Tent recommendations??

[Fish mojo]

OK-we ditched the camper- didn't use it enough and a pain to load and drive. Going back to tent camping. Mostly- ok all- car camping. Want quality and dry-easy to set up. Kids are grown and don't want to go. Need big enough for the wife and myself and gear. Any recommendations out there? around $250-300 budget. Anyone have a high end tent they want to sell?

[PullShootExplode]

I would check into the Kelty brand, I have a 3 season 4 person that I have had over 9 yrs and it is great. Others would be mountain hardwear and I hear cabelas makes some good tents. I would reccommend going to REI and also doing some research on the net under some camping forums. Good luck.

[Swamp Puppy]

Cabelas recently issued Backpacking/Camping catalog had some pretty nice tent set ups in that price range. i have been looking into getting a decent family size one myself. haven't narrowed it down to anything that i would feel comfortable recommending though. check it out.

[1pump]

I would check into the Kelty brand

I've had one for a couple years. Seems pretty stout, and it's quick to set up. I haven't had it out in severe weather yet. I camp east of the Cascades where it's dry. All the tent has seen is some intense heat and hard wind. So far, so good.

[WAID]

I have a 4 person Kelty tent that mom bought at costco several years ago for my brother and I. It can handle wind, rain, and 4 cousins. It's been used from Idaho to the Olympic peninsula. It's not the greatest but it certainly does the job. Eureka makes some decent tents too. My backpacking tent is a 30+ year old Timberline 2. The only problem with it is age and the lack of headroom in the a-frame design. Mom and Dad also have a Hilary 4 person that has lasted quite a few years and is almost tall enough to stand up in. It isn't nearly as wind or rain resistant though.

[pdxkevin]

We went with the Coleman Weathermaaster Cabin Tent because...

• it is super easy to set up
• you can stand up fully when getting dressed
• there's room to enter and get changed without standing on your sleeping bag
• a king sized air materess easily fits in side
• a lot of tent for a decent price (I paid about $150 locally)
• it held up to the winds when camping on the coast several times.

[Fish mojo]

PDXKevin, how was this for rain protection? The fly doesn't seem to extend very far over the roof..

[cougfan]

If it's only for 2 of you you might check out Spring Bar tents(springbar.com). I bought a 10 X 14 one last spring for the summer camping and fall hunting. Its a great tent, heavy canvas, and flooring. I think the total weight with the stainless frame is around 70 lbs. I'm 6'2" so there is plenty of head room in mine, the side wall go almost straight up. The only possible drawback is there is no stove hole for burning wood. I bought a Big Buddy propane heater and when in Idaho just before Thanksgiving I had no problems staying warm inside when it was 20 degrees outside. They're also not cheap, I think I paid $625 for mine but it will be the last tent I buy. You can get a 10 X 10 for around $450. Also, check out sportsmans warehouse. They have a knock off of the Spring Bar that is cheaper. Not nearly the quality though.

[jokester]

Definitely check out the Kelty tents. We love ours and they last awhile too!

-jokester

[alaskan]

I have 2 of the Cabelas guide model tents. the 4 person when I'm alone or 1 other peson, and a 6 for when the family comes along. I've stayed in them for up to a month in the fall getting pounded by rain, snow and 60 MPH winds with no problems.
The 6 person will even let you set up 2 cots inside for more comfort, along with plenty of gear.
I highly recommend them if you want something that will last a long time and be totally weatherproof.

[pdxkevin]

Originally Posted by Fish mojo

PDXKevin, how was this for rain protection? The fly doesn't seem to extend very far over the roof..

For more years and tents than I would care to count, I have made it a habit of spraying seem-sealer down all seems the first time I set a tent up each season and haven't had an issue with water.

This one actually made it through three rainy downpours before I got a chance to spray it. It made it through without a drop getting in the tent. The bottom pan comes up fairly high which also helps. I was worried about there not being a cover over the door but that has seemed to be an issue.

[Green Willie]

Have had a few tents over the years. First tent I bought was a Ureka, loved it, but it was too small when the kids came along. After the kids got big enough for their own tents, got another Ureka--love it. Good quality, easy set up, etc. Not cheap, but good.

Mike

[Mtn Man]

I have had a Coleman Dakota for about 5 years now, it has performed perfectly. It has been through 70 mph wind storms in Idaho and a LOT of west side rain. I tend to camp quite a bit with the Scouts and it is always dry. It is a three room tent with covered outside storage at each end and an awning for the main door. The rain fly goes to within about 8" of the ground. It is a "Dome" style, actually it looks like a Conestoga wagon

We usually sleep 4 in it, 2 in each end room and then put all of out stuff (Clothes, Chair, Sm. Table, Lantern) in the middle section. Each end is large enough to put a queen size air mattress or 2 cots and be able to close the inside door for privacy.
You can search online for them.

My next tent will be from Alps Mountaineering. The outfitter models are very well built and reasonably priced. A lot of Scout Troops use Alps stuff because they give us a discount. It always seems to hold up to the abuse the boys give it. Some of their stuff can be found at Sportsman's.

Here is some info on the Coleman.

• Spacious three-room tent allows privacy and convenience
• Side zippered vestibules each provide over 12 feet of outside, protected storage area
• Full length, nylon rainfly is polyurethane coated and has factory taped seams to keep you dry
• Rugged nylon oxford floor is puncture and water resistant
• Central room has over 6' center height
• Three oversized doors provide easy access into each room
• Sturdy four pole structure with color coded fiberglass poles for easy assembly
• Front awning creates shade area or zips down over the front door for additional protection in inclement weather
• Rugged duffel carry bag makes storage easy
• Sleeps 6-7 people
• 15' x 7'

Shipping Weight: 27.9 pounds

[pdxkevin]

If I didn't need the size tent we currently have, I would without question buy a made in America Springbar Tent.

I wanted to buy their Family Camper Tent but it was out of our budget.

[MarlinMark]

I have a kelty and a REI tent. They both have rainfly's that extend all the way to the ground and that makes them a joy in the rain. Don't buy a tent that doesn't have such a fly. It will rain and if you don't have a fly like that you and your gear will get wet.

Mark

[salmonfever]

Whatever you get, try to get one with aluminum poles, rather than fiberglass. I have had many tents with both, and invariably, a fiberglass pole seems to break. I have never had a breakage problem with an aluminum pole

[Fish mojo]

Thought I would give an update after my purchase and trial in Saturdays rain. 2 thumbs up for this tent. Kodiak Canvas. 10x10. Took 10 minutes for a one man set up. Very well designed. Took a lot of rain (no fly) and not a drop of water.

[pdxkevin]

Looks like a great tent....

amazingly similar to the springbar tent. I haven't seen another with the same structural concept. Interesting that they are both made in UT.

[James in Idaho]

It is a springbar, slightly lighter material and made for Sportsmen's Warehouse (I think). Which is another Utah company.

[freespool]

I just love my Timberline outfitter tent, I use it mostly for river trips, it is a three season tent.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...&cm_ite=netcon

[Fish mojo]

amazingly similar to the springbar tent. I haven't seen another with the same structural concept. Interesting that they are both made in UT.

I wasn't even aware of the Springbar Tent. I looked it up and it is quite similar. The Kodiak is an import :frown: , but of very high quality. It has a 16 ounce floor vs. the Springbar 9 ounce.

I would have preferred to buy the USA brand, but too late now......(I still like my tent!).

[Chrome Bumper]

Good looking kodiak tent, where did you buy it?

[Fish mojo]

You can get it at Sportsmans (upstairs) or I bought mine on line. Pm me if you want the link.