Car camping/base camp tent

[Brentbba]

I was looking at the Springbar tents. I'm sure they're sturdy but these weight 50-60 lbs or even more. They probably also take up a big chunk of your cargo area. Seems that it sure wouldn't encourage setting up camp too far from the car.

Something like a Springbar seems like it would make sense if you where staying in one location for weeks on end. However, if you where traveling around, do you guys think it would make sense to get more of a backpacker style tent?

True statement. I think my 10x10 weighs in at around 62lbs. Dont' know if that included the pole or stake bag or not! The 'duffle bag' for the tent does take up room (fortunately I have a trailer to put it in). There's a pole bag thats thin but about 4-5' long and a separate bag for your stakes too.

I would not want to put this up/take it down if I was moving each day. Staying in one place for a weekend or longer is just fine and I love all the space in it.

As another poster eluded to, I wouldn't want to be forced to put the Springbar up in a rainstorm for sure! If my memory serves well, there are 16 stakes for just the tent and two more if you put the canopy up. Once it's staked down the pole system is very quick. The structural integrity does come from staking it down.

 

[alia176]

Something like a Springbar seems like it would make sense if you where staying in one location for weeks on end. However, if you where traveling around, do you guys think it would make sense to get more of a backpacker style tent?

Here's a typical scenario with my family when we were tenting: wheel all day long, having fun, checking out the scenery and eating dust. It's dusk now, family is cranky, wife is bitchy and quite possibly it's raining. Everyone is hungry and we need to get going on food prep.

in my Clint Eastwood voice:

So Punk, do you feel like putting up a Springbar or a Coleman instant tent right now?

 

[wapitidon]

The <5 foot pole bag takes up very little space, weighs 20 lbs. and fits on roof rack or behind seats of a 40. The Tent bag is about the size of a fullsize sleeping bag and weighs about 35 lbs. Tent stakes and a BFH go into a small tool bag. So nothing real large or heavy.

It only takes a few minutes to set up and most of that time is pounding stakes. That's the one issue...pounding stakes. It's sometimes difficult to find a large enough dirt patch on the Rubicon but where there is a will...there's usually a way. It really is like having your own little cabin in the forest...or where-ever you happen set it up... and don't forget the outstanding ventilation in the summer heat along with the best YKK zippers on all windows and doors. Then there is the Springbar made in America vs Cabela's Kodiak Flexbar made in China argument. For 80 bucks I'll buy American everytime.

 

[Bogo]

It only takes a few minutes to set up and most of that time is pounding stakes. That's the one issue...pounding stakes. It's sometimes difficult to find a large enough dirt patch on the Rubicon but where there is a will...there's usually a way.

Rock hammer and rock drill... When you have the hole bored, stick a wire tent stake into it, and then use a wedge of wood to wedge it in place. If you are using a 1/4" rock drill it will only take a few minutes to make a 2" deep hole. Of course make sure it is OK to do it where you are. The other thing is holes should drain, or be filled with something that will keep the water out. Otherwise the rock will split there after a few freeze thaw cycles.

They show the equipment on this page:
Hand Drilling and Breaking Rock for Wilderness Trail Maintenance - 84232602 - Forest Service Publications - Publications - Recreational Trails - Environment - FHWA

 

[alia176]

Then there is the Springbar made in America vs Cabela's Kodiak Flexbar made in China argument. For 80 bucks I'll buy American everytime.

The Springbar is only $80 more than Kodiak? If so, that's not even worth discussing!

 

[Bighead]

Does anybody have experience with the Serengeti tents that Equipt1 offers? Specifically the Hennie Bow. I know they are more expensive than the Springbar/Kodiak tents and not made in the US but I like that I wouldn't need to stake anything down for a basic pitch. I like the Oztent (was looking pretty hard at an RV-4) but it's stored length was a show stopper.

 

[Jetboy]

I was looking at the Springbar tents. I'm sure they're sturdy but these weight 50-60 lbs or even more. They probably also take up a big chunk of your cargo area. Seems that it sure wouldn't encourage setting up camp too far from the car.

Something like a Springbar seems like it would make sense if you where staying in one location for weeks on end. However, if you where traveling around, do you guys think it would make sense to get more of a backpacker style tent?

I have a relatively expensive, good quality, 4 person backpacking style tent. It's easy to set up and fast. Has a full rubberized bottom. Rain fly that clips on in 20 seconds. 3 pole design and is very sturdy in snow/wind. And it packs down into a sleeping bag size pack.

My parents have a Montana Canvas 12'x12' wall tent that is a circus style with a tall center pole and corner posts. It can be set up in 30 minutes with 2 people, but it takes 4 big heavy stakes at each corner, weights 75lbs, and is the size of a large cooler packed up. I don't think it has left the shed in 5 years. If you want to heat it with a propane heater, and set it up for a week or two, it works great. Otherwise it's a bit heavy PITA to use. And it's quicker than 99% of wall tents to set up.

The small quick tent is so much nicer to set up. That's what I'd go with. And it will do great in snowy weather. I've camped in mine many times in deep snow. Buy a good quality one and it will last 15 years. Look for one that does not require feeding any of the bows through fabric loops. They are always going to get caught up and tangled. Hooks that clip onto the bows are the only way to go. I also like the fact that mine has all color coded clips and color coded eyelets for the posts. It also has color coded nylon straps where the clips for the rain fly attach so you can't put the fly on backwards, you basically can't screw it up. Goes together in a flash.

 

[ckkone]

Another vote for Springbar.

My Traveler 5

 

[Bogo]

An interesting question. Do any of the other tents out there have a sewn on awning over the door? I grew up with a canvas family tent that did, but I notice it is a feature that isn't there on many tents. It was great for keeping the rain and water from getting in the door.

 

[Brentbba]

The Springbar in the pic above is a heavy duty zip on/off.

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

An interesting question. Do any of the other tents out there have a sewn on awning over the door? I grew up with a canvas family tent that did, but I notice it is a feature that isn't there on many tents. It was great for keeping the rain and water from getting in the door.

My turbo tent had a awning over the door. Google turbo tent. It is a nice well made tent for about $450 on sale...

 

[CJKLR]

SanDiegoCruiser , Thats an awesome looking tent. Thanks for posting that.
I'm thinking of buying one of those after looking at them online. The price is alot lower then the OzTent I was looking at, and they seem to have some nice features.
I wonder if anyone else has one. I liked the look of the 4-8 person Pineview