Another tent question

[fzsk4p]

Hopefully this thread has some merit to it.

Frankly I am a bit confused about tents.

Where we camp (Michigan) the need for a RTT is`nt so great as you folks out West. I say this because we do not have vast expanses of rock making it difficult to tie a tent down. Or little critters that like to crawl in your sleeping bag if it were on the ground.

Now it would likely get rained on and be used in the early spring/late fall when temps drop a bit. As well as summer time.

Most of the 3 season tents that are of any value seem to be aimed at the backpacking set. Where light weight and folded up storage space are paramount.

Being that the tent is going to be carried in the Jeep or in an off road trailer. Weight is of little concern. Ease of set up and weather proofing are by far my most rigid requirements.

So having said this-an gross over simplification but you hopefully get the idea-what do I want ?

A 4 season tent ?

Perhaps there is a "rugged" 3 season tent out there ? I don`t want to pay 500 bucks for a 3/4 person tent. But would be willing to pay for something decent.

If possible something sold at an REI store or a Cabeleas where I could actually see and touch.

Thoughts or comments ?

Thanks !!

 

[paulj]

While 2 person tents often are aimed at backpackers, 4 and larger are much more likely to be used for car camping, even if made by the same company.

Keep in mind that a phrase like '4 man' means, space for 4 20" wide sleeping pads side by side.

The 3 v 4 season distinction is more likely seen in backpacking tents. A 3 season maximizes ventilation in nice weather (lots of mesh). A good one will still have good rain fly coverage. A 4 season is designed to handle higher winds and snow load - that means more poles and weight. It may also have less mesh, so you don't get as much airflow under the fly and through the tent when it is windy.

Ease of setup is important for backpacking tents, and features developed for lighter 2man tents often carry over to the larger ones. For example, smooth aluminum poles slide into continuous sleeves much easier than cheaper, heavier fiberglass ones with external joints. Or the tent body might attach to the poles with easy to use clips.

Texas based Moontrail is well setup for comparing tents
http://www.moontrail.com/home.php?cat=288

To get the best tent for the least money, I suggest looking for clearance and sale items (esp. last years models) from recognized brands like Kelty, Sierra Design, Mtn Hardware, MSR, at places like REI Outlet, Sierra Trading Post and Campmor.

Where rain is concern, I'm a big fan of tarps. They can be rigged over the table for day time use, and over the tent for added protection at night. I like to have good shelter over the entry way of the tent. A tarp can also keep rain water away from the edges of the tent, where it can pool and seep under the tent.

Even if weight isn't an issue, packed volume might be if using a Jeep. And if you have pack it up wet, the volume could even be worse I often stuff wet tarps and tents loosely in a garbage bag, and stop later in the day to dry it out and pack it right.

 

[tdesanto]

Have you seen this?

This might be the right fit for you.

Looks like it's the right size, durable, and reasonably priced.

 

[paulj]

Have you seen this? .

Reviewers on Cabela's all like this, but one writes:

Everything about this tent is heavy duty thus, once rolled up the weight of this tent is HEAVY, HEAVY, HEAVY! Even the pole bag is heavy. I am a good sized man (6ft, 230lbs). I can pick it up and carry it no problem, but I wouldn't want to walk with it very far. Maybe 100yds or so.

 

[THATSALEXUS?]

Most of the 3 season tents that are of any value seem to be aimed at the backpacking set. Where light weight and folded up storage space are paramount.

Not necessarily true. 3 season tents aren't designed to deal with heavy wind and snow as previously stated. 3 season tents generally allow you the option of actually seeing the outdoors that 4 season tents generally don't.

Ease of set up and weather proofing are by far my most rigid requirements.

Because 3 season tents are less sturdy than 4 season tents they are generally easier and faster to set up.

A 4 season tent ?

4 season tents are generally:

• more expensive
• smaller
• less open to the outside world
• stronger in design
• not the best choice for all around camping. Car camping or otherwise IMO

If possible something sold at an REI store where I could actually see and touch.

I really like REI. I have two tents: an REI Basecamp 6 and an MSR Mutha Hubba. Both great tents and both purchased at REI on sale. My recommendation is to check out your local REI and see what they have. They will let you set up any tent you are interested in and are usually pretty knowledgeable. Just try to excercise a little patience, join REI and wait for a great price to come along, they always do.

 

[fzsk4p]

Wow great advice guys. Just the information I was looking for. Not being very tent savvy it can be hard to understand what features can meet my needs. Or what features I need. With these replies I can now do some knowledgeable searching.

One wet, cold weekend with a hard to set up leaky tent can quickly kill the kids enthusiasm.

Overall size, footprint, stand up ? Lot`s to consider.

Thanks !!

 

[paulj]

Some questions regarding intended use:
- how many people?
- is it just for sleeping, or also for daytime activities?
- children?

We tend to limit the tent use to sleeping. Shoes are always left in the vestibule. Daytime activities such as cooking are done outside, under a rain tarp if necessary. Screened rooms are increasingly popular for daytime activities where bugs are a problem.

Kids running in and out of a tent put a lot more wear and tear on it than a couple of responsible adults. They track in dirt, step on the zippers, pile things against the tent wall, etc.

A couple of agile adults can get by with a lot less headroom than an active family, or older adults who have a hard time bending over.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

We're reviewing a Black Pine Turbo Tent at the moment. Ten by ten feet and room for two full-size cots plus walking-around room. Erects very quickly. So far I'm impressed.

 

[bronconite]

I have this http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...arentType=index&parentId=cat602107&id=0055294 in a 2-person and like it alot. It is built well and the 6 person model has a center height over 6'. It has good ventilation and I've been out in a full on downpour and stayed completely dry. I will add that I don't have experience with a wide variety of tents so I can't compare with direct experience to much else.

 

[fzsk4p]

on sale[/I]. My recommendation is to check out your local REI and see what they have. They will let you set up any tent you are interested in and are usually pretty knowledgeable. Just try to excercise a little patience, join REI and wait for a great price to come along, they always do.

This is something I will do. Called the Local REI and by the end of next week they will have the summer stuff set up on display.

I live in AZ, own a RTT, canvas family sized tent, ultralight backpacking dome, and a ultralight backpacking tarp tent. Each has their advantage & intended use, all are water and wind resistant. It's not very hard to find a place to pitch your tent out here....it's not all a bunch of rocks and I have never had a critter snuggle up with me, even while sleeping out in the open

If your goal is to have a comfortable tent for overlanding, I always recommend a nice canvas RTT or canvas ground tent. They are quieter in the wind, retain heat better, very breathable, very durable, easy to repair, and look the part. This is the main goal. So a canvas will rate towards the top of the list

In my mind, the main advantage of a ground tent is that you are not tied to the vehicle when setting camp. As tdesanto pointed out, I have one for sale (too bad you are so far away). Springbar and Kodiak both make great canvas ground tents. You should be able to find these at your local outdoor store and kick the tires. They take longer to pitch, but what's the rush...we're camping. Wish you were closer

My RTT on the trailer is wonderful, and that's what we primarily use now on our vehicle based adventures. It sure is nice sleeping on that foam bed after being outdoors all day. Being able to quickly pitch it over areas of questionable drainage or irregular surfaces are bonuses too. I am in process of making a small (4 x 6 off road trailer). So this is some consideration. Not quite sure how to work the extra footprint of a tent into it yet.

I have a couple of nylon tents I regularly use backpacking. Like you said, the main reason for that is weight & bulk savings. I take them on my solo overland trips for speed & ease of deployment, but they are not places I would want to live in during the day during a prolonged downpour...they are just sleeping shelters. Large nylon tents aren't my cup of tea. They get hot really quick, easier to damage and more difficult to repair, and you are forced to wake up with the sun (sometimes one needs more sleeping bag time after a long night around the campfire). Sitting out a rain storm in a nylon tent is a real drag due to the material's breatability. Yes, they are lighter to haul from your car to the campsite, but how far is that really? No Thanks for reasons you state

Overland Journal did a nice job covering family style tents recently...well worth the read. My search skills must be lacking as I am not finding much on OJ.

Good luck with your research,

Thanks again for everyones help !!

 

[Colorado David]

Overland Journal doesn't post an online edition of the magazine. You'll have to do what I did; buy all the back issues. I subscribed to the magazine in the fall and after two issues, I had to get all the back issues. You won't be sorry.