I found this thread because I was trying to decide between the Springbar and the Kodiak tents. As much as I want to buy a tent from a company that is making them here in America, I cant really afford the Springbar that has the features and the size that I am looking for so I decided to go with the Kodiak. Once my tent arrives I will scrutinize it and give it something of a review. I really do wish the Springbar had better features and/or something extra to really justify a nearly $200 price difference. the place I bought the Kodiak from was even offering free shipping. With gas prices skyrocketing and other expenses going up I found it very hard to justify the Springbar purchase to myself and my wife.
Kodiak Canvas Tents? opinions??? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter LakeNorman_FJ40
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hoser
SILVER Star
Look forward to the review. Up close pictures to show quality of construction would be appreciated.
Will do.
Where is this place at? Share it with us so we can buy one too with free shipping
x2 on being able to put a stove in the tent especially if you do a decent amount of camping during the winter times. My dad and I used to go hunting in December and we had a huge canvas tent with a stove and it is honostly the only way to go... We woke up one morning and had about 6" of snow outside the tent but nice inside!
Where is the best price for a Kodiak?
Well I bought a Springbar about a year and change ago and would buy it again. I found the factory staff I spoke with were very helpful and responsive and I managed to get it delivered to a hotel I was staying at in Colorado so I could bring it back as checked luggage to Canada. I didn't know about the Kodiak but I am pretty confident I would have bought the Springbar even if I had known. The Springbar has no deficiencies I can see and exceeds my expectations and requirements - It wasn't cheap but I thought then and still do that it was great value! And it is made in the USA - and keeps jobs, skills and money here.
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Been very, very pleased with the Kodiak that I purchased at start of this thread. It's a little warm during the summer months with the heavy canvas, but the big vent windows and near roof vents create a nice air cross-flow, so for me it's a 4 season tent in the NC/TN mountains. I've spent 12 hours straight inside this tent during moderate winds and non-stop rain (back/forth from unbelievable down pour to just constant rain) and stayed 100% dry. When it rains, the vent windows can't be used, so it does get steamy in the tent during the summer. Also you need to pitch the front awning at a slight angle to ensure rain water flows off properly and doesn't collect as it will hold gallons of water (literally...but a testament to it's strength and watertight fabric) if the awning is perpendicular to the ground.
It fits nicely inside my FJ40. The tent packed correctly in it's bag fits in between the front seats and a rear forward-facing seat (it's shorter than the width of the FJ40 interior...a sleeping bag + the tent spans the width of the FJ40 interior). The pole bag fits length wise on top of the rear wheel well from the rear corner straight forward...the tip of the longest poles reach the front seat bottom (and won't reach the seat if you move the seat forward...but you don't have to and could use the seat to wedge the poles snug). The stake bag just get tossed in anywhere...
I'd rather buy the US made SpringBar, but the cost difference is too much to justify the extra money. I'd buy another Kodiak!
It fits nicely inside my FJ40. The tent packed correctly in it's bag fits in between the front seats and a rear forward-facing seat (it's shorter than the width of the FJ40 interior...a sleeping bag + the tent spans the width of the FJ40 interior). The pole bag fits length wise on top of the rear wheel well from the rear corner straight forward...the tip of the longest poles reach the front seat bottom (and won't reach the seat if you move the seat forward...but you don't have to and could use the seat to wedge the poles snug). The stake bag just get tossed in anywhere...
I'd rather buy the US made SpringBar, but the cost difference is too much to justify the extra money. I'd buy another Kodiak!
Due to good review of the Kodiak Canvas tents here on Mud and on the net, I have closed my eyes, went ahead and bought the 6055 Kodiak Canvas tent from familytentcamping.com for $369.99 with free shipping. I do not want to stay late bidding on e-bay for the same tent but I guess with free shipping, the price is about right
. The 6055 KC is currently on sale for the price above and free shipping.
We'll see when it gets here. I'm stoke and wanna go camping in the woods.
. The 6055 KC is currently on sale for the price above and free shipping. We'll see when it gets here. I'm stoke and wanna go camping in the woods.
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Which size?
Between the 10 x 10 and the 10 x 14 Kodiaks, which tent do you prefer? We seek to sleep 4 in the tent, 2 adults and 2 small children. The larger size would seem the obvious choice, but. . . . it costs more, weighs more, and requires a bigger piece of level real estate.
I have not seen either tent set up, but from photo's, it appears the 10 x 14 has more slant to the end walls, as if they used the 10 x 10 roof and simply stretched the floor. If that's the case, then the larger size simply has more unusable space in the ends due to the increased wall slope. I emailed the company but they did not respond. It's hard to tell from the pictures, so if anyone knows, please share!
Between the 10 x 10 and the 10 x 14 Kodiaks, which tent do you prefer? We seek to sleep 4 in the tent, 2 adults and 2 small children. The larger size would seem the obvious choice, but. . . . it costs more, weighs more, and requires a bigger piece of level real estate.
I have not seen either tent set up, but from photo's, it appears the 10 x 14 has more slant to the end walls, as if they used the 10 x 10 roof and simply stretched the floor. If that's the case, then the larger size simply has more unusable space in the ends due to the increased wall slope. I emailed the company but they did not respond. It's hard to tell from the pictures, so if anyone knows, please share!
I bought the 10x14 last summer and love it. We use sleeping bags on cots and can just get 4 cots across on one end. This leaves half of the tent open and half for sleeping. It is very quick & easy to set up / tear down for such a big tent.
I have a wife & two daughters. Having the extra space is worth it. The 10x14 is big and heavy although not so much more than the 10x10 to make it a problem for me. I was either going to go with the big one or buy a nylon tent that would pack much smaller and lighter.
We used the tent for about 6-8 nights last year. I haven't tried it in bad weather yet, only light rain. I do trust it enough to be taking it to Yellowstone & Grand Teton this summer for some camping. I am going to hit it with some waterproofing prior to going.
I have a wife & two daughters. Having the extra space is worth it. The 10x14 is big and heavy although not so much more than the 10x10 to make it a problem for me. I was either going to go with the big one or buy a nylon tent that would pack much smaller and lighter.
We used the tent for about 6-8 nights last year. I haven't tried it in bad weather yet, only light rain. I do trust it enough to be taking it to Yellowstone & Grand Teton this summer for some camping. I am going to hit it with some waterproofing prior to going.
Holds up well in poor weather, particularly with wife and two little girls
when the warranty has expired, i would consider installing a chimney outlet and cut out a floor area for a wood stove.
ABSOLUTELY!!!! I have the Outfitter model cylinder stove and it heats our 16X20 wall tent very effectively.
We love our 10X14 Kodiak- We put three air mattresses queesn and 2 full sizes(wife and 2 girls)in it and still have floor space- although I will be getting cots for next season. Feels like a little house and hold heat very well.
im also looking to get the kodiak 6055 from ebay. will be stuffing all 5 of us in there. me, 
and the 3 yoots ages 1-6. would love to get the 10X14, but i think it might be too big, and the places we go dont usually have such large real estate for pitching a tent. as long as 2 double mattresses can fit easily im fine. my question is:
is the ebay kodiak tents the same ones as the kodiak tents from cabelas? quite a big difference in price and looks to be different item numbers?
NEW 6055 10x10 ft Scout Camping Kodiak Canvas Wall Tent - eBay (item 390029654868 end time Feb-17-09 11:35:56 PST)
this is the kodiak 'flex bow' tent. same tent & specs but almost $100 more?
Cabela's -- Kodiak® Flex Bow Tent
id love to get the springbar but they're way too much $$...so this is the next best thing.
and the 3 yoots ages 1-6. would love to get the 10X14, but i think it might be too big, and the places we go dont usually have such large real estate for pitching a tent. as long as 2 double mattresses can fit easily im fine. my question is:is the ebay kodiak tents the same ones as the kodiak tents from cabelas? quite a big difference in price and looks to be different item numbers?
NEW 6055 10x10 ft Scout Camping Kodiak Canvas Wall Tent - eBay (item 390029654868 end time Feb-17-09 11:35:56 PST)
this is the kodiak 'flex bow' tent. same tent & specs but almost $100 more?
Cabela's -- Kodiak® Flex Bow Tent
id love to get the springbar but they're way too much $$...so this is the next best thing.
The 10x10 one on ebay is the 6055 which is the basic model. I think the one at Cabela's is the 6010 which is the same size but has more windows. I don't see where Cabela's says the model number.
Here is the Kodiak website with descriptions-
Kodiak Tents
Here is the Kodiak website with descriptions-
Kodiak Tents
Interesting thread - also considering either the Springbar or Kodiak here (10x14 family tent)
I did talk with a rep from Springbar and of course he assured me that theirs was the better tent, but did acknowledge that the Kodiak was a quality tent as well.
One feature that was noted was that Springbar uses metal stake loops. The loops are not just sewn to the tent though. Springbar incorporates a rope into a bead that is part of the base of the tent. The rope passes through the take loops so the end result when staking the tent down the stakes are pulling on the rope and not just the tent material. This was not a feature of the Kodiak
Also not that one would expect problems with either of these tents, both are covered by a lifetime warranty against defects, but Springbar says they can provide parts for tents they made 20-30 years ago. I wonder if 20 years from now if I can get a replacement pole for the Kodiak should I break one.
I did talk with a rep from Springbar and of course he assured me that theirs was the better tent, but did acknowledge that the Kodiak was a quality tent as well.
One feature that was noted was that Springbar uses metal stake loops. The loops are not just sewn to the tent though. Springbar incorporates a rope into a bead that is part of the base of the tent. The rope passes through the take loops so the end result when staking the tent down the stakes are pulling on the rope and not just the tent material. This was not a feature of the Kodiak
Also not that one would expect problems with either of these tents, both are covered by a lifetime warranty against defects, but Springbar says they can provide parts for tents they made 20-30 years ago. I wonder if 20 years from now if I can get a replacement pole for the Kodiak should I break one.
Anyone have experience with the 9 x 12 model (6133) with the awning attached?
