A few tent questions.

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drdimick

10 Year 15 Year
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Feb 11, 2010
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I have been looking into getting a fairly good tent since I have gotten rid of my RV. A few key inputs is I currently have a family of 4 that will be increased to 5 in the next 2 or 3 years, we frequent areas like Glamis and Dumont sand dunes that regularly have high winds (up to 60 mph and in some rare occasions higher) and well...sand. So I have to have enough room to shelter at least the wife and kids and them be able to entertain themselves, I can throw on a pair of goggles and be good. As for an idea on what I have been looking at and considering, RTT's like the ARB Simpson III with the extra room, for the most part most RTT setups look like they can accomadate 5 (2 adults and 3 kids). My biggest concerns are the that they might be a little lacking on the room available and how do they withstand to high winds. I have also thought about supplementing this with a ground shelter that can withstand high winds for some extra indoor real estate for when they might want to be inside somewhere playing.

I have also looked into Cabelas Alaknak II tent, room is no concern in this one, more on the side of how would it hold in a sand dune wind storm. I am also open to conventional tent options if anyone has them. I would rather do an RTT or even a conventional tent due to the fact the Alaknak is big, and the room is really uneeded for camping we do outside the dunes to the fact that if we went with the Alaknak or similiar tent (oversized like www.shelter-systems.com playa dome style) I would still have a conventional tent for camping in some places.

Any help, insight or opinions is appreciated.
 
I have slept in tents in Glamis and Dumont. And, I hated it.
 
Yeah I realize tent camping is not the most ideal for the dunes, but we werent using the toy hauler as much as we thought so we sold it, and it leaves me now with the options, tent it there or dont go and well, I'm gonna go. Thanks for the input Rambrush, that setup fits us fairly well.
 
Canvas Tents

Either will last you a lifetime of camping. One major drawback - Heavy!

Kodiak Canvas Premium Tents

Springbar® Camping Tents

Big Bend 2010
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X2 on the Kodiak, if space and weight are not an issue. I was skeptical at first but after reading up on them on multiple forums then taking a look at a local retailer we tried it out. It does require lot's of staking but once that is done it's a 5 min set up. Our shake down trip was partly on the Mojave road. I posted some pictures in the trails section. I think I even posted the link to the online retailer where we saved $$.
 
Wow, thanks for the input guys. Those tents are really right up my alley. Weight typically isn't an issue, especially for shelter. How does these tents hold up in high winds?
 
Staying close to the ground in windy conditions is generally the best setup. A few years ago our new REI 4 man tent ended up with bent poles in the Anza Borrego Desert...

I don't subscribe to The Overland Journal...yet. But the one edition they have as a sample on their website has a review of some interesting tents most of which I have not heard of. The review is for smaller tents than you want but if you go to the company websites of the highest rated tents you will see some interesting options.

Sample Issue | Overland Journal

Their top tent choice is made by the Swedish company Hilleberg. They are pricey but they claimed the one they tested had no "indication from the tent that there was wind, despite some 30-mph-plus gusts". Sounds impressive. Their second choice was made by MSR. Their tents are pretty good. Good luck.
 
I don't have any personal experience with strong winds but the research I did convinced me I would be ok. I would spend some time reading reviews in multiple forums to satisfy yourself. Competitive edge products is the place I bought mine. They do have an ebay store but I got a good deal calling them directly and asking for a deal. Best of luck in your search.
 
Dome type tents are typicaly better in high wind situations. Im sure you have a bigger range over there than we have. Any thing that is large is going to be affected by wind.

I have been in a dome tent in quite extreem conditions to the point where it was folding down on us most of the night with the wind. But it stayed up and there was 1' of sand built up at the door the next morning.

I guess it depends on how large of tent you want. Tents designed for snow and high winds tent to flap a lot to shake the snow of and are noisy.
 
drdimick said:
Wow, thanks for the input guys. Those tents are really right up my alley. Weight typically isn't an issue, especially for shelter. How does these tents hold up in high winds?
Click to expand...

I can tell you with all certainty that the kodiak does not stand up to high winds. We were in Baja with friends that used it. After a storm in Bahia LA the tent did not make the return trip.
Personally I don't think you will find a single tent in that shape that can survive strong winds for a long time (unless it weights 300#, has steel beams and uses 2 foot anchors). stay low to the ground. If you want wind proof tents look at the 4 season tents made for extreme mountain climbing. They are pricy though and I am not sure they come for 5 people.
cheers,
J
 
kodiak or springbar (more $$) for sure. ive got the kodiak 10X10 6 man for our family of 5 with 3 young kids under 8. works awesome, and space/weight isnt an issue since its in our off road trailer but for what it is and the materials used, its perfectly acceptable. regarding high winds, any fabric ground tent isnt the best choice. a camping trailer is your best bet, or an RTT with metal framing. ive found the kodiak to work very well in high winds. the design is strong and sturdy. good secure staking is key here.

as with anything, its a compromise of size, weight, and sturdyness. with a ground tent that can comfortable sleep a big family, you can choose 2 of the 3.
 
if you have the money , try Shelter Systems.
This was the original North Face VE-25 tent designer.
THE burning man tents, was the only thing that held up in the winds there.

alternatively, check out the burning man forums and photos (stick with the shelters if your a family man!)

Kelty makes a great awning that is now discontinued, but can take glamis. Kelty Shadehouse.
 
Your best bet is to follow the example of those that summit Everest and K2. Use what they use. They need to withstand 80+ wind and snow loads. The set up time is very fast on these and they don't need to be staked out. They are freestanding. You can however stake it down for extra support.

This one comes in 2-4 man:
Mountain Hardwear | Trango™ 2
This is 2-3 man:
The North Face Equipment Tents MOUNTAIN 25

The only downside is these are 4 season tents designed for cold weather. They aren't super breathable and you may have ventilation issues in the summer. Both companies North Face and Mountain Hardwear make 3 season tents that are much more breathable but they are probably only good up to the 30-40 mph range.

Whatever you do, go with a low tent. Something you can stand up in is going to have a hard time in 60 mph winds.
 
Chago said:
Either will last you a lifetime of camping. One major drawback - Heavy!

Kodiak Canvas Premium Tents

Springbar® Camping Tents

Big Bend 2010
Click to expand...

A local cruiser head here in oxnard put that tent on top of his trailer, instead of buying a typical RTT. work out great and set up in no time flat. The canvas is heavy duty and stands up to the wind too. Where the holes in the tent are for the tent spikes he just bolted to the lid of his trailer.

awesome awesome
 
Springbar Tents

Hello everyone, I'm Nick from Kirkham's Outdoor Products. I see that there are a few questions on our Springbar tents that maybe I could help out with.


The Springbar tent was designed to withstand high wind speeds. We have base camped in Mount Everest, where the wind speed averages 30-40 mph. Also, we get countless people that are Springbar believers after going to Burning Man, where sand storms can reach up to 70 mph+, and Springbar tents are the only thing standing.

That's Right! Springbar at the Base Camp of Mount Everest

As far as weight is concerned... it's a little heavy, but we are not making a backpacking tent. We are making a tent that has lasted most people 30 to 40 years. We are always testing new materials, but always have efficiency in mind. It's all the little things that make a Springbar tent. Things like metal stake loops, double-walled aluminum-and-steel tubing, and reinforced Army Duck canvas windows, do add some weight but they also add incredible durability.

Springbar Canvas Tents: Made In Salt Lake City USA Kirkham's Outdoor Products

Please if you have any questions do not hesitate to give me call

Nick C.
Kirkham's Outdoor Products
Salt Lake City, Utah
Phone 800-453-7756
Phone 801-486-4161
Springbar Canvas Tents: Made In Salt Lake City USA Kirkham's Outdoor Products
 
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Oztent.... again hands down best tent.

Another feature would be with your growing family utilizing the front portion for another room.
 
Ditto on the Springbar Tents. We've been using a 10x13 for about 25 years now and have had positive experience in all weathers ranging from extremely heavy rain, snow, Wyoming wind of 60+ mph and never had a problem with it. My brother in law has had his for something around 35 years and was the one who turned me on to buying one. We've since bought one for each of our married kids over the years and they're now using it with their families. Kinda cool seeing our whole family in their own Springbars with 10 grandkids running around. Best camping investment we've made next to my FJ40 :)

A bit on the heavy side, but for a base camp tent for extended camping in all weather I have yet to find an equal. (I haven't been in an OzTent yet)
 
Duke said:
Ditto on the Springbar Tents. We've been using a 10x13 for about 25 years now and have had positive experience in all weathers ranging from extremely heavy rain, snow, Wyoming wind of 60+ mph and never had a problem with it. My brother in law has had his for something around 35 years and was the one who turned me on to buying one. We've since bought one for each of our married kids over the years and they're now using it with their families. Kinda cool seeing our whole family in their own Springbars with 10 grandkids running around. Best camping investment we've made next to my FJ40 :)

A bit on the heavy side, but for a base camp tent for extended camping in all weather I have yet to find an equal. (I haven't been in an OzTent yet)
Click to expand...

^That is a true testimonial. Springbar all the way. There is a reason the knockoff is cheaper...
 
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