Shelter while building cabin

[xrsrfn]

So I have mate excited about the spring and starting work on our weekend cabin. She has been showing me pictures of the canvas tents built on raised platform and erected with a wooden frame. They are calling them walltents and look like it would be very nice to stay in while we are building. Does anyone here know anything about them like what not to do and who is a good manufacture to purchase from. We have looked at many online and of course all of them are the best.I will try to post link for picture.

Google Image Result for http://www.pantherprimitives.com/products/tent13.jpg

 

[r porter]

i have stayed for a week at a time in one of the canvas cabins on fishing trips several times. the Canadian outfitters take them down at the end of fishing season and then reinstall them the following spring. i would consider it a possible option for a short time.

i know nothing of panther [but have heard the name]

Davis is a brand that seems to be well thought of.

 

[wolftree]

Have you looked at a Lawn Barn, say 10'X12'?

 

[dave1949]

I don't where or what season you will be doing this, but Cabelas sells the outfitter tents mentioned above with optional cooking/heating wood stove kits. You can get a reservoir type water heater for the stove too.

No experience.

 

[Stimw]

Around here, (you haven't filled out your location) you can buy older travel trailers in the $2500-5000. range.
They would be much better than a soft side building and have the normal living items already installed.
And could be re-sold easily when finished.

 

[smstonypoint]

Around here, (you haven't filled out your location) you can buy older travel trailers in the $2500-5000. range.
They would be much better than a soft side building and have the normal living items already installed.
And could be re-sold easily when finished.

But you will need to pony up for this sign:

Steve

 

[westcliffe01]

The thing I don't like with tents is that they are damp, critters have easy access and they are easily damaged in high wind events or snow. I have knocked around similar ideas and I think I am going to build a "cabin" to go on my 7'x20' gooseneck trailer. Its then just a "trailer" and less legal/permitting issues. My "cabin" will have a diesel genset, hot water heater, washing machine, shower, kitchen and little office area. I guess I could sleep in it during really adverse weather conditions, but my general sleeping quarters will be a regular hard sided camping trailer which is exclusively for sleeping and hanging out / internet. No cooking/bathroom/kitchen to rob space in that.

The sleeping quarters will have a vented diesel powered stove, so I can make coffee/tea/toast before going outside and not freeze when the temp drops to 32F in mid summer...

 

[dave1949]

My camping tent experience is that a good quality nylon, or whatever man-made fabric, tent will rot in one summer if left up in the sun. Mine disintegrated on the south wall after being set-up for 3-4 months. I guess I could have sprayed it with a UV protectant.

The bow frame, rain cover, zippers, floor, etc. were still in good shape and it stayed dry inside. It served its purpose.

 

[r porter]

the ones that i have stayed in with a wood floor were not damp and were fairly bug tight. in Canada bugs can be a problem. we would spray once a day with dairy spray. a real door frame and door was installed for entry and was a great addition. with a sink, stove, refrigerator [propane] and wood stove we had room and comfort for 4. there were 3 bunks and it would hold six. i wish i could remember the size. it was certainly larger than a 12x16 and probably more like 16 x 20. there were also gas lights over the table. we were not cramped at all.

i have hunted from wall tents pitched on snow of about the same size. they were a good shelter as you could have in the winter.

another brand is Montana canvas that seems to get good press. all of these will take much abuse and last many years. and they are able to be used for other jobs in the future if you learn to pitch it with a traditional pitch.



dont miss the fly that was pitched over the roof of the link to panther. it is sorta important[and replaceable]

 

[Pete Judd]

Around here, you can get old camp trailers for free or a couple of hundred bucks with stove and heat. Might have water leaks, but for temp living not a bad deal. Sell it for scrap after you are done with it.

 

[Western]

Look into a "yurt"

Pacific Yurts

 

[JD 4520]

So I have mate excited about the spring and starting work on our weekend cabin. She has been showing me pictures of the canvas tents built on raised platform and erected with a wooden frame. They are calling them walltents and look like it would be very nice to stay in while we are building. Does anyone here know anything about them like what not to do and who is a good manufacture to purchase from. We have looked at many online and of course all of them are the best.I will try to post link for picture.

You didn't say where you live, that may matter weather wise. It might appear you are talking about an extended time like a year or more. If that is reasonable, and you are planning the cost of a platform and frame, why not do a simple enclosure for a couple bucks more and have a shelter vs a yurt? Sounds like some fun and challenge. Enjoy and let us know what you decide to do.

 

[dave1949]

You didn't say where you live, that may matter weather wise. It might appear you are talking about an extended time like a year or more. If that is reasonable, and you are planning the cost of a platform and frame, why not do a simple enclosure for a couple bucks more and have a shelter vs a yurt? Sounds like some fun and challenge. Enjoy and let us know what you decide to do.

That's a good idea. It could be a future garden/tool shed.

 

[Gary Fowler]

$6K for a 16 foot circle seems a lot for a temporary shelter. I think I would opt for an older camper that has everything built in. I once bought a 24 foot gooseneck camper to live in when on a construction job with hitch for $5K and it worked for me for 3 years and sold it for $4k. It was perfect for my needs, had a queen sized bed in the elevated portion. It did get a bit cramped when the wife came to visit as the isle way was a bit narrow to pass each other on but otherwise it was good. A camper with slide out living room would be better but then you are talking much more money.

 

[forgeblast]

What about looking at a car port Metal Buildings - Carports & Metal Building Kits for Sale - VersaTube and adding sides and a door. This way its weather tight and you can use it later on.

 

[lockhaven]

depending on where you are a pre built shed would be good. After the cabin is built you would already have a shed for wood or tools.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

depending on where you are a pre built shed would be good. After the cabin is built you would already have a shed for wood or tools.

My Father-in-Law built a house (by himself, at age 65) in Durango Colorado, while living out of a pick up camper (yeah, during the winter too). I thought he was crazy, and so did my Mother-in-Law, but he got 'er done.

 

[oosik]

We lived out of a 18' camp trailer the summer we built our log cabin in Alaska. It was "cozy" and a fantastic motivator to finish the cabin.

 

[/pine]

IMO...it's hard to beat a trailer/camper as a temporary abode...especially as cheep as they can be found...they also make it much simpler to get sanitary facilities going as well as a cooking space...

 

[SPIKER]

I'm with the used camper crowd as mostly dry with some insulation, can add a small wood stove if ya dont mind re-sealing the sidewall. Most comes with small HW heaters hookups outside for power (generators) to plug into and when you are done sell it to neighbor for similar cash as you paid so they can build their cabin...

Next item maybe the 12x20 yard shed, there are build your own and ready built arrive on a trailer. Location should be noted as someplace getting any options maybe difficult so fill out your profile where you are building.

Mark