I love camping, but some of the gear prices have gotten beyond my wallet. This time I decided to make my own tent. He bought it last year in the rain and put the zipper on the first trip. My tent won’t win any beauty contests, but the rain will work.
You need to:
- PVC pipe – I recommend ¾” sheet 40 pipe
- In-line PVC connectors
- 3-way PVC connectors, two each
- PVC cement
- Hacksaw
- Sandpaper
- Fabric, UV safe fabric
- text screen, if you want
- tent zippers
- Elastic according to the hooks
- screen keys
- Small “S” hook
- Heavily second
- Common sewing and measuring tools
I drew a lot of inspiration from the commercial tents. They don’t need much room if all I’m going to do is sleep inside the tent. My tent measured about 8′ long, 5′ wide and 4′ high. You can modify these designs to make any tent you want, even if it’s an igloo style.
Step one:
I didn’t want to carry around 8 long poles, so I cut the top pole into 3 equal sections. I put the connections at one end of each section only.
3-way connections are fitted to the ends of the high pole 8′. The gates support the sides of the tent. Do these things as long as you want; Remember that your favorite factor is what happens to you.
Step Two:
I carefully measured the spaces from the sides, back, front and the area created under the frame.
I made a paper pattern and tied it to the frame with string so that the pattern sizes were correct. It is much easier to fit a paper pattern than a final fabric.
I also made a pattern for the front door. For the windows I have added them here. He also thought about the top ventilation of the windows.
Step Three:
I found my fabric with search for waterproof fabric or tent fabric. I was quite satisfied, I ordered more than I needed. I can always find something to do with the outside fabric. Maybe a duffle to carry the tent.
Step four:
I sewed the main parts of the tent using a flat caesar seam. The seam is very strong and can withstand wear and tear. I made straps from the fabric and attached them to the seams of the tent. These are tied to the PVC frame.
I cut out the windows and sewed the screen in place. The window flaps were attached to one seam and I then put the zippers in between.
Step Five:
I installed a zipper for garage door openers. The outside of the zipper was used to create a flap of fabric for the rain to pass through.
Undressing the frame tied me. The tent was coming along nicely.
Sixth:
I took the tent stake to the ground, the legs at the end of the 3-way joint. I tied the weight second by second and lowered my leg. I threaded the rope through the joint and tied a weight to the long end and let the other leg down. I pulled the rope so that it fell down both legs. I rewoven the pipes.
At the ends, I tied loops to hit the tent stakes. I don’t need to pay them when I take the tent. I did the same in the back of the tent.
If more stability is desired, 4-way connectors can be used to create a tent with more than two V-shaped panels.
Seven steps:
Now the tent will be similar to the ones that come with shock poles, but these will be PVC. To create a rain cover, I used an inexpensive UV protected fabric, a waterproof tarp. The rain cover comes within 6 inches of the ground, not an inch or two lower than the top of the vent shelves like other tents.
The sides had a heavy duty elastic band to run through. I added fabric loops to the sides for smaller tent stakes to keep the rain cover in place. For PVC poles, small “S” hooks hold the cover in place at the bottom of the poles.
The windows must be opened from the inside only. This makes life much easier. You can use a heavier fabric for the floor of the tent. I recommend using a heavy duty tarp under the tent to protect the tent material.
If you use an upward swing, place the valve near the tent door. This will allow you to blow manually (through your mouth) much better than trying to do it against the back wall of the tent. Believe me.
I noticed that one of my home made creations was that the lantern could only be seen around when turned inside out. the bottom of the tent except the rain cover and the front. It creates privacy for the user.
In order to use this winter, I will cut and attach a double button lock wall panels. tape for the loop. I’ll see what temperatures I can use in the tent.
Knowing my friends who also camp, hunt, fish and the like, will see my tent outside more than I want. He just went on a fishing trip without me. I will take some trouble with the new fish.
Source: The author has more than 40 years of experience designing, sewing and knitting various indoor and outdoor use.
