How to Travel With a Tipi

You can travel with a tipi and reassemble it at your destination.

A tipi is a portable conical structure, with a cover that is often made out of canvas. Developed by Native Americans, the tipi consists of a series of poles whose ends make a circular pattern on the ground, and converge to a point at the top, connected with rope or other material. A half-circle of canvas, buffalo hide or other material wraps around the poles and includes a door flap. Because a tipi is a fairly simple structure, you can take it apart, travel with it and reassemble it at your next destination.

Things You'll Need

• PVC pipe sleeves
• Ladder rack or roof rack
• Car, pickup truck or trailer
• Rope
• Saw
• Red flag
• Flashlight with red lens
• Duct tape

Instructions

1. Consult with the local authorities in the area where you intend to travel with your tipi. Find out if there are regulations concerning how far the tipi poles are allowed to extend from the front and rear of the vehicle, and whether you need to get an over-length permit.

2. Gather the tipi poles together and tie them securely with rope.

3. Place the poles on a ladder rack or roof rack on your car, pickup truck or trailer, and secure the bundled poles with ropes or bungee cords. Hang a red flag off the back of the poles to alert other motorists. Attach a flashlight with a red lens, using duct tape, to mark the poles while driving at night.

4. Roll up the tipi cover like a rug or fold it. If you have a floor liner, wrap or fold that up, too. Store the cover and floor liner, along with the tipi ropes, inside the trunk of your car, inside the trailer or in the back of your pickup truck.

References

• Nomadics Tipi Makers: Tipi Poles
• Tonkawampus Lodge Guide to The American Indian Culture: Transporting your Tipi Poles
• Arrow Tipi: Tipi Transportation