Home Made Cook/Rec Shelter For Camping

[LB_hntr]

When I camp on hunts I like having a big shelter area to cook in, hangout in and shower in when its raining. Its also nice to store gear in to keep dry from dew, rain, etc.
 I decided to make my own that was portable, cheap, strong, and most of all could be set up different ways to allow alot of open space under it, or close down the sides close to the ground to really protect things in the rain, and to be able to set up in all areas trees or no trees.

Here is what I came up with.

 http://tbwpodcast.com/my-home-made-cookrec-shelter/

[Chad Orde]

Way cool

[ChuckC]

Good job.  Good idea

  Please school me.  Why didn't you just continue the ridgeline (or, have secondary lines instead of one long one) to make the support lines, such that the support is at the top of each pole and not somewhere in the middle as seems in the pix ?

[LB_hntr]

Originally posted by ChuckC:
Good job.  Good idea

  Please school me.  Why didn't you just continue the ridgeline (or, have secondary lines instead of one long one) to make the support lines, such that the support is at the top of each pole and not somewhere in the middle as seems in the pix ?

Great question!
I could of made it better, bigger, etc. But I wanted options. I tent camp about 20-30 night a year and always have some kind of "shelter" other than my tent. Usually its a tarp. Sometimes I use trees other times I need to cut poles, etc. But it always ends up sloppy and not exactly what i want.
   This set up i made is mostly about the simplicity and options from the poles. Its definitely not a new concept or something that has not been done before.
But the 2 "nesting" poles gives me a total of 2 8 foot poles or 4 5 foot poles and endless ways to set it up. I can do a big lean to, an a frame, a circus style tent if I have a tree, etc.
  So i have lots of strong options and very minimal items. It all fits into a 5 gallon bucket that i always have in camp anyway and the 2 nesting poles fit in the back of my truck and take up no space either.
 So its a cheap, strong, multi option tarp shelter that I can be under for everything from cooking in the rain, to processing deer in camp.
 
The way i have it set up in the pics is probably the way i will set it up LEAST often. but I already know the other ways to set it up and wanted to see how it worked in places with out trees and only the 2 nesting poles.

Its nothing fancy or expensive or that has not been done before. But the poles add so much versatility to it that I never thought of before.

[Dorado]

I've stretched a line between two trees and tossed a tarp over it. One problem I had was that it rained and the water followed the line down and I had a drip in the middle of the tarp. I fixed it by tying a small piece of cloth on the main line just outside of the tarp. You might want to try that. It'd keep you a bit dryer. All in all a nice set up. Good idea with the nesting poles. Just might have to borrow your idea on that.

I have a question though. Why didn't you put an end on the top poles that would fit into the grommets? Seems like you'd have a bit more versatility and would need less line to support the structure.

[LB_hntr]

Originally posted by Dorado:


I have a question though. Why didn't you put an end on the top poles that would fit into the grommets? Seems like you'd have a bit more versatility and would need less line to support the structure.

I would do that if I knew a way to do it. I dont have a clue how to put a spike in the end of the pole that would work. No welder.

[beyondmyken]

JB Weld with a bolt in the end of the pole should work.  I really like your idea of home make telescoping poles.

[LB_hntr]

Originally posted by beyondmyken:
JB Weld with a bolt in the end of the pole should work.  I really like your idea of home make telescoping poles.

Jb weld is a great idea. I was thinking a wooden dowel in the end with a bolt in the dowel.

I have actually set this thing up about 6 different ways so far. I know its just a tarp but the 4 poles (or 2 telescoping poles if nested together) offer so many options. If you have a few trees around the sky is the limit with what you can do in conjunction with the poles.
 Other advantages is I can use the tarp on the ground when I fold up my wall tent to keep it clean.
 I'm pretty excited about it and its all because of the telescoping poles. Simple effective and lots of options.
Can't wait to use it camping this year. Will be camping a week in Ohio in November, a week in the up trapping with kids over Christmas break, and a week in Ohio in January. This and my new wall tent will be a whole new world of luxury that I'm not used to. Usually its small tents, no stove, and a few haphazard tarps drapped around. Heck I will even be sleeping on oversized cots....life will be good in camp this year!

[T Folts]

Jason, I like the set up. I do something similar but more of a lean too. I like the bucket Idea. I carry some wooden poles I cut a few years back. This is a little more portable. Im gonna make one up.
T

[T Folts]

In my experience The grommets tear out real easy in wind. I tie by corners in a knot then attach the rope. Not sure how to address the center where the poles go.