Post by: charby on February 21, 2007, 12:42:49 PM
I have a pretty decent Kelty 3 person tent that is a little heavy for backpacking but fine if you split it up amoungt two people while backpacking.
My dilemma is that my wife thinks it is too small, too hot and too claustrophobic to be camping in. We are both going to Yellowstone together and car camping the entire time. She brought into the marriage a really large POS Hillary branded tent that she picked up at Sam's Club for $50. Fortunately we have not stayed in during inclimate weather, for some odd reason if there is a chance of rain my Kelty is just fine to sleep in. She didn't like the idea of using my tent and I'm worried that her tent will just suck and first rain shower and everything is soaked. I told her we need to purchase a quality 6 person tent before we head out West.
Our requirements is that she must be able to stand up and walk around inside the tent, she is 5'3" tall, must be room for all her stuff, I must be able to set up by myself, lots of ventilation (3 season tent), bomb proof, aluminum poles and have a available foot print. I would like to keep it under 20lbs because I'll be the one carrying it. I would also like to keep it under $300 also.
Please let me know you experiences with tents that fit our needs. Please don't recommend Coleman, Wenzel, Hillary or anything you can buy at Walmart, Target or Kmart. One good thunderstorm and those tents can't pass muster.
Thanks
Charby
p.s. I'm trying to convince my wife to get rid of her Walmart sleeping pad and get a Thermarest or similar. I did buy her a new sleeping bag last year and she does like better than the POS she had before. Call me an camping elitist snop but I like to have crap that works well and doesn't break while camping.
Post by: Harold Tuttle on February 21, 2007, 01:14:09 PM
http://www.amazon.com/Eddie-Bauer-12-ft-Family-Alta/dp/B000A7XEO2/sr=1-8/qid=1172099450/ref=sr_1_8/002-2303086-9797653?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods
i have a 10 man Eddie Bauer
the Jack Bauer model is nice but it keeps getting shotup
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on February 21, 2007, 01:22:51 PM
Post by: Ron on February 21, 2007, 01:23:34 PM
Having said that I don't have any experience in tents that big. REI has a tent that is close to your limitations.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=48096854&parent_category_rn=4500538
Post by: Ron on February 21, 2007, 01:26:00 PM
If you become a member for $15 (for life) you will get an 8% discount on the purchase. You will probably get a coupon for 15% off when you join.
Post by: charby on February 21, 2007, 02:45:35 PM
Have you spent a weekend in a midwestern thuderstorm in your tent? I see that it has fiberglass poles, I had one snap/shatter during a storm and then wind caused the snapped pole to tear a big big hole in the side of the tent. By morning I had 4" of water in my tent.
Ron,
I have been looking at the Hobbitat, I wonder if a breeze during a rain storm would blow rain in around the fly that goes down the sides.
I have been also intriged by Sierra Designs Bedouin Six.
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39198476&memberId=12500226
It just seems like a well built tent that fits what I need. I almost bought a SD Merlin instead of my Kelty Mantra 3 when I bought my last tent. Kelty was on closeout for too low of a price at the time and I got the place to toss in the foot print for free.
-Charby
Post by: Ron on February 21, 2007, 02:54:26 PM
Quote
I have been looking at the Hobbitat, I wonder if a breeze during a rain storm would blow rain in around the fly that goes down the sides.
zoiks!Do you live anywhere near an REI? They would probably set one up for you to look at. The fly looks lame in the pic, but it's REI, I cannot believe they would make a tent that leaked. Keeping folks dry is the main point behind a tent with a fly!
Post by: charby on February 21, 2007, 02:56:19 PM
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on February 21, 2007, 03:15:27 PM
Quote
I have been looking at the Hobbitat, I wonder if a breeze during a rain storm would blow rain in around the fly that goes down the sides.
zoiks!Do you live anywhere near an REI? They would probably set one up for you to look at. The fly looks lame in the pic, but it's REI, I cannot believe they would make a tent that leaked. Keeping folks dry is the main point behind a tent with a fly!
The best tents are the ones with ginormous flies designed to cover the main door. Ideally, the door can be left open in a rainstorm for ventilation without letting any rainwater in. These two tents from REI look like they'd work:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=48112331&parent_category_rn=4500537
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47612028&parent_category_rn=4500537
They're both pricey, and neither will sleep 6 people. But they'll do better than most in a rainstorm, which is the primary purpose of a tent. Pitch a tarp or your spare tent to make up for the lost space.
Post by: Sindawe on February 21, 2007, 03:36:12 PM
The Eureka! Equinox 6 may be just up what your looking for: http://www.eurekatent.com/equinox6.asp
The fly keeps the rain off, while allowing water vapor from inside to exit the permeable main tent body and dissipate on the breeze. 18 pounds, can be had for a hair under $300.
Post by: Harold Tuttle on February 21, 2007, 06:38:53 PM
A buddy photographed a tent maker for a magazine article
According to this guy, there is one guy in asia that is THE expert on tent cloth cutting with software
He designs most of the tents you see.
The Eddie Bauer i have is really well thought out and engineered.
Post by: Ben on February 21, 2007, 07:06:34 PM
Post by: charby on February 22, 2007, 04:58:39 AM
http://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Pagoda-6-tent/dp/B000KZJRPO
I have a kelty mantra 3 that has been through its fair share of storms and I have never gotten wet. Also it has enough mesh that it does a pretty good job of venting moisture.
-C
Post by: Ron on February 22, 2007, 05:24:04 AM
That tent has a review at the above site. Actually the REI tent(s) do also. Seems like a good resource for gear reviews.
Post by: charby on February 22, 2007, 06:03:31 AM
-Charby
Post by: Harold Tuttle on February 22, 2007, 10:39:35 AM
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=40000000226&storeId=226&categoryId=45760&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=250
Post by: Ron on February 22, 2007, 11:03:44 AM
Another link for good gear prices!!
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/
Post by: Ron on February 22, 2007, 12:41:44 PM
http://www.rei.com/index.jsp
Post by: Racehorse on February 22, 2007, 12:50:19 PM
http://www.springbar.com/
They're heavy, but they keep the water out well, and they last forever. I've slept in several in rainstorms and never gotten wet.
Post by: Felonious Monk/Fignozzle on February 22, 2007, 05:53:08 PM
I heard Rosie O'Dummel has some old jackets and such for sale on eBay.
They'd probably work great, once you washed all the Bohemian Love Slave juices off. :puke:
Post by: charby on February 23, 2007, 07:10:32 PM
Wouldn't that attract bears and raccoons? or would it repeal them? revolt them?
-C
Post by: Jamisjockey on February 24, 2007, 02:05:34 AM
If you're looking for a great family size tent, I've never seen any better than these:
http://www.springbar.com/
They're heavy, but they keep the water out well, and they last forever. I've slept in several in rainstorms and never gotten wet.
http://www.springbar.com/
They're heavy, but they keep the water out well, and they last forever. I've slept in several in rainstorms and never gotten wet.
I've spent a few nights in a friends springbar. Rained cats and dogs one night. We drank beer and played poker.
Nice, big, comfy. Great tents.
Post by: Ron on February 24, 2007, 05:45:57 AM
Post by: karlsgunbunker on February 24, 2007, 02:51:49 PM
I found a 6 person tent for under a $100. watch the specials and use any coupons you can find, usually $10 off for a $99 purchase.
Post by: charby on March 05, 2007, 04:22:45 PM
http://www.backcountry.com/store/KEL0357/Kelty-Pagoda-Tent-6-Person-3-Season.html?PID=1692154&AID=10281785
I got on ebay for $230 so a lot less than the $426 list price. Even found a foot print for it on sale elsewhere.
-C
Post by: Ron on March 06, 2007, 09:32:00 AM
Post by: charby on March 06, 2007, 09:35:12 AM
Post by: charby on May 24, 2007, 11:12:57 AM
The tent barely moved in the wind, for a big tent it is well built! It is so big you could probably have 8 people sleep in it. Nice big vestible that has room for the dog's kennel without touching any sides of the fly.
Post by: Ron on May 24, 2007, 11:48:12 AM
Quote
The tent barely moved in the wind, for a big tent it is well built! It is so big you could probably have 8 people sleep in it. Nice big vestible that has room for the dog's kennel without touching any sides of the fly.
Good to know.
I like Kelty products, great bang for the buck!
As an aside in case you aren't up on these things.
Don't let the fly sit in the sun for extended periods of time, it ruins the material and over time will lead to leaks. I treat my fly with Nikwax spray to keep the water beading nicely. That isn't what makes a fly waterproof but it helps keep the material from wetting out.
Post by: charby on May 24, 2007, 11:54:20 AM
I always try to set up in a spot that is shaded most of the day. I refuse to stay in campgrounds with no shade, unless there is no option.
-C
Post by: Ron on May 24, 2007, 11:57:47 AM
Quote
does it leave a greasy feeling sticky film?
No film, don't even know it's there after it dries.
Oddly the Nikwax I have isn't really a wax and says it is OK to use on leather boots which I have done also.
Post by: Ex-MA Hole on May 25, 2007, 12:44:21 AM
I used to camp in a small two person hiking tent. I did so for years, and it was fine.
Yeah, not for my wife. We have this: A LL Bean tent, the King Pine Dome Tent, #4
It fits all of your criteria (except it is 24lbs). We have been in it during a driving rain storm, nary a problem.
It sets up easily, has a screen house for dirty shoes, dogs to roam, is stand-up-able....a nice (yuppie) tent. If you get overly obnoxious, it will also fit 2 of their cots in it. I'm embarrasssed about it, so please don't ask how I know...
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=53082&sc1=Search&feat=sr