Side Tents

[jerry101jlh]

There are many options out there. If I could afford it I would look at all, keep what works, toss what doesn't and get it made to my specifications, but from prices I've been quoted on making my own, can't afford it.

We have a Paha Screen Room, which we like very much, but its not perfect. We also like something over the galley that can be screened in. The more bug proof it is the better, but ventilation a big deal when camping in areas where the temps over a hundred.

We tried an ez up, returned it. Although a decent canopy, with the screen room unable to get it far enough over the galley area to clear the hatch. What happened was the metal in the frame work scratching the hatch area. We have gone to a 60 dollar Texsport 9X12 screen room designed to sit over picnic tables. It's cheap, but is close to doing the job and takes under 5 minutes to put up or take down. I've concluded that to meet our needs either need a SUV screen room, not tent or a canopy with straight legs. Straight legs would allow it to be moved up along the trailer side without interfering with the side screen room.

So far I've not found a SUV one that is open as the common screen rooms although some do have an attached screen room, but area covering the galley still too enclosed. The straight leg canopy might be the answer, but from what I've seen the prices for those as opposed to angle leg ones substantially higher which makes no sense.

The original poster asked about custom made tents/screen rooms and we've got way off topic, but I see there are few that have gone to the trouble and expense in having one custom made. Most, like me, trying to make what's available work.

The Camp Inn privacy tent is another subject. Made in America by a quality craftsman or not, a very high price to pay for an item that other made in China, less quality and all starts at $35.00 and goes up to around $150.00. The Paha Que model being the most expensive at around 300 as well. I can see 3 or 400 for a 10X10 screen room , but not for a privacy tent. That is just my opinion. I see the privacy tent as something not utilized as much as a screen room and with reasonable care less quality would still last years. Again just my opinion and I'm sure others don't share it, but last time I looked we all had the right to our own opinions and controversy and discussion is what these boards are for. We all can learn from others opinions and ideas.

[droid_ca]

I'd prefer building over buying cause then you could say "hey I made that...." but if buying is cheep enough go build something else with your savings I like the different styles of tents that there are , but I was looking for something that could handle the elements that was my priority #1 above all else then there is looks aand functionality. I like where this thread is going it has some good tips to share with everyone. still need some ideas as I'd like one that could be set up in the cold and have it nice and warm on the inside.

[jerry101jlh]

There are plenty of 4 season tents available, but modifying them to suit your needs maybe not easy. There are tents and shelters designed to use in Alaska and other cold weather areas and hold heat reasonably well, but are expensive, heavy and may not fit your needs.

There are some I know on this forum that do the winter camping thing. Would be interesting to hear what ideas they have come up with.

[PKCSPT]

Did I miss the link or number for the lady in Wisconsin who makes side tents or did I misunderstand?

She might be able to fix me right up

[schaney]

In my experience heavy cotton based canvas best meets your Winter requirements. Decent at maintaining heat, breathable to help with condensation, and safer than synthetic fabric around heat sources.

[aggie79]

Droid,

We have the Camp Inn side tent that we use on our non-Camp Inn teardrop and we really enjoy it.





I've included the pictures to point out some design features that I feel make it better than a stand-alone shower tent.

It is attached to the teardrop. This has many benefits - a place to store shoes at night, you can change clothes in it without doing the contortions necessary to put clothes on in a teardrop, and it is right there for those late night nature calls.

There are upper and lower straps to snug it to the teardrop. The opening fits around the teadrop door and there is a panel of fabric below the door opening that ties into the floor. There is a flap of fabric that extends over the teardrop sidewall to keep wind and rain from getting between the teardrop and the side tent.

The screened side windows - I believe it is no see-um mesh - allow you to open the teardrop door to get more ventilation and not have to worry about bugs. BTW, there is a strap that holds the door open.

It is big enough to for the porta potty and our clothes that don't fit in the teardrop. The height is tall enough for the average person to stand. If you're tall, you may have to stoop to stand in the tent. The only design change we would make is to make it slightly larger - maybe 1' wider and longer and about 6" taller.

You can tell that a lot of thought went into its design, and their are many design concepts that you could "borrow."

Take care,
Tom

[linuxmanxxx]

What brand/model is that SUV tent you have?[/quote]
Its a Sport 10X10 suv tent But you can unhook it and drive away it works as a stand alone tent too. two weeks ago I got hit with some major rain and everything stayed dry. I took my gally out and I use the rear for my main entrance. door to the tent can be on the side or in the back.or both for ventilation.[/quote]

Ran a search and can't find it, but my curiosity is how open is it with the privacy curtains up? We want something more screen room like for the rear of the tear, but something open, yet screened, that allows maximum air flow. Most I've seen are very tent like, not open like a screen room.[/quote]

Found it guys,,,,its the sportz suv tent and it has the optional rainfly over it which isn't included so searches don't look anything like what the picture shows.

[bushido41]

Hello Everyone,

I kind of made mine, I am fortunate that my tear is a bit tall and was able to purchase a tarp and a tarp door and created my Side tent. The total cost was way under $100.00. You can see some pictures in my album.



Cheers,

[wired]

Aggie79 - great looking rig and setup! Curious as to exactly what kind of fastener it is that I see on the end of the strap that attaches to the roof trim...

[Alleged User]

We're getting one of these. Big enough for a port-a-potty, shoes, etc., and the shape compliments the TD nicely, without looking like a contraption. Price isn't too bad, either:

[Oldragbaggers]

That tidy tent is a pretty cool concept. Only 5'6" tall, so some folks will have to duck a little, but should be very do-able. The price isn't bad either.

[wired]

Too bad the Tidy Tent isn't accesible from both sides....If it were I would be sold!

[Alleged User]

Too bad the Tidy Tent isn't accesible from both sides....If it were I would be sold!

Yep...dual entry would be ideal, but this is still going to work great for us. I mainly need it for middle of the night potty calls, and we'll also use it to change in. If need be, we can just stake down one side, and then just bungee the other to the td. Unhook the bungee side and swivel the tent over just enough to exit, and bungee it back up to close. But I don't even think we'll need to do that. Shall see.

[aggie79]

Aggie79 - great looking rig and setup! Curious as to exactly what kind of fastener it is that I see on the end of the strap that attaches to the roof trim...

I'm not sure what you would call it. It is similar to the hooks that mount a bike rack to a car. The hook is L-shaped in cross-section with a another lip to make it almost J-shaped. The hook fits around the aluminum insert edge molding. I guess the hook is about an inch wide. It is made of steel and covered in a pliable plastic or rubber.

Take care,
Tom

[Oldragbaggers]

If you, or someone you know sews, with the Tidy Tent I would cut an opening on the side that is now solid that would fit around the door of the teardrop. Sew a binding around the opening and put snaps around the opening and around the door so you can snap the tend to the side of the teardrop.