Van Life Guide to Bell Tents vs. Wall Tents: Which is BEST for You?

In this video, we dive deep into the world of canvas tents, comparing the classic Canvas Bell Tent against the Canvas Wall Tent. We'll be covering: Durability, Weather Resistance, Setup, Space and Weight. This comparison will give you the knowledge you need to choose the perfect tent so you can make an informed decision.

🔴AMAZON LINKS
✅Springbar Classic Jack 100
✅Springbar Classic Jack 140
✅White Duck 10’ Bell Tent
✅White Duck 16.5’ Regatta Bell Tent

🔴VIDEO LINKS:
*Springbar Classic Jack 100*
*Springbar Classic Jack 140*
*White Duck 10’ Bell Tent*
*White Duck 16.5’ Regatta Bell Tent*
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*AMAZON LINKS - Items I Recommend:*
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~12V Batteries
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Thanks for watching!

[davidhale]

I have always loved your videos since I got interested in van life. 2 years ago I bought a 2016 Ford Transit connect. I did a great job building it out to travel in. Unfortunately, it was way too small. Especially having a German Shepherd service Dog named Archer. I sold the van to a business, pulled everything I had for camping, and bought a 2020 12 foot GMC Penski box truck. It is half way done on the build. I have been living in Florida for the last 16 years at the same place. I rented a 30 foot 1963 camper in a trailer park for $250. per month, including electric. I built a family room, and bedroom onto the camper. (I retired as a building contractor). My landlord never raised the rent for 16 years. I was able to save a lot of money. Well, all good things usually come to an end. My landlord sold the park. The new owner raised the rent to $600. per month. I don't blame him, and I am so thankful to Jesus, and my past landlord.

Now the reason I wrote this.
A while back you did a video on buying land in Arizona to have an address, and a base camp. I never forgot that video. After my rent was raised, I decided I had enough of this humid, sticky weather. I loaded up my buddy, and headed west. I went to see 1.2 acres of land in Concho Arizona. Apache county Arizona. It sets at 7000 feet, over looking a beautiful valley. In August it was 80 degrees, 35% humidity at high noon. Absolutely perfect. It is just off a paved road, and has community water well near by. I am 12 miles from a large town. Show Low. I'm back in Florida. We close on the land August 29th. I am buying a travel trailer to put on the land. Will have solar for electricity. No rules on the land.
Can't wait to get there. Set up my travel trailer, then start traveling in my box truck all over the west. I couldn't believe how beautiful New Mexico and this part of Arizona is. I always thought Arizona and New Mexico was just hot, and desert like. Far from the truth. At least from what parts I saw.

Anyway, if you hadn't made that video, I wouldn't be going to Arizona. Thankyou.

God Bless,
David and Archer

[denisestarr]

I built a 15ft. Cheyenne tipi .
Shell is canvas, 17 -20ft pine poles . It is amazing. You can live in it . The poles fit on top of my truck n camper . The cover fits in a 40 gallon construction tote that fits next to my bed in the campershell . I only set it up if I'm staying more than 3 days, it's magical . Happy trails 👣

[DancePhotography]

Very helpful video. Thanks for laying out all the differences so we can decide based on our needs

[SundanceSerenityHideaway]

I’ve been living in a Kodiak Canvas Cabin Tent (wall tent) for an entire year (all 4 seasons). It’s the 12x12 w/ stove jack and the 8x8 enclosed awning. I highly recommend it and far less cost than the SpringBar.

[minimalisthypnotist]

Will there be a part 2? I was hoping for a walkthrough comparison to see what they look like with someone inside. Great content as always Bob.

[judivowell]

I didn't hear the weight of the 10' bell tent. I looked on Amazon and had to drill down a bit. It says it weighs 51 pounds. As a 74 year old woman, I would really have a hard time with that. But I would definitely consider it since I spend winters in Quartzsite and those winds can really mess up the tent. And I spend 5-6 months in one spot so it would be fairly permanent.

[jamesgodfrey]

The modern day bell tent had it's origins in the 1850's in America. An officer in the U.S army called Henry Hopkins Sibley saw the lodges used by the Native American Indians and took many of the design features present and refined them to create what is now known as the bell tent.

Sibley patented the modern bell tent design in 1856. The design he patented had many features similar to the Native American Tipi. The main difference being instead of the 12 long poles forming a frame with the Tipi, his design used one central pole that finished in a smaller tripod that could be erected over a fire pit or stove. Sibley bell tentThe original Sibley design stood about 12 feet (3.7m) high and was 18 feet (5.5m) in diameter and it could comfortably sleep 12 soldiers and their kit. The canvas was held taught by 24 pegs and later models used a cowl over the poles to aid ventilation and to allow smoke to escape.

Sibleys design was used extensively by the US army during the Utah Expedition of 1857-1858. According to his agreement with the US Department of War he would receive 5 USD for every tent made. Unfortunately Sibley resigned from the US Army to join the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War and Sibley never received any royalties on his patent. Nearly 44, 000 tents were made during the war.

[randy]

This is very useful information. Thank you, Bob.
Having spent winter of 2023 5 months in Quartzsite LTVA North, the winds whipped up and demolished my little 4-person nylon tent. Canvas clearly is the wise choice!!
My concern is the weight factor!!! I'm keeping my eye out for one that I can work with!!
Again, thanks!!

[solar]

Thank you. I appreciate your continual reminder that it's not about what you can live with, but what can the person watching live with.

[WalterPidgeonsForge]

The Bell tents are pretty.. and if you are alone, but staying a while.. they are nice.. I can put one on a platform and Air B-n-B a Bell tent.. The Springbar are the practical choice for usability and quick setup and takedown by comparison.. but don’t rent out..
We had Mediaeval Pavillion tents for decades.. I made lightweight Spanish Cedar perimeter poles and custom finials.. in the end adding artwork to the walls and carving the main poles and crossbeams.. they were amazing compared to a nylon tent or most anything without wheels. We wanted to camp in Bear country, so we wound up in a Van for agility, security and simplicity.
Thanks for your insights Bob, you are always informative, relevant and entertaining. A rare thing on YT.

[huether]

i bought a 16' canvas bell tent buy it has high walls. they're about 3.5' tall. the tent is actually an octagon shape and all 8 high sided walls can be unzipped and completely open the entire tent up. i really enjoy it. i think if it replaced the 16' in the video, it would probably be the favorite. love love love y0ur videos and you bob!!

[rl]

Thanks, Bob! This is great information for decision making.
As an intentional tent camper, I bought for my first tent the style of tent that fit the season I was starting out in.
That was Spring, so I bought a side-wall tent specifically for ventilation.
When I started camping in the winter months, I immediately switched to the Bell style for rain, wind and snow management.

Regardless of style, be sure to use stakes that are long enough for the type of soil.
Blow-downs never happen when it is convenient, especially at night!

[caroldeking]

Another great review Bob. What I like best about your reviews in your nonjudgemental way of providing the facts. I love the bell tent for 3 seasons, definitely loses in Summer because of items you described. When you need heat/warmth, bell tent clearly wins. Thank for the review in this 4 tent scenario. Love in Sarasota ❤

[joycenuckels]

Thank you so much for this video. I now know which tent is perfect for me. At 67 and only use a tent in mild winter weather, I’m going with the 10 foot bell tent. This video was just the information that I needed. Thank you!

[cotter]

I never can imagine myself using a tent. Then I watch your reviews or comparisons. And you bring up such good points! At the very least, it would be nice to have something I can use if the van were out of commission for a bit. Thanks, CRVL

[ramontoro]

Hello from Puerto Rico Bob and friends,

[AdventureswithLogan]

Hello Bob, I've been watching your videos for a long time I don't even remember how long but I just love watching and learning from them. well do to changes in my life I have started vanlife. I have a Dodge grand caravan, and I built it out in a very simple way, I still need to do more but that will come later. me changing to vanlife was because of events that have happened in the last 2 years. but that's a story for another day. Anyway, I'll be coming out to Quartzite AZ at the end of September or around the first week of October I hope to meet you one day. Thank you for all the info you have given me over the past few years.

[blueskies]

Hey Bob you forgot to get your Inspectors opinion on this. He was walking and carefully inspecting while you were talking. I'm curious as to his our Incredible Inspector Cody extra hugs and treats

[TUPELO_HUNNY]

Isn't there a 13 ft bell? Would it be the best compromise for 1 person? Affordability would have been a great category

[Chickmamapalletfarm]

I would love to have a piece of land one day that I live wild on it. I have exploring both of these tents for a couple of years now. My take away from this video is that I need one of each. I think I would sleep in the 10’ bell, and live and carry on day time life in the 10x14’ spring bar. Thanks again Bob for all of your great help and support. 👍👍👍