nwoods
Expedition Leader
That one doesn't look particularly stout for wind & weather. It would be nice if they showed the fly, but I suspect it's a bit anemic, like the Turbo Tent fly's.
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- Thread starter BIGdaddy
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That one doesn't look particularly stout for wind & weather. It would be nice if they showed the fly, but I suspect it's a bit anemic, like the Turbo Tent fly's.
Big on Big Agnes
X2 on the Big Agnes, advised several others to get them and everyone is happy. The vestibule seems to almost double the space, it's sturdy, and the price isn't bad considering the quality. I also like their awning that attaches to racks....much cheaper and more compact option than Hannibal,etc. Tho you do have to put it up.
X2 on the Big Agnes, advised several others to get them and everyone is happy. The vestibule seems to almost double the space, it's sturdy, and the price isn't bad considering the quality. I also like their awning that attaches to racks....much cheaper and more compact option than Hannibal,etc. Tho you do have to put it up.
john101477
Photographer in the Wild
X2 I would never ever ever buy a turbo tent or a HUBB style tent of any kind. Your just asking for trouble.
Everyone has pretty much seen my tents so i will not add a pic, but like the big agnes and the cabelas alaknak for family camping. Alaknak is strictly a base camp tent for week long trips, Not so hard to set up but takes time to put up and is very very heavy. The XWT is a good one as well nothing but rave reviews for it
Viggen
Just here...
I have a Big Agnus Big House 4 with vestibule and it went through a hellacious wind storm without a problem. Guy lines werent even out. The 6 was on my list but too big for what I wanted. Im impressed with the ease of set up, the material and the stowage set up. Highly recommended.
xpdishn
Adventurer
Having posted about a tent that "doesn't look particularly stout for wind & weather", which I agree with - I threw it into the mix because it could be an option for someone - we have used the Big Agnes 4 and thought it was great. Except the zipper. We tried everything to keep them, the zippers, going but we finally had to return it. We still highly recommend the Big Agnes
Qyota
New member
New guy here. We're going to start camping with our soon-to-be 4 year old this summer. My wife and I have camped many times together, but not so much with the little one. We're seriously considering another child, so room for 4 in a new tent is a must. We also like to be comfortable, so we bought a tall queen-size matress that takes up a lot of space in a typical dome tent.
My plan is to buy the Chinook Twin Peaks 6 tent. It's relatively affordable, it has a full-coverage fly, a very large vestibule that can convert to more sleep space, and has the option of aluminum poles. Although, even with the fiberglass poles it's not terribly heavy.
The screen vestibule takes the cake for us...no need to bring a separate screen tent.
I haven't seen any reviews for Chinook tents here on ExPo...but again, I'm new.
My plan is to buy the Chinook Twin Peaks 6 tent. It's relatively affordable, it has a full-coverage fly, a very large vestibule that can convert to more sleep space, and has the option of aluminum poles. Although, even with the fiberglass poles it's not terribly heavy.
The screen vestibule takes the cake for us...no need to bring a separate screen tent.
I haven't seen any reviews for Chinook tents here on ExPo...but again, I'm new.
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
First of all, welcome! :victory:
Second, thanks very much for the info. I came down with a bad cold last week, so the shopping, and consequently, the camping trip we had planned for the prez day weekend was cancelled.
In short, I'm still open to suggestions, so I appreciate it!
I have a hub style coleman that I bought back in the poor college student days. I have had it for about 5 or 6 years now and it has held up pretty good. The seams are getting a little weak now, but after 6 years of use( probably 6-10 trips a year), that could be expected of a walmart tent! While I will say this, I now have a 8 month old that has two trips under his belt this year, the hub style is supe nice because it is quick and easy to set up and take down, sure not the most wind resistant tent, but I have never once got wet in mine and I live in Florida where we have torrential downpours! My next tent will probably be something different, but this one has served it's intended purpose well!
Qyota
New member
I've changed my mind! This is what happens when you spend months researching!
I'm fairly certain I'm going to buy the Sierra Designs Wu Hu Annex 6+2. It is about the same price (comparing aluminum pole models), and has better features. Plus, SD is a more "known" name that I am comfortable with.
Have read lots and lots of reviews, only a few negative. We shall see!
I'm fairly certain I'm going to buy the Sierra Designs Wu Hu Annex 6+2. It is about the same price (comparing aluminum pole models), and has better features. Plus, SD is a more "known" name that I am comfortable with.
Have read lots and lots of reviews, only a few negative. We shall see!
I'll second (or third or fourth) the XWT from Cabela's. No clips, pretty straightforward set up, one sleeve - for the front vestibule, good floor plus a clip in floor liner (option). It also has tons of guy outs and a floor that runs about 6 inches up the side (creating something of a tub) before you get to the sidewall seams. Ventilation is good when needed. The full coverage fly (which also establishes the vestibule) makes it a true 4-season tent.
We have the 12x12 and it comfortably sleeps the five of us (we have three little ones as well) along with room for the dog, a big buddy propane heater and our gear. The design of the tent does an excellent job of shedding wind-load and what's left is easily distributed across the many guy lines. We would go anywhere in this tent (well, it is a bit on the heavy side - comes in around 50 lbs., I think).
If you have time and nearby locations, you might be able to catch this tent in the Bargain Cave at the store. The best time to look is about 2 weeks after the close of major hunting seasons in your area (and particularly in the week or two after Christmas). Many people buy these tents and return them after one hunting trip - particularly around Christmas when the $700 goes a long way towards gifts.
We got ours the week after Christmas a few years ago for more than 50% off (less than $300) - it looked like it had been used for one trip - there was a -very- small hole in the main tent fabric that we easily repaired. Make sure, if you go this route, to take the tent out of the bag and examine every piece and pole of the tent. We examined ours very closely and were told by one of the associates that people rarely do so.
I'd also like to chime in on the Alaknak from Cabela's. As was previously mentioned - this is really a basecamp tent - we have the 12x20 and now use it primarily as a basecamp/community tent when we take our yearly family camping expedition. It has saved our bacon more than once in that regard, allowing us to have a place to sleep, but also room for everyone to congregate and eat in when it is 15 degrees and snowing outside (a few years ago up at Canyonlands N.P. in March). In fact, it weathered a wind-storm when none of the other tents in our group did - we ended up sleeping 14 in it. The downside is that it really needs a wood stove for heating it and we're not comfortable with that around our littles. The no-fly design and wet-burning nature of propane combine to exacerbate condensation problems that we would likely not have had with a wood stove.
Finally, invest in good stakes that are appropriate for your expected conditions and always try to carry a few of each type in the event of the unexpected.
We have the 12x12 and it comfortably sleeps the five of us (we have three little ones as well) along with room for the dog, a big buddy propane heater and our gear. The design of the tent does an excellent job of shedding wind-load and what's left is easily distributed across the many guy lines. We would go anywhere in this tent (well, it is a bit on the heavy side - comes in around 50 lbs., I think).
If you have time and nearby locations, you might be able to catch this tent in the Bargain Cave at the store. The best time to look is about 2 weeks after the close of major hunting seasons in your area (and particularly in the week or two after Christmas). Many people buy these tents and return them after one hunting trip - particularly around Christmas when the $700 goes a long way towards gifts.
We got ours the week after Christmas a few years ago for more than 50% off (less than $300) - it looked like it had been used for one trip - there was a -very- small hole in the main tent fabric that we easily repaired. Make sure, if you go this route, to take the tent out of the bag and examine every piece and pole of the tent. We examined ours very closely and were told by one of the associates that people rarely do so.
I'd also like to chime in on the Alaknak from Cabela's. As was previously mentioned - this is really a basecamp tent - we have the 12x20 and now use it primarily as a basecamp/community tent when we take our yearly family camping expedition. It has saved our bacon more than once in that regard, allowing us to have a place to sleep, but also room for everyone to congregate and eat in when it is 15 degrees and snowing outside (a few years ago up at Canyonlands N.P. in March). In fact, it weathered a wind-storm when none of the other tents in our group did - we ended up sleeping 14 in it. The downside is that it really needs a wood stove for heating it and we're not comfortable with that around our littles. The no-fly design and wet-burning nature of propane combine to exacerbate condensation problems that we would likely not have had with a wood stove.
Finally, invest in good stakes that are appropriate for your expected conditions and always try to carry a few of each type in the event of the unexpected.
Alchemyguy
Observer
Hah! I was just dropping into this thread to throw that one out. We bought one last year after tons of research. It's a solid piece of gear from a company that knows tents. It goes up pretty quickly with one person once you've learned the drill and even faster with two. Lots of room and packs up very well. It's a good piece of kit for family camping.
Greggk
ZombieSoldier
just a suggestion.. dunno quality but i found it for ya
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/alps-meramac-6-person-tent.aspx?a=785859
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/alps-meramac-6-person-tent.aspx?a=785859
nwoods
Expedition Leader
Alchemyguy
Observer
I'd second that sentiment; if you're going to be spending any time in a climate where it actually rains you'll want a fly that goes all the way to the ground. You'll find that this "top hat" style is going to leave you wet sooner or later. One of the other upsides of a full fly is that you can open your windows and ventilate withouth letting the rain in, preventing condensation on the inside of your tent.
I've got the Cabela's Alaskan Guide model tents in both the 8 and 4 man sizes. They are very sturdy in winds. I was camped out in Moab and there were several awnings and chunks of motor homes and trailers that were torn off and a small 3-4" tree by my tent was bent over at a pretty good angle. My tent just shimmered a bit. I've camped in temperatures from the low 20's to the 100's with them. I usually put down a ground cloth, the tent, and then I put a wool blanket down. This lets me sit or stand on the floor without it being as cold and works really nicely. In the cold weather I've ran a couple of different heaters for about 15 minutes and it warmed up the interior pretty decently. It was enough to make it comfortable in order to wash up and get dressed.
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