Winter tent in the summer?

[Heavy Duty]

For those of you that get year around use of your winter tent, how do you set it up for summer use? What changes did you make to the setup?

[Ray1984]

I Have a seek outside Tipi, I take the liner out when i choose to use it in the warmer months. other wise no changes.

[snapper]

I have a couple of dedicated winter tents and have never done anything different when using them during the warmer months. I did just order a nest from Seek Outside for my "Red Cliff" which should be here the end of this week so that will be an adjustment but that would be it. And if it works out as well as I'm hoping, the Red Cliff may be my main shelter in the future since I'll have bug protection going forward.

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

snapper

[Heavy Duty]

My last tent that I sewn up was very similar to a SO Red cliff. IMHO it's a great design. If it works well for you I may just make bug netting "nest" for mine as well. 😀

[snapper]

Heavy Duty - I'll try to remember to get back to you after I get a chance to use it. Honestly, I don't mind floorless shelters in the least but sometimes the flying critters can make a trip unbearable. Having a place to escape can make all the difference in the world between being able to enjoy yourself or not; which I'm sure you're already familiar with!

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

snapper

[Heavy Duty]

Thanks! I appreciate it. Makes sense to get the most out of an investment.

[matted]

I am thinking of buying a Snowtrekker, and I could sell my wife on the high cost if it was useable year round as the family “car camping” tent. My wife, however, is terrified of the idea of a tent without a floor due to the possibility of mice/critters/bugs/whatevers getting into the tent while we sleep.

My assurances that this won’t be any different than our silnylon dome tents have not really gone anywhere... other than the optional bug netting that Duane can add to the door/windows upon request, what else can I do to allay her fears? Any semi-doable way to secure a floor or ground sheet to the walls of a canvas tent to at least keep rodents out?

Thanks!

-Matt

[Heavy Duty]

I am thinking of buying a Snowtrekker, and I could sell my wife on the high cost if it was useable year round as the family “car camping” tent. My wife, however, is terrified of the idea of a tent without a floor due to the possibility of mice/critters/bugs/whatevers getting into the tent while we sleep.

My assurances that this won’t be any different than our silnylon dome tents have not really gone anywhere... other than the optional bug netting that Duane can add to the door/windows upon request, what else can I do to allay her fears? Any semi-doable way to secure a floor or ground sheet to the walls of a canvas tent to at least keep rodents out?

Thanks!

-Matt

Probably no way to really seal it up unless you sew the floor in. However, I think you could do a pretty dang good job of keeping the tent sealed to the ground fairly well. there are staking provisions in the middle of each wall and on the corners. The snow flap can be turned towards the inside and the floor will overlap that flap. I've personally never had that problem in the fall, where mice are very active getting ready for winter.

[Bkrgi]

I am thinking of buying a Snowtrekker, and I could sell my wife on the high cost if it was useable year round as the family “car camping” tent. My wife, however, is terrified of the idea of a tent without a floor due to the possibility of mice/critters/bugs/whatevers getting into the tent while we sleep.

My assurances that this won’t be any different than our silnylon dome tents have not really gone anywhere... other than the optional bug netting that Duane can add to the door/windows upon request, what else can I do to allay her fears? Any semi-doable way to secure a floor or ground sheet to the walls of a canvas tent to at least keep rodents out?

Thanks!

-Matt

No reason why one could not velcro in a floor. Rodents certainly can be a problem...been there and thankfully I only use a Hammock or they would have been checking me out along with all my other gear which they did....errrrrr.

Bugs for me define whether I am taking my silpoly hot tent...otherwise it is the Hammock with bug net and a tarp oh and a bottle of 97% deet...all that other crap they sell here in Canada is water to skeeters and black flies.

[matted]

However, I think you could do a pretty dang good job of keeping the tent sealed to the ground fairly well. there are staking provisions in the middle of each wall and on the corners. The snow flap can be turned towards the inside and the floor will overlap that flap.

No reason why one could not velcro in a floor...

Thank you both for your input! I did not realize Snowtrekkers had the snow flap... with it turned inwards it would be a great place to put some velcro for a floor. Could be just enough to satisfy my wife.... hmmmm.

Thanks again!

[CampingND]

Matted - You could consider adding a screen tent (tub floor with screen upper) inside your floorless tent to keep bugs or rodents off of you while you sleep. I have seen full size screen tents that fit the complete floor, half size for 2 persons, and even a one person size screen tent. This would also allow you to keep the doors open during the summer for better ventilation without bugs biting you all night.

[chimpac]

Mosquitoes and other bugs do not like smoke, so a little smoke leaked inside from a wood stove keeps some of them out. I have had mice run across my face at night. I now use a home sewed bivy bag with 20” sides. Top of bag open but the opening tapering in from the bottom.
I think the best 4 season shelter is made with a square tarp and a chimney centre pole and a pole in each corner for each person to keep the tarp above his head. Sides can be tight to the ground or raised for umbrella shade. An eye level vent that closes can be stapled in with 2 strips is oil bucket one 3” wide the other 4” wide. The floor can be covered with a tarp, the edges secured to the upper tarp with a strip of Velcro.

[Old MukR]

I just use a regular 4 season tent year round and have never taken to stoves. Long term use of stoves in a hot tent configuration as used in military tests have not ended well. I suppose if one is only going for a short period of time it is no big deal.

[Scoutergriz]

I just use a regular 4 season tent year round and have never taken to stoves. Long term use of stoves in a hot tent configuration as used in military tests have not ended well. I suppose if one is only going for a short period of time it is no big deal.

people have used stoves in tents for centuries with no issue, my family and many others have LIVED in a hot tent for an entire winter with no issues. You don't hear about the millions of days that go well for the vast majority, you only hear of ONE day that went bad for ONE group, and they used a charcoal BBQ, not a woodstove.

[Scoutergriz]

I've used my winter tents many times in the summer, especially if I'll be there for a while. My present one is a prospector design and I added screens just for summer use.