Springbar VS. Oz tents

[Mojavejohn]

Hi, I'm new to this site. Let me tell you a little about myself. Married w/ two kids (7 and 18) and a couple of dogs. Right now we don't really do expedition travel, more sit and stay camping, or full backpacking. The expedition travel is what I would like to try, either in my '02 Chevy Silverado CC/SB diesel, or my '12 FJC. With this in mind, I plan on doing it tent style. Right now I own the famed Spingbar Vagabond 7 and love it. It's only downside is that set up and take down time are a little longer than I would like for this type of on the go style travel. With this in mind I've been researching new tents and the Oz tent seems to fit the bill just right. From what I've seen on Youtube, it looks killer. The only negative that I've seen about it, is a thread on here, about the joints breaking. As far as set up goes, is it a breeze, like it's touted? Would it be a big enough difference to justify switching from the awesome Springbar, with a 15 min. set-up time, to the 30 second tent? Thanks for the help.

 

[brentbba]

I've seen both and own a Springbar. Issue I have with the OZ tent is how bulky it is by comparison. Yes it sets up and comes down easier than a Springbar, but by myself I can put up and take down my 10x10 faster than 15 minutes. If you're talking about 4 adults and a dog in an FJC then you'd better have something more than the factory roof rack for the OZ.

 

[Mojavejohn]

I've seen both and own a Springbar. Issue I have with the OZ tent is how bulky it is by comparison. Yes it sets up and comes down easier than a Springbar, but by myself I can put up and take down my 10x10 faster than 15 minutes. If you're talking about 4 adults and a dog in an FJC then you'd better have something more than the factory roof rack for the OZ.

Yeah, the FJ is definitely to small for the entire family, the Chevy is the go to vehicle for the whole gang. I've been looking into getting a small trailer for the FJ. Who knows though, there's so many different options.

 

[barlowrs]

Oz is only fast in no wind..add wind, and its the same as springbar/kodiak as you still have to drive stakes. I love my Kodiak Canvas 10x10..Setup is also 30 seconds, but thats after 10 mins of driving stakes haha....which is the same for the Oz Tent assuming there is wind.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: You could always getta "Airzone" tent, they come in 3 or 4 different sizes and can be erected in less than one minute and packed into a neat canvas (Black) zippered.duffel bag thats easily packed--

I've got two and they have been flawless for over 5 years-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[Mojavejohn]

Yeah, that's kinda what I was thinking. My Springbar is fast, after the workout of pounding in the stakes. And when is there no wind, not in the places that I camp in, the Mojave and the the east side of the Sierra. Thanks.

Oz is only fast in no wind..add wind, and its the same as springbar/kodiak as you still have to drive stakes. I love my Kodiak Canvas 10x10..Setup is also 30 seconds, but thats after 10 mins of driving stakes haha....which is the same for the Oz Tent assuming there is wind.

 

[jeffryscott]

I currently own a smaller, older 3-person Springbar and a 4-person TurboTent. I have also owned Kodiak and the RV-4 OZ tent with complete side panel kit. The TurboTent and/or JetTent from OZ tent might also be options for you.

Ultimately, it seems as if they all take about the same amount of time to do a complete setup if (staking, putting on the fly, etc) ... I had to have the OZ tent and sold a 10x10 Kodiak to help fund it. I so wanted to love the OZ tent, but ultimately it had too many disadvantages, (the bulk of storing it, interior space isn't as generous as the other options because the height is only at the front.) It is quick to set up as long as you didn't add the extra sidewalls and such, then it was way less convenient and took far longer than any of the other option I've dealt with.

Of all, the TurboTent has been the best for storage space, convenience, and interior room, for me. It isn't, however, the most comfortable. I have one of the ripstop nylon versions, but if I had the canvas version (Turbo Deluxe I believe) I believe it would gain in comfort. The Springbar (like the Kodiak) is canvas and deals with wind, rain and heat quite well along with great ventilation.

Lots of good options, they all have trade offs, but all are great tents. After trying out all of the above, I wish I had kept the Kodiak; spacious, well built, relatively compact for stowage and I got it for an outrageously good deal using various coupons (under $400 shipped to my door). Actually, wish I had kept my rooftop tent since it seems like I'm the only one in the family that really enjoys camping (one of two daughters and wife hated the RTT because of constant nighttime pee trips, so I switched to ground to appease them, which didn't work either.)

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

I'll virtually echo Jeff's comments. The Oztent is very quick to erect in its basic configuration; however, there is much more involved with pitching it completely, and you might find a scant difference between it and your Springbar in the end. It is definitely limited in headroom versus a Springbar or Turbo Tent. If you get the optional walled porch the Oztent becomes a very spacious suite, but you're talking a half hour setup then, not 30 seconds. The Turbo Tent is similar: the canopy pops up in seconds, but attaching the fly and, if included, its own walled porch, takes a lot more time. A Springbar technically takes longer than either, but once its erected, it's pitched.

Our (canvas) Turbo Tent has served well for five years now, but I wish it were a made-in-the-U.S. Springbar.

 

[Mojavejohn]

Hey guys, thanks for the advice. Sounds like it wont be worth it to get rid of the Springbar for the Oz tent. You just helped me save a few bucks.
My daughter and I did an overniter in Big Bear yesterday, and man that Springbar is solid, I really do think that I would have regretted it If I had decided to get rid of it. Thanks again.

I currently own a smaller, older 3-person Springbar and a 4-person TurboTent. I have also owned Kodiak and the RV-4 OZ tent with complete side panel kit. The TurboTent and/or JetTent from OZ tent might also be options for you.

Ultimately, it seems as if they all take about the same amount of time to do a complete setup if (staking, putting on the fly, etc) ... I had to have the OZ tent and sold a 10x10 Kodiak to help fund it. I so wanted to love the OZ tent, but ultimately it had too many disadvantages, (the bulk of storing it, interior space isn't as generous as the other options because the height is only at the front.) It is quick to set up as long as you didn't add the extra sidewalls and such, then it was way less convenient and took far longer than any of the other option I've dealt with.

Of all, the TurboTent has been the best for storage space, convenience, and interior room, for me. It isn't, however, the most comfortable. I have one of the ripstop nylon versions, but if I had the canvas version (Turbo Deluxe I believe) I believe it would gain in comfort. The Springbar (like the Kodiak) is canvas and deals with wind, rain and heat quite well along with great ventilation.

Lots of good options, they all have trade offs, but all are great tents. After trying out all of the above, I wish I had kept the Kodiak; spacious, well built, relatively compact for stowage and I got it for an outrageously good deal using various coupons (under $400 shipped to my door). Actually, wish I had kept my rooftop tent since it seems like I'm the only one in the family that really enjoys camping (one of two daughters and wife hated the RTT because of constant nighttime pee trips, so I switched to ground to appease them, which didn't work either.)

I'll virtually echo Jeff's comments. The Oztent is very quick to erect in its basic configuration; however, there is much more involved with pitching it completely, and you might find a scant difference between it and your Springbar in the end. It is definitely limited in headroom versus a Springbar or Turbo Tent. If you get the optional walled porch the Oztent becomes a very spacious suite, but you're talking a half hour setup then, not 30 seconds. The Turbo Tent is similar: the canopy pops up in seconds, but attaching the fly and, if included, its own walled porch, takes a lot more time. A Springbar technically takes longer than either, but once its erected, it's pitched.

Our (canvas) Turbo Tent has served well for five years now, but I wish it were a made-in-the-U.S. Springbar.

 

[Mojavejohn]

Here's a few pics of my last outing in the Springbar.

 

[xplrn42]

Good choice!
My wife and I debated long and hard between the OzTent and the Kodiak (on sale local), but weren't that worried about the money as what we really needed in a tent. My wife is disabled and can't climb into a RTT so quick easy set-up / take-down was my objective. Second, was room / comfort / safety (we have a Bengal cat that we take camping and need a secure tent for him). The huge downside to the Oz was the pack down size, and ventilation. Now that we've had the Kodiak out twice, I will never go to any other tent.

 

[jeffryscott]

Here's a few pics of my last outing in the Springbar.

Looks like you are making the most of the room!

 

[Mojavejohn]

Yeah, that's the set up right there! It's the first time that I've had a table in there. It's funny how a "7" man tent can go to a 2-3 man tent really quickly.
On another note, I do want a heater for it. I've seen the one's at AT and I can't see shelling out that kinda money. Is there a reason that I couldn't put a wood burning stove in there, just like in the floor-less canvas tents, like the ones you see at mountain man rendezvous? My guess is, I'd have to make a roof jack for the pipe, put something flame resistant under the stove, and when burning, open up a door or window just a bit, to get a good amount of airflow. Any suggestions would be great.

Looks like you are making the most of the room!

 

[Honu]

what about a buddy heater ?
http://www.mrheater.com/ProductFamily.aspx?catid=41

we started using one with our Conqueror which was a large RTT with large anex and it worked amazing !
super cold in the 30s or lower I would run it all night in the 40s above I tend to just get up in the morning turn it on save the fuel
we have the bigger one with two burners if I was to do over I would get the smaller one with the folding handle

our current tent is now Polyester so not as good at holding in heat as Canvas
but its HUGE Snow Peak measuring about 13x20

we use it inside that and even on the low setting one burner it keeps the warmth up inside for our dog since she gets cold so we have it on a large tank and getting up in the morning plenty warm BUT to make the girls super happy I turn it up to high and its like 70 or more degrees inside easy within a few minutes even when in the upper 30s outside have to admit I kinda like being toasty warm when getting going in the morning

so the single one would do just fine in your tent the dual one would blast you out on full so no need for it IMHO


do a search here lots of info on them

 

[Mojavejohn]

Honu:
That's definitely an option. The only thing is it makes me nervous running one inside the tent because of the low O2 and products of combustion. So it sounds like you let it run all night, or at least the pilot??? Do you open up a window or door to help with ventilation and fresh air? In my mind, I think with the proper precautions, it should be safe to use. People use wood burning stoves in their tents all of the time, how's that different?

BTW nice looking set-up.