Beckel canvas whelen lean-to

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Hondo Lane

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Just got in! Beckel canvas did a great job on this and I couldn't wait to get home to set it up before the rain moves in. Hopefully I will get to break it in this weekend, If not look for a full review after the Oklahoma meet up next weekend.
 
Their weight for ripstop seems way high.

I think it is too bad they use 10oz Duck for the canvas too. Makes for a very heavy leanto.
 
For those interested in a Whelen tent review: I purchased (April 2013) the Whelen Tent made by Frost River to use during early spring and fall hunting/camping seasons (i.e. during the non buggy seasons; actually, I don’t do much camping during the summer months…too many bugs and way to many people!). I’ve since set the Whelen tent up three times and have used it camping twice (April and May) in the Adirondacks. I have really enjoyed its openness especially having the camp fire directly in front of the tent. In my opinion this tent is perfect for solo tenting which is just fine with me. There was however a major flaw with the tent workmanship. It was made with grommets and 13 of the 15 grommets were not properly seated and 1 grommet totally failed after its second use (photos below). I will say Frost River was more than accommodating to correct the problem. The tent was returned and per my request the grommets were removed and webbing loops were placed over the grommet holes at no charge. So the moral of this story: you may want to ask for webbing loops rather than grommets before you purchase.

Other comments on the Whelen design: I am seriously thinking of having a snow skirt sewn along the edge as I just might try using this set up when the snow flies and begins to accumulate.

For those that may be interested: the fire pit is an Adjust-A-Grill with fire pan: http://www.adjustagrill.com/ I burned it well into the night and it never scorched the ground.

April 27th (two days after ice out on Indian Lake)
1a.jpg


Grommet failure
3a.jpg


New web loops
4a.jpg


May 18th with new webbing loops and...the black flies are just starting to hatch.
2a.jpg
 
I'm interested in the Beckel product. As noted above, the price and weight of the nylon one looks good. Anyone have a review handy?
 
I have been interested in making a Whelen for some time myself. When you look at the original drawings and pictures in his books, the tent back is always made from three pieces of fabric. Judging by the six foot width he prescribes, it looks like two 30 inch piece set off by a one foot strip in the middle, and the wings are made of three sections as well.

Is this for strength? Or was it because the fabric came in 30 inch widths? I would think the additional seams would strengthen it quite a bit and the back panel would take some wind load in a good storm.

So if I get 40 inch fabric, should I cut it to allow for these seems? I am leaning that way even if it is more work. What is your take on it?

Thanks,

Bill
 
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I bought one of the canvas Whelan tents from Beckel earlier this year too. I love mine to death! I made a set of lighter, portable poles for ease of setup. I've only spent a few nights in it so far, most of them in the rain, & I have to say it's my favorite tent if I know I can get close with the truck. I wouldn't want to pack it many miles, but for easy camping it's ideal.
With my internal pole setup, there's ample room for 2 adults & we both stayed warm & dry with a good reflector fire. The build quality is as good as any canvas structure as I've ever seen & I honestly can't see how I could've got anything better for the price.

Here it is set up in my back yard....


 
robtattoo said:
...I made a set of lighter, portable poles for ease of setup. ... With my internal pole setup, there's ample room for 2 adults & we both stayed warm & dry with a good reflector fire. ...
Click to expand...

Could you please describe your pole set up? I'd be interested in hearing about it.
 
Okay so I sewed mine up, posted it in the other thread on Whelen's so here it is
my whelen.jpg

It was right after I had just shrunk the tent in hot water and set it up to dry. It is made of 6.5-7 ounce drill, and weight about 6.5 pounds. I still need to finish it up, a couple of tapes on the back wall and the awning,etc.

I was amazed as it started raining as I was setting it up to dry and the material did not leak at all. I have some silicone waterproofing (Atsko) on the way. When it finally dried up on Sunday it was tight as a drum and had taken shape nicely. The fabric actually tightened so much that a leaf blower could not blow air through the weave. I tried speeding the dry time with one!

When I finish it up I'll post some pictures set up a little better. I have no place for a ridgepole set up in the back yard so I improvised on construction.
 
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