Turning Canvas into a Cabin: A Setup Guide for the MC TOMOUNT Tent

You bought the MC TOMOUNT 16.4ft Bell Tent not to sleep on the ground, but to create a sanctuary—a backyard office, a guest room, or a meditation space. But if you simply stake it into the grass and walk away, you are setting yourself up for mold, leaks, and cold feet.

To treat this tent like a building, you must build a foundation. This guide covers the critical steps often missing from the manual: “Seasoning” the canvas and constructing the proper deck.

Protocol 1: The “Seasoning” Process (Do Not Skip This)

The MC TOMOUNT is made of TC Cotton. Out of the box, it is NOT waterproof. If you set it up and it rains hard, it will mist inside. The stitching holes are initially larger than the thread.
The Fix: You must “season” the tent.
1. Pitch It: Set the tent up on a sunny day.
2. Soak It: Use a garden hose to completely saturate the canvas. Soak the seams aggressively.
3. Dry It: Let it dry completely in the sun.
4. Physics at Work: As the cotton fibers get wet, they swell and expand, plugging the needle holes and tightening the weave. When they dry, they lock into this tighter configuration.
5. Repeat: Do this 2-3 times. Only after seasoning is the tent ready for a rainstorm.

Protocol 2: The Floating Platform

Direct contact with the ground is the enemy. It invites moisture, bugs, and rot.
The Build:
Construct a hexagonal or octagonal wooden deck that is at least 17 feet in diameter.
* Overhang: Ensure the deck is slightly larger than the tent footprint to provide a clean walkway and prevent mud splash-back onto the canvas walls.
* Anchor Points: Instead of tent stakes, use Cup Hooks or Eye Bolts screwed directly into the wooden deck. This allows you to tension the guy lines perfectly without worrying about stakes pulling out of soft mud during a storm.
* Insulation: If using in winter, sandwich rigid foam insulation between your deck joists. This prevents the “cold sink” effect from the ground.

Protocol 3: The Wood Stove Installation

The tent comes with a Stove Jack, but safety is paramount.
1. Clearance: Place the stove near the jack but ensure it is at least 2 feet away from the canvas walls.
2. The Floor: The MC TOMOUNT has a removable PVC floor, but sparks will melt it. You MUST use a fireproof mat (fiberglass or silicone) under your stove.
3. Spark Arrestor: Ensure your flue pipe has a spark arrestor cap on top. Cotton is flame resistant but not fireproof; a stray ember landing on the roof can burn a hole.

Protocol 4: The Rain Fly (The Insurance Policy)

While seasoned canvas sheds water, long-term exposure to pine sap, bird droppings, and UV rays will degrade the fabric.
Recommendation: Install a secondary Rain Fly or a suspended tarp over the tent. This acts as a sacrificial layer, protecting your expensive canvas from the elements and creating a thermal air gap that keeps the tent even cooler in summer.

By investing the weekend to build a platform and season the fabric, you extend the life of your MC TOMOUNT from a few seasons to a decade of reliable service.