What is Tee-Pee?

The Tee-Pee (also teepee or tee-pee) is cone shaped tent, which was inhabitated by Native Americans all year around.


It counts as one of the best tents, which offers comfortable and unforgetable camping. This tent is easily built, is spacious and in the middle you can light up a fire, which is not only pleasant but also practical while camping in winter.

The Tee-Pee is distunguished from other conical tents by the smoke flaps at the top of the structure, these can regulate the smoke from the fire.

In case of bad weather the flaps can be closed by the two poles (they are based seperate from the frame).

The Tee-Pee Dakotas type has cone shape which tilts all the way that the back side is more steep than front, it has estetic and practical importance.  The size of the Tee-Pee is based from the  front entrance ground to the top of the tent, which is approximetaly the same as diameter.

Tee-Pee comes in sizes from 3m to 8m. The 9m one could accomodate up to 40 persons.

We also offer modern type of Tee-Pee:

When making a choice you should consider:


  • What kind of fabric to choose and how long the Tee-Pee should be standing

  • Based on how many people it should accomodate, choose the size of the tent accordingly.

  • How do you want to transport it?

    Construction of the Tee-Pee



    The base of TEE-PEE

    Can be assembled of:

    1. Sheet


    2. Accessories


    3. Poles



    1. Sheet

    This sheet covers the top of the construction made of poles of the Tee-Pee and closed by wooden buckles. The original Tee-Pee was made of buffalos skin, later made by handmade material. Nowadays we can choose from different types of fabrics depending on seasonal and yearly use. The resistance and the strengh of the tent depends on the choice of fabric and also designs of each detail and the padding of strained part of the tent,which depend on the individual maker. All that has an impact on the strengh and lifetime of the Tee-Pee.

    The Tee-Pee was different based on a native american tribe with specific details and the shape of the tent. We offer Tee-Pee dakota’s tribe which is most common.

    The sheet can be painted, see also Painted Tee-Pee.

    The fabric door is part of the sheet and is also the entrance.

    The door

    We offer three kinds of doors, A or B or C and it is possible to have it paint.

    A) Standard


    This option is most often used. The door is attached to the entrance from the outside.

    B) American


    This door is american style from the inside. It is suitable for all around year use.

    C) American with zip closure


    This door closes with a zipper. Simple and convenient fastening.

    Pegging

    To worship Native American tradition and style, most of teepees are without loops and are fasten by strings.

    Classic style is to form loop with string when building teepee, which is original and stylish. It is made of string and small ball, Native American used to use stones. As standard we stich loops to the sheet.

    To customers requirement we can supply teepee without loops.

    2. Accessories


    + 2 wooden poles to strech fabric door

    + 1 rod to fasten flap string, very strong rope to tie up rods

    + needle to close the tent

    + pegs

    Pegs

    Pegs are very important part of the tent, they base and strech the sheet of Tee-Pee. Pegging must be strong to resist any kind of wind.

    Pegs should be hard wood so they won't split when hammered. Length about 30 cm and 3-5 cm in diameter for smaller tent sizes and 50 cm for larger sizes. For the largest tipi sizes of 8-9 m, really strong anchoring with metal pins (length 60 cm) is necessary, which the wind will not simply pull out of the ground - this will prevent the tarpaulin from loosening.

    We offer metal pegs.

    Metal Pegs


    Metal Pegs, unlike the wooden one, could be hammered all the way in the ground and  nobody can trip over them. They are used by schools and nurseries so kids wont get hurt,therefore it is safer.

    Another advantage is that in the winter you can also hammer them into the ground and they last longer than wooden pegs.

    3. Poles


    Poles form the base structure of the tent and to build a tee-pee we use at least 1 meter longer poles than the height of the tent.

    Poles have to be thin and straight, these are made of trees such as spruce and pine.

    The best poles are without tree bark, they are knot free and branch free. It prevents damage to the tent cover.

    We offer two types of poles: A (peeled) and B (milled).

    A) Peeled poles


    Peeled poles come in sizes from 5 to 9 meters and only as whole, made out of pine wood.  The poles can be varnished upon request, which protects them from dirt, dampness, mould and insects.

    Advantage: 
    Their thickness is symetrically slim along the whole pole and makes them flexible.

    Disadvantage: 
    their length is therefore difficult to transport.

    B) Milled poles


    Poles are machine made, they are perfectly smooth and their end is made to gradually slimming spike.

    Thanks to the accurate symetry, the poles can be set in the middle by a metal thinwall clutch.

    Adapting poles are sizes 5 to 9 meters.

    Advantage: 
    They are easily connected and are smoothly transported. As an advantage, they dont bend easily which is good especially for longer poles.

    Important:
    It is possible that with time the poles will not glide in the clutch easily, which is affected by the weather conditions. It is not our fault but the wood is  constantly working and then it has to be sanded.

    Rod pads

    Rod pads are important under the ends of rods. Pads are made of hard wood and are made to prevent breakage. The pad has a hole for metal pegs to guarantee stability.

    Rods are properly fixed and dont move in case of strong wind and the sheet of the tent stays straight  and wont loosen.

    Another advantage is that the rods do not sink into the ground, it isolates them from the ground.

    It is an important and necessary part for usage throughout the year.

    Inner lining and floor


    4. Lining


    5. Ozan


    6. Floor


    4. Lining

    Inner sheet

    It is an inner sheet or so called insulating sheet that surrounds the whole tent, it hangs approximetaly 2 meters above the ground.  It forms a gap in the bottom part and lies approximately 15-20 cm from the ground and fills up the space between ground and bottom part of the tee-pee.

    The bottom part of tee-pee is not pegged to the ground but slightly above, helping the fire to get  air flow, see pic 1.

    Lining lays directly on the ground, it stops the wind from coming through. The air circulates between the sheet and the lining, see pic 2.

    pic 1 circulation of air without lining

    pic 2 circulation of air with lining


    Advantages of Lining

    • The gap between the sheet and the lining has a better airflow that promotes smoke exhausting and hot air in the summer heat.
    • Another advantage is that it stays dry and it does not collect morning dew. At night, lining can be dragged over the entrance opening to seal the door perfectly.
    • At the same time, it increases the aesthetic appearance because it partially covers the bottom of the bars, creating a double wall and better insulation. It also keeps the heat and in the case of strong wind does not create a draught.
    • The Lining is essential for winter living and, regardless of the season, it creates a real comfort of home.

    We are offering two types of lining :  A (from pieces) and B (as whole).

    A) By default, the lining is made of 3 pieces of sheets sewn together from 16 regular harnesses. Two pieces are sewn together of five trapezoids and one part sewn together from the six trapezoids opposite the teepee entrance. When assembled, these parts overlap.

    B) The lining is stiched together in one part.

    The lining can also be painted. More about this in the painting of the teepee.

    Lining accessorise

    It is standard to supply a string to fix the lining.

    The lining is fixed with the string (1.), at the top part around rods approximetaly at the height of 2 meters.

    You can tie it in the middle for a good strech (2.).

    The Bottom part of lining is pinned or tightened with a string (3.), which is wrapped at the bottom around poles.

    It is one’s choice to use it as there is an extra charge.

    Tee-Pee hat

    It is an alternative way to prevent raindrops from getting inside as they can get in even after closing the flaps.There is a hat on top of the poles, these have to be shortened in case, to prevent water leaks.It is the cheaper version of protection than ozan but not everybody likes it.

    5. Ozan

    Roof sheet

    Ozan is used to maximize comfort and protects against raindrops, those can get inside through rods. It Protects the warm from the fire escaping.

    Ozan has fixed to the roof, hanging above lining. We fix ozan bya  string by wrapping it around  top part of the rods, inside the tent, approximetally at 2,5 meters high.

    Every manufacturer has a different design, size and way to manufacture it.

    A) Ozan covers over ½ of the Tee-Pee


    B) We offer also longer version.

    When using ozan A/B the interior gets well protected against the rain, as raindrops could easily get inside if the flaps are not closed properly.

    It is recommended especially when using wooden floor.

    Important:
    Tee-Pee is a current asset, therefore it has to be looked after, especially making sure it is always streched. Water collected by ozan has to be regularly thrown away. These rules are a must for better and longer lasting  usage.


    6. Floor

    Native Americans used to lay buffalo skin and remains of old tee-pee or old rugs.

    It can be filled up with a grit.

    We can offer flooring only if assembly is purchased, as they need to be isolated as this can be only done at customer.

    Insulation is offered for wooden floors sizes 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 meters. The type of flooring is optional based on your own choice.

    As standard we offer option A (floor from OSB boards).

    The base construction for flooring is made of wood.

    The bottom part of the floor is isolated. In case of need, the floor can be dismental and moved, but it is advisable to have it build pernamently.

    A) Floor from OSB-Boards


    B) wooden Floor (type 1)


    C) wooden Floor (type 2)