Canvas tents are expensive.
When taken care of properly, canvas tents have a very long, useful life. That goes for all canvas styles, cabin, bell, and wall tents.
It makes sense to look for used canvas tents available before purchasing new ones.
However, buying a used canvas tent has many drawbacks as well.
Pros of Buying a Used Canvas Tent
We all know the primary benefit of buying a canvas tent used over a new canvas tent.
Save Money Buying Used
Buying a used canvas tent can save you money. How much depends on the availability and the type of tent. My sample size of reviewing used canvas tents is small, but it looks like 30-50% or more for tents only used a handful of times (per the listings).
Canvas Tents with Unopened Boxes
At times, you can find unopened boxed tents. These might be from people missing the return window or not wanting to deal with shipping it back to the original company.
I found brand new, never opened Kodiak, about 120 miles away, for $100 cheaper than it is new. If it were closer to me, that would be a steal!
However, you still have to hope they kept that box inside and didn’t let it get wet or somehow get the tent wet. A quick inspection should be able to figure it out.
Cons of Buying Used Canvas Tents
Buying a pre-owned canvas tent has several drawbacks.
Lack of Selection of Used Tents
I live in a city with a population of 500,000 and 2,000,000, including the nearby areas.
There are 2 wall tents, 0 cabin tents, and 0 bell tents for sale within my 50-mile radius.
Because you will want to inspect any used canvas tent you purchase, you will not want to buy one sight-unseen. You’d be risking your hard-earned dollars and paying for shipping before knowing if it’s a quality-used tent.
Uncertainty in Quality
Buying a used canvas tent is a huge commitment, and you have to trust the previous owner took care of it properly. The fact they are getting rid of it shows they either didn’t like it or something could be wrong with it.
Did they fully dry it before storing it? Did they use a ground tarp each time? Did they leave it up in the sun for days on end? Did they have kids and a dog running around inside, impacting the vinyl? Are there any leaks that they know about and you don’t?
If you get a good enough deal, the less of an issue small problems will be down the road.
Inspecting a Used Canvas Tent
Inspecting a previously owned canvas tent is difficult. You literally have to have them set it up before you arrive. Doing a thorough and proper inspection is impossible if it’s not set up.
It makes coordinating the visit difficult. And if you’re driving 30 miles to go check it out, you may feel peer pressured to make an offer even if it’s not exactly what you want (or maybe that’s me projecting!).
Setting it up also ensures you all the tent parts are included and that there are no obvious defects. Go along the seams and check the corners.
Look for any discoloration on the canvas as it could be mold or signs of improper storage. If there is a strong smell, this could also be a sign of mold that you may not visibly be seeing.
Where to Buy Used Canvas Tents
The best place to buy a second-hand canvas tents is Facebook Marketplace. You can also check out craigslist for your area. However, there was nothing available in my area compared to Facebook.
Lastly, if you have a local marketplace that is popular, use that. For example, in Salt Lake City, there are KSL classifieds which is locally used just as much as Facebook or any other platform.
Many canvas tent companies are located in Utah, Montana, Idaho, and that general area. The closer to that area, the more likely you’ll have luck monitoring used canvas tents.
How to Buy a Used Canvas Tent
It’s best to look for unopened tents that are selling at a discount.
The second best option is someone that set it up once and realized it’s not for them.
Some return policies will be voided if there is any dirt/dust on them, so it is plausible.
If that’s the case, ask for proof of purchase and make sure it was recent.
And like I mentioned above, make sure you have it fully set up before purchasing.
Finding Budget Friendly Canvas Tent Deals
If a used canvas tent isn’t an option, your next best option is finding a new tent that first your budget.
The key to finding deals on canvas tents is patience and timing. Most canvas tent companies are slow during the winter months.
Some are small operations and may be willing to work with you to keep busy. Reach out and make an offer to the smaller canvas tent operations.
In addition, some will have clearance sales, black friday sales, and more. Get on their email lists and set notifications of price changes.
You can also get my current canvas tent codes here and apply them to the best canvas tents for camping.
Conclusion
Buying a canvas tent used is more about luck and timing than it is about proper searching. So, good luck!
If you’re looking for a new canvas tent, check out all my canvas tent posts to find comparisons, reviews, and more.
