My best recommendation;
9x9 bell back A-frame and the largest Awning you can afford from RK Lodge.
The tent is the bedroom, the awning is the living room/kitchen where cooking, relaxing and entertainment happens.
What's inside the tent is private and out of sight, so modern cot's and sleeping bags are used a lot as well as all your street cloths, gun cases, cell phones, flashlights, etc,,,
A modern cooler can be kept inside or outside if covered in canvas.
Water is a big deal. Usually supplied in camp but may contain minerals or bacteria your not used to and can upset your digestion. So I bring a 5gal plastic water container from home for drinking/cooking and only use camp water for washing.
Canvas; 3 grades right(?)
Water proof; The basic, and Ok if your only going to do 2-3 short weekend events a year
Sun Forger; The most recommended. It has a UV inhibitor in the fabric,, this is the stuff they make boat covers out of and can sit in the sun daily for years without damage. Great stuff, but can be over kill for just light use. My big awning and 3 tents are Sun forger. I have another awning that's plain water proof I've used for 5yrs now and I can tell no difference in the wear or color.
Flame Retardant; Most expensive and only needed where the "state" requires it. I think it's only Cali and NY (go figure). I have never seen "Tent Cop's" checking tags, of course we're not a required state.
I have seen 2 tent fires, both simple untended neglect/carelessness,, neither burst into flame and where put out before the tent was totaled.
Because of this I now carry a modern fire extinguisher and keep it handy.
Yes, used tents are out there, it's the shipping that can be the killer. They're folded up nice and tight when bought new, but it seems you can never get'm back like that,:haha:
There's a big market and turn over at most local vous`, put the word out in the right crowd and you might find one or sell yours.
Tents that are properly cared for, kept clean of mud and packed away dry, can and do retain a high resale value,, so most your investment can be recovered if you upgrade or decide to bail,,
