Van Life Guide to Bell Tents vs. Wall Tents: Which is BEST for You? 

I have always loved your videos since I got interested in van life. 2 years ago I bought a 2016 Ford Transit connect. I did a great job building it out to travel in. Unfortunately, it was way too small. Especially having a German Shepherd service Dog named Archer. I sold the van to a business, pulled everything I had for camping, and bought a 2020 12 foot GMC Penski box truck. It is half way done on the build. I have been living in Florida for the last 16 years at the same place. I rented a 30 foot 1963 camper in a trailer park for $250. per month, including electric. I built a family room, and bedroom onto the camper. (I retired as a building contractor). My landlord never raised the rent for 16 years. I was able to save a lot of money. Well, all good things usually come to an end. My landlord sold the park. The new owner raised the rent to $600. per month. I don't blame him, and I am so thankful to Jesus, and my past landlord. Now the reason I wrote this. A while back you did a video on buying land in Arizona to have an address, and a base camp. I never forgot that video. After my rent was raised, I decided I had enough of this humid, sticky weather. I loaded up my buddy, and headed west. I went to see 1.2 acres of land in Concho Arizona. Apache county Arizona. It sets at 7000 feet, over looking a beautiful valley. In August it was 80 degrees, 35% humidity at high noon. Absolutely perfect. It is just off a paved road, and has community water well near by. I am 12 miles from a large town. Show Low. I'm back in Florida. We close on the land August 29th. I am buying a travel trailer to put on the land. Will have solar for electricity. No rules on the land. Can't wait to get there. Set up my travel trailer, then start traveling in my box truck all over the west. I couldn't believe how beautiful New Mexico and this part of Arizona is. I always thought Arizona and New Mexico was just hot, and desert like. Far from the truth. At least from what parts I saw. Anyway, if you hadn't made that video, I wouldn't be going to Arizona. Thankyou. God Bless, David and Archer

I’ve been living in a Kodiak Canvas Cabin Tent (wall tent) for an entire year (all 4 seasons). It’s the 12x12 w/ stove jack and the 8x8 enclosed awning. I highly recommend it and far less cost than the SpringBar.

I built a 15ft. Cheyenne tipi . Shell is canvas , 17 -20ft pine poles . It is amazing. You can live in it . The poles fit on top of my truck n camper . The cover fits in a 40 gallon construction tote that fits next to my bed in the campershell . I only set it up if I'm staying more than 3 days , it's magical . Happy trails 👣

The modern day bell tent had it's origins in the 1850's in America. An officer in the U.S army called Henry Hopkins Sibley saw the lodges used by the Native American Indians and took many of the design features present and refined them to create what is now known as the bell tent. Sibley patented the modern bell tent design in 1856. The design he patented had many features similar to the Native American Tipi. The main difference being instead of the 12 long poles forming a frame with the Tipi, his design used one central pole that finished in a smaller tripod that could be erected over a fire pit or stove. Sibley bell tentThe original Sibley design stood about 12 feet (3.7m) high and was 18 feet (5.5m) in diameter and it could comfortably sleep 12 soldiers and their kit. The canvas was held taught by 24 pegs and later models used a cowl over the poles to aid ventilation and to allow smoke to escape. Sibleys design was used extensively by the US army during the Utah Expedition of 1857-1858. According to his agreement with the US Department of War he would receive 5 USD for every tent made. Unfortunately Sibley resigned from the US Army to join the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War and Sibley never received any royalties on his patent. Nearly 44,000 tents were made during the war.

Will there be a part 2? I was hoping for a walkthrough comparison to see what they look like with someone inside. Great content as always Bob.

I didn't hear the weight of the 10' bell tent. I looked on Amazon and had to drill down a bit. It says it weighs 51 pounds. As a 74 year old woman, I would really have a hard time with that. But I would definitely consider it since I spend winters in Quartzsite and those winds can really mess up the tent. And I spend 5-6 months in one spot so it would be fairly permanent.

Very helpful video. Thanks for laying out all the differences so we can decide based on our needs

The Bell tents are pretty.. and if you are alone, but staying a while.. they are nice.. I can put one on a platform and Air B-n-B a Bell tent.. The Springbar are the practical choice for usability and quick setup and takedown by comparison.. but don’t rent out.. We had Mediaeval Pavillion tents for decades.. I made lightweight Spanish Cedar perimeter poles and custom finials.. in the end adding artwork to the walls and carving the main poles and crossbeams.. they were amazing compared to a nylon tent or most anything without wheels. We wanted to camp in Bear country, so we wound up in a Van for agility, security and simplicity. Thanks for your insights Bob, you are always informative, relevant and entertaining. A rare thing on YT.

Thank you. I appreciate your continual reminder that it's not about what you can live with, but what can the person watching live with.

Hey Bob you forgot to get your Inspectors opinion on this. He was walking and carefully inspecting while you were talking. I'm curious as to his thoughts.....🤣To our Incredible Inspector Cody extra hugs and treats please.....

This is very useful information. Thank you, Bob. Having spent winter of 2023 5 months in Quartzsite LTVA North, the winds whipped up and demolished my little 4-person nylon tent. Canvas clearly is the wise choice!! My concern is the weight factor!!! I'm keeping my eye out for one that I can work with!! Again, thanks!!

Another great review Bob. What I like best about your reviews in your nonjudgemental way of providing the facts. I love the bell tent for 3 seasons, definitely loses in Summer because of items you described. When you need heat/warmth, bell tent clearly wins. Thank for the review in this 4 tent scenario. Love in Sarasota ❤

Isn't there a 13 ft bell? Would it be the best compromise for 1 person? Affordability would have been a great category

i bought a 16' canvas bell tent buy it has high walls. they're about 3.5' tall. the tent is actually an octagon shape and all 8 high sided walls can be unzipped and completely open the entire tent up. i really enjoy it. i think if it replaced the 16' in the video, it would probably be the favorite. love love love y0ur videos and you bob!!

Thanks, Bob! This is great information for decision making. As an intentional tent camper, I bought for my first tent the style of tent that fit the season I was starting out in. That was Spring, so I bought a side-wall tent specifically for ventilation. When I started camping in the winter months, I immediately switched to the Bell style for rain, wind and snow management. Regardless of style, be sure to use stakes that are long enough for the type of soil. Blow-downs never happen when it is convenient, especially at night!

As a side-note to all tent campers: to keep tent flapping in high winds to a minimum, insert a spring loaded coupler or bungee cord addition in all your guy lines, and pre-load them with medium tension. You will sleep much sounder on windy nights.

I never can imagine myself using a tent. Then I watch your reviews or comparisons. And you bring up such good points! At the very least, it would be nice to have something I can use if the van were out of commission for a bit. Thanks, CRVL

Hello from Puerto Rico Bob and friends,

Thank you so much for this video. I now know which tent is perfect for me. At 67 and only use a tent in mild winter weather, I’m going with the 10 foot bell tent. This video was just the information that I needed. Thank you!

Hello Bob, I've been watching your videos for a long time I don't even remember how long but I just love watching and learning from them. well do to changes in my life I have started vanlife. I have a Dodge grand caravan, and I built it out in a very simple way, I still need to do more but that will come later. me changing to vanlife was because of events that have happened in the last 2 years. but that's a story for another day. Anyway, I'll be coming out to Quartzite AZ at the end of September or around the first week of October I hope to meet you one day. Thank you for all the info you have given me over the past few years.

Thank you my friend I miss being a gypsy I've got all kinds of tents but I haven't used them in a long time you know Indian teepees are very very good and you can make a small one I lived in one in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a month in the wilderness on the Sturgeon River after I sold my property in the snow and frigid cold me and my brother-in-law and my beloved dog stubby now they're all gone only I am left

We all love Bob❤ Truthful, honest being..

Great video as always!!!!! Thank you!

Thank you, Bob.

Helpful, I look forward to the information you provide . Prepping to live The most free lifestyle possible.

I would love to have a piece of land one day that I live wild on it. I have exploring both of these tents for a couple of years now. My take away from this video is that I need one of each. I think I would sleep in the 10’ bell, and live and carry on day time life in the 10x14’ spring bar. Thanks again Bob for all of your great help and support. 👍👍👍

good review, I go for the bell due to resistance to weather, and you can get a 16 ft no?

TY for this very thorough video! We have learned so much!

I’m using a springbar skyliner and it’s been great. I highly recommend using lag screws instead of tent stakes. Very easy to drill them in the ground and removal with the drill on reverse is a pice of cake.

I would love to see a review of the blow-up tents. They use air instead of polls. From the videos I’ve seen, they seem roomy and sturdy.

Thanks for the wonderful guide, Bob!

thank you bob wells!!!!!!!

so interesting. Great information. Thanks

Honestly, a person would be much happier in a basic Tent trailer like the bottom-of-the-line Forest River tent trailer. It doesn't have to be new but you don't want any mildew or floor rot. Pay attention to the roof area.

Thanks Bob.

Excellent Review/Comparison, Thank You Bob.🙏👍

Seems like the smaller white duck is best for winter and the bell is best for summer. ideally, one could have both, but of course, in most cases it's not possible thanks Bob. 🙏

I bought a 8 person Kodiak my advice is not to buy it. The bar will rust and also these tents will mildew on the inside. Especially if you have an air conditioner or fan. They are very heavy to load and unload. We followed all the instructions they recommended in care of material of tent. I spent almost as much as I paid for the tent within the first six months of owning it. I now have a Cabela's four season tent and I am very pleased with it , I have been living in it for two years now straight. I love it. Kodiak tent is in my storage unit and I haven't been able to give it away. And by the way if you rub the material it will make a hole in it.

Great review and comparison Bob 😊 See you down the road ...

Thanks!

Nice video I enjoyed your comparisons and being open-minded about it and appreciate that thank you

Good talk

*Love your channel and all of the help you give.* ⚘️

I have a spring-bar tent and I like it, but I am intrigued by the new inflatable tents that are now available. Some of them are huge. I hope you get a chance to review one of those tents one of these days.

An excellent and fair assessment of these tent styles. Thanks for sharing this with us!

Thanks for this video

Thanks. Good to have a tent.⛺

Awesome reviews! 🙂👍

Oooo I like the looks of all of them. Thank you!!!!

Thanks.

Great review. Thanks Bob

I find the bell type tents a bit depressing because they are so much darker, and I would think that the Springbar tents would be better in really hot weather, due to the enormous size of the mesh on those Classic Jack tents.

Obviously the canvas tents are great for a more permanent setup and making a hot tent, but for myself just car camping they are a bit too heavy and bulky. I use a much lighter 3 season set up with a Basecamp 6 tent and a Aquaquest Defender 15 x 15 tarp set up over the tent using Gardenpro telescoping tarp poles. This combo is lightweight and definitely keeps the rain and sun at bay. Cheers and good luck.

These tents are way too big and heavy, what are the prices. Great vid Bob, another homerun. Thanx.

Bravo 👏

Im from salt lake and i swear it was a spring bar that my parents bought like 25 years ago, and im pretty sure we still have it in our garage....

Thank you Bob

Fantastic review as always Bob.

I live white mou tain,Arizon. My Van has been in repair, but looking forward to booking up w all of U!

I have a small lot in Central TX. I am leaning towards a Springbar tent because of the ventilation. Would love to have it up on a platform!

I would love to see a review on the Shiftpod. They sell 3 sizes.

BEST CHOICE: buy one of each!! :)

To me it would be the white duck bell 10 foot tent is the pick for me. Don't underestimate those low windows when you sleep. Even on a stretcher you are still low down.

I've really been hoping to see a comparison between the two and so appreciate it! One question though, you started to talk about the Kodiak and then stopped. I've heard very compelling arguments on both sides of the Kodiak/Springbar debate, but what was YOUR take on the Kodiak? Thanks Bob!

I think if you anticipate living in a tent, moving every two weeks, as a permanent lifestyle, that will be more difficult than necessary. Those heavy lifting poles need to be reinvented. Better to work diligently to tow a small trailer with hard side, or pop up, structure. I think a roof top tent would be best. IF you can remove/replace, set on the ground for two weeks. More costly, some ingenuity to one person remove/replace, probably survive more years, better weather resistant, although standing up may not be likely. I will continue to camp using a 1957 "Camplete" 8×10 canvas modified to use exterior frame. Needs water proof annually. Combined with a nice tarp rainfly, no problems. And i don't think it weighs more than 35 pounds. Transports in a big rubber maid type bin on the roof rack. Seems to me, if you must car camp with 2 week moves, the pop up gazebo is a great compromise. Sleep in the car. Livetch in the gazebo. Carry on the roof, or a hitch platform.

@bob can you do reviews on tents suitable for extreme weather environments such as Alaska???

Couple things Bob - if you could post a note to this video summarizing your comments with two columns, one for the Bell tents, one for the Wall tents,that would be helpful. The other thing is during the entire video I almost never heard you refer to the wall tent mentioned in the title, so I have to assume that these are the spring Bar tents… is that right right? Thanks…

All citizens of American will probably need one of these soon the way this country is going.

Can anyone advise me on a large Coleman tent? I have a brand new 8 person tent. Will this suffice until I can afford a van? My main question is how it will work in the heat. Thanks!!!

I love the bell tent. I have seen them with more true windows.

I’d need help with setting up the round tent because I’m definitely not strong enough to do the heavy lifting. I need heat for survival I tend to get cold easily. I’d for go windows and just use my imagination of the great outdoors.

I need one

Are there tent campers that use these models at the lvta In Quartzite?

❤

I chose a springbar classic jack 100 for me. I don’t need a big space to be comfortable. Plus the price. I don’t think I would like a bell because of air flow.

I prefer a heavy canvas tent that can ‘hide’ behind my van (low roof line, just enough for standing) in high winds, and has a flat side so I can strap it to the van. I don’t see the need for a wood burning box in a tent - there is enough ventilation for propane’s condensation to remain dry. You say 60mph wind for these tents Bob, really?

What do you think camper choices are for a mini cooper driver/wannabe RVer?

I think the dog was trying to decide which tent to pee on.

Bell for winter, wall for summer.

👍👍🏝

🎉

Bob I have a friend who is stranded in Lake Havasu City AZ and being Harrased and stalked by one of her so called friends she needs to get to a walmart and the Airport can you help please.

Springbar in warm weather, Bell in the cold weather ...

Where's the inside?

28 is nearly 40 percent of 72, so it’s actually nearly 40 percent larger.

💪😎🇺🇸

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Thanks!