canvas tents

FLOORS

 

  •  I prefer using a floor as I don't like being in a muddy tent during rain or snow.
  • A floor should be heavy vinyl for durability. Thin tarps available at Walmart will puncture if you have small rocks under your Walmart tarp floor when you walk on top of of them.  
  • We have heavy 18 oz vinyl floors that are very durable.  Competitor floors are normally 10-12 oz which are thinner and much less durable.
  • Never put a stove directly on top of a flammable floor for fire safety. Use fire mats under the stove or have a zippered stove area to remove.
  •  Fold the sod cloth to the inside then place the floor on top of the sod cloth.  In this manner, any water is forced under the floor.  Also, bugs are forced under the floor reducing the number of insects entering your tent.

     

    Always use a floor that does not have a  stove cut out or zippered area because water and bugs can come in through openings in the floor. Use any material under and around stove that is fireproof.  Fireproof material should extend 15 to18 inches to the front of the stove in the event any embers fall out the front of the stove when opening the stove door.

    Having a floor is recommended as it makes camping much more enjoyable.  No dirt or water in the tent with reduced bug problems.

    RECOMMENDATION:  If you want your tent to be more water proof, wind proof and bug proof buy one floor size larger if you are purchasing an 8 x 10, 10 x 12, 12 x 14 or 14 x 16.  The 2 foot extra width allows the floor to go up 1 foot on each side wall and 2 feet up the back wall .  The oversized floor is even with the front canvas wall.  I tie the four corner floor grommets to my corner tent frame angles.  I put a small pebble in the center back of the floor and tie a string around it.  I then tie a rope around the pebble and attach the rope to the rear ridge angle. The oversized floor goes behind the frame legs.  I sometimes hunt in very windy and wet conditions.  The oversized floor system works great for me.  Rich

    I am often asked if it is ok to use canvas as a tent floor.  The quick answer is no.

    A canvas tent floor will absorb water regardless if it is water and mildew treated. A canvas roof does not absorb water and leak because the roof is at an angle and rain runs down the roofline and side walls quickly. A canvas floor will have pools of water if you are in rain or snow conditions.

    Additionally, a canvas floor will turn black and have mold on it. Not healthy.