Ridge Runner
2006-08-28, 21:36
Surplus M1 French Tent (http://www.majorsurplusnsurvival.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=083225&Category_Code=34)
I puchased one of these a few months ago for $25 at a local surplus store. It looked traditional and not made of any "space age" materials. I also liked the color and thought "what the hell."
I remember as a kid playing in our backyard with a surplus USGI Pup tent for several summers and I wanted my kids to enjoy the same great experiences I had growing up.
Well, this is no USGI pup tent!
When I got it home and set it up in the backyard I was very impressed. The tent is made out of a canvas/cottom material that looked brand new. The floor is nylon and the two tent poles are made out of aluminum.
The tent is very roomy on the inside and can hold two people with some gear or one person and a lot of gear. I am 6'4" and had plenty of room on the inside.
On the tent "walls" are velcro air vents with netting that run the entire lenght of the tent. They can be opened or closed depending on the weather. There are also vents at the top of each entrance/exit flap.
There are tent flaps on each end of the tent and provide "tie-ups" in order to keep the flaps open for air circulation. The zippers are first quality.
The aluminum poles come in three sections are are secured on the inside of the tubing by a long metal spring. This keeps the pole sections from getting lost, but they do break down easily. They are about half an inch wide and very sturdy.
The rainfly is TOP QUALITY and fits over the top of the entire tent. I was very impressed with its stitching and strength. Although I have not tried it in a heavy rain for several days, I did leave the tent up for a few days when it did rain. The tent was perfectly dry.
The rainfly is not pictured in the above link.
I did treat the tent and rainfly with a silicon spray that I got from WalMart - just for that added protection.
The tent pegs are metal, and have a hook pattern to them. All the necessary pegs came with my tent.
I was so impressed with the tent that I bought 3 more to have on hand. I keep one of the tents in my car at all times during the spring/summer months. I have another suplus canvas Dutch tent for the fall/winter months.
I like the traditional looks and style of the tent. The dark green color is a plus in my book. My kids loved playing in their tent and I have enjoyed mine.
If I ever do tear it, a field repair should be easy with a needle and thread.
You may find a lighter, better tent, but not at this price. I think the French troop tent is an excellent tent for car camping, emergency evacuations or to just keep in your car "just in case."
Anyone else own one?
I puchased one of these a few months ago for $25 at a local surplus store. It looked traditional and not made of any "space age" materials. I also liked the color and thought "what the hell."
I remember as a kid playing in our backyard with a surplus USGI Pup tent for several summers and I wanted my kids to enjoy the same great experiences I had growing up.
Well, this is no USGI pup tent!
When I got it home and set it up in the backyard I was very impressed. The tent is made out of a canvas/cottom material that looked brand new. The floor is nylon and the two tent poles are made out of aluminum.
The tent is very roomy on the inside and can hold two people with some gear or one person and a lot of gear. I am 6'4" and had plenty of room on the inside.
On the tent "walls" are velcro air vents with netting that run the entire lenght of the tent. They can be opened or closed depending on the weather. There are also vents at the top of each entrance/exit flap.
There are tent flaps on each end of the tent and provide "tie-ups" in order to keep the flaps open for air circulation. The zippers are first quality.
The aluminum poles come in three sections are are secured on the inside of the tubing by a long metal spring. This keeps the pole sections from getting lost, but they do break down easily. They are about half an inch wide and very sturdy.
The rainfly is TOP QUALITY and fits over the top of the entire tent. I was very impressed with its stitching and strength. Although I have not tried it in a heavy rain for several days, I did leave the tent up for a few days when it did rain. The tent was perfectly dry.
The rainfly is not pictured in the above link.
I did treat the tent and rainfly with a silicon spray that I got from WalMart - just for that added protection.
The tent pegs are metal, and have a hook pattern to them. All the necessary pegs came with my tent.
I was so impressed with the tent that I bought 3 more to have on hand. I keep one of the tents in my car at all times during the spring/summer months. I have another suplus canvas Dutch tent for the fall/winter months.
I like the traditional looks and style of the tent. The dark green color is a plus in my book. My kids loved playing in their tent and I have enjoyed mine.
If I ever do tear it, a field repair should be easy with a needle and thread.
You may find a lighter, better tent, but not at this price. I think the French troop tent is an excellent tent for car camping, emergency evacuations or to just keep in your car "just in case."
Anyone else own one?