Questions and Answers - Here are some questions that have been asked and replied to, that may help with your understanding of these tents...

Groundcloths... for suggestions and drawings click here.

Comment ... "I've taken a look at your Mark V and I gotta tell ya , it's amazing. Let me say that I never thought I could own a tent this size and carry it in my pack!"

Comment ... "I absolutely love my Mark III !!! Its the best tent that I have ever owned and have done many hikes with it... One morning I woke up with like 6-7 of snow covering the sides of the tent. She held out great!!!"

Comment ... If you want a testimonial:
"The five man tent performed great on a trip to the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Wind, light hail, rain and 11 year olds tested it. Performed as advertised and looked great in the process. I just hope to use it again before the snow flies!!!!
Alas....photos of the tent with the Circ of Towers in the background did not workout due to rain and low light."

Comment ... "The more I play with this thing, the more I am tickled with it. It is so great to pull this out and have it set up before the other guys can get theirs out of the straps holding theirs to the pack. I AM going to try it on a winter trip. I haven't seen another tent that is lighter and does the same for less than three times the cost."

Comment ... "We just got to use the Mark III for the first time this past weekend.  It was phenomenal.  We were comfortable and dry.  It went down to 47 degrees that night.  It was superlight and very easy to set up.  We couldn’t be happier!  Kudos!"

Comment ... "I LOVE the tent. You, sir, design tents the way I would design them. In fact, I have a sketch in my notebook from about 10 years ago with a very similar design. You have saved me the effort to actually build it!"

- Does the Mark V have the pole in the rear that raises the fabric to give it more room in the back?   Yes, furnished and with the center pole furnished...  You can still use a trekking pole for the center pole, and just any stick for the pole in the rear.  The pole set you receive has four different hole sizes.  Pick the segment that fits your pole, disassemble the set, and carry the one joint as an extender.  Leave the rest at home.

- I saw your picture of your scout troop. It looks like you've weather tested it. How does the Mark V hold up in high winds, rain and snow, etc?  I've been in it for thunder storms and light (2") snow.  With snow, you have to do some maintaining.  From the inside you can knock off the snow every so often, especially in the lower section.  It's low and flat, and snow can press it down, but you can also knock it off from the inside, by simply smacking the tent surface. That makes a pile of snow around the tent.  I've wondered if you did that enough in a heavy snow, could you end up with an igloo or snow hut?  With heavy rain, note that the tent will stretch slightly when wet, so after it has started raining you might need to move your stakes out an inch or so to keep it tight.

- How many days do you estimate I could get out of it on the trail?  Lord knows... how do I answer that?  It's polyester, so it's UV breakdown is a lot slower than nylon, but it will still happen.  Of course on the trail the tent rarely stays standing on a sunny day...   many months, with proper care?  I don't see why not!  Hikers have thru-hiked the AT with these tents. 

- Even though it's larger than the Mark III, is it as stable?  Generally yes.  The Mark III design has one benefit.  It will still stand if any one stake is pulled out.  This isn't true of the mark V if both doors are rolled back (open).

- I assume your answer to my question of applying a mesh (screen door) would be the same thing you told me about the Mark III?  Yes. Actually the doors on the Mark V hook by a generic velcro, so if a door of netting were made inside the fabric door, it can hook to the "velcro" on the opposite door.  I would include a grommet for staking it down.  Just roll up the door and unroll the netting... oh, add ties for the netting.  On the Mark III the zipper cover has generic velcro tabs.

- Also, like the Mark III, I'm guessing the Mark V has a solid door as well?   The Mark V actually has two front doors.  You can roll them both up, sit inside, and watch it rain...

- Not just because of the weight, but the spacious design and size makes it so much better than a Tarp Tent, Shangrila, Black Diamond Beta Mid and others I've seen!!!! Ok, then, if I want to, how do I buy the Mark V? Oh, and if I get it I'll be ordering it from you this Thursday. How long will it take to get it? And, how much is s & h?   We can quote shipping cost based on how big a hurry you are in. Faster is more, right up to "Next Day".  Pick one, I'll get the quote. 

And, just say "Do it" and arrange the payment.  PayPal, check, money order, or credit card. If credit card, DON'T send the number.  Send the billing and shipping info, and we'll get the rest by phone.  I do not have a secure ordering site at this time.  And if PayPal...  it works fine, and quick.   Just go to PayPal and "Send Money" to my email address (bsv@tricon.net).  That goes to my PayPal account. If you wish I can send you an invoice so that you can simply click "Pay".