"Beat the Heat" While Tent Camping

Camping is a great time for family and friends to gather around the campfire and share stories and enjoy delicious campfire desserts next to a nice warm fire on those cool crisp nights... Well, we can look forward to those times in further months ahead. Just as we prepare for the cooler months ahead we also need to be ready when the temps bring unfavorable conditions, such as triple digit HEAT! Here are a few tips for Tent Camping in the heat.

1) Location, Location, Location: Look for shady areas to pitch your tent. Then make use use of your compass to strategically pitch your tent towards the east. Also, try to find spots where there is trees, a hill, or any other sun blockade that can give you shade while you are sleeping or during the hottest part of the day.

2)Consider the direction of the wind as well: Find out which way the wind blows. Pitch your tent in a way that the wind blows directly into the mesh windows. Switch the location or position of the tent if you notice that the wind direction alters. This is very important if your tent only has a little mesh on it. But if it is purely made of mesh, don't worry about the positioning. For a back up plan pack a battery operated fan, just in case...

3) Open and air out your tent: In the early morning when temps outside are still cool open your windows and doors to expose the screens. This will keep your tent from becoming stuffy and uncomfortable. Some tents have roof vents built in for ventilation which is a nice feature. Throughout the day close the tent in any area the sun is directly beating on and open the sides facing shaded areas. By keeping this process going until sundown, your tent will keep much cooler temperatures during extreme heat conditions.

4) Have a good quality, Screen Tent: In triple digit heat there can be lots of bugs, so a screen room is a wonderful item to have. A Screen Tent will allow you to sit outside with plenty of fresh air without the bugs! A Screen Tent with no-see-um mesh is a good feature to look for so the smallest bugs can't get through. The Turbo Screen Machine is quick and can be easily set up over a picnic table, or our newest Malamoo MOZ Screen Tent is perfect for 1 person, can be used on the ground or fastened to the King Goanna Stretcher

5)Did you know if you wear lighter colored clothing keeps you cooler: light-colored clothing if you're in the sun. Dark clothing absorbs heat. Light-colored clothing can help keep you cool by reflecting the sun's rays.

Tips for Keeping Cool in your Tent

Keeping cool on those hot summer nights is important when it comes to providing you with the needed rest for your next day activities, here are a few tips you can do to keep cool and comfortable during the hot summer months.
•Location is everything when it comes to picking your spot, most campsites have adequate tree placement for shade coverage. Consider setting up your tent under shade, also keep in mind as the sun rises and sets to position yourself for as much coverage as possible.
•If for some reason you are camping on a campsite with limited shade you may consider putting up a shelter over the sleeping area to reduce the direct sun from beating directly on the roof of your tent. By simply using a tarp with telescopic poles, guy ropes and stakes will provide you the needed equipment to provide protection needed. If you currently own an OzTent, it's as simple as attaching the OzTent rainfly
•Keeping tent well ventilated by opening all windows and doors and having only the screen mesh exposed will help to transfer heat outside and allow fresh air to reduce heat build up. If your tent is equipped with window awnings, this is a good feature to maintain ventilation even during rain.

Tips on Storing your Camping Tent

Now that the camping season is done for some of you, it's time to store your Tent. Here are a couple tips to save you some time, effort and $$$$

Before storing your tent, ensure that it is completely clean and dry. Moisture wrapped up in your tent for extended periods will promote mildew growth.

Your clean and dry tent can be stored in its stuffsack or loosely in a box or oversized cotton storage bag. Avoid sealing your tent in a plastic bag or any other airtight, confined space. Find a cool, dry spot to store your tent such as a closet inside your house where it won't be exposed to humidity.

It's always a good idea to set up your tent and check it over thoroughly and identify any areas by using a simple paperclip with a note showing location of damage or repair, if repairs needed it might be a good idea to have done before storing, or make a note to unpack in the early spring to have taken care of, there's nothing worst than finding out when your setting up camp....

Visit our Online Stores www.FamilyTentCamping.com www.OzTent.us for our niche selection of Camping Tents & Gear for families and the avid outdoorsman

Kodiak Canvas Tent Updates 2011

Kodiak Canvas has recently added a couple Kodiak Canvas Tent models to provide our customers with the same high quality performance you have experienced with our deluxe canvas tent models , including the Kodiak Truck Tent that was only available in a full size short bed model with limited application. Everyone has requested a broader line of models to facilitate the need for a canvas tent to accomidate your camping needs. See below for recent changes & additions.
1)Model: 6 Person #6010 & 8 Person #6014

a.Cotton strap and cinch storage bag changed to a polyester-oxford cloth strap and cinch bag. Cotton canvas pole bag change to changed to a polyester-oxford cloth storage bag. Cotton canvas stake bag changed to a polyethylene bag
b.Sleeves for spring rods changed from 8.5 oz canvas w/ poly reinforcement to 10 oz canvas. Should have minimal effect on product performance.
c.Bottom tie rings removed. Was initially for use with a divider curtain which we have decided not to make. Very rarely used.
d.Reinforced vinyl floor on the corners.

2)Model: 4 Person #6098

a.Changed the canvas strap-and-cinch storage bag to a zippered bag made with polyester-oxford cloth. (Because of smaller size of this tent, the strap-and-cinch bag was really overkill). Cotton canvas pole bag changed to a polyester-oxford cloth storage bag. Cotton canvas stake bag changed to a polyethylene bag.
b.Sleeves for spring rods changed from 8.5 oz canvas w/ poly reinforcement to 10 oz canvas. Should have minimal effect on product performance.
c.Reinforced vinyl floor on the corners.
d.The floor material has been changed from a 16 oz vinyl to 13 oz. The #6098 was developed with the consumer that has a need for a quality tent with a smaller pack size and lighter weight (horseback, ATV, rafting, canoe, small car, etc.) To help reduce pack size and weight, we have gone to a lighter floor material. Make no mistake this is still a very heavy-duty floor. For reference the leading competitor in our Flex-bow line, Springbar, uses a 9 oz vinyl floor.

3)Kodiak Canvas Truck Tents

a.Modified so that they will fit the newer F-150 trucks (2004 or newer). there is also a Truck Tent model for long-bed applications (previously, there was only a short-bed tent).

New Items:

The 10x10 basic model #6055 is being discontinued and replaced with basic model #6051
.
We are also excited to introduce the 10x14 basic model #6044. This is available immediately!


Note on zippers. YKK is the top branded zipper. The coil zippers we used on Kodiak Canvas tents are the best available. Coil zippers were invented for the luggage industry and are very tough. Up until now, all Flex-Bow tents have had the YKK branded zipper. We have used and will continue to use a China made generic coil zipper on the #6121 and #6133. Over 5 years of use we have had little to no trouble with these zippers and find them to be top quality and equal in performance to the YKK zippers. The deluxe Flex-bow models will keep the YKK zippers. The basic models will go to the generic zippers.
All other features of the basic 10x10 will stay unchanged. We call this a basic model, but it does have a lot of nice features -- double doors, awning, etc.

For additional questions or comments, please feel free to email or call us (877.673.6590)

Enjoy the Great Outdoors in a Kodiak Canvas Tent! Visit www.FamilyTentCamping.com

OzTent Customer Testimonial

Hi we recently purchased an oztent rv5 and it is absolutely amazing. We love it! and along with it also purchased the deluxe side panels, rain fly, and the front panel. In addition we want to buy another rv5, set of deluxe side panels, rain fly, two ground tarps, an awning connector and the extra large screen room. Thanks for selling such an awesome product my wife and I were able to fit a queen size bed a baby crib and our bags in the tent. It was so cozy and spacious. Simply said it is a great product we look forward to use a lifetime. The quality is beyond any tent we have seen and is well worth the money. Thank you!!!!!!

Joe Mirabal

Chicago RV & Camping Show

As we approach closer to Spring, we are excited to demonstrate our new line of 30 Second OzTents. These tents are loaded with available features and many options to expand your camping experience. We will have the model RV-4 set up at the show with side panels, front panel and additional accessories attached to see first hand what this amazing tent has to offer. Visit us at the Chicago RV & Camping show at the Rosemont Convention Center Feb 10 - 14th. There will be tons of camping products, campground listings and RV's to check out. Check out our booth #T-8 for live demonstrations, valuable discounts and Free Stuff. FREE OzTent Multi Tool ($60.00 Value) with any RV Tent purchase. See you at the show!