Two Story Tent Tent Design

[M.D. Holloway]

So here is the latest design for our Son's '2 story tent' concept. I thought about what Kach22 had put together and I like the cone concept but I think that a quadrahedron (I think that is what this design is called) would be easier to build and more stable. The ground floor will be for storing the coolers, dirty boots and clothes, the second floor is for sleeping/changing and the top floor is for an 8 year old to have a look-out. This is a must according to him. The building materials will be PVC pipe - most likely 2 or 3 inch diameter with the floor joists also acting as support. They will be joined by larger dia pipe and bolts. I have sourced water proof tarp and I think I have an epoxy that will provide a great bond and seal as well as screen material for vents/windows. The floor panels will be sections of plywood - 5/8 thick cut into sections with larger pipes fastened to them. They will be supported by floor joists. You will also notice sections of each floor that has a white square - that is for access to the next floor. We will fab a ladder out of PVC as well. I do need your help, I have not calculated the size yet. I am thinking that the first floor have at least 2 foor clearence, second floor should have a 6ft head clearence, and the top floor can have what ever. Thinking that the top portion will also have some rails and a removeable roof. So, what do you think?

[trekkor]

I wonder if a center post up the middle would add strength?
Each floor could attach to the center with latches or some other fastener/clip.

Isn't it a pyramid?


KT

[kach22i]

I don't know what happened to my post, so I'll say it again.

I would not build anything over my head which I would not be willing to have fall on it.

I would not build the second floor higher than I am willing to fall.

Safety first, be careful.

[M.D. Holloway]

Good point - it would but it would also reduce mobility. I thought a pyramid had 3 sides?

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally Posted by kach22i

I don't know what happened to my post, so I'll say it again.

I would not build anything over my head which I would not be willing to have fall on it.

I would not build the second floor higher than I am willing to fall.

Safety first, be careful.

True dat! The sleeping floor will only be a few feet off the ground. The look-out level would be higher put positioned in the middle of the tent. The odds of someone falling out are as great as the odds of him falling out of a tree. There will be certain rules to go by and he is a pretty good kid when it comes to following directions.

As with all camping adventures, no one goes in anyones elses tent. Thats the law!

[trekkor]

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

Good point - it would but it would also reduce mobility. I thought a pyramid had 3 sides?

Actually they have five sides, if you include the base.


KT

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by trekkor

I wonder if a center post up the middle would add strength?
KT

It's totally triangulated as designed - should be strong like bridge

[red-beard]

Your design is not bear proof. Never put the cooler or food in the tent.

Somewhere, I have pictures.

[M.D. Holloway]

Agree - the spot where we will be there are no bears.

[trekkor]

What are the dimensions of this cool one?



KT

[M.D. Holloway]

I have to figuer that out - the sleeping area should have enough room for a full size air mattress and then some. Any ideas?

[BRPORSCHE]

How tall do you want it?

Just use 6,8,10.
Base: 12 ft.
height: 8 ft.
length: 10 ft.

[EdT82SC]

I've built a tent-like structure using 2" pvc in 10' lengths for the structure. I found the instructions for this on the net. It was pretty simple to put together by myself. You just drill holes at both ends of the poles, and use rope to tie it together at the corners.



I used an army surplus parachute for the tarp. 75 mph winds tore the parachute a few days later. I'm glad I didn't jump out of a plane with it. The structure barely noticed the winds that tore the parachute.



For your design you will need pipe longer then 10', and you'll put a lot more weight on it so I would definitely use 3" pipe for greater strength.

[M.D. Holloway]

Ed,
Thanks for the tip. I was looking to use 3" pipe and at each joint use an elbow or union. Some of the pieces will be glued while others will have holes and bolts to fasten.

Tom, not sure I follow the dimensions. Have the base 12' wide and structure 8' tall?