Frames for Canvas Tents

Hunting Tent Frames:

I recommend an internal frame as it provides the most roof support.  Frames that do not have rafters, such as the A-Frame, lodgepole and traditional frame, put much more pressure and weight under snow loads on the tent ridge and eaves where guy ropes are tied to the grommets or D-rings. Wall tents with significant snow loads have a much higher probability of tearing or splitting when an frame is not used. 

Another major factor for deciding which type of frame is best for you is the ease of set up and time required.  One person can set up a 12x14 wall tent in 30 minutes very easily. Two people can set up a 12x14 in around 10 minutes.  Personally, I don't like going to a camp site and then start looking for lodge poles and then cutting them to fit my wall tent.  Too much work and too much wasted time.  

Most internal frames have two piece rafters and two piece tent lengths.  If you have an 8' bed on your pick up, tape the 2 pieces of your tent frame lengths and rafter together.  Taping together the two pieces of the wall tent lengths and rafters together reduces the number of poles in half and significantly reduces tent set up and take down time. 

Frame bags make transporting and storing tent frames much easier.  You don't have to count the poles for completeness as you put the poles in the bags from the last camping trip. 

Place something under the legs if you fold the wall tent's sod cloth to the inside of the tent so the legs will not wear a hole in the sod cloth.   WE SELL RUBBER CAPS JUST FOR THIS. 

A tent should never fit tight on a tent frame.  A tight fit puts pressure on the seams and zippers and will eventually cause damage.  If your door zipper does not zip easily it is usually caused by rafter being too long.  Cut the rafters down from 1/2'' to 1'' depending upon how hard it is to zip the wall tent zippers.