Dog House 4

Three season, freestanding, base/car camping tent

The Dog House 4 tent is versatile and value-oriented, providing shelter on a family road trip, and refuge from wind and sun on a remote river trip. One cavernous door and dry-entry eve welcome guests in this spacious tent with plenty of mesh for ventilation on hot summer nights, wherever you set up camp.

Features Specs Materials Reviews Care

Tent and Footprint Cleaning and Care Instructions:

Storage:

Always make sure your tent is dry and free of debris before storing. Fold and roll your tent a different way each time to avoid permanent creases. Store in a cool, dry place. Never leave your tent in hot temperatures (such as a car trunk or attic space) for long periods of time, as it will damage the material coatings. Storing your tent damp can result in mildew growth, which may cause your tent to smell, leak, or delaminate. Mildew damage is not covered under warranty.

Cleaning:

For light cleaning, sponge the product with warm water (not hot).

For more thorough cleaning you will need:
-Wash basin (or bath tub)-Warm water (not hot)
-Waterproof Gear Cleaner (we recommend products like Nikwax Tech Wash)
-Sponge

1. Submerge your gear in warm, clean water. Gently agitate with hands. Empty dirty water. Repeat until most of the excess dirt/grime is removed and water is mostly clear.
2. Apply waterproof gear specific wash and gently work into fabric with sponge.
3. Rinse gear thoroughly.
4. Hang it up to dry.
5. Triple check that your gear is completely dry before storage or use.

*Do not dry clean or machine-wash. Detergents and dry cleaning solvents will damage the fabric and ruin waterproofing.
*Never use hot water, bleach, liquid detergents, or dishwashing liquids.
*Allow to dry COMPLETELY before storage or use.
*Avoid prolonged direct sunlight as UV exposure can compromise waterproofing.

Seam Sealing:

Big Agnes tents are seam sealed as part of our manufacturing process! This seam tape alone is durable enough to prevent water leakage. Any seams that have been taped do not need to be seam sealed with a liquid sealer unless you want extra protection. Make sure the seam-sealer is completely dry before re-packing your tent. Damage caused by misapplication may void warranty.

Zippers:

Keeping your zippers clean will help keep the coils and sliders from wearing out. If filled with dirt, vacuum or brush zippers before storing tent. We recommend Gear Aid Zipper Cleaner and Lubricant.

Repairs and Warranty:

All Big Agnes tents are guaranteed against manufacturing or material defect. We do not warranty products damaged from normal wear and tear, alteration made by owner, misuse, accidents or damages caused by uses other than intended. Damage due to misuse, normal wear and tear, or improper care may be repaired, at the discretion of Big Agnes, at a reasonable charge. Tents returned for repair must be clean and free of debris.

Questions? Call us or open a support case:
877.554.8975 | support.bigagnes.com

Setup

DOG HOUSE SET UP INSTRUCTIONS:

1. The best way to set this tent up is with a beverage and a friend.
2. Open both windows before set up. This simple thing makes raising the tent in step 6 much easier.
3. Spread out the tent body and stake out all four corners of the tent.
4. Assemble the three poles: two long poles and one short cross pole. Insert each pole section into the next by hand instead of allowing the elastic cord to snap them together.
5. Feed one long pole through the sleeve with gray ends. Insert one pole tip into corner grommet.
6. Go to opposite end of this pole and raise tent until pole is vertical. As you insert the remaining pole tip into the corner grommet, hold sleeve and pull it toward you to keep it taut.
7. Feed second long pole through the other diagonal sleeve and insert pole tips into corner grommets.
8. Attach the plastic clips on the tent body to poles.
9. Feed the short cross pole through the remaining sleeve above the door.
10. Insert tips of the cross pole into the clear plastic “Ball CAPs” located at the front and back of tent body.
11. Stake out all guylines.

Note: During take down, remember to leave both windows open to help make your next set up easier

Separate 6” large diameter pole segment included for emergency field repair. Slide repair pole over the break to act as a splint.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR TENT SET UP

Our tents are easy to set up, but we suggest you practice once at home before using them for the first time to avoid late night bickering with tent mates while fumbling around in the dark.
Before pitching tent, clear campsite of debris that may pierce tent floor.
We recommend staking out all corners, vestibules and guylines to increase space and ventilation. Securely staking out your tent and all guylines is crucial to maintaining the structural integrity of your tent.
Hang onto your stuff sacks or they’ll blow away and create backcountry litter.
Pull on the pole sleeve fabric when inserting poles to avoid any bunching in the material.
Push rather than pull poles through pole sleeves.

Thanks for choosing a Big Agnes tent!
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.
support.bigagnes.com | 877.554.8975

Download Setup Instructions

What's in a Name?

John Rolfe Burroughs, a civilian war hero who was captured by the Japanese in WWII, was also a prominent writer and historian who called Steamboat Springs home. He chose to produce most of his writings in what he called the "Dog House". This hand-built, 10-by-24-foot log cabin is where he wrote "I Never Look Back", the story of legendary ski-racer and hometown-hero Buddy Werner, among other award-winning books. To this day, Burroughs' beloved cabin the Dog House, remains on the Routt County Register of Historic Places, and his stories of the West remain a strong part of the heritage of Steamboat Springs.