Wall tent tarps?

[Albertadiver]

I see that lots of folks put a tarp over their wall tent to deal with snow etc. I have a few large insulated tarps. Is there a substantial benefit to using an insulated tarp verses a standard tarp? The reason I ask is that the insulated tarp takes up a ton of room in the back of my short box F150. If at all possible I like to keep my tonneau cover closed and that is tough on a cold weather trip. Looking at a deluxe wall tent 12x14 with 5’ porch and internal frame which does take up a fair amount of space.

[lilsundance]

Use a regular tarp. An insulated tarp will eventually retain moisture from melted snow or rain. They are heavy enough when dry, but wet they weigh a ton and would probably collapse the tent if they get too wet.

[colt45]

All we ever use is a standard tarp works well, keeps sparks off the tent so it lasts longer and snow slides off
I think the tent stays warmer also
We have a 16x20 tent for sleeping a 14x16 tent for cook shack
Regular tarps on both of them

[Bush Critter]

I have an 8’x10’ wall tent and never used a tarp. I think it’s more of an issue for the larger tents 14’x16’ and up.

[35 whelen]

I have a custom fly made for my 12x14 highly recommended

[Norwest Alta]

I've used a regular tarp but make sure you tie it down good. Tent seems warmer with the tarp.

[wolfman403]

I have a 14x16 wall tent with 5 foot walls. I use insulated construction tarps that we have cut and stitched to match the tent shape. They come about half way down the walls then my roof tarp over that. At any temps below 0 it really helps to retain heat. We burn less wood especially at the lower temps. We’ve slept in it in -40 before and kept temps the same as the house with no problems. The ones we have are water proof and light but yes they are bulky. The only other downside is that the tent starts to get dark inside as the insulated tarps stop light from getting in.

[Sooner]

Use a regular tarp. An insulated tarp will eventually retain moisture from melted snow or rain. They are heavy enough when dry, but wet they weigh a ton and would probably collapse the tent if they get too wet.


Big blue tarp, snow and rain slide off with a couple hits from inside. Cut a hole as big as the pipe. The heat will melt a nice hard ring on the edge. -18 has been the coldest. Only the smaller stove was the issue. Tarp gives a nice layer to keep the wet stuff off the canvas and lets air flow.

Come back to camp a week later and a foot of snow just slides off. Plus, it's big enough to hang down the sides and keeps side snow and rain off the walls. When we leave on a Sunday, the front folds down and covers the door from weather and wind with a few well placed cut logs on the bottom of the tarp till we return.


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[happy honker]

... but make sure you tie it down good.

C'mon, let's hear the story!?!:lol:

[Norwest Alta]

C'mon, let's hear the story!?!:lol:

No story. Lol. Or not a good story anyway. I could make one up though.

[bezzola]

I use a normal tarp on the roof and a insulated one inside for the floor

[Norwest Alta]

I use a normal tarp on the roof and a insulated one inside for the floor

A nice floor to use is that geotech fabric. It's almost like carpet.

[Albertadiver]

A nice floor to use is that geotech fabric. It's almost like carpet.

Good idea. The one time I've borrowed a canvas tent a few years back, we used a tarp floor which was pretty slippery.

Will go with a standard tarp for our first trip out due to room in the truck methinks.

[Wrongside]

We've been using a hay tarp on our two tents, the last few years. Quite durable. Our tents are pitced for at least 3 months annually and Id expect to get at least another season from the hay tarp.

I like the idea of a insulated construction tarp though. Bet it'd add a lot of warmth, when packed size isn't a concern.

[Norwest Alta]

Good idea. The one time I've borrowed a canvas tent a few years back, we used a tarp floor which was pretty slippery.

Will go with a standard tarp for our first trip out due to room in the truck methinks.

Standard tarp will work fine. It gives it a little bit of a insulating barrier. I bought a wood stove from saddle up. Not the biggest stove but the tarp seemed to make a heckuva difference.

[Prairiewolf]

Any form of tarp is going to provide additional warmth.

I've used a standard tarp before and it does a good job of sloughing the snow / sleet, etc.

I do want to add an insulated tarp to this setup - probably UNDER the standard tarp - more to haul but I'll figure it out, warm nights are awesome.

Lots of heat gets lost out of the wall peaks - someone said they've got a cut to measure insulated tarp and that sounds like something worth following up on.

Long story short - I'm in the insulated tarp camp.