CHAPTER V
A HOME-MADE CAMPING OUTFIT
Standing the Test of an 8,000 Mile Trip—Good Water Supply Everywhere—Army Cots and Canvas the Basis of Outfit—Complete Directions—Mosquito Netting Sides Permit Adequate Ventilation.
One of the most interesting experiences in motor camping of which we have known is that of Mr. Frederick W. Huntington of Brooklyn, N. Y. His trip is of particular significance, not primarily in being adventurous, but because it illustrates what any one can accomplish through ingenuity at very moderate expense.
Mr. and Mrs. Huntington traveled from New York City to California, on an 8,000-mile route, in nine weeks’ time, driving every day, and camping every night without a mishap.
They encountered wind-storms and rain-storms, but their equipment stood all the blasts and proved waterproof all the time. In some places the mosquitoes sang in the vicinage by night, but were never admitted to the society of the campers. The travelers report excellent roads all of the way to the Mississippi, and passable highways all the way across the continent. They were never more than forty miles from a good water supply. They found [39]camp sites in nearly all the towns beyond the Appalachians, but seldom used them, preferring usually to camp in some secluded spot near the roadside. In fact, they discovered that unless one arrives fairly early in the afternoon, many of the camping parks will be found to be crowded already, with little room for the late-comer.
The striking feature of this trip is the tent equipment which Mr. Huntington designed. It is simple and effective. With a little aid from a local machine shop, or even a blacksmith shop, it can be made by any prospective camper. Accordingly, a description is given herewith showing just how Mr. Huntington constructed his outfit. The drawings which accompany this chapter will serve to clarify the text.
Two Army Cots the Basis
The basis of the Huntington tent structure is two ordinary army cots placed side by side, six inches apart. A hole is bored in each crosspiece at the end near the adjoining cot, both at the head and at the foot of the bed. The next step is to take two brass rods about three-eighths inch in diameter and twelve inches in length. Have a machinist bend each rod into the shape of a double-pointed matting-tack, with the horizontal part eight inches in length. Thread the ends of the two side pieces so that they become screw bolts. Then insert these two devices into the holes aforementioned. Secure them with nuts fitting the threaded ends of the rods, and [40]you have the two cots fastened securely together (Fig. 1).
Basis for home-made tenting outfit built by Mr. Frederick W. Huntington of Brooklyn, N. Y. Note the two standard army cots, the canvas trough, the sticks of the frame work, and the design of the joints.
The Improvised Floor
The next feature is the canvas trough which supplies a floor on which one stands while getting into bed or dressing. This protects the feet from the ground, and keeps insects from coming up from the ground. To prepare for this trough, attach five tapes or strips of canvas about nine inches in length in a row at even intervals along the cloth of each cot about nine inches from the inner edge. Then take a piece of tent canvas fifty-eight inches wide by six feet six inches long. Along the outer edges of this attach tapes which are to be tied with the tapes attached to the cot, giving a U-shaped trough six inches in width and with a depth determined by the height of the cots from the ground, with the edges overlapping six inches on the cots. The ends of the trough are stopped by pieces of cloth eight inches wide by twenty-four inches in length, the extra length permitting a six-inch flap at the top of each end of the trough and the extra width allowing for seams (Fig. 2).
Framework for the Tent
The framework of the tent is built up from the cots. To construct this, first bore four three-eighths-inch holes, one at each of the outside ends of the [41]crosspieces of the cots. Then screw in four screw-eyes near those holes through which the brass rods are inserted (Fig. 3). Next take two strips of hardwood eighteen inches in length, using about three-quarter-inch stuff; also two more similar strips three feet nine inches in length. Bevel the ends of these pieces of wood so that when joined they will appear as in Fig. 4, left. The joints for these tent supports are the most difficult part of the construction. They will probably have to be made at a machine shop. Each consists of a one-quarter-inch brass rod (about the size of a fat pencil) with holes drilled in the lower end for the attachment of wires. Passing through and welded to each rod is a one-half-inch-wide metal strip extending out about one-half inch at either side forming wings, with a hole drilled through each wing. Slits or deep grooves about three-fourths inch in depth should then be cut in the beveled end of each stick or support into which the wings are fitted. Holes should be bored through the sticks to correspond with the holes in the wings. Bolts are then passed through the holes and hammered at each end so as to clinch them, thus preventing their slipping out (Fig. 4, left).
In the lower end of each of the upright sticks of this device a quarter-inch hole is bored and a piece of dowel stick glued into the hole. A thin wire nail driven into the upright and a binding of copper wire help to secure the dowel stick (Fig. 6).
Detail of framework of home-made camping outfit. Note in Fig. 6 how the little piece of dowel stick is inserted into the upright of the tent frame. Figs. 7 and 9 show how the frame and cots are assembled, while Fig. 8 gives detail for wiring.
You now have a framework secured by brass [42]joints and fitted at the lower end with wooden posts which rest in the outer holes at the ends of the cots (Figs. 7 and 9). As the illustrations indicate, the framework described must be made in duplicate, one for each end of the tent.
From the holes in the two corner joints of this arrangement picture wire is stretched to the screw-eyes at the inner ends of the crosspieces and secured by snap-buckles (Fig. 8, left).
At each end of the tent a flat piece of brass, two and a half inches long and three-quarter inches wide is the means employed for the guy ropes and ridge wire. There are three holes in the brass piece, one for the guy rope, the center one for the center post in the tent’s framework, and the third for the ridge wire (Fig. 8, center and right).
The exterior of the tent is similar to that of an ordinary tent in shape. It can be made from any quality of duck, but should be waterproofed when completed. Waterproofing preparations can be bought at most sporting goods or hardware stores.
Dimensions of the Tent
The slope of the roof of the tent on each side is three feet ten inches by six feet six inches. The outside walls below the slope are twenty-one inches by six feet six inches. These are the dimensions for the outside of the tent and the pattern for its construction is shown in Fig. 10. One feature that will [43]be noted is that the outside flaps are fitted with holes for tapes so that they may be tied back to the ridge, permitting the freer flow of air.
Mosquito Netting Side Curtains
The inner side flaps are similar to the outer, except that a stretch of sixteen inches of mosquito netting is inserted running from end to end of the tent wall (Fig. 11). Top fits end of pole 10 again.
The bottom strip of the inner side-flaps referred to in the above paragraph is of sufficient length so that six inches of it can be turned in to lie along the outer side of the cot. The weight of mattress, blankets or whatever is used to sleep on will keep this turned-in flap from coming out.
Along the ridge on the inside of the tent is secured a seven-inch-wide strip running the length of the tent (Fig. 11). By use of the clips or pins this serves as a clothes rack at night.
Tent Ends
The only feature that remains to be considered is the ends of the tent. These ends, illustrated in the upper part of Figure 12, are thirty-six inches wide at the base, fifty inches high at the inner edge, twenty inches high at the outer edge, and forty-five inches along the shoulder. These dimensions permit an outside overhang of four inches at the bottom. [44]An eight-inch inside flap is sewed on four inches from the bottom, and is turned under the mattress, or sleeping bag, when the tent is closed.
It is advisable to make a waterproof bag in which to carry the tent. This done, the equipment consists of the following main items:
| 2 | army cots. |
| 2 | brass connecting rods with nuts. |
| 1 | trough. |
| 1 | tent. |
| 1 | bag. |
| 2 | rigging devices with ropes. |
| 6 | stakes. |
The total outfit weighs under sixty pounds.
The Huntingtons carried this equipment in a two-compartment box on the rear of a Ford roadster. The size of this box was 42¾ by 37⅛ by 20½ inches. One compartment was devoted to this equipment and the other carried two suit cases, blocks and tackle, and water bottles. They also carried a running board cupboard, the dimensions of which were 45 by 28 by 8¾ inches.
This outfit, with ponchos, blankets, and extra clothing, constituted the entire equipment.
Cooking utensils were not a serious factor in this trip, as the desire to cover a long distance in a limited amount of time caused the travelers to purchase most of their meals en route rather than take the time required for cooking.
Tent pattern of home-made camping outfit. Note in the upper part of Fig. 10 the little tab sewed on at the tent corner, holding the ring to which the side guy ropes are secured. Another feature is the mosquito netting inside flaps which permit free circulation of air. Fig. 11 is a strip of canvas along the ridge which, with pins or clips, serves as a hanger for clothes.
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The feature of the compartment described above is that the two compartments are horizontal, the lower being covered by the false bottom of the upper. Equipment not needed at every stop is kept in the lower compartment and hence is not in the way when the campers are packing or unpacking.
The Huntington compartment is covered with waterproof canvas affixed with curtain cleats.
End pieces of tent of home-made camping outfit, and the way the design appears when closed. Note the various cross cords and tapes which permit of close tying in case of storms. Normally the side flap is tied back, with the inner mosquito netting flap acting as side wall, since the latter permits of better ventilation.
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