Best Tent for Family Camping

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PHBeerman

PHBeerman

10 Year 15 Year 20 Year
Joined
Aug 28, 2004
Threads
34
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674
Location
Boise, Idaho
It is time to update my tent collection with a new family camping tent. I want one that is huge. I have about 8 tents currently from solo tents to smaller family camping tents. What suggestions do you all have?


Thank You
Troy
 
Skillet said:
Costco. If it ever breaks, they take it back.
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Well, if you want a heavy duty tent that actually works and keeps you dry, and can withstand actual wind, you want a real tent. These are great:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...parentType=index&parentId=cat20103&id=0043361


Seriously, the Cabelas Alaskan Guide tents will do everything you want, especially in the larger sizes. They are extremely dry in heavy rain, and extremely stable in major wind. For what they are, these tents are a bargin. What they are not, is light, so keep looking if you want a backpacking tent. I think our 6 person is close to 25 pounds. Great tent, no kidding. Highly recommended.

Costco tent=typical cheap disposable junk.
 
Check out http://www.rei.com/product/693151. Its the base camp 6. Plenty big and setup to handle the elements as well.

I've got the base camp 4 and it is superb.

TR
 
I have a 6 man tent for trips that may have weather issues. I am looking for a big tent for use at the lake on nice weekends. Big is needed because my wife would like to have a big air mattress this year and we now also need to have a crib along.

My current Tent inventory includes the following

REI - Solo tent (Lightweight only 3.5 lbs)
Mtn Hardware 2 man backbacking tent
Kelty 4 season backpacking tent
Cabelas Alaskan Guide 6 person tent Aluminum poles
Eureka 4 person dome tent
Another el cheapo dome tent that I used to use for camping with groups when extreme drinking was in order.

Now I need a cabin style tent to round out my selection
 
Skillet said:
Yea, I know...it is like Kragen, it keeps breaking and you keep bringing it back. :lol:

I just figured with kids and all, terrorizing...
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I am pretty anal about my tents. Even when I backpack, I carry a little broom and dustpan which I use to sweep the tent daily. A few of the options that I am looking into are

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39276172&memberId=12500226

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39283149&memberId=12500226

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39170684&memberId=12500226
 
PHBeerman said:
I am pretty anal about my tents. Even when I backpack, I carry a little broom and dustpan which I use to sweep the tent daily. A few of the options that I am looking into are

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39276172&memberId=12500226

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39283149&memberId=12500226

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39170684&memberId=12500226
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You sound like my Brother.

He sweeps the dirt off of the dirt to make sure that all of the dirt is dirt free. :grinpimp:


Don't know about Columbia tents, but I had a Eureka a few years back that I loved. It was tough, light weight and very waterproof. I would probably still have it except some meth-head ripped it off.
 
Skillet said:
You sound like my Brother.

He sweeps the dirt off of the dirt to make sure that all of the dirt is dirt free. :grinpimp:


Don't know about Columbia tents, but I had a Eureka a few years back that I loved. It was tough, light weight and very waterproof. I would probably still have it except some meth-head ripped it off.
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My wife gets mad at me about tent maintenance. After I return from a trip, I set the tent up in my yard and clean it with mild detergent and let it dry for a couple of days. I clean inside, and outside. And then I clean the bottom of the tent. My Kelty is 14 years old and looks brand new. It has probably been slept in over 150 times.
 
We recently bought the Columbia Bugaboo from Cabela's.

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39204423&memberId=12500226

It's rated for 5 adults, but will hole 2 adults and 2 kids just and gear fine. The first trip we used it, it rained about 1.5" and lots of wind that night and temp went down to ~34F. With the fly cinched down there was no breeze in the tent and I only had one small leak caused by my incorrect use of a vent opening. :doh: I used one paper towel to soak up the water.

The tent is big enough for me to stand up in (I'm 6'-1"). The fly can be opened in varying amounts to allow ventilation and keep privacy.
 
I vote OZ tent. Love mine 10x14. It's been setup in the back yard for two days in fairly heavy rain. Dry as a bone inside. Large vestibules at each end.
 
freeamerica said:
You guys all say the Oz Tents rule, but for the cost I can buy 4 or 5 other really nice tents and still have change left over. Are they REALLY worth the extra cost if you camp less than 100 nights per year...?
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quick to set up, quick to take down.

there were three families camping next to us at cm07.
looked like they were about done setting up thier tents.

i still beat all three setting up. :D

the rain fly is top notch, clips to the tent at the bottom with fastex clips.
the ground tarp is the same size as the whole tent and fly, nothing gets wet when it rains.
when packed up it it's about 3feet in diameter and maybe 3-4" thick.

Q:Are they REALLY worth the extra cost if you camp less than 100 nights per year...?

yes!
 
you need a yurt to "round" out your collection
 
PHBeerman said:
That is in the works. We have some land up IDave's way that will have a Yurt next year. We will use that until we can build our dream "Cabin"
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Fawkin hippie!


:flipoff2:
 
Seriously though, I'm looking at the same thing: we have an older Coleman cheapass thing that has held up pretty well for 6 or 8 years, but it sucks in the wind and rain and it's falling apart. We stuff 2 queen air matresses in there and there's a little room left for some of our stuff. Works pretty good. We need a nicer version of the same thing. I kick myself for getting rid of my dad's old cabin tent: bombproof.
 
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