Kifaru reputation quite yet, but I can't find any negative reviews on their stuff. These tents are very expensive and will be really tight space wise compared to the other options out there. Made in USA.

 

Springbar/Kodiak Canvas type canvas tents...I did some research on this previously and found out that Springbar could put in a stovejack, but now that has changed they say that the tent moves too much for a stove and wouldn't really help with that anymore. I can have a local sewing outfit put in a stove jack or I can probably glue one in myself. Not sure if this is 100% safe but I don't know if having fire in any flammable tent, canvas or nylon, is 100% safe regardless. You always have to be careful of fire. I saw TxTrapper's posts on another site from a few years ago, but haven't heard much follow up info. Tried to contact him with a PM recently but "no dice". Made in USA (Springbar) and China (Kodiak).

 

Cabela's Alaknak 12x12 or Bighorn III. Seems like a good blend of a lot of great features, but bad for condensation, still pretty heavy, and will take a while to put up and take down for one guy. Montana Canvas has a Spike Tent very similar to the Alaknak (USA). Alaknak/Bighorn are Made in China.

 

Anyone have any experience or thoughts they would like to share? Any other tents that I am leaving out and should consider?

 

Thanks,

 

Nick

[PRDATR]

Personally. I wouldn't use a wood stove. Look at Mr Heater Buddy. It will run all week on 5 gallons of propane. A lot cheaper and easier.

[cw4192]

can't heat morning meal on heater buddy or coffee, just a thought

[resolute]

Propane heaters produce condensation

[Heat]

Does anyone have anything to say about Wood Heated Tents, like the title of the thread suggests? Really hoping to hear if anyone has tried the Selkirk Spike tent or put a stove jack in a Springbar.

 

Thanks,

 

Nick

[Jcubed]

I have a kifaru 6 man. Awesome for my uses. However if you are going to be mainly car camping I would probably go another route.

[twigsnapper]

We grew up elk hunting in WY with a wood heated wall tent. Ours was a Montana. They are great except for a few things. Have to be careful with little ones burning themselves, the tent catching on fire(we actually have it happen from embers out the pipe), someone usually needs to restock wood in the stove around 2 am. As for tent material, we only had the Montana, after the fire we went to smaller tents with small gas heaters.

[Viper]

I have the Alaknak 12x12 with the wood stove. I will use it if it's cold enough. Nothing like wood heat and the crackel of the fire when dozing off. I haven't had an issue with fire...yet, but the ember roof protector has several holes in it. Usually, it isn't cold enough to use the wood stove. A propane heater is enough and a lot more simple. I haven't had any condensation issues with that tent in AZ or while using propane heat. It is a heck of a lot lighter than canvas, about 75 lbs. I can set it up and take it down myself, but is easier with help. I love the tent, but if I am camping less than three nights, I take a smaller, simple tent.

With your criteria, I would suggest sleeping in the bed/camper shell of the truck and just throw up a pop up shade/tarp. Or a 4 or 6 man dome tent and pop up shade. The wall tents are more of a base camp.

[Heat]

Jcubed, how many of your typical army style cots can you fit in your 6 man?

 

Nick

[Jcubed]

Heat great question. I don't know as I use the tent to backpack. But if you would like to check out the tent let me know.

 

I would guess two would fit pretty good in there. Last trip it was two of us, a dog, big pile of wood, and all our gear inside.

[Heat]

I may have to face the fact that one size might not fit all for me on this deal. I might want a tipi type for fast and light and a wall tent for long duty near the truck.

[My Rights As An American]

I once had a wood fire on my boat. Sank mysteriously one day. Sorry, I really had nothing constructive to add here.

[Jcubed]

Heat,

 

That is what I ended up doing. I use the tipi for packpacking trips and other things for a base camp.

 

Big issue for me is I don't want to leave a $1200 setup next to the road while I'm away.

[metau]

Heat,

I like Kifaru(don't own yet), but cannot say much for the other brands you inquired about. I have and still use an old 10x12 wall tent made in the 70's, believe it is either a Montana or Davis. I too was worried about the possibility of flying embers, but an inline spark arrestor took care of that. For me, it is a car camping only tent, though if I had horses that would change. I can squeeze in 4 small cots without the stove, two XL cots with. And it gets down right HOT inside if you are not paying attention. I actually put my cot right in front of the door as it gets me the furthest away from the stove(in back corner) and I can let a bit of cold air in if I get too warm. I would suggest getting a larger size, either 12x or 14x. Mine has a window in the back which helps greatly with airflow, but I would suggest getting one with a screen at the door if possible. You will appreciate it in the warm weather here. As for flooring, I use a tarp with a cutout for the stove. When I was in Colorado, I used a piece of carpet for the floor, it helped with the mud and snow. Don't forget a doormat. I've used my tent on solo hunts(perfect size for solo hunts, btw) in january for Javi and deer, and while it is not the easiest thing in the world to set up by yourself, it's not all that difficult either. Try it a few times in your backyard and you'll quickly figure out how to set it up on your own. I doubt anyone could go wrong in buying a quality, US built, marine grade canvas wall tent. The only regret you may have in purchasing one is not getting one big enough. Also, sounds like you may need a 2nd tent to meet the portability that you are seeking.

[Heat]

Thanks metau, thats a great post right there!