Tipi knowledge needed

[Nomad_Of_Soul]

G'day folks, tfi Friday and I've got a whole weekend off which is extremely rare, so rare in fact that I'm a bit lost. Well whatever i do it wont involve shopping on a Saturday that's for sure.
Anyway, after the weekend I'm living back in my tent until the end of autumn, it's an Hilleberg which took a bit of a battering during the winter. It has a couple of bent poles (not sure where to get them straightened) and the fly sheet has some rips in it at ground level, i could send it back to Hilleberg for repairs but i'd much rather spend the money on a tipi of sorts, the problem is which one? been looking at Tentipi but I'm put off by the huge price tag that comes with them are they really worth that much? Anyway, do you have a tipi of sorts and what do you think of it?
I'm looking for something that will keep me warm and dry,
will stay standing for months not just the odd weekend,
must be able to accommodate a burner of sorts
100% rain proof
Doesn't cost a months wages just for the basic model
Any suggestions and links (or even sale pitches) would be much appreciated.
It doesn't have to be a tipi, anything in fact as long as it's strong and can take a wood burner (yurts are too expensive). Thanks

[treadlightly]

I agree, tentipis are expensive. I own the cheapest version, the Vagge 7 man which cost £399 without groundsheet. It is 14 foot in diameter and about 7ft 6ins tall. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of the dearer models but it does the job. It is waterproof, will stand up to wind well and thanks to an adjustable smoke hole at the apex, you can use a stove or small open fire inside. It lacks, for instance, air vents at the bottom but I find a couple of clips do as a substitute and you have to go outside to adjust the smoke hole, but these things are liveable with.
I would direct you attention to a couple of threads on the group buys section where some Norwegian Lavvu tipis were shipped in by the pallet-load. They are cheaper than tentipis and judging by the reaction of those who bought them, pretty good.

[baggins]

They are the Bison tipis, i bought one at the begining of the year. It's poly cotton, so ok for having an open fire. 4m diameter at the base and 2.5 m high. It really seems to be a good tent, but, like anything, i wouldn't want to say how it would last on permanent usage (i reckon pretty well, but, you never can tell).
Mine was the bison 4, and cost me around £200 (can't remember exactly now) including postage from Norway. They do a good range of sizes.
If you do a search in kit chatter, there is quite a big thread, also one on group buys.
Dare i ask why you are tenting till the autumn? Sounds fun.
Baggins

[John Fenna]

Hi Nomad
I am about to take delivery of a Euro camp TP for review perposes. Ten foot tall heavy canvas solid wooden pole , zip door. As you are a near neigbour perhaps you would like to drop by and have a try of it - when it arrives - or are you looking for a manpackable TiPi?
John

[Greg]

Send Bambodoggy a PM he had one for sale with a fire box last month he might still have it.
:)

[antwerpman]

I have a tentipi vagge cp 9 and for me it is worth the money.The construction quality is excellent and I like the many ventilation possibilities. I slept in it between 45 and 50 nights for a year , in winter and in summer.With a woodstove it is very comfortable in winter and on a hot summers day( which we get more and more) the ventilation is incredible when opening the top and th'e lower ventilation openings. I made the calculation how many nights I would sleep in it (alone or with other people) and decided that is was worth the money. I must say I didn't know about the Bison alternative so , if I was you, I would really try to see and touch the different possibilities before buying

[anthonyyy]

Anyway, after the weekend I'm living back in my tent until the end of autumn,)

I take it that you will be fairly static in which case I would strongly recommend a canvas tipi. You can have an open fire in them or a small chiminea.

I got a single poled one from these people in Germany

http://www.halang.de/

The quality is fantastic.
I got mine on ebay. If the UK ebay dosent have any that interest you look at the German Ebay:
www.ebay.de

Just do a search for "tipi" you don't have to know German.
This is the model I have:
http://cgi.ebay.de/Tour-Tipi-Einmast-Tipi-touring-Indian-tent-tepee-Zelt_W0QQitemZ140100899613QQca tegoryZ16041QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewIt em

price euro 222 plus postage (I would guess about euro 30)

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w103/kingsmeadow/tipi.jpg

In a larger tipi you can fit a lining which makes it cosier.
If you need any advice drop me a PM

[KAE1]

I am also looking for a tent/tipee. You might want to check out bell tents. I have seen dutch versions that will house a fire. Try www.tentsplus.co.uk. Be interested to know what you go for before spending hard earnt cash.

[kai055]

you could buy one of those tipees from from millets and mod it a bit. there bout 40 quid and some people to mod it have taken the ground sheet out, waterproof the seams and all over and if you can get a piece of fire blanket or something cut a piece out near the top on the side and have a wood buring stove. there are some links further back and some pics in somw links. i think its in a link called: tepee price down again or millets tepee.

if you have a the guy ropes out it will stand for ages. to test mine out , while my parents where redecorating my room it spent 3 weeks in there and it was fun

lloyd