Where to get a cotton/canvas tent?

I am going on a 6-weeks motorcycle trip through North-western Africa, including som miles through Sahara, and as far as I can tell, it is not possible to camp in nylon/synthetic fibres-tents there.

Apparently due to wind and heat, a canvas/cotton tent is the solution.

So if anyone knows where to buy one such, I would be very grateful for a hint.

All I have been able to find so far is huge army tents, garden pavillons and oldschool villa tents.

Thank you in advance

Oscar

These guys have made other designs in the past and may be able to make something for you rather than what you see on the web.

http://www.snowtrekkertents.com/wintertents.html

Another source, they may have a pattern that fits your needs.

http://www.tentsmiths.com/

Cabela's makes or sells some good cotton canvas tents.

A good place to get the kind of tent you are looking for is the historical re-enactment dealers. The one I have mostly dealt with is Panther Primitives. Look under the fur trade section or the military tents section. The wedge tent or shelter half is likely to do what you want.

Barb and I are doing a re-enactment Mountain Man Rendezvous later this month - lots of fun, but ya gotta wonder at the gear those guys had to use - nothing ultralight at that time.

Google,Google and more Google.Thanks to the internet there is lots of info on what you are looking for.Many hunters still use cotton canvas and as Bill S states there are many historic groups doing the same.Surf and ye shall find.

try googling "civil war sutlers" -- lots and lots of canvas tents.

Google Bedouin Tents and you may find some smaller models. And of course I agree, Panther Primitives is the old standby for canvas tents, the Sibley, the Baker, etc. And you could google Wall Tents and you will find makers who also sew up smaller, unique tents like little tipis and all the rest. It's fun to explore.

you might want to goggle "cowboy range teepee or tipi" several people make them. sheridan tent and awning has been making them for 80 years. these are a pyramid tent with or without a floor that can be supported by a center pole or two exterior poles.

bill

for ultralight gear check out cowboy bedrolls. a canvas bivy sheet

If you go to www.wintertrekking.com and ask there, you will likely get a lot of responses. Although the tents the members use are for winter, like the Snowtrekker Alan mentioned, they also know about who makes canvas tents of all different types.

You might also ask on www.myccr.com another Canadian site.

Canadians often use surplus CF (Canadian Forces) tents, but they are made for cold weather. I'd see if you can find a South African or Kenyan outfitter online and ask them where they get their tents.

http://www.eurekatent.com/company/history.aspx

http://www.camptents.com/#Canvas%20Tents

I have never bought a canvas shelter, but I do have a little experience with C&C Sutlery, and they do have some good quality products. Otherwise, the Panther Primitives company mentioned by Bill and Tipi have lots of fans around these parts... Go 10th Maine!

You might want to look at the Vango cotton tents - http://www.vango.co.uk/products/F10tentslection.aspx?id=3

or the Sphinx 3 - http://www.eurekaeurope.com/en/tents.php?group=3&product=91

or the Active Leisure - http://www.active-leisure.net/index.php?location=assortiment&category=6&type=1

or http://www.karstententclub.com/hctents.html

Any of the above cotton tents would be fine for a motorcycle, but a bit heavy for backpacking unless you omitted the fly. I am a firm believer in cotton tents. There is nothing like waking up to a sunny day in a cotton tent. And once the rain hits, the cotton tightens right up.