I think the only gripe I have about any of Kodiak’s cabin tents is that each model only comes with 1 storm window, personally I wish all the windows had the exterior flaps; I would prefer additional weight if it meant providing greater weather coverage while still allowing for airflow all day/night. Great overview as always, Charlie!
Set up my 12x16 the other day, I notice they went to the d rings for the poles instead on the "rain gutter" with grommets like on the 12x12, I noticed that this seems to prevent water from pooling at the edge of the roof whereas my Dad's 12x12 will pool water at the edges. I hope the new design is plenty strong. I was worried about the extra length of the center pole but it seemed surprisingly strong for being so long. I was also wondering if running a hot shower in the vestibule be problematic?
Good question. Running a hot shower varies on the shower I think. We have a propane operated shower, but the propane and shower stay outside while the hose goes inside. You'd need to be careful when using a propane heated shower to avoid carbon monoxide and fire safety. Let us know how it works out for you. Thanks for your comment.
Would definitely be awesome. There's a 10x10, 12x12, and 12x16. The manufacturer decided that people going with one as small as 10x10 are the least likely to want to expand it with an add-on room. So, the other two larger sizes have receiving zippers to attach the add-on room 1672, but the 10x10 simply doesn't and likely won't in the future either.
I have a family of 6, two adults and four kids 10 and under. Would the 12x12 suffice with the add-on room or would the 12x16 be better? The tent would be used for camping in the summer with everyone, and in the fall with a few adults for hunting. Thanks.
Yes, that would work great - even with a stove and without the add-on room. The add-on room, of course, gives you even more space for your gear outside your living/sleeping space - especially if you're hunting.
Protecting the tent roof from embers is important. Burning good clean wood helps, a spark arrestor is required (a metal mesh cover over the pipe), and avoiding a rain cap if it's not raining.
I don't do anything to the roof other than sweep it off with a broom if there's Pineneedles or anything. Sometimes people will scrape off sap and clean off the dirt, but it really doesn't look bad at all like it gets used. It doesn't look bad I think, it wears really well. My oldest tent is about 16 or 17 years now and I have yet to had to do any scrubbing on the roof other than just taking a broom and wiping any dirt off.
I have several videos on my channel about my experiences with Kodiak, they can be watched to see that I have extensive experience with these tents. I live in them for weeks and months during hunting season. Which brings me to my point, these tents have a lifetime warranty but i found out this year that it does not cover the zippers. Which is news to me because Kodiak replaced my enclosure 2 years ago due to zipper failure. This past year my main tent door zipper failed and now im told that its not covered under warranty. Just putting that out there. Just letting you know.
@Competitiveedgeproducts yeah. Before they replaced my front enclosure for a zipper issue on warranty, that was two years ago. Now, they say that the zippers are not covered. I took my tent to Colorado Tent Company in Denver. They said they use spiral zippers now on their tents and said they have fewer issues with them over the traditional toothed zippers. They also said not to use lube on the zippers as it attracts and holds dust which wears away the teeth. They recommend to use air duster in a can and occasionally blow the zippers out. I haven't picked up the tent yet but I put down a $200 deposit towards the work to be done (their policy). They said I don't owe anything.
@@DIYoming That makes sense with a lubricant holding dust in the zippers. I just looked up an email where an expert from Kodiak reached out with this comment that mentions candle wax: "The trouble with lubricant is that it attracts dust and can make it worse in the long run. Best to just wash with water and a mild brush (soft toothbrush). When zipping, try holding the pieces (door or window flap) together in a position so it is easier to zip. A tent that is too taut can be difficult to zip. Try to not stake so taut. Avoid grinding around corners. If you just have to, try some wax (candle wax)-but just in the area where it is sticking."
Can you order these tents and get custom features put on them on request like a stove hole on the awnings or another door and another place and stuff like that
Unfortunately, Kodiak does not have customization options for their tents. While we don't recommend it there are lots of people who love customizing their own tents after purchasing. However, keep in mind some customizations can void the warranty.
I'm too old to heft that around unless my sons are with me, but I did buy a cart that rolls on grass and is super handy. I did heft this around before I got the dolly to be honest, but I don't anymore. :) amzn.to/46fMTS1
Colorado and Utah winters are very similar with the Rockies running through us. They hold up great. I see your comment was 9 months ago. Did you end up getting one?
Had the 12 x 12 version set up in Wyoming winds, the tent itself holds up fine, the stakes do slowly work their way out of the ground and you will have to reset the stakes. The vestibule is the weak link because the front 3 poles aren't staked into the ground and get pushed inwards, I obtained some spikes from the hardware store and I'm going to remove the plastic caps on the bottom of the 3 poles, pound stakes straight into the ground where the poles go and set the poles over the spikes to hold the poles in place and I will have to see how this works.
Yeah, tons of videos with people in crazy high winds in their Kodiak tents on youtube. Great suggestion though. We have a hard time predicting the wind speeds when we set these up for demos.
@BlueberryStinkFinger62 I have extensive experience with these tents, I own several models and use them in the WY winds. I have been through storms with gusts in excess of 60 MPH and the tent survived like a champ. I do have a video on my channel that shows the performance of the tent with winds in the 20-30 MPH range.
Looking into purchasing the 12x16 tent. Does the colorado spruce stove warm the entire tent? My concern is will the stove keep someone sleeping at the back of the tent warm? Or would you recommend the larger stove? Love all the videos you put up on the kodiak tents. Ive watched numerous videos of all brands and think im going with the kodiak 12x16
Yes, the Colorado Spruce model would heat the whole tent (but not the add-on rooms if it's really cold). Thank you for your feedback on the videos. If you ended up getting this we'd all love to know what you think.
No floor. Surrounding earth gets saturated, you got problems. Other than that, it's cool. Bit, that's a deal killer. You have to come up with some kind of floor.
I purchased a 13 × 20 aquaquest camo tarp to help w/ sun and mildew as well as tree sap damage which adds a lit'l protection at sides and doubles as a porch awning when I don't want to put up the additional 8×8 front porch / cook room
The Kodiak tents are made of canvas which can be repaired in a typical sewing/quilting shop. Another popular place to have canvas repaired are at boating shops.
Wow you always do an amazing job, I was looking at an other tent but my goodness this is amazing - I will now have to reconsider 👍🏽
I think the only gripe I have about any of Kodiak’s cabin tents is that each model only comes with 1 storm window, personally I wish all the windows had the exterior flaps; I would prefer additional weight if it meant providing greater weather coverage while still allowing for airflow all day/night.
Great overview as always, Charlie!
You always do great reviews. Enjoy my 10 x 10 cabin tent!!
Awesome! Thank you!
Great video and great product. Tks for sharing all those tips...and advantages ..!
Of course thanks for the feedback! Let me know if I can assist any other way!
Great review as always! Loved my Alaknak but I believe Kodiak is a better build!
-Will
Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching.
Set up my 12x16 the other day, I notice they went to the d rings for the poles instead on the "rain gutter" with grommets like on the 12x12, I noticed that this seems to prevent water from pooling at the edge of the roof whereas my Dad's 12x12 will pool water at the edges.
I hope the new design is plenty strong.
I was worried about the extra length of the center pole but it seemed surprisingly strong for being so long.
I was also wondering if running a hot shower in the vestibule be problematic?
Good question. Running a hot shower varies on the shower I think. We have a propane operated shower, but the propane and shower stay outside while the hose goes inside. You'd need to be careful when using a propane heated shower to avoid carbon monoxide and fire safety.
Let us know how it works out for you. Thanks for your comment.
The main problem I could see is if it's cold outside you will get quite a bit of condensation on the interior of the canvas.
☆☆☆☆☆ NICE DEMO... NICE TENT ⛺️ 👍... I LOVE MY 12 × 12 kodiak Lodge tent. Very well made product ! Extremely happy with mine ❤️ ...Alan in 🇨🇱
Awesome!!!
What are your thoughts on a portable AC powered by an outdoor generator using the stove pipe hole for power run and "window kit" ?
Works great! I've done that myself and it makes a huge difference.
Such a great description.
Glad you liked it
And another thing I wanted to ask do they repair them can you send them in and get them repaired and how does that all work
Add on room for the 10 by 10 cabin tent would be awesome
Would definitely be awesome. There's a 10x10, 12x12, and 12x16. The manufacturer decided that people going with one as small as 10x10 are the least likely to want to expand it with an add-on room. So, the other two larger sizes have receiving zippers to attach the add-on room 1672, but the 10x10 simply doesn't and likely won't in the future either.
I am going back and forth between the 12x12 and 12x16 and was wondering how well will/does the stove perform for heating the larger of the two?
I'd like to know this too
I have a family of 6, two adults and four kids 10 and under. Would the 12x12 suffice with the add-on room or would the 12x16 be better? The tent would be used for camping in the summer with everyone, and in the fall with a few adults for hunting. Thanks.
Yes, that would work great - even with a stove and without the add-on room. The add-on room, of course, gives you even more space for your gear outside your living/sleeping space - especially if you're hunting.
How do you protect the tent’s roof from wood stove exhaust sparks? is the material used fire resistant?
Protecting the tent roof from embers is important. Burning good clean wood helps, a spark arrestor is required (a metal mesh cover over the pipe), and avoiding a rain cap if it's not raining.
How do you keep the roof clean!? And you dont use a rain fly?
I don't do anything to the roof other than sweep it off with a broom if there's Pineneedles or anything. Sometimes people will scrape off sap and clean off the dirt, but it really doesn't look bad at all like it gets used. It doesn't look bad I think, it wears really well. My oldest tent is about 16 or 17 years now and I have yet to had to do any scrubbing on the roof other than just taking a broom and wiping any dirt off.
I have several videos on my channel about my experiences with Kodiak, they can be watched to see that I have extensive experience with these tents. I live in them for weeks and months during hunting season. Which brings me to my point, these tents have a lifetime warranty but i found out this year that it does not cover the zippers. Which is news to me because Kodiak replaced my enclosure 2 years ago due to zipper failure. This past year my main tent door zipper failed and now im told that its not covered under warranty.
Just putting that out there.
Just letting you know.
Thank you for your comments. Did Kodiak give you advice on repairing a zipper?
@Competitiveedgeproducts yeah. Before they replaced my front enclosure for a zipper issue on warranty, that was two years ago. Now, they say that the zippers are not covered.
I took my tent to Colorado Tent Company in Denver. They said they use spiral zippers now on their tents and said they have fewer issues with them over the traditional toothed zippers. They also said not to use lube on the zippers as it attracts and holds dust which wears away the teeth. They recommend to use air duster in a can and occasionally blow the zippers out.
I haven't picked up the tent yet but I put down a $200 deposit towards the work to be done (their policy). They said I don't owe anything.
@@DIYoming That makes sense with a lubricant holding dust in the zippers. I just looked up an email where an expert from Kodiak reached out with this comment that mentions candle wax: "The trouble with lubricant is that it attracts dust and can make it worse in the long run.
Best to just wash with water and a mild brush (soft toothbrush).
When zipping, try holding the pieces (door or window flap) together in a position so it is easier to zip. A tent that is too taut can be difficult to zip. Try to not stake so taut. Avoid grinding around corners. If you just have to, try some wax (candle wax)-but just in the area where it is sticking."
Can you order these tents and get custom features put on them on request like a stove hole on the awnings or another door and another place and stuff like that
Unfortunately, Kodiak does not have customization options for their tents. While we don't recommend it there are lots of people who love customizing their own tents after purchasing. However, keep in mind some customizations can void the warranty.
I wish we could see it folded up, what is the carrying weight, with the stove? Does it come with a case for when the tent isn’t in use?
I'm too old to heft that around unless my sons are with me, but I did buy a cart that rolls on grass and is super handy. I did heft this around before I got the dolly to be honest, but I don't anymore. :)
amzn.to/46fMTS1
can this tent accommodate 8 person with single folding camping bed
Are you using a stove in it? If so, it could be tight depending on the size of the camping cots/beds.
How does it handle Colorado’ winter? Looking especially for 4 rifle season. Thanks
Colorado and Utah winters are very similar with the Rockies running through us. They hold up great. I see your comment was 9 months ago. Did you end up getting one?
@@yoboyljkid4754 handles WY winters just fine.
Again show how these tents handle high winds and severe thunderstorms and I mean winds higher than 35 miles a hour
If you would simply search there’s tons of videos on UA-cam showing the exact thing you’re asking about
Had the 12 x 12 version set up in Wyoming winds, the tent itself holds up fine, the stakes do slowly work their way out of the ground and you will have to reset the stakes.
The vestibule is the weak link because the front 3 poles aren't staked into the ground and get pushed inwards, I obtained some spikes from the hardware store and I'm going to remove the plastic caps on the bottom of the 3 poles, pound stakes straight into the ground where the poles go and set the poles over the spikes to hold the poles in place and I will have to see how this works.
Yeah, tons of videos with people in crazy high winds in their Kodiak tents on youtube. Great suggestion though. We have a hard time predicting the wind speeds when we set these up for demos.
@BlueberryStinkFinger62 I have extensive experience with these tents, I own several models and use them in the WY winds. I have been through storms with gusts in excess of 60 MPH and the tent survived like a champ. I do have a video on my channel that shows the performance of the tent with winds in the 20-30 MPH range.
Would be nice if the owning on the Windows had a side flap so rain will not get in it when you had window as a owning
Quit your bitching
Good points. Thank you.
Looking into purchasing the 12x16 tent. Does the colorado spruce stove warm the entire tent? My concern is will the stove keep someone sleeping at the back of the tent warm? Or would you recommend the larger stove? Love all the videos you put up on the kodiak tents. Ive watched numerous videos of all brands and think im going with the kodiak 12x16
Yes, the Colorado Spruce model would heat the whole tent (but not the add-on rooms if it's really cold). Thank you for your feedback on the videos. If you ended up getting this we'd all love to know what you think.
No floor. Surrounding earth gets saturated, you got problems. Other than that, it's cool. Bit, that's a deal killer. You have to come up with some kind of floor.
Not sure what you mean. The tent does have a floor. Are you talking about the add-on rooms?
The white top is going to kill sales.
The lighter top helps keep the temp down.
I purchased a 13 × 20 aquaquest camo tarp to help w/ sun and mildew as well as tree sap damage which adds a lit'l protection at sides and doubles as a porch awning when I don't want to put up the additional 8×8 front porch / cook room
Wondering if the stove keep the tent warm for how big the tent is
Yes, it keeps it warm, but the amount of wood you go through depends on the outside temps.
The window flaps need to be on the inside-in a storm I don't want to get wet closing the flaps.
The windows do zip up from the inside.
And another thing I wanted to ask do they repair them can you send them in and get them repaired and how does that all work
And another thing I wanted to ask do they repair them can you send them in and get them repaired and how does that all work
And another thing I wanted to ask do they repair them can you send them in and get them repaired and how does that all work
And another thing I wanted to ask do they repair them can you send them in and get them repaired and how does that all work
The Kodiak tents are made of canvas which can be repaired in a typical sewing/quilting shop. Another popular place to have canvas repaired are at boating shops.