Tent/Bed Setup for Family of 3

[rcintx]

**Originally post in Family Planning Section, but think this might be better suited.**

Hi All,

I have been reading through posts and have gained some very useful knowledge. I did a search but did not find what I am looking for.

My wife, 4 year old son, and I would like to take advantage of the Fall weather that is coming and try camping. I am looking for advice on a tent/sleeping setup. I am not a fan of rooftop tents at the current time. I am thinking a ground tent would do. I love the idea of a canvas tent (Kodiak or Springbar), but don't know if the cost is worth it.

As for sleeping, what is everyone's preferred setup? I found one post where 2 Exped Megamat's were joined together, and that looked really nice. Any other recommendations?

I believe I have everything else from previous camping before the wife and kid were in the mix.

Thanks in advance.

 

[perkj]

My recommendation would a Nemo Asashi 4P tent. Nemo has these on sale right now as a part of its last production run for $299 and free shipping: http://www.nemoequipment.com/product/?p=Asashi+4P+Tent

Nemo also has some excellent pads and bags. I personally have the Nemo Insulated Cosmo 25 with the pillow top mated to their Strato Loft 25 degree bag. The beauty of this bag is that the Cosmo inserts right into it so the bag and pad become one. You can also zip/mate two Strato Loft's together. You will sleep like a baby with these...I don't think there is a better bag/pad system out there

http://www.nemoequipment.com/product/?p=Cosmo+Insulated+25L
http://www.nemoequipment.com/product/?p=Pillowtop+1P+25L
http://www.nemoequipment.com/product/?p=Strato+Loft+25

Nemo also makes a couple options for doubles single bags where the Cosmo pads can insert in as well.
http://www.nemoequipment.com/shop/sleeping-bags/?temp=0to30


Nemo's stuff is really quality gear. The price on the Asashi is a steal right now and can only be purchased directly from Nemo as they only have a limited number left. The Ashasi is the perfect size for 2 adults and 1-2 kids. It fold down quite small as well for a 4P tent....those canvas models you're looking at a pretty bulky and will significantly reduce your cargo space in your rig. The Asashi is a 3 season tent, so I assume it'll work for your Fall camping though depending where you live I know fall can get pretty cold and extreme in some areas where a 4 season may be better suited....but again depending on the climate in your area a 4 season could be an overkill. For the pads, pillow top, and bag you can get better prices elsewhere, especially when places like rei, back country, Moutains Plus, etc run their 20% off coupons. Nemo is rumored to release a new 4p tent in the January time frame, but it'll likely come with a $500+ price tag as this is what the Asashi sold for before the decided to end its production run.

 

[rcintx]

Looks like a sweet tent and a really great deal. My only problem with that is that I couldn't stand up in it. If the weather turns nasty, I would like a place to get out of it and not be cramped. I have spent my fair share of time in backpacking tents and am not looking for that right now. I am, however, interested in their pads. I am good on sleeping bags, but want something really comfortable for the wife.

I am located in west Texas. By fall weather, I mean under 90 during the day and under 75 during the night. Around here, camping during the summer is miserable... I don't have any experience with canvas tents but I have read many people talk about that they are cooler than synthetic. Thanks for the reply and tip on Nemo. I am going to spend some time looking at their products.

 

[perkj]

Nemo pads with the additional pillow tops make sleeping on them a dream. Nemo also makes a 30 inch wide version which is a bit longer as well if you're looking for something bigger.

For the tent, I agree the canvas will be a cooler tent, but if cargo space is a premium then they are a deal breaker. I personally just can't afford to lose the precious storage space in my rig to fit one. With that said, Coleman made an awesome base camp tent a few years back under their high end Exponent line. its call the Northstar. The made it in a 4, 6, and 8 person size. I personally have the Northstar x6 and its a pretty awesome tent if you're looking for something with a ton of room. At 6'2" high throughout, it should fit the bill. It also packs down pretty darn small for a tent of this size. The other huge advantage this tent has is that it has a full rain fly....something most big tents do not have, so if you hit some bad weather, you'll stay bone dry. it also has two good size vestibules and an awning.

While Coleman no longer makes these anymore, the Coleman Outlet in Alabama still had a couple brand new x4's and x6's when I called last month (I was kicking around the idea of getting an x4 as well) They will ship and I believe they were selling it for around $300 or so plus shipping. These things originally sold north of $400-$500. Here is a link to the Coleman Outlets...if Alabama is out, have them check to see if any of the other outlets still have in stock: http://www.coleman.com/factoryoutlets/

Some info here on the x4, x6, and x8:
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Exponent-Northstar-X4-Tent/product-reviews/B001H55L88
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Exponent-Northstar-X6-Tent/dp/B001H55L8I/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Exponent-Northstar-X8-Tent/product-reviews/B001H55L8S

Here are links to the setup instructions in pdf for each:

x4: r1.coleman.com/Manuals/2000000438.PDF
x6: r1.coleman.com/Manuals/2000000439.PDF
x8: r1.coleman.com/Manuals/2000000450.PDF

Reviews:
http://www.campinglife.com/camping-gear/gear-test-coleman-northstar-x6-tent/
http://www.activegearreview.com/camping-gear/tents/coleman-northstar-x4-tent-review/
http://www.backcountry.com/coleman-northstar-x6-tent-6-person-3-season
http://www.trailspace.com/gear/coleman/northstar-8/

its a ************ tent if you want something very roomy, can handle foul weather, and can pack up to a good size. A shame Coleman stopped making them.

 

[rcintx]

Perkj,

If we ever share a campground, I owe you a beer. The amount of information you have sent my way is awesome!

I am definitely interested in that Coleman x6. That looks great. I honestly am not worried about cargo space. I currently (and will probably always) have a full size truck with plenty of space for a large tent. I hope in the next 5 years to add a camper of some sort for extended travels. Thanks again. I will be going through the links and will most likely be back with questions.

 

[Honu]

I have a killer snow peak tent now huge room but size in my rig is limited I did have a kodiak just found it to heavy and bulky for my rig otherwise I love canvas !!!! cool in hot weather and holds heat and breathes better when cold
IMHO if I get a full size rig I might buy one again

for sleeping my kids are 5 and 10 now
they sleep on pads wife and I on super low cots from alps that we like as again they pack small my 51 year old bones have been through a lot including my ribs being broken off my back one time never had issues till last 5 years ? so the cots and pads are like WOW super comfy

pad wise we use Nemo but my boy has the big agnes Q pad which I really like since the sides are 4 inch the middle 3 barely notice but its enough he stays centered a bit better in the bag

bag wise we also went with big agnes on sale last years models kinda thing saved a ton got our family all nice down bags finally since they are old enough and wife is camping enough now its worth it
always liked the pad sleeve idea the kids don't roll off the pads and I hated rolling around having the pad get un centered Nemo also has the new bags that use sleeves that are nice but again I say buy nice bags but previous year or so save a ton like %30 to %50 if you shop around


I do have two other smaller nylon tents when wife and I had no kids but having a nice small packing fast self standing tent is nice to have in the mix over the kodiak if you ever camp around other areas where you might not be able to get stakes in the ground
IMHO the kodiak 10x14 is worth it over the 10x10

also we had the bunk cots which are not cheap but WOW super nice sadly again great idea but to heavy and bulky for my rig ? reality I don't want to huff that much weight if I don't have to
but the bunk cots in the tent were slick cause as you say rainy days they convert to a couch and with the bags and pads its quite comfy inside

just something to look at also are those bunk cots again $$ and bulk and weight are something that IMHO gets old though and prefer light gear and everything adds up of course weight in rig load to camp unload to set up then load to go home then unload back into garage etc...

hope that helps some

we also had a killer Conqueror trailer but the RTT thing was not for the wife the two dogs would go nuts being so away from us so all in a single large tent has worked out great
I am kinda looking now at one of the trailers from Kakadu camping though the OZ tent trailer ones look nice setup

 

[Splash]

We have a Coleman Instant Cabin 6. It's me, wife and 4 year old. We prefer cots which seems to free up more room since you can put stuff under the cot. The 4 year old sleeps on one of these from WalMart http://www.walmart.com/ip/Regalo-My-Cot-Travel-Bed/4433186

 

[rcintx]

I really like the cot idea if I can find one that's comfortable. I don't like air mattresses, have never found one that was very comfortable. Any recommendations on cots? We have a nice queen size sleeping bag. I had planned to combine two mattresses to go under them.

How do you like the Coleman instant tent? I have seen mixed reviews online.

 

[Splash]

I live near an army base so I was able to get a couple of these pretty cheap.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/mil-tec-foldable-army-cot-olive-drab?a=1168838

We bought them with the intentions of if they weren't comfortable we could add a memory foam pad if needed. So far we've liked them they just as they are. The problem we had with air mattresses is that by morning your but was on the ground because they stretched or when one person moved so did the person next to you. We went with each a separate sleeping cot and bag because sometimes it may just be me or me and the little man.

I remember my dad having something like this when we were kids that was real comfortable http://www.coleman.com/product/comfortsmart-cot/2000009891?contextCategory=10072

As far as the tent goes, we like it. Haven't been through any storms in it yet or than a couple light rains. Ours didn't come with a rain fly which is something I need to get. Other than that it's easy to setup and plenty room for us 3. Any more than that it starts getting cramped.

 

[MarcFJ60]

My main advice would be to go big as you can. Since you're car camping, not backpacking, this shouldn't be a problem. I really like my Kodiak, but have friends with larger Colemans and they are also happy (and not as light in the pocketbook). A Kodiak/Springbar will set up quicker and last longer, but if those aren't high priorities, I would imagine you will be more than pleased with a Coleman - especially if you are only camping a couple times per year.

I'm not sure where you're located, but out here you just can't plan around rain because it is too unpredictable. So having a large tent where there is room to stand and walk without stepping on sleeping bags is invaluable if you are confined to the tent with a 4 year old waiting out the rain. Give the kid some toys or play a video on a laptop, and the kid is good to go. One nice thing about the Kodiak is when we go camping with other kids I don't worry about them tearing up the tent as they run in and out of it constantly.

We use cots, Alps brand, and I won't go back to sleeping on the ground. I think you'll find any of the highly rated cots fine and you don't have to spend a lot. Places like Cabelas have house brands that seem well made. When I camp, it is just me and my 9 year old. If the wife ever decides to go or when the 2 year old gets older, I'm not sure I can fit another full size cot in my 10x10 Kodiak. It would fit, but I would lose a lot of floor space. If you go with 3 cots, you may want an even bigger tent. Although I really don't think the 4 year old will care versus sleeping on an air mattress. Even my 9 year old doesn't mind sleeping on the ground - kids are still rubbery and can handle it!

Funny about that Walmart link above. We just bought one of those last weekend for our 2 year old to sleep on. He liked it just fine, but the sleeping surface isn't even - there is a tight spot across middle. I know I couldn't sleep on it, but again, small kids are far more tolerant of that stuff.