well, I went camping this weekend and finally put to use my latest investment....ill just start off by saying that this tent is awesome! But only recommended for 2 MAYBE 3 people here are some pics of it set up at camp and some text to explain my experience... enjoy....
Friday 5pm picked up the Old lady, loaded up the truck and headed off to Lake O.H.Ivey, (about an hour drive east of San Angelo). Friday night we set up the tent, while fumbling around with the poles, my girlfriend noticed the poles where color coded to match the color markings on the tent (only a girl would notice), even with no instructions we where able to fully assemble in under 10 mins. Later that night we applied "camp dry" silicone spray to waterproof, anticipating the worst forecast for saturday night of "scattered" thunderstorms. After waterproofing we fiddled with the pull out awning for the entry way. unlike cheaper tents this one was engineered right, in the fact that it was not just two poles that assemble vertically to hold out away from the tent, but also included two ridged poles to form an "x" that created a nice sturdy roof line that would not turn into a sail if a small gust brewed.
As you can see I had my boat hitched the entire time, it turned my truckinto a mobile "camper", it was handy, if my friend was not camping with us and set up his tent "permanently" on the ground, we could have gone anywhere in the park. This feature came in handy when a nearby group of rowdy folks decided that sleeping at 4 a.m. was for dumb people:drunk:
This tent uses plastic clips that just tuck under your side bed panels with bungey type material to flex with movement of the tent/truck, again good engineering. With the boat loaded eventually I was gonna have to put it in, so I drove over to the dock, with many on lookers starring in jealousy:cheers: My trailer has a handle that comes up near the tailgate when down, and that was a bit tricky taking corners as to prevent from smashing my tailgate. That wasnt that big of a deal as long as I took my time and a bit wider turns to prevent any damage from the trailer smashing my tailgate. My dad was there the next day to see me execute this and he did not think I could (but he doesn't know my skills) since the tent was blocking my entire back window. Thing is I have had plenty of practice since I also load my 4 wheeler in the bed, so this was not my first rodeo.
In this picture below you can see the trailer wheel and tailgate dilemma I speak of, also the awning rolled up at the top of the entrance. this pic is also taken before the rain tarp was installed over the top of the tent. You can also see the tent anchors to the wheel well, just in front of the bumper and just behind the cab, the entrance is also anchored with the clips that go up and around the rear bumper and hold the entrance tight to the tailgate.
you can also see a keystone light on the front of the boat, gas hurt my wallet so much I had to skimp on good beer!:mad2:
Saturday, was beautiful, temps in the 80's with a light 5 mph breeze. iI should have known it was too good to be true, by 8pm we could see the lightning in the distance, by 9pm we could feel sprinkling rain. So by 10pm it was a full on thunderstorm with dime size hail or "West Texas Rain". Winds where gusting to 40 mph!:yikes: I remained optimistic and calm as to not alarm the girlfriend.
This is an idea of how it looked as it headed towards us
I was more concerned with my family in the big tent, and my friend in my old Coleman 3 person tent. first off THEY opted not to waterproof earlier in the day, I warned them. Second I told my dad not to let my brother set it up!:dunno: That tent they where in was 12 person tent I have that I named "Fort KNox" for its ability to withstand the 35 mph wind I put through last year, but that didnt include hail/wind. the other Coleman 3 person tent my friend was in made it threw a similar storm 2 years ago at Lake Buchanan so I wasnt as concerned.
After 2 hours of HEAVY storms I started to think these "scattered thunderstorms" where only scattered on top of us.
The next morning I woke up to a small trickle at one of the seems at the back of the tent, very minor. It was daylight, but still raining! now more than just shade, that awning I spoke of, was amazing. One thing you never want to do is get dressed/undressed in wet clothes, INSIDE your tent. The awning allowed me to sit on the tailgate and put on my rain suit without ever getting a hint of moister in the tent or on me. After getting dressed I walked over to inspect the damage, everyone bailed from there tents and took shelter in there cars, I checked inside the tents (glad they where even still there!:crazy
and realized with all the water inside, and the 37° temps, that it was a good idea.
We made it!:cheers: everyone is fine, but not so willing to say yes to camping with me anymore.:lol: They think Im crazy, but know Im prepared and have the equipment to handle it. I knew I was gonna put my tent through its test this camping season, but did not know it was gonna be this soon, and So much. I am very pleased with my purchase, thanks for reading, and be safe this summer, and remember ALWAYS water proof your tent JUST IN CASE!
