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Posted: 4/22/2014 5:28:54 AM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
http://www.majorsurplus.com/French-Ground-Troop-Tent-with-Rain-Fly-P16597.aspx Worth $30? If they're decent I'd throw one in my jeep. ETA: Just got a catalog today but website shows they are out of stock. ETA2: Tan one is in stock: http://www.majorsurplus.com/French-Desert-Tan-Nylon-Tent-P14292.aspx The ad copy suggests taking along a tarp if rain is expected, since the tent is not completely waterproof. 
It might be that giving the nylon tent a really good spray-down with the appropriate McNetts or NikWax waterproofing might make it reasonably waterproof. First, repeat, FIRST, I'd coat all sew-throughs with tent floor sealer, both inside and out. Doing all this will cost some money and a bit of time, though. OTOH, the tan color will help prevent you baking if using the tent in the sun. Research cost of sprays and tent floor sealer, as well as shipping. I'd guesstimate that two bottles of tent floor sealer, and three bottles of water-proofing spray should be plenty. The tent probably had such coatings originally, and might have been surplussed when the effectiveness of the coatings wore-off. If the fairly small cost of the chemicals (any left-over can be used for other projects) and time spent is not a deterrent, and the shipping is not out of line, it should be possible to re-hab the tent into something pretty decent. Your call. Double-check to make sure that the tent is really nylon, and not much heavier canvas. |
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Posted: 4/22/2014 9:29:26 AM EDT
[#2]
why would you want one in your jeep? you vehicle is a much better emergency shelter than any tent. if you are looking for something for impromptu camping it might be worthwhile.
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Posted: 4/22/2014 9:32:32 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
why would you want one in your jeep? you vehicle is a much better emergency shelter than any tent. if you are looking for something for impromptu camping it might be worthwhile. That was my thought. Shipping is only $15 for two of them. |
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Posted: 4/22/2014 9:44:45 AM EDT
[#4]
The French military GP Medium tents I bunked in in North Africa sucked. Brand new, never-before set-up and they came apart due to the terrible sewing and cheap metal hardware.
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Posted: 4/22/2014 10:07:23 AM EDT
[#5]
They look better than the POS shelter half tents I slept in when I was in the field. Froze my dick off in those more times than I care to remember, and they leaked when it rained.
At least these have a floor. |
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Posted: 4/23/2014 4:13:03 AM EDT
[#6]
I think the key question is what is it that you want to get out of such a purchase.
Like most things, people have different needs and expectations of tents. I am suspicious of anything tent like that does not have a floor. Might as well just use a tarp as a floor less tent. This one has a floor, and as tents go that is high on my least of desirable features. I think that every time I have gone camping it has stormed on me. I want a sturdy tent that will hold up to a little rain and wind. This one looks sturdy. It also appears to be good sized and I want someplace I can put a few things to keep them close by and dry. However, it also appears to be pretty bulky and maybe heavy so might not be a good choice for backpacking. |
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Posted: 4/24/2014 4:54:51 AM EDT
[#7]
My Boy Scout troop had more or less the same French tents in the 1980s. They were OK nothing great.
For the $ I guess it isn't bad. really. These surplus ones are made by the same company and are the same design from everything I have seen but are drab colors instead of the orange ones we had. (We replaced the French tents with Eureka Timberlines ~'89-'90 and they were much better IMHO.) I'd rather have a freestanding tent, not one that needed to be staked down to be erected. Also if I were buying a tent for emergency and or car camping I'd want something larger. |
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Posted: 4/24/2014 8:36:14 AM EDT
[#8]
I've played with one and they are very cheaply made. For the money just get a Walmart special at least those hold up for a little while and will keep you dry.
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Posted: 4/24/2014 8:42:53 AM EDT
[#9]
french tent? my guess would be that they would quickly collapse......
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Posted: 4/25/2014 3:51:53 AM EDT
[#10]
10 pounds is VERY, VERY heavy.
Invest in a Big Anes Fly Creek UL1 or UL2. |
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Posted: 4/26/2014 11:29:18 AM EDT
[#11]
i have 2 OD green ones i bought years ago. they are easily worth 30.00. about the size of a shelter 1/2 tent but MUCH nicer.
i have set mine up in the rain and while not waterproof they are pretty well sealed. a rain fly will take care of most issues. |
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