canvas tents

TENT SET UP and SNOW LOADS

 

Critical elements of set up that must be emphasized.

Insure your tent roof and fly are stretched taunt.  If the canvas or fly is not taunt rain water or snow will collect in the low roof area at the eaves which I refer to as a trough. Water in a fly eave trough will eventually go through the fly material and will cause a eave water trough on the canvas roof.  Over time, water in the eave trough will rot your roof canvas and ruin your tent.  There is no guarantee for rotting eaves as it is only caused when a person does not set up the tent properly.

Grommets at each end of the roof are for securing your tent to help prevent your tent blowing away during high winds.  Always secure your tent with ridge end ropes.  You never know when high winds will occur at night or when you are away from your tent. 

 SNOW LOADS.

Canvas tents are not designed for heavy snow loads like a wooden structure.  Houses have rafters every 2 feet to carry the weight of snow on the roof.  If you plan on leaving your tent set up during winter you need to have at a minimum rafters every 2 feet. 

Even with tent rafters every 2 feet it is still possible your roof will cave in during heavy snow loads.

Remove snow daily from the roof or every couple of days depending upon snow loads.

You must also have a fly/tarp on your tent.  A  poly fly allows snow to slide off much more easily than canvas.

The tent and fly must be very tight to prevent snow, rain and ice from collecting in the eave trough.  The more water and ice accumulates in the eave trough the deeper the eave trough becomes.  Excessive ice and water in the eave trough can collapse a tent.

It is best to view our video on how to set up your tent.

If after watching the video and you have questions call us.  We can answer all of your questions.