Do any of you guys use a tipi for camping? What would be a good size for an adult and a couple of kids? Can you put them up alone? Any help appreciated Thanks Greg
Check this out Gregg.
http://www.kifaru.net/TIPI.HTM
Jerry, I've seen them, they are pretty slick but I mean a real tipi with the poles and all. Thanks though. Greg
Last year at the Western States Rendezvous, an Oregon archer put up this beautiful 14' tipi by himself. He also did all the art work.
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d108/lwscott/P10106851.jpg)
check Panther Primitive, they have tipis, wall tents, mideval tents, and a ton of other primitive camping items.
Talk to Aeronut (Dennis)
He had a nice one at OJAM.
My Son and I slept in my Tipi at Compton last year. I made it 3 years ago. It is an 14 footer. I sleeps 6 tight and 4 with room to spare.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/comptom/comp1.jpg)
This is your view each morning.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/comptom/comp9995.jpg)
I take mine to schools and give talks.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/Dousman_small.jpg)
One man set up and take down.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/tipi2.jpg)
Makes a great night light.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/tipilight3small.jpg)
The top closes tight in case of rain. That storm came with 40 MPH winds.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/tipistorm.jpg)
You can't go wrong with a Tipi.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/tipi_cushing2_06.jpg)
I have an 18' footer that we use on occasion (I have 4 boys) and it has plenty of room for more even with the fire ring set up. I think the 18' tipi is about as large as you can go with setting one up by yourself. I'm 6'/240 and its tricky sometimes setting up the hoist pole with the canvass which weighs about 90 lbs. Let me know if you have any more questions or PM me.
You will want to get the liner as well. Skip the Ozan. I made mine but never use it. My poles are 25 feet long. Consider how you will haul them as well.
I got a 16 foot one last year and love it! Use a queen size air mattress in it with the fire ring, coolers, chairs, bows, and everything else with plenty of room. Once you get a good rack for hauling the poles you can go just about anywhere and I could set mine up alaone but it is easier with the wife helping. Joseph
I have a 16' that I love. It takes me a little over an hour to set up by myself if I'm not answering a lot of questions (first time took about two days). It gets easier with experience.
I don't have an ozan, just a liner.
I don't build a fire inside, gives me a sore throat, so I lay a plastic tarp for a floor. I can set up my Cabela camp kitchen inside and still have loads of room for everything. It is the most comfortable camping I have done.
I recently bought a cargo trailer and the first thing I did was make a rack to haul the poles. I'll post some pictures this evening.
Here is mine set up at OJAM this year. You can see the pole rack on my trailer behind it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/aeronut/OJAM%20V/DSC03304.jpg)
Back yard.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/aeronut/DSC01504.jpg)
Dennis
One of my hunting buddies has a tipi that I have spent quite a bit of time in. It makes a wonderful camp. Set up does take some time, and is sure much easier with help, although with practice it can be done alone.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/ComptonCamp.jpg)
An alternative you might look into is a pyramid lodge tent. It is a similar shape, and also makes a very comfortable camp. Mine is 13x13, and uses one single pole in the center. The fly takes three additional poles, and I think really adds to the functionality of the camp.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/CopyofP1000242.jpg)
I have a 14 footer from Reliable tent and tipi in Billings Montana and love it. My brother and brother inlaw both have one also.
It takes me about 45 minutes to set mine up but once its up there is nothing better. Mine has been in 70 mile an hour winds with golf ball size hale one time :scared: It did fine, I got a little nervous but the fire didn't even go out :)
Joseph is right, You need a good way to haul the poles and Whip is right about a pyramid being easier to set up, You have to check them all out.Look up buckskinnig on the web and I bet there will be a Spring Rendevous in your area and you can go see all of them at one time and decide. Good luck
Tracy
Spent 6 months in one. February ice storms in Pennsylvania and hot summer days. Pretty comfortable in both conditions. You can raise the bottom in the summer for drafting. The one I was in slept me and 12 boys with room for our gear. Never set it up by myself though.
(http://www.vq.com/approach/tipi-camp1B-cropped.gif)
what is the difference between the ozan and a liner?
Check out this link. It will explain a lot of stuff and has some cool pictures. Click on the (Read more) links under each item.
http://www.reesetipis.com/liners_doors_ozans_floors.cfm
Dennis
The liner is the inner Tipi that goes about 5 feet up the inner side walls. The Ozan is an overhead rain cover with a pie section removes over the area where the fire ring would be.
QuoteOriginally posted by tim-flood:
what is the difference between the ozan and a liner?
Red Bird and I had a 14' that we bow hunted out of. For cold weather we used a sheet metal stove set in the middle where you'd usually have the fire. One length of stove pipe is all that's needed because the updraft pulls the smoke up and out the top. The stove really heats it nicely.
For a family with kids I'd recommend an 18 footer...lots more room for gear, and sleeping.
The 18' would be the way to go,you'll love the extra room.I camped in one for years,set up and took down myself no problem.Like mentioned before,consider how your going to haul it. Leland
I wish i had 1! I almost bought 1 7yrs ago , but i bought a 14~14 wall tent instead with a woodstove,i use it a lot , but it an`t cool!! :cool:
I've got a 22' one I have used for over 20 years.
I was told when I bought it, that I couldn't set it up alone, but I have been setting it up alone every since I've had it. It's a lot better with two people setting it up though.
Once you have a way to haul the poles, there is nothing better. :archer:
One thing you'll definitely need when you get a tipi is is Reginald Laubins book, The Indian Tipi. :readit: It's the only way you'll be able to set it up properly.
http://www.strawbaletradingpost.com/TipiAccessories.html
I have to agree on getting the 18' for a family of 4. I had one that gave me plenty of room even with a fire inside.I also had a 20' that I used for a deer camp for a few years with a wood stove inside which made it very comfortable in cold weather and I could set this up my self now I have a 16'since my family is smaller but it still will sleep 4 comfortabley. If you don't have acess to poles that might be must expensive part
Thanks for all the input. The woodstove is a great idea. IIf I wasn't considering it I would be after seeing the pics you guys put up. As far as transporting it I assumed it would be only for drive up camping. I would have to look into a local source for the poles, what is the preferred wood? Again thanks for all the help. Ron, I will order the book today. greg
QuoteI would have to look into a local source for the poles, what is the preferred wood?
Lodge pole pine.
I had a 14 footer that I used for several years; set it up by myself pretty easily once I figured out the system. It makes a great base camp. The 14' was good for 3 of us, but I would go for 16' or 18' for 4 or more people. The poles aren't that much longer. I used one of those "T" rack canoe carriers that fits in the receiver hitch of my pickup and a regular Yakima roof rack bar across the cab to haul the poles. We used it in some pretty extreme conditions - strong winds and cold, and it really held up well. Another great thing about tipis is that they aren't nearly as hot as a regular tent when you want to take an afternoon nap. Ron's right, though, a sheepherder's stove is best for heating. Wish I hadn't lost mine in a fire. One of these days I'll have to get another one.
Greg, Did the fire happen in the tipi or where the tipi was stored? If the tipi was up what do you think started it?
A liner goes all around the inside of the tipi. It is necessary for control of smoke.
An ozan is a leanto tarp shaped to tie onto your poles and gives an effect of warmer and dryer over your sleaping area. I have one and never use it except to try it out. As others above have said, it is very comfortable. I have used it in snow,rain and 100 deg. weather. The air conditioning works great.
Ozan is a semi-circular piece that hangs horizontally above the liner. Liner is usually 3 pieces that are on the inside of the poles. Tipi sucks without the liner. Ozan is supposed to help keep heat in the living area. Does not work well.
I have had a 16' tipi for many years. Takes me 45 minutes to set up alone. Longer when I have help. My help is usually inexperienced - and explaining the how and why adds to the process. Poles are a paint to haul - but once set up - a tipi is the only way to camp.