Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

MITROLL · Jan 9, 2011

Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

Anyone have any experience with these tents. Any info would help. Thought about one of these instead of a wall tent. Planning a DIY deer and antelope hunt for next year to Wyoming. They claim they hold up in the wind pretty good. Not sure about the snow. Thanks Brian

Adaven78 · Jan 9, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

I have a springbar and like it alot. It has stood up to very high winds that destroyed other tents and quite a bit of snow. I would buy another and it is made in the USA.

peez3006 · Jan 9, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

I did alot of research, and we have a 10X14 Flexbow on the way. I don't think that you could go wrong with either one. Simple design and quick, one man set up.

Don P

jarheadhunter · Jan 10, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

I love them. They are so easy to setup and they seem to hold up well in all conditions. I don't think you can go wrong.

Founder · Jan 10, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

I have the kodiak 10x14. I like it. I used it just once this year, but in heavy wind and snow. I did get about 12 inches of real heavy snow one day that brought the tent down. You can see that in my hunt clip.
http://www.monsterhuntclips.com/video/1107/Big-Buck-Down--Founders-Webcast

It rained quite a lot before snowing, and that canvas gets really heavy when wet and the walls do sag in, then combine that with lots of heavy snow and it'll come down.

I do wish the walls were vertical, rather than angled in.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

bowhunt · Jan 10, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

Founder,
Would consider the Springbar over the Kodiak? based on your experience.

MITROLL · Jan 10, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

Nice buck and podcast Founder. Thanks for all the responses. Sounds like they are pretty durable tents. Founder it looks like you were able to get the tent back up. Was there any damage to your tent? How do you guys provide heat in the tent? What size would you recommend for 2-3 guys?

Prism · Jan 10, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

I have a kodiak like founders and think it's a great tent, especially for the money. I spent about two weeks in mine this fall and never had any problems. Don't think you can go wrong with either. They're perfect for those rougher areas you can't get a trailer. Heating it wasn't bad with a buddy heater and even a propain lnatern with the zippers open. Great tents.

Foreman4x4 · Jan 11, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

I have a Kodiak that I use when I don't want to set up my wall tent. I prefer Kodiak to Springbar because the Kodiak has anchor points for guy-ropes, which helps hold it down in strong winds, etc. They're also less expensive than Springbar, especially if you can find a deal in the bargain Cave at Cabela's or with one of their discount coupons.

Founder · Jan 12, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

I was able to get my tent back up. There was a little chip out of the T connector, but it's still fine. The felxible bar still goes in far enough.
The only other issue, is when taking the tent down, I was in a hurry cause it was a snowy mess and cold, and I pulled from the tent to pull the stakes up and one of the loops broke. My bad.
I would/did get the 10x14 and I think you'll want that for 2-3 people. I wouldn't go smaller. By the time you get clothes hanging, table in there, a couple chairs, it gets tight.
I used the buddy heater in mine. My hunt was really windy and cold, so the buddy heater helped, but didn't keep it warm alone. Since then, I have upgraded to the more powerful heater with the fan. Hopefully that works better next year.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

MITROLL · Jan 12, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

Hey thanks for the info. I think I am going to get one. Cabelas have one on sale. What kind of heater did you get to replace the buddy heater? Was that the Big Buddy? Thanks Brian.

hunting1 · Jan 12, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

http://www.competitiveedgeproducts.com/SearchResult.aspx?KeyWords=kodiak canvas&All=True

These guys have good prices and if you watch ebay I got my 10 x 10 for $375 shipped. I love mine and my Mr. Heater keeps it toasty. If I had the 10 x 14 I would move up to the big buddy. It does well in the wind and rain, but they say "Not for snow".

Founder · Jan 12, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

Ya, I think it is the Big Buddy. I got my tent while cabela's was offering that spend $500+ and get a $150 gift cert., so that was nice. Watch for one of those deals.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

Ott · Jan 12, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

Definitely a Springbar. We have had one for 15 years and it is still going strong. We have also bought some for our scouts. I prefer a wall tent for later hunts when the temps dive and you need a large stove to keep your sanity. My cousin bought a Kodiak and it leaked bad the first trip out.....he took it back. My 2 cents for what is worth?

TxTrapper · Feb 16, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

LAST EDITED ON Feb-16-11 AT 03:33PM (MST)[p]This is the Kodiak and it is an excellent tent. Heated it with a 2-dog stove. It's a 10x14.

MITROLL · Feb 17, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

Thats cool where or who put the stove jack in there. That must keep that thing super toasty. Thanks Brian

TxTrapper · Feb 20, 2011

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

Brian, I did it first myself with Tearmender glue and used it one trip and it wasn't working very good, started coming off in the heat of the day and was very sticky when rolling and unrolling. Then I had a friend sew it in and it is great. When it is dry a lantern will heat it just fine but when it's raining you really need the dry heat otherwise the condensation starts and it's hard to dry anything out. It works great no complaints at all. The floor is extra hvy duty also........Allen
couple more pic's

camokid · Jul 29, 2012

RE: Springbar / Kodiak Canvas Flexbow ???

Perfect example of a DIY hunt/hunter. Lots of respect for Founder.
If every hunter had the ethics and drive as him, and the respect for animals
and other hunters he was around in the video, man, great job!
Glad to see this