Tent search

[theksmith]

just received my new REI Hobitat 6 tent last week that had been on backorder. upon setting it up in the backyard for a dry run, it was promptly returned.

we had the 2008 hobitat for a few years and it was one of my favorite tents ever. it had one problem with pooling water at the top in a flat spot, which was fixed by a very slight design change in the 09/10 model. for 2011 they completely redesigned the entire tent and not only cheaped out in several areas, but also just plain didn't think out some things.

i finally decided that instead of buying $300-$400 tents every 2 to 3 years (the UV dry-rots the nylon and they all eventually start to rip after a few years of heavy use)... that we would buy hopefully our last family camping tent - the Kodiak Flex Bow.

we bought the Kodiak 10x14 deluxe model from Sportsman's Warehouse friday night. Cabela's also carries them. we were able to see the 10x10 setup at the Sportsman's in north phoenix, and while quite roomy, it seemed when spending that much on a tent, and with one that already weighs that much, we might as well have a few extra feet in case we needed to store things inside due to a long rainy weekend or what have you.

we joined another couple of families at a group camp site saturday (god i hate organized camp sites, much prefer dispersed camping!) having watched the youtube setup video for the tent, it went up without really reading instructions very quickly. tears down even quicker. i really dig the fold-around-it "bag" instead of trying to wedge into a zippered bag that's never big enough.

so no extended trips to report on, and no inclement weather yet.... but loving the spaciousness and looking forward to an investment in something quality. don't get me wrong, $600 really hurts for a friggen tent, but from every single review i've read, i won't regret the purchase.

 

[bedarda]

My Choice and Vendor

I Like the Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 from HumbleOutdoors. This tent is lightweight, strong, and comes with a free foot print that keeps organics from the mucking with the tent floor.

 

[khronus79]

I have also been researching for tents with similar specs as the OP, good room for 4, decent weight and about the same price range.
I really like the sierra designs Zeta 4 http://www.sierradesigns.com/p-155-zeta-4.aspx.

The Big Agnes Flying diamond 6 is another tent that seems very good, this one has a bit more room than the Sierra Design tent and a bigger price tag http://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Tent/FlyingDiamond6.

My favorite so far are the Quechua Instant Tents, I'm really considering the Seconds Family 4.2 XL http://tente.quechua.com/en/tent/r-10,a-77,seconds-family-4-2-xl.html I really like the floor space, 2 rooms separated by a living area and of course the fact that it sets up in seconds.

I'm still reading reviews and doing research but so far the Quechua tents have my attention.

 

[nwoods]

My favorite so far are the Quechua Instant Tents, I'm really considering the Seconds Family 4.2 XL http://tente.quechua.com/en/tent/r-10,a-77,seconds-family-4-2-xl.html I really like the floor space, 2 rooms separated by a living area and of course the fact that it sets up in seconds.

Hmmm. Intrigued, I went their site and watched the videos. Some things to think about:
1. Absolutely requires stakes. Can't be used in a location like my photo below
2. Relies on velcro to hold the floor to the walls. Not going to handy a big wind.
3. No integral floor! Nothing to keep the bugs out The floor doesn't even zip to the tent, it's just velcro'd a few inches every 18" or so around the perimeter
4. Vestibule does not offer wrap around weather protection
5. Absolutely requires two people (preferable one of them being an attractive blonde) to set up and take down.
6. Those tensioned loop contraptions can befuddle Eisenstein himself on some days.

Why ground stakes should not be mandatory:

 

[khronus79]

some great observations nwoods, never thought about the stakes and their limits as far as camping. The velcro-on floor did cross my mind, I thought about just adding more velcro all around and leaving no gap, however that would be a PITA to set up and remove every time and would defeat the purpose of setting up in seconds. Didn't think about the cons of velcro vs the wind, would hate to wake up in the middle of the night and see nothing but sky and have only the floor left.
Finally, you're right about the loop contraptions and I'm no Einstein.

The search continues............

 

[sasfrontier]

I just recently started looking into a bigger tent that was easy to setup and stumbled on this http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2000007832&categoryid=11020&brand=
They have the 8 person in the link and also offer a slightly smaller 6 person. I'm not sure on the quality as i havn't looked at one in person but for the money it may be worth a look.

 

[jeffryscott]

I just recently started looking into a bigger tent that was easy to setup and stumbled on this http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2000007832&categoryid=11020&brand=
They have the 8 person in the link and also offer a slightly smaller 6 person. I'm not sure on the quality as i havn't looked at one in person but for the money it may be worth a look.

Had one for a night set up in the back yard over Father's Day weekend. Got a little windy, not bad though, and my kids woke me up to tell me the tent had collapsed. Went back to Target the next day.

 

[Calilove1]

Rei Kingdom 6

I have Kingdom 6 and like it a lot.

http://www.rei.com/product/777768

Until this day, I had Kindom 6 but still looking at Pineview model from Turbo tent. The reason I chose Kindom 6 over Pineview turbo tent was the folded size and weight.

http://www.familytentcamping.com/site/1406228/product/30090

I'll second the vote for the Kingdom 6. My wife got the final vote and this one was the tent for her. I didn't buy it with the vestible but it is an option. I love REI's return policies and I'll second the notion of trying to pick one up in the used gear sale.

 

[raven1911]

I'll second the vote for the Kingdom 6. My wife got the final vote and this one was the tent for her. I didn't buy it with the vestible but it is an option. I love REI's return policies and I'll second the notion of trying to pick one up in the used gear sale.

I have to say, I just bought the Kingdom 6 and was not impressed. There was a light wind when I put it up in my garage and it blew the tent forward and almost collapsed it. Seems like it has to be staked down to stand up properly. Like someone said earlier, what if you cannot stake the tent down? I am considering a cross pole design now instead of the Kingdom6 parallel pole design. Basecamp 6 and the Big Agnes Big house 6 and Flying Daimond and the Marmot limestone 6. I need to go to REI in the valley here to set them up and decide. I think I am taking back my Kindgom 6.

 

[psykokid]

I've got the TNF Trailhead 6 and its been a great tent. We've used it about a dozen times, a few occasions for a week at a time while camping up in the national forest near Mt. Lassen National Park. Sets up relatively quickly, has a huge front vestibule and a smaller rear one, ventilates well, pelnty of guy out points on the rainfly, and never had any leaks the few times it's rained on us while we were out. Its an older model so i'm not sure what the current similarly spec'd tent in their line up is..

 

[raven1911]

I've got the TNF Trailhead 6 and its been a great tent. We've used it about a dozen times, a few occasions for a week at a time while camping up in the national forest near Mt. Lassen National Park. Sets up relatively quickly, has a huge front vestibule and a smaller rear one, ventilates well, pelnty of guy out points on the rainfly, and never had any leaks the few times it's rained on us while we were out. Its an older model so i'm not sure what the current similarly spec'd tent in their line up is..

Been discontinued. Too bad, looked like a good design and I liked the vestibule!

 

[Karma]

Kamp-Rite Collapsible Combo Tent Cot

HI All,
I have rather special needs compared to the rest of you. I travel in my '89 Jeep YJ Wrangler alone. In fact I only have one seat. The riders seat has been replaced by an ARB Freezer/Fridge. I can easily remove the ARB and reinstall the seat but I've never done it. The rear seats have been dumped in favor of a large Tuffy storage trunk. So, I am interested in only a single person tent. It must be relatively small when folded, easy to set up and easy to break down, and not require much space in my crowded Jeep where nearly every square inch is dedicated. I'm not overly concerned about living in the tent. I camp mostly in the desert so, usually, long term rain events is not an issue.

I have experimented with several back packing style tents that worked pretty well but I was never satisfied. Either too hard to set up and take down (I'm very picky about this), the stakes didn't work in sand and they were too small. I want something easy and fast and comfortable.

This past week I received a Kamp-Rite Collapsible Combo Tent Cot. In the finest tradition of rigorous tent testing, I set it up in my living room. :ylsmoke: Remember, stakes are not required. Since I had never seen one, it was an act of discovery. I must say that I'm impressed. Once I realized the the set-up instructions stunk, I found the set-up was very intuitive, easy and fast. There is no need for any instructions. The tent uses two exterior sectioned hoops from which the dark green tent hangs from clips which gives good interior dome style head space. One can sit up and not hit your head. My self-inflating air mattress fit like the tent was cut for it. The rain fly fit very well and is extremely easy to install.

Of course, the tent is mounted on the cot with zippers on the sides and Velcro on the ends. The cot frame just folds up like a camera tripod. Very easy. There is access on both sides each with good bug netting and a full fitting solid flap. There are four, small triangular, net covered, windows with zip up closures. On each end there are mesh covered air vents which can be closed. These match air vents on the fly. There is a flap stitched to the top where you can put small items like a flashlight, alarm and wallet. Underneath the cot there is a net where you can store clothes and boots off the ground. There is also a tie inside where you can hang an LED lamp.

Size is for one person only. I'm 6 foot tall and did not touch either end. But that is about it. If you are 6' 4" I'm sure you would touch the ends. Width is adequate for a mummy bag plus a little. It's cozy but not too small. There is enough room to store an unfolded change of clothes by your feet but a duffel would be too much.

Here is a link to the Kamp Rite site for this tent:

http://store.kamprite.com/catalog/Kamp-Rite-Collapsible-Combo-Tent-Cot-CCTC-p-16138.html

I slept in the tent the first night. Very comfy indeed. The cot surface is forgiving and the mattress made for a good sleep. I do think a mattress is needed for heat insulation.

All in all I think this is a great product. I think it will work as well outside in a storm as well as it did in my living room. And it fits in my Jeep.

Sparky

 

[bluejeep]

Hey Karma! Wow, we must be twins or something. I've replaced the back seat with the same box, and am building a rack to go above it, and I've been planning on removing the front passenger seat so I can make room for my Engel 35 qt. frig/freezer.

What sort of structure/base did you use once that front seat was removed?

I had a rack I built that had a portion that extended out to the side and formed a platorm long enuf for sleeping. Used some no-name brand of single person tent big enuf just for my sleeping bag. Worked alrite I guess. Scrapped it and am building a new rack that converts out the back instead. then I pitch a rather large tarp over the jeep and area off the back for my "camp".

 

[RiverCityDave]

I have four kids and a dog that we camp with, I have a few smaller backpacking tents for when its just me, or my daughter and I (My usual camping partner), a TNF tent the model of which escapes me, here...

I use this one most of the time for motorcycle camping and light backpacking, (yeah I motorcycle camp on a Ducati sometimes) its just smaller and lighter than anything else Ive seen, though TNF discontinued it a few years ago.

I am buying this in the spring to augment it

which is an REI Half Dome, Ill probably get the plus, as with one or two kids, I need the extra room

We've been using a big, cheaper like 10 man tent for a few years now, I think its either a coleman, or a Eureka, and it has been really a lot better than I would have expected. Its still holding up pretty well, despite a number of big trips, and honestly, a lack of right proper maintenance. Its big, its heavy, (30 lbs?) its not waterproof.

Most likely we will pick up a Big Agnes Flying Diamond 8 in the spring to take its place, and continue getting us out in the woods in some degree of comfort.

 

[Karma]

Hey Karma! Wow, we must be twins or something. I've replaced the back seat with the same box, and am building a rack to go above it, and I've been planning on removing the front passenger seat so I can make room for my Engel 35 qt. frig/freezer.

What sort of structure/base did you use once that front seat was removed?

I had a rack I built that had a portion that extended out to the side and formed a platorm long enuf for sleeping. Used some no-name brand of single person tent big enuf just for my sleeping bag. Worked alrite I guess. Scrapped it and am building a new rack that converts out the back instead. then I pitch a rather large tarp over the jeep and area off the back for my "camp".

HI blue,
How about that. I thought I was the only single seat Jeep in world. Guess not.

Well Bro, mounting the refrig is not easy. Here's how I did it.
1. Built a mounting plate out of two pieces of of 1/2 inch ply wood cut to the same size that matches the outside dimensions of the refrig. On one piece I marked and cut holes to accept the refrig feet. Then I glued and screwed the two pieces together and painted them. This keeps the refrig from scooting around but the feet still supports the weight.

2. As you know, the four holes that mount the seat are not in anyway symetrical or at the same height. Very difficult to accurately obtain a mounting hole pattern. So, I didn't. Instead, I bought bolts that would thread into the seat mounting holes, cut the heads off and sharpened the end to a point on my grinder. Then I threaded the bolts into the mounting holes to the right approximate depth. Then I placed the mounting plate on the sharpened ends and adjusted the bolt heights so the refrig was level and in the right position. Once that was obtained I hit the plate a stout blow with a hammer at each bolt position. As I remember, I actually only hit one bolt position initially so I could use that one as a reference in case things moved. I actually drilled that hole and mounted that position to the floor with a bolt that had a head. I left it loose. I proceeded to the other three positions which I did in one sequence. The reference bolt was the front left one (closest to the center console) which is the shortest bolt.

By hitting it with a hammer, the point of the bolt created a dent in the wood which marked the position where you will drill the mounting hole. It worked like a charm.

3. Once the holes were drilled, the plate had to be leveled. I used fender washers to get the proper spacing between the floor and the bottom of the mounting plate. I counter sunk the bolt holes so the bolt heads did not protrude above the mounting plate top surface.

4. I then mounted strap loops to the bottom of the mounting plate, front and rear, so I could use ratchet straps to secure the refrig.

That's it except for routing the wiring. I run my refrig with 12 Volts from the battery.

As an aside, by mounting the refrig in this location I lost my navigation computer mount. I solved this problem by mounting the computer tray to the top lid of the refrigerator pointed in just the right direction so I can see it while driving.

All in all, I'm very happy with the way it all worked out. It is stout, secure, does not move around, did not need new holes to be drilled in my Jeep, and the refrig can be taken out when necessary. Can't ask for more. And my laptop works well in its new position.

Sparky