Old womanBest tent EVER! I am a 69-year woman and not in shape, yet I am able to put it up all by myself. I bought one for each of my grown up children as Christmas presents. Can’t say enough about it.
I've had mine, not the VX model but the 10'x14', and I've never completely staked it out. I usually only do the corners and the center stake on the front. If I was expecting 30mph wind I might do the whole thing. I've had the tent on the beach where the stakes are definitely too short. I've gone with 1/2" x 2' long rebar you can get from any national hardware store. Because the depth of grab for a beach can vary where you are on it, I use cable ties to zip tie the tent's D-rings to the rebar. I wouldn't use smooth pipe or metal for the stakes as the zip ties need something to grab onto which is why rebar works so well. After I have it staked, I use beach garbage and driftwood to mark the corners so you don't end up tripping over the exposed rebar. The only way to get the rebar out though is to dig it out with a shovel.
I have the flex bow tent with the rain fly you mention in this video. I will attest to how awesome it is to be able to open the windows when it is raining. I used mine for a 18 day camping trip in November,. It has the wood burning stove on the one end of the tent and one day, it was coldish, and raining all day, at one point, the wood burning stove put too much heat in the tent and I opened all the windows, and stayed dried hahaha. The rain fly was a deal breaker for me, I was worried about those slow all day rains because I have come back to camp at the end of one of those days looking forward to getting dry and everything in my tent was wet, so the rain fly fixed this worry for me and it worked flawlessly. Thanks for the fun video. Dale
I Love my Flex-bow tent. I have the new rain fly for it. It really stabilizes the tent in the wind. I have replaced my stakes with Ground Grabba stakes. I substuted the awning poles for the Green Elephant adjustable poles. Excellent set-up!
Top notch job on this video! You did an excellent job covering just about every feature of this tent. The only thing I would add as a plus, is the roof being white- which will allow a grreat amount of sunlight during the day. Kudos to you sir... You've earned a subscriber.
Thanks for watching and subscribing. Personally I like the white roof to allow for more light, but there is a rainfly option you can add to this tent from Springbar if you want it darker.
We camp in hot Aussie summers with thunderstorms in ours. You're on point with rain and hot weather. We attach a tarp to the top tension bar using bungee cord balls and have the tarp coverage out the non-awning side. On the awning side we use the tent awning as a bit of a wall/block against sun/rain instead (pull out the bottom and peg out with bungee cords) and leave the windows open that side, great airflow🙂
How waterproof is it? We camp on Straddie a bit, and every time it bloody rains on us lol my sister let me borrow her Kodiak to try and she swears by it! But after setting it up out the back just now, I don't know if I trust it's waterproofness, especially the roof
Camping in 45-50 mph winds and rain storm as I’m watching this video. My buddy’s tent did not hold up to the winds so he moved in my tent like 3:00am in the morning. I love this tent takes the high winds And buddy heater keeps me warm. I set up a small table, I have room for small table and a beautiful Husky in her dog bed. So much room! great video thanks.👍
Another for a Great job on your review. Enjoyed your explanations and I am now a subscriber. I have a 10x10 on order and can't wait set up and using it. Looking forward to watching more of your videos.
Iam gonna be getting a 14 x10 vx, but before I do, I'd like see someone put a tarp on roof on very sunny day, a cover of sorts that is exact outline of the roof panel, I know I will definitely have one myself, keep it cooler an have less bright light in sun, also get a hand cart with wheels for any situation where you may need to take it a distance
Well....I didn't see THIS one coming. The big daddy caddy! This will sound odd, but it actually SOUNDED like quality when you were zipping/unzipping. Historically, I was under the impression these were a PIA to set up, but thats 30 years ago Stu. Any thoughts on how rain will pool on the shade flap? It does seem great if you're going on a long one and need that 'home base'. Kev.....I'm now expecting a review of the Shiftpod 3. chop chop!
How well does the duck canvas hold up in the summer? Does it provide enough ventilation? Also, does the material hold up better than your usual PU coated tents in long term storage?
I love the ventilation in this tent. it seems much cooler than my poly tents. I have camped in everything from below freezing to 98° in this tent for weeks at a time with no issues. just make sure it is dry before going into storage and it will be fine.
Ok, so I keep hearing this tent is something like 90 pounds but nobody ever mentions if this is the total of the THREE bags, OR, are the stakes and poles additional weight? I'm guessing 90 pounds is the total of all 3 bags which begs the question which I've NEVER heard anyone mention........HOW MUCH DOES THE ONE HEAVY BAG WITH THE TENT ONLY WEIGH??? This, to me, would be the most important question so one knows if he/she can carry that one main bag. Anyone? Thanks!
It doesn't, but we always run power into the back door and have no problems. We only use one door for our tent though. It would be nice if they added a port.
Old womanBest tent EVER! I am a 69-year woman and not in shape, yet I am able to put it up all by myself. I bought one for each of my grown up children as Christmas presents. Can’t say enough about it.
Excellent coverage of many facets of this tent. More in depth than other reviewers. Thanks so much.
Glad it was helpful!
I've had mine, not the VX model but the 10'x14', and I've never completely staked it out. I usually only do the corners and the center stake on the front. If I was expecting 30mph wind I might do the whole thing.
I've had the tent on the beach where the stakes are definitely too short. I've gone with 1/2" x 2' long rebar you can get from any national hardware store. Because the depth of grab for a beach can vary where you are on it, I use cable ties to zip tie the tent's D-rings to the rebar. I wouldn't use smooth pipe or metal for the stakes as the zip ties need something to grab onto which is why rebar works so well. After I have it staked, I use beach garbage and driftwood to mark the corners so you don't end up tripping over the exposed rebar. The only way to get the rebar out though is to dig it out with a shovel.
I have the flex bow tent with the rain fly you mention in this video. I will attest to how awesome it is to be able to open the windows when it is raining. I used mine for a 18 day camping trip in November,. It has the wood burning stove on the one end of the tent and one day, it was coldish, and raining all day, at one point, the wood burning stove put too much heat in the tent and I opened all the windows, and stayed dried hahaha. The rain fly was a deal breaker for me, I was worried about those slow all day rains because I have come back to camp at the end of one of those days looking forward to getting dry and everything in my tent was wet, so the rain fly fixed this worry for me and it worked flawlessly.
Thanks for the fun video.
Dale
That was a real, solid review. I appreciate you going over individual components too. Thanks !
Thanks for watching!
I Love my Flex-bow tent. I have the new rain fly for it. It really stabilizes the tent in the wind. I have replaced my stakes with Ground Grabba stakes. I substuted the awning poles for the Green Elephant adjustable poles. Excellent set-up!
Top notch job on this video! You did an excellent job covering just about every feature of this tent. The only thing I would add as a plus, is the roof being white- which will allow a grreat amount of sunlight during the day. Kudos to you sir... You've earned a subscriber.
Thanks for watching and subscribing. Personally I like the white roof to allow for more light, but there is a rainfly option you can add to this tent from Springbar if you want it darker.
We camp in hot Aussie summers with thunderstorms in ours. You're on point with rain and hot weather. We attach a tarp to the top tension bar using bungee cord balls and have the tarp coverage out the non-awning side. On the awning side we use the tent awning as a bit of a wall/block against sun/rain instead (pull out the bottom and peg out with bungee cords) and leave the windows open that side, great airflow🙂
Thanks for watching! I think this is my first comment from Australia! Thanks for the tips on how you keep cool in the rain during hot summers.
How waterproof is it? We camp on Straddie a bit, and every time it bloody rains on us lol my sister let me borrow her Kodiak to try and she swears by it! But after setting it up out the back just now, I don't know if I trust it's waterproofness, especially the roof
Id like a dark tent bedroom to hang in there. And to see you put it up
Camping in 45-50 mph winds and rain storm as I’m watching this video.
My buddy’s tent did not hold up to the winds so he moved in my tent like 3:00am in the morning.
I love this tent takes the high winds
And buddy heater keeps me warm.
I set up a small table, I have room for small table and a beautiful Husky in her dog bed.
So much room! great video thanks.👍
Awesome! Kodiak makes a fantastic tent. Thanks for watching!
Another for a Great job on your review. Enjoyed your explanations and I am now a subscriber.
I have a 10x10 on order and can't wait set up and using it. Looking forward to watching more of your videos.
Thanks! We love our Kodiak and I can't imagine we will ever buy a different tent. Thanks for subscribing!
Great Video!!!!!! I just subscribed to your channel! Well-done!
Iam gonna be getting a 14 x10 vx, but before I do, I'd like see someone put a tarp on roof on very sunny day, a cover of sorts that is exact outline of the roof panel, I know I will definitely have one myself, keep it cooler an have less bright light in sun, also get a hand cart with wheels for any situation where you may need to take it a distance
Thank you sir for being honest.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video!
Thanks for watching!
This is a great review!
Thanks!
Amazing tent, and amazing channel
When your 17 year old son thinks you're cool! Thanks for being my camping buddy Garrett!
Well....I didn't see THIS one coming. The big daddy caddy! This will sound odd, but it actually SOUNDED like quality when you were zipping/unzipping. Historically, I was under the impression these were a PIA to set up, but thats 30 years ago Stu. Any thoughts on how rain will pool on the shade flap? It does seem great if you're going on a long one and need that 'home base'. Kev.....I'm now expecting a review of the Shiftpod 3. chop chop!
I used to think canvas tents were hard to set up too but this design is easy. Now all I need is someone to send me a Shiftpod 3 so I can do a review!
I added a third pole in the middle grommet of the awning and lowered the two side poles. Sheds water better.
How well does the duck canvas hold up in the summer?
Does it provide enough ventilation?
Also, does the material hold up better than your usual PU coated tents in long term storage?
I love the ventilation in this tent. it seems much cooler than my poly tents. I have camped in everything from below freezing to 98° in this tent for weeks at a time with no issues. just make sure it is dry before going into storage and it will be fine.
@@KempOutsidedo you have any issues with condensation?
Ok, so I keep hearing this tent is something like 90 pounds but nobody ever mentions if this is the total of the THREE bags, OR, are the stakes and poles additional weight? I'm guessing 90 pounds is the total of all 3 bags which begs the question which I've NEVER heard anyone mention........HOW MUCH DOES THE ONE HEAVY BAG WITH THE TENT ONLY WEIGH??? This, to me, would be the most important question so one knows if he/she can carry that one main bag. Anyone? Thanks!
Good job. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
When I put tent away I'd just fold the stake bag into the awning portion of the tent
Would it help to bring a leaf blower to make sure the tent is dry before packing out?
you can if you have space but I find it easier to just set it up when I get home.
Is the tent bag waterproof? I will probably throw it on top of the truck for transport
No it is not. Your tent will get wet if the bag is placed outside during rain.
Curious how much of an issue is the size and finding an adequate site?
There are some sites that have tent pads that are too small. But for the most part we have no issues.
Show us how it handles 70 mile an hour winds then I'll be impressed
If I’m ever camping in those kinds of winds you can bet there will be a video!
Kodiak sells rain fly now.
I think if I was going to get a rainfly, I'd probably order the one from Springbar that fits these tents.
How well would this tent stand up in a hurricane?
While I’d never recommend camping in a hurricane, this tent does better in the wind than any I have ever had.
Does this tent come with a port to run an electric cord in?
It doesn't, but we always run power into the back door and have no problems. We only use one door for our tent though. It would be nice if they added a port.
I wish you can get it all green i dont like white tents
I’ve seen some people use dye to change the color. white keeps it cooler in the sun but does show the dirt.