View Full Version : tundra 8 tepee
hi guys
i am concidering buying a tundra 8 tepee from point bar off the internet
have anybody on this site tryed or own one of these so you can give me the low down on them and let me know what you thought of it are they any good ???
any info cheers guys
Matt Weir
15-10-2007, 21:15
I can when mine arrives in a couple of weeks but yes, I've heard good things which is why I have ordered one.
Matt, will you have yours for Middlewood? I'm not sure whether I should go 8 or 4!
Hi Svea,
i've had one for alomst a year now. Overall, i'd say it is a supurb tent. We been camping in it in some pretty intense weather (65-75mph wind, horizontal, driving rain) and suffered nothing more than a couple of small leaks. (i've heard since, that since it is poly cotton, a few exposures to rain should cure this).
There is plenty if space inside, enough for me and the wife to leave the bedding out and still have a fire box, chairs, and storage and still move about (thats with two large dogs aswell).
It can be a bit tricky to pitch the first time as there are no instructions, but it is pretty simple, just pm me when you get it and i'll give you some pointers.
Hope this helps and enjoy it.
Baggins
Matt Weir
15-10-2007, 21:29
I'm hoping so Spam, I reckon I should have as I was told that the shipment arrives in 10 days then to allow 48 hrs for shipping to me so that is well before Middlewood :D
You'll have to pop in for a cheese and chutney cob ;)
Matt Weir
15-10-2007, 21:39
I'm already there!
:D
You and me both mate - can't wait, excitement is rising :)
:giddy:
Ogri the trog
15-10-2007, 23:16
hi guys
i am concidering buying a tundra 8 tepee from point bar off the internet
have anybody on this site tryed or own one of these so you can give me the low down on them and let me know what you thought of it are they any good ???
any info cheers guys
Oh yes, well worth a visit. I phoned and got a very favourable deal on the whole set-up, tent, ground-sheet and stove. I even called in to collect it in person.
It is the most expensive tent I've ever owned, and it knocks spots off everything I've had in the past, I wish I'd have had it much earlier.
No connection other than a satisfied customer.
ATB
Ogri the trog
cheers you lot
thanks for the replys so one getting ordered soon possably end of month pay day
Matt Weir
18-10-2007, 20:45
I know that Oliver at Mad Bear (http://www.madbearoutdoors.co.uk/) had a Tundra 8 and stove due in any time.
Hope that helps.
[No connection to seller ;)]
Too Much Kit To Carry
19-10-2007, 09:01
Oh yes, well worth a visit. I phoned and got a very favourable deal on the whole set-up, tent, ground-sheet and stove. I even called in to collect it in person.
It is the most expensive tent I've ever owned, and it knocks spots off everything I've had in the past, I wish I'd have had it much earlier.
No connection other than a satisfied customer.
ATB
Ogri the trog
Hey Ogri,
Glad you're pleased with it mate ;)
Hope the "viewing" of ours at the Moot helped.
Hope all is well and best wishes to you and yours.
Phil and Co.
Ogri the trog
19-10-2007, 09:18
Hey Ogri,
Glad you're pleased with it mate ;)
Hope the "viewing" of ours at the Moot helped.
Hope all is well and best wishes to you and yours.
Phil and Co.
More than pleased Phil,
Its fantastic, many many thanks for allowing us to see the light :cool:
All OK here, how are you doing?
Ogri the trog
We have a Tundra 8, stove and ground sheet from the group buy. It has had a lot of use and a LOT of rain this summer.
Some observations...
Weatherproofing definitely helps. Best case is to let it dry completely after a big downpour, and repeat! We had leaks first couple of times, nothing since. One night the rain was so heavy and persistent I was sure we'd get wet, not a drop :)
Get some webbing loops (stronger than eyes) added to each point on the ground sheet. With a taught ground sheet, if you peg the tent loops tight up against the edge, the tent goes up perfectly every time, and the skirt has room to do its work as a weather barrier, particularly if the pitch is not completely flat.
The bit of the ground sheet directly beneath the entrance catches water and muck in bad weather and is superfluous. I intend to remove a section.
The ground sheet is not compatible with the stove. If you want ground cover, on wet grass for example, with the stove, you need smaller ground sheets to go round the stove, or I guess remove a central section of the ground sheet, but that seems overkill?
Agree about the guys. They need a good stretch before pitching first time. They tend to twist. I am gradually replacing mine.
Plenty of room but for heavy family use (we are 5) a tarp for cooking and eating in bad weather is a good idea!
Lots of people like tipis :) They come up and ask about the tent in public camp sites. I tell them if they like the aesthetics of a tipi they must be a bushcrafter and should visit here :D
All in all Bison are excellent value tents that work really well!
Chris
Ogri the trog
19-10-2007, 11:38
I've been meaning to post this for a while.
I did a bit of groundsheet fiddling the other week as I wanted to use both the sheet and the stove. What I came up with was something like this;-
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164/ogrithetrog/groundsheet.jpg
...A plastic tarp, big enough to cover the area, cut the corners off, then cut a big "T" up the middle - gaffer tape over all the cut edges to stop anything fraying. The modified groundsheet can then be put into the tent after it has been put up, and importantly - the bits either side of the "T" can be folded under the rest of the groundsheet when using the stove. It means that you can access the stove/middle of the tent with muddy boots on and allows for bare ground under the stove for safety reasons. Thge final dimensions are up to you but SWMBO insisted that enough was left at the sides to prevent the ingress of creepy-crawlies!
What do you think?
Ogri the trog
Matt Weir
19-10-2007, 11:40
The ground sheet is not compatible with the stove. If you want ground cover, on wet grass for example, with the stove, you need smaller ground sheets to go round the stove, or I guess remove a central section of the ground sheet, but that seems overkill?
That's very interesting to hear Chris as I heard that they are fine together.
I will try to find where I saw that. Back in a mo.
Nope - can't find it. I didn't bother with the groundsheet myself. Is this wise?
Matt Weir
19-10-2007, 12:49
Kind of like...
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/mattweiruk/Bushcraft/Groundsheet.jpg
You mean Ogri?
Well you can use the stove on top of the ground sheet, the sheet gets hot but doesn't burn from normal stove use or anything, the legs keep it clear, but last winter I ended up with holes albeit in a small area because embers do inevitably fall out when re-loading wood and you can't really flick them anywhere, just have to stamp on them! Maybe I'm doing something wrong? I thought about some from of metal barrier on top of the sheet, maybe an option? Or I suppose you could just put up with the holes and get another sheet after a few years or something? Or you could do a mod like Ogri suggests which looks sensible to me and I've been thinking about this sort of thing as well. But I've found a couple of small old tarps pegged out inside the tent but leaving clear earth around the stove door is a very good solution. I do really think some form of groundsheet is a must especially for family camping, and I have really found that pegging out the right sized Bison one helps with pitching, and it's a good quality sheet, but old tarps work too.
Chris
Yes Matt, Ogri, the folding T shape option in an old tarp looks like a really good solution to me. Think I'll try that.
This probably won't make any sense unless you've played hands on with the stove and flue a bit. But the other fiddly bit is the baffle on top of the flue to protect the canvas. Mine was a bit dodgy - wouldn't stay in place - so I had to modify it by drilling out the top rivets of the spacer flaps and adding additional small diameter bolts and wing nuts. This helps keep it at the right height and with an even gap around the pipe when shoving it through the top. You have to get the bolts to catch on to the mesh flue cover. Also, make sure you file any sharp bits on the mesh flue cover. The one I got was really sharp and I think there is a big risk of nicking the canvas as you put up the flue. I brushed the canvas and this nearly happened first time. I'm not sure the Bison baffle solution is the best it could be and I've been pondering replacing it for a better one if there is one?
Chris
I intend to get a Tundra 8 within the next few months (would have had it now, but repairs to the roof at home put stop to that plan) and I've wondered about the stove and groundsheet. One option I thought of was using an industrial size baking tray as a base and stand the stove in that? Or, how about making a tray from several folds of tin foil, the laminating would dissipate the heat of hot coals/ash away from the groundsheet and is light enough and tough enough to use again?
Ogri the trog
19-10-2007, 14:52
Kind of like...
Snip
You mean Ogri?
Yup,
Thats the kiddie!
This probably won't make any sense unless you've played hands on with the stove and flue a bit. But the other fiddly bit is the baffle on top of the flue to protect the canvas. Mine was a bit dodgy - wouldn't stay in place -
Chris
Chris the key to getting around this for me was to install the chimney before you put tension on the pegs around the bottom of the tent, this means that the webbing straps at the top of the tent are able to be parted by the heat-shield without too much stress!
I had 9 in ours the other weekend - was quite cosy I can tell you. To ensure the safety of sleeping bags and feet, I cut 1/4 section out of a wooden pallet to stand the stove on top of. It gave me more hieght at the spark arrestor and kept the stove above sleeping bags - in case of roll-over during the night. I stayed on fire watch for most of the night, handing over to other adults in the early hours, but all was well for kids and us alike. I was trying to convince a friends family that camping was do-able in seasons other than summer - just got to do it in the snow now!
ATB
Ogri the trog
the key to getting around this for me was to install the chimney before you put tension on the pegs around the bottom of the tent, this means that the webbing straps at the top of the tent are able to be parted by the heat-shield without too much stress!
Interesting, that might well also help for sure. Think I'll now need to dust off the stove which I haven't used for a few months and have another play in the garden this w/e!! Thanks :) Chris
Baking tray, tin foil and pallet all good ideas for sure. Modded T ground sheet may be best of all. Lots to think about now it's stove season! :)
How about a welder's blanket under stove cut to size
How about a welder's blanket under stove cut to size
Good idea Robert, welders blanket, or even a kitchen fire blanket, small and lightweight :)
Matt Weir
23-10-2007, 12:52
I received mine yesterday and tried out the stove (as the instructions say) for 2 hours.
By 'eck, how hot does that get??!!!! I am thinking of getting some kind of fireguard for use in the lavvu. Does anyone use anything to stop coming to close in the night?
Some sort of metal cage like one of those dog cages that come appart, you could use cable ties to connect the sides together and place it around the stove. they do get hot, and as said on here it is advisable to have someone on fire watch if you plan to burn it allnight, I have found that if you stoke it up and place in some big logs then shut all the vents it doesn't get too hot and burns nice and slow, then if you open the door and feed it some air it takes off again, if you get too cold. To be honest if its warm enough for you to fall asleep it will just burn down nice and slow, then in the morning just kick it back up again then get back in your bag until you feel like getting out.
Simon.
Matt Weir
23-10-2007, 19:23
Some sort of metal cage like one of those dog cages that come appart, you could use cable ties to connect the sides together and place it around the stove. they do get hot, and as said on here it is advisable to have someone on fire watch if you plan to burn it allnight, I have found that if you stoke it up and place in some big logs then shut all the vents it doesn't get too hot and burns nice and slow, then if you open the door and feed it some air it takes off again, if you get too cold. To be honest if its warm enough for you to fall asleep it will just burn down nice and slow, then in the morning just kick it back up again then get back in your bag until you feel like getting out.
Simon.
Aiye that sounds about right Simon. I did find that the regulator is pretty precise at regulating the burn and once I got the stove up to a good heat then the two hunky logs I placed in there burned for ages.
I suppose experience is the best teacher but I'm thinking about safety.
I managed to let a nice hole burn into the weather skirt on the family tent (thankfully the main skin is flame retardant) at one of the Delamere meets when I left a mossie candle burning outside the tent at what I thought must be a safe distance of at least 12" until my missus came to the group fire to inform me that the tent was on fire! This was a slight over dramatisation at the time but that didn't stop me laughing aloud and declaring 'Great, now we can get a tipi!' - beware the breath of the stag!
Joking aside though it could have been much worse and since I have had a heightened awareness and respect of the hot stuff which increases when considering bringing the hot stuff inside the tent on purpose :eek: .
Maybe a ring of steel around the stove! You could make it from steel rod or aluminium tubing, it wouldn't need to be too thick, and it bolts on around the stove giving a good stand off. It would also be good for hanging socks on to dry if you get the disatance from the stove right! Maybe those ally tent poles that bend might work, you'd just need to manufacture some brackets. Anyway, I see it as a ring around the back and sides, on two levels so that stray feet can't hit the main stove.
You could make it so that it goes down the sides and along the back parralell to the stove itself I suppose!
Are you thinkong about the kids being in there? If you slept on those camp beds you find that they keep you pretty well placed in the middle of them so you tend not to roll arround everywhere.
Matt Weir
23-10-2007, 19:48
OK I've opted for the easy option and have reserved this fella (http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500000701&langId=-1&productId=1500035803) at my local Argos. It looks easily adaptable to enclose the stove on 3 sides and it flat packs down for transportation ;)
I'll pick it up tomorrow and let you know.
Looks like it will do the job.
Matt Weir
23-10-2007, 19:50
Are you thinkong about the kids being in there? If you slept on those camp beds you find that they keep you pretty well placed in the middle of them so you tend not to roll arround everywhere.
I'm thinking better safe than sorry plus this provides a great drying rack - 2 uses ;)
It looks like a good plan, You can also use those tabs on the inside of the tipi by tying a piece of paracord from one side of the tipi to the other for hanging clothes to dry.
Matt Weir
24-10-2007, 07:18
It looks like a good plan, You can also use those tabs on the inside of the tipi by tying a piece of paracord from one side of the tipi to the other for hanging clothes to dry.
With my lot, I'll need to Simon :D
Matt Weir
24-10-2007, 18:12
Got it and it fits perfect :D. I just need to remove a small section from the top to accommodate the chimney...
From the back...
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/mattweiruk/Bushcraft/MLNA0131.jpg
From the front...
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/mattweiruk/Bushcraft/MLNA0137.jpg
This tent must be massive!
Matt Weir
24-10-2007, 19:08
:lmao: I bloody well hope so Spam :lmao:
Yeah, I can imagine the embarressment when you put the stove and fireguard in and there is only room for a mouse! You'll have a happy family there!
What beds do you use Matt? The military folding cots?
Matt Weir
24-10-2007, 19:52
Yeah, I can imagine the embarressment when you put the stove and fireguard in and there is only room for a mouse! You'll have a happy family there!
What beds do you use Matt? The military folding cots?
:D
The stove (about the size of a microwave oven) and the guard don't take up much room really although I don't know if my pictures illustrate that very well. The total length is 110cm, height is 69cm and width is about 48cm.
Nat is looking for me buy her one of those luxury double height 'queen' beds and to be honest I don't blame her - nowt wrong with bushing in comfort. I have however suggested that we wait until the lavva is up and see on how much room we have to play with before making any such purchases.
If you like, I could sling my two american cots in the car and bring them up for your perusal. They are fantastic beds, I know they are available with a wood and metal frame and canvas bed but I have the all metal frames with nylon bed.
Yeah, I can imagine the embarressment when you put the stove and fireguard in and there is only room for a mouse! You'll have a happy family there!
The groundsheet is 5m diameter. So should have aleast 2m all around it.
Matt Weir
25-10-2007, 07:14
If you like, I could sling my two american cots in the car and bring them up for your perusal. They are fantastic beds, I know they are available with a wood and metal frame and canvas bed but I have the all metal frames with nylon bed.
Aiye, please do Spam I am interested in seeing those in relation to the lavvu.
[Do you think there will be any time left to actually sleep at this meet though? With the stuff planned we may be there all week :lmao: ]
Matt Weir
25-10-2007, 07:17
Can anyone tell be roughly the ideal distance between the centre pole and the back of the stove when everything is setup?
I want to work out where I need to chop the hole into the guard for the chimney.
Thanks.