Worlds Cheapest Cottage? A permanent tent you can live in.

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We set up a permanent canvas bell tent as a 3 season cottage at our off-grid property. We go over our choice of going with the Canvas Camp yurt style tent from CitizenCanvas. We set up this bell tent and try it out for the first time. It has a full sized bed and a table and chairs and we went above the traditional camping experience by setting up a BougeRV Fort power station as well as 200W of solar panels and a Dual Zone BougeRV 12v portable fridge.s

[JonathanKuhn]

Have you ever stayed in a large canvas tent like this? Would you?

[theknightofdoom]

I lived in one during covid in the woods at the back of the care home I worked at for 18 months loved it.

[jimpk]

I can share some practical experience here as we have used this tent in our hostel for many years. We set them up on our beach side hostel and rent them to our customers.
1. Set up easy. Yes.
2. Permanent. No. The fabric can only last for two years at most if you expose the tent under the sun and rainy days.

We replace them every year as this business still making us profit.

[terrietravis]

I once got a 2 bedroom tent, set it up on pallets with plywood over them, then hung a huge tarp over the entire thing. The tarp was attached to trees, and never touched the tent. It withstood thunder and lightening stores and lasted till I took it down!

[craigster]

I absolutely LOVE the wooden platform. It would make all the difference to me. In fact - I wouldn't want a tent without it. Very nice!

[Geoduck.]

As an older guy I remember camping in a large canvas tent in the 60's as a boy. Your tent reminds me of those wonderful times. 
Having it off the ground is a huge plus. With the furnishings and sun filtering through the canvas it's so inviting and relaxing. You son will have great adventures there.

[peachyproductions]

I have had a couple of these. I like them but- check all your knots. I suggest using Tec screws to fix the poles together as during strong wind they can bounce apart and will rip the canvas. An external rain cover and porch is a good long term idea and an inner liner not only looks nice but helps trap air movement proving a tiny bit of insulation. We have a4door for more height with stove and fixed the chimney as well.

[brittongodman]

Don't know where you all live or where your property is located, but I find it almost unbelievable that you can leave that entire camp set up and it is still there whenever you come back. Almost any place I've ever been or lived, [[ at least since the 1960's ]] your tent and camp would be either long gone ( taken ) or destroyed when you came back to it.

[cravertom]

love seeing young people taking advantage of they're time as they travel around the sun...good for your young family.

[stephenswistchew]

Had a friend who built a wigwam out of sheets he got from thrift store and painted them with paint also from a recycling depot set it up at a fishing spot and it lasted the whole season But unfortunately the next season a bear or vandals destroyed it but it was warm and dry and was fun holiday

[kbc]

I live in a 17' diameter yurt in the Piedmont of NC and have a very quality White Duck canvus wall tent with a waterproof cover over the roof as my kitchen/bath/laundry space. I have resin pallets for the floor, which works great. It has been up constantly for two years now and it has gotten mildewy over the years. I'm away from it for 4.5 months every summer, so I will be interested to see how it has fared over summer number 2.

[shavedClonazepam]

Just a warning to anyone thinking about buying one of these. Bought the same tent. We had to return it. We woke up to a small lake in the tent after the first rainfall. Definitely needs to be set up under a huge tarp canopy if you intend on leaving it set up for any length of time.

[dm.b]

That's a beautiful son and wife you have there man, lucky you guys, such an awesome place.

[goombabear]

That's a great idea to put on my land in the mountains. I've been waiting to build a house because stick-built homes are still too expensive. But this would do nicely for weekends.

[RigepFroggit]

you don't have to stick build to have a cabin. If you reinforce the poles you can cover the exterior with spray foam and wait for it to cure then spray a layer of shotcrete over that. Instant permanent structure.

[DonnaLane-pwrg]

You can add a stove, and where do you go do your business and shower And I would suggest building a lean to over the top of your tent to help you with the snow load and side panels of wood to protect your tent in winter from the wind

[howner]

I’ve lived in a similar tent for 3.5 years on a remote piece land and never had any problems.

[micwell]

Being a 4 season tent'er I enjoy the camp atmosphere. I use to be involved with a camp and got out of that hassle with dealing with a permit dwelling.
Remembering the great times I had as a "boy" scout going to scout camp and staying in tents always stuck what fun it was and it was fun. Back at it and enjoy all 4 seasons with no hassles. The areas camped in can be reserved and are primitive. Which means nothing is there. Going self contained is what I like doing anyway. So when it rains, snow or just turns into a sunny afternoon, catching a nap and coffee to boot is pure and utter joy...peace and quite, hearing the wild life, walking in the forest. Am in on that every time

[InspiredByEverything]

I found your video while searching for reviews on another tent. Super happy I did! You answered some questions I knew we’d need to address. —Like how to guy out the tent in a smaller space on a platform. Some really smart solutions here. Thanks for sharing!

[VirginiaHayes-ytth]

I've got a 13 foot one going to set it up tomorrow clad I got to watch the video you made