Best 4 or 6 man Dome tent (car camping)

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Riley

Riley

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Hi guys -
I reviewed the existing threads and didn't see this topic covered very well (at least for my requirements).
I'm looking to replace my Sierra Designs 6 person tent (nylon). Mainly my wife and I sleeping in it but we like lots of room and to stand up.

Looking for high quality, price not so important, ($600?), good in rain (3 season) and easy to set up.
So far looking at:
- Marmon Halo 6-person
- North Face Mountain Manor 4 or 6

Thought about canvas but not sure I have room to store a big tent and might be a hassle to set up and dry ect...

What's the best quality tent for these general needs?
 
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Visit the Seek outside website for the best tents on the market. I will never go back to a dome tent...too cramped. They're tipi style with one center pole and enough room to stand up. There fast to set up and rugged. Best of all they make a little stove that will fit in them and provide warmth.

I just bought one with a stove. Have not used it yet, but it seems to be great quality.

http://seekoutside.com/
 
We purchased a halo 6 at christmas time for a smokin' $250. It is super easy to setup, has reasonable sized vestibules and at 6'2" i can stand up in it. I also really like the mesh roof for summer sleeping.
 
Hi Riley,

I just went through this exact same exercise and here is what i found/opinion:

1. You probably want to look at tents that provide privacy with out the fly. Flys are a hassle to set up unless there is a threat of bad weather. The Marmon tent looks to have minimal privacy in the fly-less state.

2. Tents with factory bent tubing are a recipe for a bummer time. They are stress concentrators thus tend to fail first. If fail in field, very difficult to recover from. Hard to find replacements for. I tend to stay with straight poles for replacement ease and strength. The North Face looks like is has bent poles.

3. Wind is going to be your enemy. Thus, you want stability. two pole tents tend to collapse (though not fail) in wind. Both tents you spotlighted are basically 2 pole rigs. Call the vendors to see if they have actual wind data (wind tunnel, etc.).

4. Look at ground and fly fabric for robustness/water proofness. Weight is not an issue in the car-camping world but durability is.

My choice: REI, Base Camp 6. This is a 3 straight pole design. Plus, they have wind data indicating it can handle 50+ mph w/o collapsing (wind tunnel). I talked to them at length about privacy. The screening is high except the front door/back window. Depending on who you talk to there, the door/window screening has a zip up closure for privacy. I also recall my conversation w. the factory indicated pretty heavy duty floor and super water proof fly.

I ordered this with delivery around 5/15. I can then give a better opinion.

Hope this helps!
 
Live to Ski said:
...snip...

My choice: REI, Base Camp 6. This is a 3 straight pole design. Plus, they have wind data indicating it can handle 50+ mph w/o collapsing (wind tunnel). I talked to them at length about privacy. The screening is high except the front door/back window. Depending on who you talk to there, the door/window screening has a zip up closure for privacy. I also recall my conversation w. the factory indicated pretty heavy duty floor and super water proof fly.

...snip...

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

For Tent Poles, I stumbled across this chap: tentpoletechnologies.com
If I was replacing poles, I'd look him up. I considered just replacing the poles on my current tent but it's not worth it.

Very helpful chap.

and BTW everybody, thanks for advice. i will consider the options presented.

Riley
 
One thing to keep in mind when buying any tent is that Kelty has a lifetime free repair policy. They fixed my Carport free after a gust of wind blew it away and bent one of the poles and ripped the fabric. IIRC the total cost to me was about $6 for the shipping. The repairs were very high quality, the Carport is basically like new now.
 
Live to Ski said:
Hi Riley,

I just went through this exact same exercise and here is what i found/opinion:

1. You probably want to look at tents that provide privacy with out the fly. Flys are a hassle to set up unless there is a threat of bad weather. The Marmon tent looks to have minimal privacy in the fly-less state.

2. Tents with factory bent tubing are a recipe for a bummer time. They are stress concentrators thus tend to fail first. If fail in field, very difficult to recover from. Hard to find replacements for. I tend to stay with straight poles for replacement ease and strength. The North Face looks like is has bent poles.

3. Wind is going to be your enemy. Thus, you want stability. two pole tents tend to collapse (though not fail) in wind. Both tents you spotlighted are basically 2 pole rigs. Call the vendors to see if they have actual wind data (wind tunnel, etc.).

4. Look at ground and fly fabric for robustness/water proofness. Weight is not an issue in the car-camping world but durability is.

My choice: REI, Base Camp 6. This is a 3 straight pole design. Plus, they have wind data indicating it can handle 50+ mph w/o collapsing (wind tunnel). I talked to them at length about privacy. The screening is high except the front door/back window. Depending on who you talk to there, the door/window screening has a zip up closure for privacy. I also recall my conversation w. the factory indicated pretty heavy duty floor and super water proof fly.

I ordered this with delivery around 5/15. I can then give a better opinion.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...


I camped out of an REI base camp 6 for the last two years. It's bomb proof as far as the weather is concerned. Waterproof, windproof, and easy to setup and maintain. Never had a problem with the polls. The bent polls are for the vestibules on the front and back. No issues with them. It takes two people to set up.

That being said I sold it and am now looking at a Spring Bar. I camp with two teenage kids so we need more room than the REI offered. I have not bought yet because I am hesitant of the canvas in the summer. Worried it will be too hot. I have never camped in canvas. As far as quality the Spring Bar seems to be the best. I need to decide soon because we have a trip coming up. Good luck in your choice.
 
Another recommendation for the REI base camp 6. I've been using one for 9-10 years, and the only part beginning to show its age are the clear panels in the fly (they are starting to yellow). The only time it was ever wet inside was when setting it up in a hail/rain storm, and it bailed right out. The fly is really strong, definitely a 3+, maybe 4 season tent. Large vestibules as well.

I'm not too familiar with the other tents you mention, so can't compare, but there isn't much I would change about the REI.
 
my wife and I love standing up in the tent.
i didn't think a Dome tent precluded standing room.
I have a crappy 6 person now from Sierra Designs and we can stand up in it.... (great for getting dressed in).

The canvas tent idea is interesting but worried about the size & weight in typical BC rainfall....
 
The dome tents we have been refering to allows one to stand (REI is 6'+).

Ok UPDATE on said REI base camp 6: I received it the other day and set it up in the garage. Shortcomings: I believe the no-seum netting in the tent ceiling goes too far down the side walls, thus compromising privacy. Remember that in typical car camping fashion, flys in general are a pain unless inclement weather is expected.

Also, the tent itself actually uses bent poles. I knew that but decided to check it out anyway. Turns out I confirmed I don't like that option.

Otherwise, the tent appears solid, but I will return it anyway base on above.

HOWEVER: I did find an alternate tent which I believe will fit my wacky requirements. That is the Chinook Cyclone Base Camp 6-Person. Not much info on this rig, but it is a 3 pole with stand up room. Also, the no-seum seems (and according to talking to the distributor) to be limited to the roof portion (good for privacy).

I ordered it from amazon, so will report on this option in near future.

Keep on keeping on....
 
Please keep us posted on the Chinook Cyclone Base Camp , I'm curious...
however the poles are still "bent", correct??
 
I think he's referring to the the "elbow" sections that the REI model has. The Chinook has fiberglass poles that arch when assembled, but do not have sections that are pre-bent at 140* or the like.

[EDIT] Turns out that the REI Hobitats and similar models have pre-curved poles. You have to make sure the curved sections are all lined up correctly before trying to erect the tent. i could see how this would cause some consternation.
BentPoles.webp
 
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BMthinker is right on the REI bent poles.

The Chinook has either fiberglass poles or aluminum poles. The aluminum option is around $100 more (I got this option as my reading indicated more strength/easier repair). I do not believe there are any elbow poles like Bmthinker stated. However, I will confirm once unpacked.

I just received the Chinook but haven't set it up yet (waiting for the wife so we can curse together).

Regarding the REI set up. Only set it up once and that was a 2 person gig. However, I would think with practice and technique, 1 person could pull it off.
 
I have the Big Agnes Big House 6. Great dome with enough height to stand (I'm 6'3"), and stable as a rock in wind. It just fits a queen and a double Colman air mattress side-by-side with room in front and back for gear/clothes. Two small kids and two adults, we live in luxury and all have plenty of room. Used it for the last two season and it's rocked.
 
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