Help choosing tent
cdw...@yahoo.com
I've camped for years, mostly in cheap tents that I frequently had to
deal with leaks and wet nights. I'm hoping to make the families
introduction a bit better.
My criteria:
At least 2 rooms. I know the "rooms are no more than a curtain, but
anyone with little kids can tell you that can make a BIG difference!
Shady area, preferably screened in. We'll be camping in the heat with
little natrual shade, so an escape from the sun is critical, and I
hate listening to the wife/kids complain about bugs.
Rainproof - First trip will be mid May to central Texas. Usually they
see flooding rains sometime around then. The area we'll be doesn't
flood, but that doesn't save you from the rain.
Wind resistant. try to avoid high winds, but don't want to have to
break camp in the middle of the night because a norther or thunder
storm blows in.
I know that Dome type tents are popular (infact I've had great luck
with them, even the cheap ones) but my wife gets dizzy if she bends
down, so need to be able to enter and leave the tent fairly upright.
The tents I've seen that look good.
Columbia® Cougar Flats II Tent - $249.99 While it doesn't have the
"porch", the front room seems to be mostly screened and looks like it
may serve, and the agled windows on the back looks like you may even
be able to keep a window open in the rain.
Eureka Copper Canyon Tent - $299.99. Pretty much my ceiling price. My
concern is that the fly appears to ONLY cover the top of the tent, so
the sides and all those windows have no protection in blowing rain.
Can it stay dry?
Northpole Vacation Home , $149.88 . Much cheaper offering from Sams.
My experience with Sams is SOME goods are VERY HIGH quality for the
money, but others are trash. The Porch area isn't screened, but the
hundred dollars I'd save will buy a lot of bug repellent.
Greatland 7-8 Person Cabin Dome Tent - Blue -$129.99. No idea what
difference the color makes, but it's what they call it. The little
model is almost exacly what I want. Large screened porch, 2 room
sleeping area. Fly provides at least some protection to the sides,
but by no means full. The only reason I didn't lay my money down is
that I know nothing about the brands quality.
Does anyone have any feedback on any of these? Any suggestions you
think I should look at? Unfortunately, St. Louis has few retail
choices, so hopefully something I can eith get at one of the local
stores or order and get delivered fast.
Any suggestions appreciated
cdw...@yahoo.com
anywhere online. A Wenger Mt. Blanc. Anyone ever heard of these? How
do they compare to the others?
Jerry
>
> - Show quoted text -
You should also consider some online merchants. In a few minutes
online I was able to select some options that would fit your criteria.
Shasta III 3 Room 6 Person 3-Season Family Camping Tent $199.95
One thing that you did not mention was the weight of the tent. There
are vast differences in tent materials used to make these home away
from home. Some of these large family tents will weight close to 50
pounds and others as little as 20. If you are going to be carrying
this equipment for any distance you might want to consider this
option.
Eureka! is a known manufacturer. That is why their tent is a little
higher in price. The model 1312 weighs in at around 38 pounds. It
meets your 2-room requirement and claims that it sleeps 6. It is a
tent that is solid and should last for years.
Eureka! also offers a lifetime warranty on their tents. Be sure to
compare warranties too.
Also, tents that have a rating of 3-Season or 4-Season should be more
durable in weather situations. Not all tents can make these claims.
Hope this helps.
br...@pobox.com
>I'm looking for a family type tent to introduce my family to camping.
>I've camped for years, mostly in cheap tents that I frequently had to
>deal with leaks and wet nights. I'm hoping to make the families
>introduction a bit better.
>
>My criteria:
>At least 2 rooms. I know the "rooms are no more than a curtain, but
>anyone with little kids can tell you that can make a BIG difference!
>
>Shady area, preferably screened in. We'll be camping in the heat with
>little natrual shade, so an escape from the sun is critical, and I
>hate listening to the wife/kids complain about bugs.
>
>Rainproof - First trip will be mid May to central Texas. Usually they
>see flooding rains sometime around then. The area we'll be doesn't
>flood, but that doesn't save you from the rain.
>
>Wind resistant. try to avoid high winds, but don't want to have to
>break camp in the middle of the night because a norther or thunder
>storm blows in.
>
>I know that Dome type tents are popular (infact I've had great luck
>with them, even the cheap ones) but my wife gets dizzy if she bends
>down, so need to be able to enter and leave the tent fairly upright.
>
>The tents I've seen that look good.
>
>ColumbiaŽ Cougar Flats II Tent - $249.99 While it doesn't have the
>"porch", the front room seems to be mostly screened and looks like it
>may serve, and the agled windows on the back looks like you may even
>be able to keep a window open in the rain.
>
>Eureka Copper Canyon Tent - $299.99. Pretty much my ceiling price. My
>concern is that the fly appears to ONLY cover the top of the tent, so
>the sides and all those windows have no protection in blowing rain.
>Can it stay dry?
>
>Northpole Vacation Home , $149.88 . Much cheaper offering from Sams.
>My experience with Sams is SOME goods are VERY HIGH quality for the
>money, but others are trash. The Porch area isn't screened, but the
>hundred dollars I'd save will buy a lot of bug repellent.
>
>Greatland 7-8 Person Cabin Dome Tent - Blue -$129.99. No idea what
>difference the color makes, but it's what they call it. The little
>model is almost exacly what I want. Large screened porch, 2 room
>sleeping area. Fly provides at least some protection to the sides,
>but by no means full. The only reason I didn't lay my money down is
>that I know nothing about the brands quality.
>
>Does anyone have any feedback on any of these? Any suggestions you
>think I should look at? Unfortunately, St. Louis has few retail
>choices, so hopefully something I can eith get at one of the local
>stores or order and get delivered fast.
>
>Any suggestions appreciated
If you are camping in an area with little shade, you may want to
consider a tent with a separate fly that goes over the entire tent.
This makes the interior of the tent much cooler during the day, as any
breeze will flow between the fly and the tent proper.
Kamper
each side. If your crafty with velcro you could attach it to your regular
tent so when you exit the tent your in the screenroom and then you can exit
the other opening. We have one that is large enough to fit a picnic table
and still have room for coolers and other stuff.
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