Another Tent Thread...

UTfball68

UTfball68

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Location
Granite Quarry
Looking for some advice/experience on tents. Last year, my girlfriend and I used the hell outta my brother's tent. I can't recall the brand, but it was a $70 tent from K-Mart. I must say, it far exceeded my expectations for the tent. It held up to rain storms that dropped 6" of rain over the course of a night, it stood up to 50mph wind gusts and and 35mph constant winds. It was big and comfortable enough for 4 people. It kept us cool when it was hot and shielded when it was cold. I thought it was a good 'couple times of year use' tent in the NC mountains and beach. However, we're looking for something better. Be that better quality, seams and zippers that don't seep water. We're looking for removable panels that anchor better (be that zippered or stronger bungees). We're also looking for something with a vestibule/changing/clean off area so we're not dragging sand, mud, water, etc. into our sleeping area. We'd prefer something that can comfortably sleep 4-6 people. I'm looking to spend in the $300-400ish ballpark for the time being (more if it's the perfect tent). Right now, this is kinda what I'm thinking and looking at:

http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-BaseCamp-4-4Person-Tent/product/10205208/-1656040


or this from REI:
http://www.rei.com/product/777761
and the appropriate vestibule (I know, that's the 6 person link):
http://www.rei.com/product/777770


Thoughts and opinions on those products? Or advice to go elsewhere? Thanks for any and all help.
 
Honestly I'd get a 2nd tent you like to just be used for storage/changing etc..

I've used $ Eurika tents and cheep ones. When not using the van I still like $40 Target 4 person tent. Its super easy to put up and I put a tarp on the floor or use my cot. The best part is if anything happened to it I wouldn't care.

Possibly try a larger 6 person. I like the square tents with 2 long poles they go up easy and fold up quick. Some that size have a 2nd room inside.
 
http://www.mountainsports.com/MSmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=058364

http://www.mountainsports.com/MSmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=058232

http://www.mountainsports.com/MSmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=058195

http://www.mountainsports.com/MSmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=058234

http://www.mountainsports.com/msmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=058180

I like the idea of a separate tent to change in and keep stuff in except for when its raining out. My tent has an overhang above the door and also a tarp built onto the floor at the door that is pretty large. I've been able to keep the inside clean and try.

If you really want to find your perfect tent I would check each manufactures site for the one you want then find it in a store/online.

Eureka and Coleman make great tents. I've never had one get water in thru seams. I've had a stream running right under my coleman and nver had a drop of water in tent. Don't set up near a stream if it is supposed to rain FYI :lol:
 
Thanks for the info guys. As for the weeping seams, I was out at Corolla a couple weekends before the TGW event, we musta got 6" of rain that night, and water was getting in at the stitching. But like I said, it was a cheapy KMart tent.
 
UTfball68 said:
Thanks for the info guys. As for the weeping seams, I was out at Corolla a couple weekends before the TGW event, we musta got 6" of rain that night, and water was getting in at the stitching. But like I said, it was a cheapy KMart tent.
Click to expand...

When I had the stream running under my tent, it had expanded over its banks after it rained for 48 hrs straight, no idea how much rain but the stream was 50 ft away when we had set up out tent :lol: EVERYTHING WAS SOAKED that was outside, even under our tarps that we tied off in trees to give us shelter to hang out in and cook under. We had paper plates and rolls of paper towels that we 100% soaked just from being in the clouds :lol: We thought for a while it was fog that was rolling thru camp but we realized we were in the rain clouds:lol:. We were just about at top of mountain in NY. Coleman was dry inside. It has rained everytime I have gone camping in the last 10 years :lol:
 
Like anything you purchase, you get what you pay for. That being said look at Mountain Hardware. High quality and a fair price.

Cheap tents are just that. A good one is going to be 400-700.

I have been using a 3+ season three man (Room with a View I think) tent for about 10 years. Never been wet. Winter camped in below zero temps. High winds are also no problem.

Cheap tents are just that. A good one is going to be 400-700.

Spend the coin and take care of it and you won't be disappointed. Make sure to dry it out and clean it before storage or your investment will deteriorate rapidly (and probably smell like :poop: the next time you go to use it).
 
I have the REI kingdom 4 and for the sale price that is a hell of a deal. I am very happy with mine.
 
I actually ended up going with the Ascend BaseCamp 4. It was a bit over 3 bills. It went on 6 camping trips this summer. With the exception of one of the tent pole loops unraveling, I was extremely pleased.
 
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