thegirlsclub

Sarra · Club Member Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 165 : Items

Not sure if this is the right forum, feel free to move the topic if better suited somewhere else!

So my mom and I are upgrading to a non-nylon tent, and one strong option is the Double Bell, probably from Panther.

Just a few questions.

Are they fairly easy to set up? Could two females set it up fairly easily, or would we need help?

How stable are they once they are set up? Since there are only 2 uprights and a ridge pole, could it survive Pennsic without falling down?

Good option sizewise? We are looking at I think the 12 x 16, and for me, I think this is an awesome design- sleeping in the two 'bells', dressier sitting area in the center.

Currently we have a 10 x 12 nylon tent

Thoughts? Advice?

Thanks! Sarre
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Cunian · Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 1:12 am Post subject:

I've got a homemade one that is pretty under-engineered, and it's been through several pennsics just fine. Of course, you can always get the odd micro-burst at Pennsic, but it's a nice, stable design that the wind goes around easily and seems to work very well. Easy for two to put up. I find I need a second person for about 2 minutes when I am ready to push the uprights into place and that otherwise it is fine as a one person job.

There is a lot less useable space than you might think, but it should be okay if you're neat or you don't mind your sitting area getting overrun. Hang some loops from the top of the uprights when you are setting it up, so that you can hang hangers and clothes on them.

Isabella E · Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 1:46 am Post subject:

I don't have that particular tent but I do have a panther tent and it's pretty awesome. It's weathered a bunch of rainy and windy estrella wars and it's none the worse for wear. I find camping in a pavilion is just overall much more comfortable than a nylon tent. No leaks, lots of stability, more headroom!

A word on canvas. If you get colored canvas it's heavier than the lighter weight uncolored canvas. Sunforger is even lighter. Unless you get a monstrous tent two able bodied people can set one up though most of the time you can find an extra hand if you need it. I don't know what your camping situation is but in my group we usually help each other set our pavilions up.
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Jesmond · Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 4:01 am Post subject:

I do not have this particular tent. I CAN set up my tent by myself. I've done it at home alone. However I have never been able to set my tent up by myself at an event. PEOPLE INSIST ON HELPING. I don't want them to help, but that is just too bad. Because they will.
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broinnfinn · Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 4:13 pm Post subject:

Isabella E · Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 4:37 pm Post subject:

I would like to downgrade ours to something a little smaller in the future, but other than we overdid it I have no complaints. I've had literally a stream of water go through it and a resulting pool/mud combo in the thing and it came out none the worse for wear.
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Sarra · Club Member Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 165 : Items

Yeah, I know we are going to get people helping, but my mom wants something we could set up by ourselves if we absolutly needed to.
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"Pain fades. Bruises heal. Honor is forever." -William J. Knight, Conals Corner

Sarra · Club Member Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 165 : Items

Also, is Tentsmiths a solid brand? Good quality, etc?

Thanks!
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"Pain fades. Bruises heal. Honor is forever." -William J. Knight, Conals Corner

Tibbie Croser · Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 1:11 pm Post subject:

Tentsmiths is also very good. I have a large canvas tarp from them; it's very well made.

Sarra · Club Member Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 165 : Items

Thanks for the input everyone!

I just have one more question.

A difference I see (aside from material, construction, etc) between Panther's tents and Tentsmith's is that Tentsmith's does not come with a sod cloth.

Has that been an issue for anyone?

It is my understanding that a sod cloth makes it so there is less of a chance for water to get in, because it kinda of seals the floor to the walls? Or something like that, with an L shaped peice of fabric?

Thanks! Sarre
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"Pain fades. Bruises heal. Honor is forever." -William J. Knight, Conals Corner

Isabella E · Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 12:39 am Post subject:

I have the super ground cloth that Panther makes which is basically the sod cloth plus plastic on the bottom. I'll never buy another tent without one. Certain events we go to, despite living in the freaking desert...rain regularly. It keeps your floor dry and helps keep the water out. The one that Panther makes has a lip that tucks on top of a flap attached to the wall to help keep water out.
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