Library of Congress
The canvas tent used to be the main source of shelter for outdoor enthusiasts, military personnel and boy scouts. They were simple affairs that got you out of the rain and weather, and provided a place to sleep and store your gear. With roots in simple cloth tarps hung over a rope, the canvas tent evolved over time into various shapes and sizes. Even today, outfitters often use large canvas tents supported by frames and replete with wood stoves and bunk beds for their remote outposts.
Tips & Warnings
The old two-man canvas tents were somewhat user unfriendly. It takes two to easily pitch these tents. Once the two center posts and ridge pole are assembled, one person holds them in place while the other attaches the ropes and stakes. Inside there is enough room for two bed rolls and two backpacks and not much else.
The larger dining type tents are surprisingly easy to set up--if you work from one end, put all your stakes in first and make sure those corner stakes are straight out and aligned with the tent edges.
On large dining type tents, a common mistake is to set the corner stakes wrong. They must be aligned as shown in the illustration in Step 1 for the Large Dining Tents.
The old two-man canvas tents were somewhat user unfriendly. It takes two to easily pitch these tents. Once the two center posts and ridge pole are assembled, one person holds them in place while the other attaches the ropes and stakes. Inside there is enough room for two bed rolls and two backpacks and not much else.
The larger dining type tents are surprisingly easy to set up--if you work from one end, put all your stakes in first and make sure those corner stakes are straight out and aligned with the tent edges.
On large dining type tents, a common mistake is to set the corner stakes wrong. They must be aligned as shown in the illustration in Step 1 for the Large Dining Tents.
Damp or rainy weather can cause the canvas to shrink, possibly pulling stakes, snapping ropes or causing the tent to collapse or tear. In damp or rainy weather, loosen the ropes a little to give the tent some stretch.
Damp or rainy weather can cause the canvas to shrink, possibly pulling stakes, snapping ropes or causing the tent to collapse or tear. In damp or rainy weather, loosen the ropes a little to give the tent some stretch.
Article Written By Michael Logan
Michael Logan is a writer, editor and web page designer. His professional background includes electrical, computer and test engineering, real estate investment, network engineering and management, programming and remodeling company owner. Logan has been writing professionally since he was first published in "Test & Measurement World" in 1989.
