A friend of mine had gotten an excellent deal on a Viking-style A Frame tent, but it was just the canvas. She had designed a frame from 2x4 that that could break down and fit in her car (a Subaru Forester, so some cargo space but not a lot). Unfortunately, that frame only lasted a year, so when it broke she asked if I could design her a new one.

The trick was, she still wanted something that could break down and fit in her car, and it is a pretty big tent. I also have a penchant of 'over-engineering' things (or so I'm told). I mean, gee, I wouldn't want to design something that might come down on my friend's head (or anyone's head, really) in a strong wind.

The frame is designed from 2x4, with a 2x6 ridge beam. Two 'A' assemblies on either end bolt to the legs and beam (once inserted into channels in the frame). The legs and beam are each two parts and are bolted together through metal collars fabricated by THL Captain John Michael Thorpe.

The frame got its "maiden voyage" at Pennsic XXXVI, A year that we had some extremely high winds. My friend had brought some high wind lines, but after noting that the frame hardly even swayed while other tents were being blown away, she didn't bother to put them up.